Primario desconocido de cabeza y cuello, una visión del oncólogo radioterapeuta / Unknown primary of the head and neck, a vision of the radiation oncologist

Se define carcinoma de cabeza y cuello (CCC) de primario desconocido al cuadro de adenopatía cervical en que, luego de examen físico, estudios de imágenes y panendoscopía con biopsias, no se encuentra el tumor primario pero sí la confirmación de malignidad de la adenomegalia. Son infrecuentes, por lo que estudios prospectivos que arrojen resultados estadísticamente significativos no están disponibles actualmente, y el tratamiento definitivo es aún motivo de controversia. Al ser la radioterapia un tratamiento dirigido es imprescindible definir adecuadamente los volúmenes blanco de tratamiento; es ideal el hallazgo del tumor primario, pero en muchos casos a pesar de un estudio escalonado, exhaustivo y multidisciplinar esto no se logra. Esto motiva el debate de qué regiones tratar, dosis, fraccionamiento y modalidad (exclusiva, adyuvante, en concurrencia). Hasta el momento el tratamiento de ganglios cervicales y mucosa de alto riesgo parece ser la estrategia con mejor control locorregional.

Head and neck carcinoma (HNC) of unknown primary is a clinical condition defined as a cervical adenopathy for which, after physical examination, imaging studies and panendoscopy with biopsies, the primary tumor is not found, but there is confirmed malignancy of the adenomegaly. It is infrequent, so prospective studies that yield statistically significant results are not currently available, and definitive treatment is still controversial. Since radiation therapy is a targeted treatment, it is essential to adequately define treatment target volumes; the discovery of the primary tumor is ideal, but in many cases, despite a phased, exhaustive and multidisciplinary study, this is not achieved. This motivates the debate on which regions to treat, dose, fractionation and modality (exclusive, adjuvant, concurrent). Until now, the treatment of high-risk cervical nodes and mucosa seems to be the strategy with the best locoregional control.

Primera Radiocirugía de schwannoma vestibular en el sistema público uruguayo, Hospital Regional de Tacuarembó. Centro Oncológico del Norte

Resumen: Los schwannomas vestibulares son tumores benignos de lento crecimiento. Aproximadamente el 90% son de presentación unilateral, el 10% restante, son bilaterales y se encuentran asociados al síndrome de Neurofibromatosis tipo 2. Las opciones de tratamiento son observación, cirugía o radiocirugía. La radiocirugía es un tratamiento seguro, con altas tasas de control local y baja morbilidad en schwannomas vestibulares menores a 3 cm de diámetro mayor. Reportamos la primera radiocirugía realizada en el sistema público uruguayo para este tipo de patologías.

Abstract: Vestibular schwannomas are slow-growing benign tumors. Approximately 90% are unilateral, the remaining 10% are bilateral and are associated with Neurofibromatosis type 2 syndrome. Treatment options are observation, surgery or radiosurgery. Radiosurgery is a safe treatment, with high local control rates and low morbidity in vestibular schwannomas smaller than 3 cm in major diameter. We report the first radiosurgery performed in the Uruguayan public system for this type of pathology.

Resumo: Os schwannomas vestibulares são tumores benignos de crescimento lento. Aproximadamente 90% são unilaterais, os restantes 10% são bilaterais e estão associados à síndrome de neurofibromatose tipo 2. As opções de tratamento são observação, cirurgia ou radiocirurgia. A radiocirurgia é um tratamento seguro, com altas taxas de controle local e baixa morbilidade em schwannomas vestibulares com menos de 3 cm de diâmetro maior. Relatamos a primeira radiocirurgia realizada no sistema público uruguaio pra este tipo de patologia.

The role of the radiation oncologist in quality and patient safety: A proposal of indicators and metrics.

This manuscript represents a collaboration from an international group of quality and safety expert radiation oncologists. It is a position/review paper with the specific aim of defining the role of the radiation oncologist in quality and safety management. This manuscript is unique in that we recommend specific quality assurance/control tasks and correlated quality and indicators and safety measures that are the responsibility of the radiation oncologist. The article addresses the role of the radiation oncologist in quality and safety from a strong perspective of multidisciplinarity and teamwork. Our manuscript is "cross-cutting" and applicable to radiation oncologist in any practice setting (i.e. low middle-income countries).

Radiotherapy utilization in developing countries: An IAEA study.

BACKGROUND: The planning of national radiotherapy (RT) services requires a thorough knowledge of the country's cancer epidemiology profile, the radiotherapy utilization (RTU) rates and a future projection of these data. Previous studies have established RTU rates in high-income countries. METHODS: Optimal RTU (oRTU) rates were determined for nine middle-income countries, following the epidemiological evidence-based method. The actual RTU (aRTU) rates were calculated dividing the total number of new notifiable cancer patients treated with radiotherapy in 2012 by the total number of cancer patients diagnosed in the same year in each country. An analysis of the characteristics of patients and treatments in a series of 300 consecutive radiotherapy patients shed light on the particular patient and treatments profile in the participating countries. RESULTS: The median oRTU rate for the group of nine countries was 52% (47-56%). The median aRTU rate for the nine countries was 28% (9-46%). These results show that the real proportion of cancer patients receiving RT is lower than the optimal RTU with a rate difference between 10-42.7%. The median percent-unmet need was 47% (18-82.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The optimal RTU rate in middle-income countries did not differ significantly from that previously found in high-income countries. The actual RTU rates were consistently lower than the optimal, in particular in countries with limited resources and a large population.

Perspectives on Patient Access to Radiation Oncology Services in South America.

Cancer represents a fast-growing challenge worldwide, and is being recognized as an emerging and critical issue in low- and middle-income countries, such most of South America. This subcontinent is unique for its geography, culture, and ethnical diversity. Most of its countries have large expanses of jungle and desert where underserved population groups including indigenous (native Indians), represent a challenge for cancer care. Many indigent patients have no access to preventive care nor early diagnosis. This results in late presentations with advanced disease and frequently incurable cancer. Prompt and coordinated action from local and international organizations is needed to support and guide local governments to avoid a global crisis. The critical role of education to improve awareness of the importance of radiation therapy, a cost-effective treatment modality, with the potential to help these patients at a relatively low cost is discussed.

Tratamiento con radioquimioterapia del cáncer de cuello uterino: resultados a largo plazo / Radiochemotherapy treatment of cervical cancer: long-term results

Introducción: la radioquimioterapia es una opción de tratamiento curativo del carcinoma de cérvix, particularmente en pacientes de medio hospitalario uruguayo cuyo diagnóstico se realiza en estadios localmente avanzados. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los resultados terapéuticos y la toxicidad crónica de dicho tratamiento en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR). Método: se incluyeron 164 pacientes portadoras de carcinoma cérvico-uterino que completaron el tratamiento de radioquimioterapia entre junio de 2006 y noviembre de 2008. La radioterapia externa (RTE) consistió en irradiación pélvica (concomitante con cisplatino semanal) y braquiterapia (BT) útero-vaginal. Se calculó la dosis biológica efectiva para tumor, para recto y para vejiga. Se analizó la tasa de control locorregional y la sobrevida a cinco años, así como las complicaciones crónicas por el método de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: la sobrevida global obtenida fue de 67% a cinco años, mostrando diferencias significativas entre el estadio II (78%) y el estadio III (49%) (Log-rank test, p = 0,0002). La tasa de complicaciones crónicas grado 3-4, según RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group), fue de 1,8% para las urinarias y 3,7% para las digestivas. El control local inicial fue de 89% y la persistencia lesional de 10,3%; recidiva locorregional (RL) en todo el período: 19,5%; metástasis con o sin RL: 10,3%. Conclusiones: se confirma en nuestro medio la eficacia terapéutica de la radioquimioterapia en cáncer de cérvix. La mayoría de las recidivas o persistencias fueron por falta de control locorregional luego del tratamiento inicial. El tratamiento fue bien tolerado, con bajo porcentaje de complicaciones crónicas, comparable con referencias internacionales.

Abstract Introduction: radiochemotherapy may be used to cure cervical cancer, particularly for patients treated in Uruguayan hospitals, whose diagnosis is made in locally advanced stages. The study aims to analyse therapy results and chronic toxicity of such treatment at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center (CHPR). Method: 164 carriers of cervical-uterine cancer who completed the radiochemotherapy treatment between June 2006 and November 2008 were included in the study. External radiochemotherapy consisted in pelvic irradiation (in combination with weekly cisplatin) and uterus-vaginal brachytherapy. Effective biological doses for tumor were calculated, for the rectum and the bladder. Locoregional control rate and survival after 5 years, as well as chronic complications, were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: global five-year survival rate was 67%, there being significant differences between stage II (78%) and stage III (49%) (Log-rank test, p = 0.0002). According to RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) Grade 3/4 chronic complications rate was 1.8% for urinary complications and 3.7% for digestive complications. Initial local control was 89% and lesion persistence was 10.3%, locoregional recurrence (LR) throughout the period was 19.5%; metastases with and without LR was 10.3% Conclusions: therapeutic effectiveness of radiochemotherapy for to treat cervical cancer is confirmed in our context. In most cases recurrence or persistence resulted from lack of locoregional follow-up after initial treatment. Treatment was well tolerated, with low percentage of chronic complications, what is comparable to international literature.

Resumo Introdução: a radio-quimioterapia é uma opção de tratamento curativo do carcinoma de cérvix, particularmente em pacientes do meio hospitalar uruguaio cujo diagnóstico é feito em estádios localmente avançados. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar os resultados terapêuticos e a toxicidade crônica deste tratamento no Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR). Método: foram incluídas 164 pacientes portadoras de carcinoma cérvico-uterino que completaram o tratamento de radio-quimioterapia no período junho de 2006 - novembro de 2008. A radioterapia externa (RTE) foi feita por irradiação pélvica (concomitante com cisplatina semanal) e braquiterapia (BT) útero-vaginal. A dose biológica efetiva para tumor, reto e bexiga foi calculada. A taxa de controle loco-regional e a sobrevida aos cinco anos foram calculadas e também as complicações crônicas utilizando o método de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: a sobrevida global obtida foi de 67% aos cinco anos, mostrando diferenças significativas entre o estádio II (78%) e o estádio III (49%) (Log-rank test, p = 0,0002). A taxa de complicações crônicas graus 3-4, de acordo com a RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group), foi 1,8% para as urinarias e 3,7% para as digestivas. O controle local inicial foi de 89% e a persistência da lesão de 10,3%; recidiva loco-regional (RL) em todo o período: 19,5%; metástases com ou sem RL: 10,3%. Conclusões: a eficácia terapêutica da radioquimioterapia no câncer de cérvix no nosso meio foi confirmada. A maioria das recidivas ou persistências foi devida a falta de controle loco-regional depois do tratamento inicial. O tratamento foi bem tolerado, com baixa porcentagem de complicações crônicas, comparável a referências internacionais.

Optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate in developing countries: An IAEA study.

Optimal radiotherapy utilisation rate (RTU) is the proportion of all cancer cases that should receive radiotherapy. Optimal RTU was estimated for 9 Middle Income Countries as part of a larger IAEA project to better understand RTU and stage distribution.

Diet patterns and risk of squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma: a case-control study in Uruguay.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal cancer presents high incidence rates in the so-called Brazilian-Uruguayan belt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 1,170 participants (234 cases and 936 controls) which were analyzed by unconditional multiple logistic regression in order to examine risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OESCC) associated with several food groups. RESULTS: Boiled red meat (OR 2.59, 95%CI 1.69-3.97), lamb meat (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.07-2.51), processed meat (OR 1.49, 95%CI 1.01-2.21), whole milk (OR 1.78, 1.19-1.68), fresh vegetables and fruits (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.27-0.63), mate consumption (OR 2.04, 95%CI 1.32- 3.16), and black tea (OR 0.10, 95%CI 0.04-0.28) were significantly associated with risk of OESCC. CONCLUSIONS: Hot beverages (mate) and hot foods (boiled meat) appear to be important determinants in the risk of OESCC, allowing the penetration of carcinogens in tobacco and alcohol into the oesophageal mucosa.

Diabetes, overweight and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer: a case-control study in Uruguay.

Obese postmenopausal women increase their risk of developing breast cancer (BC), in particular if they display an android-type pattern of adiposity, which is also associated to increased risks of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In order to explore the associations among anthropometry (body mass index, body composition, somatotype), some specific items of medical history (diabetes, hypertension, dislypidemias, hyperuricemia) and the risk of BC in Uruguayan women, a case-control study was carried out between 2004-2009 at our Oncology Unit. 912 women of ages between 23-69 years (367 new BC cases and 545 non hospitalized, age-matched controls with a normal mammography) were interviewed. Twenty body measurements were taken in order to calculate body composition and somatotype. Patients were queried on socio-demographics, reproductive history, family history of cancer, a brief food frequency questionnaire and on personal history of diabetes, dislypidemias, hyperuricemia, hypertension and gallbladder stones. Uni- and multivariate analyses were done, generating odds ratios (ORs) as an expression of relative risks. A personal history of diabetes was positively associated to BC risk (OR=1.64, 95% CI 1.00-2.69), being higher among postmenopausal women (OR=1.92, 95% CI 1.04-3.52). The risks of BC for diabetes in postmenopausal women with overweight combined with dislypidemia (OR=9.33, 95% CI 2.10-41.5) and high fat/muscle ratio (OR=7.81, 95% CI 2.01-30.3) were significantly high. As a conclusion, a personal history of diabetes and overweight was strongly associated to BC. The studied sample had a subset of high-risk of BC featured by postmenopausal overweight and diabetic women, who also had a personal history of hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. The present results could contribute to define new high risk groups and individuals for primary as well as for secondary prevention, since this pattern linked to the metabolic syndrome is usually not considered for BC prevention.