Prognostic analysis and beneficiary identification of adjuvant external beam radiotherapy for stage pT4b sigmoid colon cancer.

The clinical efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy in sigmoid colon cancer remains questioned. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for patients with pathologic stage T4b sigmoid colon cancer. Patients with stage pT4b sigmoid colon cancer receiving adjuvant EBRT or not followed by surgery between 2004 and 2016 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Analysis of overall survival (OS) was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and prognostic factors were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression models with 95% confidence intervals within the entire cohort. A risk-stratification system was then developed based on the ß regression coefficient. Among 2073 patients, 284 (13.7%) underwent adjuvant EBRT. The median OS in the group receiving adjuvant EBRT was significantly longer than that in the non-radiotherapy group (p < 0.001). Age, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, perineural invasion, lymph node dissection (LND) number, and adjuvant EBRT were independent factors associated with OS. A risk-stratification system was generated, which showed that low-risk patients had a higher 5-year survival rate than high-risk patients (75.6% vs. 42.3%, p < 0.001). Adjuvant EBRT significantly prolonged the 5-year survival rate of high-risk patients (62.6% vs. 38.3%, p = 0.009) but showed no survival benefit among low-risk patients (87.7% vs. 73.2%, p = 0.100). Our risk-stratification model comprising age, serum CEA, perineural invasion, and LND number predicted the outcomes of patients with stage pT4b sigmoid colon cancer based on which subgroup of high-risk patients should receive adjuvant EBRT.

The effect of primary tumor radiotherapy in patients with Unresectable stage IV Rectal or Rectosigmoid Cancer: a propensity score matching analysis for survival.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of primary tumor radiotherapy on survival in patients with unresectable metastatic rectal or rectosigmoid cancer. METHODS: From September 2008 to September 2017, 350 patients with unresectable metastatic rectal or rectosigmoid cancer were retrospectively reviewed in our center. All patients received at least 4 cycles of chemotherapy and were divided into two groups according to whether they received primary tumor radiotherapy. A total of 163 patients received primary tumor radiotherapy, and the median radiation dose was 56.69 Gy (50.4-60). Survival curves were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method to roughly compare survival between the two groups. Subsequently, the 18-month survival rate was used as the outcome variable for this study. This study mainly evaluated the impact of primary tumor radiotherapy on the survival of these patients through a series of multivariate Cox regression analyses after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 21 months. All 350 patients received a median of 7 cycles of chemotherapy (range 4-12), and 163 (46.67%) patients received primary tumor radiotherapy for local symptoms. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the primary tumor radiotherapy group had a significant overall survival (OS) advantage compared to the group without radiotherapy (20.07 vs 17.33 months; P = 0.002). In this study, the multivariate Cox regression analysis after adjusting for covariates, multivariate Cox regression analysis after PSM, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis and propensity score (PS)-adjusted model analysis consistently showed that primary tumor radiotherapy could effectively reduce the risk of death for these patients at 18 months (HR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.98; HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.93-1.45; HR: 0.70, 95% CI 0.55-0.99 and HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59-0.94). CONCLUSION: Compared with patients with stage IV rectal or rectosigmoid cancer who did not receive primary tumor radiotherapy, those who received primary tumor radiotherapy had a lower risk of death. The prescription dose (59.4 Gy/33 fractions or 60 Gy/30 fractions) of radiation for primary tumors might be considered not only to relieve symptoms improve the survival of patients with inoperable metastatic rectal or rectosigmoid cancer.

Outcomes of preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in patients with unresectable locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Complete resection of locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer (LASCC) is sometimes difficult. Patients with LASCC have a dismal prognosis and poor quality of life, which has encouraged the evaluation of alternative multimodality treatments. This prospective study aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) followed by surgery as treatment of selected patients with unresectable LASCC. METHODS: We studied the patients with unresectable LASCC who received neoCRT followed by surgery between October 2010 and December 2012. The neoadjuvant regimen consisted of external-beam radiotherapy to 50 Gy and capecitabine-based chemotherapy every 3 weeks. Surgery was scheduled 6-8 weeks after radiotherapy. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were included in this study. The median follow-up was 42 months (range, 17-57 months). All patients completed neoCRT and surgery. Resection with microscopically negative margins (R0 resection) was achieved in 20 patients (95.2%). Pathologic complete response was observed in 8 patients (38.1%). Multivisceral resection was necessary in only 7 patients (33.3%). Two patients (9.5%) experienced grade 2 postoperative complications. No patients died within 30 days after surgery. For 18 patients with pathologic M0 (ypM0) disease, the cumulative probability of 3-year local recurrence-free survival, disease-free survival and overall survival was 100.0%, 88.9% and 100.0%, respectively. For all 21 patients, the cumulative probability of 3-year overall survival was 95.2% and bladder function was well preserved. CONCLUSION: For patients with unresectable LASCC, preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery can be performed safely and may result in an increased survival rate.

Reduced Ovarian Cancer Incidence in Women Exposed to Low Dose Ionizing Background Radiation or Radiation to the Ovaries after Treatment for Breast Cancer or Rectosigmoid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: High dose ionizing radiation can induce ovarian cancer, but the effect of low dose radiation on the development of ovarian cancer has not been extensively studied. We evaluated the effect of low dose radiation and total background radiation, and the radiation delivered to the ovaries during the treatment of rectosigmoid cancer and breast cancer on ovarian cancer incidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Background radiation measurements are from Assessment of Variations in Radiation Exposure in the United States, 2011. Ovarian cancer incidence data are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) of ovarian cancer following breast cancer and rectosigmoid cancer are from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Obesity data by US state are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mean ages of US state populations are from the United States Census Bureau. RESULTS: We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, which reveal that in 194,042 cases of breast cancer treated with beam radiation, there were 796 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months of treatment (0.41%); in 283, 875 cases of breast cancer not treated with radiation, there were 1,531 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months (0.54%). The difference in ovarian cancer incidence in the two groups was significant (<0.001, two tailed Fisher exact test). The small dose of scattered ovarian radiation (about 3.09 cGy) from beam radiation to the breast appears to have reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 24%. In 13,099 cases of rectal or rectosigmoid junction cancer treated with beam radiation in the SEER data, there were 20 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months of treatment (0.15%). In 33,305 cases of rectal or rectosigmoid junction cancer not treated with radiation, there were 91 cases of ovarian cancer by 120+ months (0.27%). The difference in ovarian cancer incidence in the two groups was significant (p = 0.017, two tailed Fisher exact test). In other words, the beam radiation to rectum and rectosigmoid that also reached the ovaries reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by 44%. In addition, there was a significant inverse relationship between ovarian cancer in white women and radon background radiation (r = - 0.465. p = 0.002) and total background radiation (r = -0.456, p = 0.002). Because increasing age and obesity are risk factors for ovarian cancer, multivariate linear regression was performed. The inverse relationship between ovarian cancer incidence and radon background was significant (ß = - 0.463, p = 0.002) but unrelated to age (ß = - 0.080, p = 0.570) or obesity (ß = - 0.180, p = 0.208). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of ovarian cancer risk following low dose radiation may be the result of radiation hormesis. Hormesis is a favorable biological response to low toxin exposure. A pollutant or toxin demonstrating hormesis has the opposite effect in small doses as in large doses. In the case of radiation, large doses are carcinogenic. However, lower overall cancer rates are found in U.S. states with high impact radiation. Moreover, there is reduced lung cancer incidence in high radiation background US states where nuclear weapons testing was done. Women at increased risk of ovarian cancer have two choices. They may be closely followed (surveillance) or undergo immediate prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. However, the efficacy of surveillance is questionable. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is considered preferable, although it carries the risk of surgical complications. The data analysis above suggests that low-dose pelvic irradiation might be a good third choice to reduce ovarian cancer risk. Further studies would be worthwhile to establish the lowest optimum radiation dose.

[A case in which chemotherapy-resistant sigmoid colon cancer was controlled effectively by radiotherapy and resection].

A 53-year-old woman underwent sigmoid colectomy for sigmoid colon cancer with peritoneal metastasis. Liver and intrapelvic metastases were found upon examination 6 months after surgery during adjuvant chemotherapy with XELOX plus bevacizumab. After hepatic subsegmentectomy, the patient received S-1 treatment in combination with radiotherapy for the intrapelvic metastasis. One year after the second surgery, abdominoperineal rectal resection was performed as the intrapelvic tumor had increased in size. At 16 months after the third surgery, computed tomography( CT) revealed a small lung nodule that gradually increased in size. The patient underwent partial lung resection. The nodule was a recurrence of the sigmoid colon cancer. During this period, the patient was treated again with S-1 combined with radiotherapy because 2 intrapelvic metastases had been identified. At present, these metastases have been well controlled for 3 years after the initial recurrence. Thus, it is suggested that aggressive radiotherapy and resection are effective therapies for recurrence of chemotherapy-resistant colon cancer.

[Systemic radiotherapy options in the treatment of metastatic skeletal involvement].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of treatment using various systemic radiotherapies for metastatic skeletal involvement in patients with breast or prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The case histories of 350 patients treated at the Department of Radiation Medicine in 2006 to 2010 for multiple metastatic skeletal involvement in cancers at various sites were analyzed. The efficiency of treatment for pain syndrome and the magnitude of a myelosuppressive effect were estimated in the use of various systemic radiotherapies. For this, the authors compared: 1) two patient groups treated by 89Sr chloride monotherapy in the standard activity of 150 MBq or by that in combination with teleradiotherapy (TRT); 2) two patient groups treated by the monotherapy in the standard activity of 150 MBq or by 89Sr chloride fractional injection. RESULTS: The efficiency of treatment using various systemic radiotherapies was estimated. That was comparatively evaluated in the patient groups having various treatments. Algorithms of indications were elaborated to choose a systemic radiotherapy option depending on the clinical situation. An 89Sr chloride injection procedure was developed for patients with significant myelosuppression. CONCLUSION: 1. Various systemic radiotherapies as second-line therapy may be used to treat metastatic skeletal involvement in patients with cancer at various sites. 2. The most pronounced analgesic effect was found when 89Sr chloride in the standard activity of 150 MBq had been injected in combination with TRT (a 36% reduction in the intensity of pain syndrome); a less pronounced effect was produced by 89Sr chloride monotherapy (27%). The lowest analgesic effect was observed when 89Sr chloride had been fractionally injected (14%). 3. The levels of white blood cells and platelets were decreased in all the groups. 4. 89Sr chloride fractional injection is the method of choice when its single administration is impossible in patients with evident leukocyto- and thrombocytopenia.

[A case of effective neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine for locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer].

A 60-year-old man was hospitalized for urodynia. Clinical examinations demonstrated a locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer with direct extension to the bladder, rectum, and pelvic wall. We considered that curative resection was not possible and performed temporary colostomy for fecal diversion. After colostomy, he was treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NACRT)for down staging. The radiation therapy was delivered with 45 Gy(1. 8 Gy/fraction; 5 days/week×5 weeks), and the concurrent chemotherapy was performed with capecitabine(825mg/m2 twice daily on radiotherapy days). CT scan confirmed a dramatic response with downstaging of the tumor following NA-CRT(clinical response, PR in the RECIST criteria). Invasion of the tumor to pelvic wall disappeared on CT scan, and[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography( FDG-PET)failed to demonstrate any distant metastasis. We considered that the tumor was hence resectable and performed total pelvic exenteration(TPE)1 month after NACRT. A pathological examination of surgical specimens confirmed a R0 resection. The patient made an unremarkable postoperative recovery. He went on to receive adjuvant capecitabine chemotherapy, completing four cycles. He remains well and disease-free 10 months following surgery. NACRT with capecitabine appears effective even for unresectable locally advanced sigmoid colon cancer.

[TTF-1 (8G7G3/1) positive colon adenocarcinoma: diagnostic implications]. / TTF-1- (Klon 8G7G3/1) positives Kolonkarzinom: Diagnostische Implikationen.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of primary and secondary (adeno-) carcinomas of the lung often includes utilisation of two different clones (8G7G3/1 or SPT24) of TTF-1 (thyroid transcription factor 1) antibodies. In a subgroup of adenocarcinomas with a primary site other than the lung a positive reaction of clone SPT24 and also of clone 8G7G3/1 is described. We report on a patient with TTF-1 (clone 8G7G3/1) positive adenocarcinoma of the colon with metastases to the eye and lung and discuss TTF-1 based diagnostic considerations.

[Radiotherapy of singular brain metastases]. / Strahlentherapie singulärer zerebraler Metastasen.

Single cerebral metastases in malignant disease pose a particular therapeutic challenge. The options consist of surgical resection, stereotactic radiation, and total brain irradiation. No significant therapeutic advantage for any of these methods has as yet been demonstrated in the literature. We present the case of a young patient with a single brain metastasis of a sigmoidal carcinoma, in stable general condition. We present our therapeutic regimen and discuss the various pros and cons of the different therapies.

Recombinant activated factor VII to control life-threatening haemorrhagic radiation cystitis.

INTRODUCTION: The use of recombinant activated factor VII has been described for many clinical scenarios, but the value of this therapeutic agent for life-threatening haemorrhagic cystitis remains novel. METHOD: We describe a case of persistent life-threatening haemorrhagic radiation cystitis, and discuss current knowledge of this therapy including potential complications. RESULT: Control of haemorrhage was successfully achieved only after use of this agent. CONCLUSION: This therapy deserves mention in any future management algorithm devised for this condition.

Lipoleiomyosarcoma of the rectosigmoid colon: a unique site for a rare variant of liposarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: Soft tissue tumors with dual adipocytic and smooth muscle differentiation are generally rare with most being benign. Sarcomas with dual fatty and smooth muscle differentiation are even rarer. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a rare presentation of a lipoleiomyosarcoma and review, the method of pathologic diagnosis and the literature. METHODS: Detailed clinical and histopathologic review of a clinical case and review of the literature using PUBMED for publications on lipoleiomyosarcoma. RESULTS: Based on the literature, lipoleiomyosarcomas favor body cavities and visceral sites although an occurrence in the intestine has been reported. Pathologic diagnosis requires immunohistochemical staining with MDM2 and CDK4. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of an intestinal lipoleiomyosarcoma. Its diagnosis requires immunohistochemistry and awareness of its possible existence.

An uncommon cause of gastro-duodenal ulceration.

Gastrointestinal ulcers occur frequently and are mainly caused by H. pylori infection. In this report, we present a rare case of gastro-duodenal ulcer following selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). SIRT is a palliative treatment for unresectable liver tumours. During SIRT, (90)Y-microspheres are infused into the hepatic artery. Pre-treatment evaluation for the presence of arterial shunts to neighbouring organs should be determined in order to avoid complications of SIRT.

[A case of advanced colon cancer invading the rectum effectively treated with chemoradiation therapy before surgery].

A 56-year-old man was hospitalized for anemia with appetite loss and body weight loss. He was diagnosed as advanced sigmoid colon cancer which invaded the rectal colon (Ra) and prostate (SI, N 0, P 0, H 0, M (-), cStage IIIa). We administered neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for fear of non-curative resection of the sigmoid colon and rectum after colostomy was performed. He was given radiation of the whole pelvis at a total dose of 39 .6 Gy (1.8 Gy x 22 times) combined with chemotherapy using continuous intravenous 5-FU (500 mg x 22 times). Two weeks after the chemoradiation, we administered chemotherapy (FOLFOX 4). Resectable resection was confirmed on Computed Tomography. We were able to conduct a low anterior resection of sigmoid colon and rectum. Postoperative histopathological examination of the resected sigmoid colon and rectum revealed no remnant cancer tissue. Neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is considered to be effective for a study of non-curative resection of rectum.

[A case of successfully treated sigmoid colon cancer with multiple regional metastases by chemotherapy and radiation therapy].

Multiple regional metastases due to colon cancer usually show poor prognosis. Various treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are not sufficient, and the outcome is generally poor in many cases. We report here on a patient with multiple regional metastases who was successfully treated with several therapies and remains still alive. A 69-year-old man presented with fever and epigastralgia. A colonoscopy revealed primary sigmoid colon cancer. A computed tomography showed multiple hepatic metastases, and metastases to supraclavicular, mediastinal and para-aortic regional lymph nodes. The bone metastases were detected by scintigram. He was treated with combination chemotherapy of 5-FU via hepatic artery and CPT-11 by systemic administration. The primary tumor had completely disappeared (complete response), and metastases to liver and lymph nodes showed a remarkable shrinkage (partial response) after the chemotherapy. In contrast, bone metastases showed progressive growth (progressive disease). Radiation therapy and bisphosphonate infusion for bone metastases were achieved, and the treatments have controlled the growth of the metastases. Primary tumors and metastases are still controlled well for 3 years after the initial chemotherapy.

Uncertainties when using only one MRI-based treatment plan for subsequent high-dose-rate tandem and ring applications in brachytherapy of cervix cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This retrospective study compares individual MRI based 3D treatment planning for each intracavitary applicator insertion and the use of only one MRI treatment plan for cervical cancer brachytherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GTV, high risk (HR) CTV and OAR were delineated and analysed for 14 patients. Data using the individual approach were taken from the actual irradiated plans. The "single plan procedure" was simulated by matching the dose distribution of the first plan to the MRI datasets of each subsequent implantation. Total doses from brachytherapy were added up and normalized to 2Gy fractionation (EQD2). RESULTS: The mean D90 for HR CTV was 6Gy higher when using one plan than when using individual treatment plans. The D(2cc) increased 3.5Gy for the bladder, 4.2Gy for the rectum and 5.8Gy for the sigmoid. The use of only one treatment plan would have resulted in 2, 1 and 5 extra cases exceeding total D(2cc) constraints for bladder (90Gy), rectum (75Gy) and sigmoid (75Gy), respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of only one treatment plan for several applications results in higher dose to target and OAR structures. CT, clinical examination and X-ray findings can help to reduce certain situations of overdosage, when individual MRI based treatment planning is not available for each fraction.

Subcutaneous pneumocele associated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt migration into the mechanically occluded colon - case report.

A 62-year-old man presented with shunt failure manifesting as consciousness disturbance 4 years after placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Physical examination found subcutaneous pneumocele around the peritoneal catheter extending from the abdomen to the neck. He had undergone pelvic radiation therapy for bladder cancer 2 years before. The peritoneal catheter was removed from the cervical region, and external ventricular drainage and a descending colon stoma for ileus release were positioned. The cerebrospinal fluid was clear and yielded no cultures. No inflammatory changes were seen. He developed carcinomatous peritonitis and died 4 months later. Retrograde colon gas reflux due to catheter perforation into the colon occluded by metastatic sigmoid cancer was probably the cause. Fragility of the wall of colon associated with the prior abdominal radiation therapy might have been a contributing factor. Subcutaneous pneumocele around the peritoneal catheter, i.e. pneumocele within the fibrous sheath surrounding the catheter, is a differential diagnosis to cerebrospinal fluid collection in patients with subcutaneous swelling around the catheter.

Long-term disease-free survival after adrenalectomy for isolated colorectal metastases.

Metastasis to the adrenal glands occurs in approximately 16% of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Historically, these metastases are found at autopsy, but due to improved imaging and diagnostic techniques, many of these lesions are now discovered on routine follow-up imaging. In general, adrenal metastasis is an indicator of widespread disease, but in rare cases, isolated adrenal metastasis can be found. Although potential improvement in overall survival after adrenalectomy for isolated colorectal metastases has been reported, there has only been one long-term disease-free survivor reported. Here, we report a patient who is a 7-year disease-free survivor after adrenalectomy for an isolated colorectal metastasis.

MRI identified prognostic features of tumors in distal sigmoid, rectosigmoid, and upper rectum: treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant therapy is traditionally reserved for locally advanced mid and low rectal cancers. In tumors above this level, the need for adjuvant treatment is based on poor histopathologic features, but this approach has potential disadvantages. The aim of this study was to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could accurately stage tumors of the distal sigmoid, rectosigmoid, and upper rectum and help direct preoperative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 patients with distal sigmoid, rectosigmoid, and upper rectal tumors were assessed preoperatively by MRI. If tumor extended beyond the planned surgical resection plane, chemoradiotherapy was offered. RESULTS: Of the 75 patients, 57 (76%) underwent primary surgery. Agreement between the MRI prognosis and histopathologic findings was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72.6-92.7%). The other 18 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for poor prognostic features with predicted surgical resection margin involvement. The histopathologic examination confirmed tumor downstaging in 9 of the 18 patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy. The 3-year survival rate in the good prognosis group (91%; 95% CI, 77.1-97.3%) was not significantly different from that of the chemoradiotherapy group (81.4%; 95% CI, 52.4-93.6%). The poor prognosis group undergoing primary surgery had significantly worse survival (62.2%; 95% CI, 30.3-82.8%, p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that tumors of the distal sigmoid, rectosigmoid, and upper rectum can be staged accurately using high spatial resolution MRI and that those with poor prognostic disease may benefit from preoperative therapy.

Radiologic assessment of rectosigmoid cancer before and after neoadjuvant radiation therapy: comparison between quantitation techniques.

OBJECTIVE: Volumetric analysis was compared with conventional unidimensional measurements for follow-up of rectosigmoid cancer before and after radiation therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with rectosigmoid cancer underwent helical CT before and after neoadjuvant radiation therapy. The helical CT examination was performed after colon distention with air and IV administration of an antiperistaltic drug. Two scans were obtained: one with the patient in the supine position and the other with the patient in the prone position after contrast medium injection. The maximal wall thickness and the volumetric analysis of the tumor were obtained through manual segmentation. RESULTS: The mean of the differences between the volumetric analysis of the scans obtained before and after radiation therapy was 8.3 +/- 10.3 (SD) mL (-22.7%) (p <0.05). The mean of the differences between the maximal wall thickness of the pre- and post-radiation therapy scans was 3.4 +/- 2.6 mm (-19.1%) (p <0.05). A significant difference was observed between the variation of the maximal wall thickness and the variation of volumetric analysis in pre- and post-radiation therapy scans (p <0.05). The patients could be classified in different response categories depending on the measurement method and on the response criteria. CONCLUSION: Volumetric analysis of rectosigmoid cancer is feasible. A long-term study is needed to correlate volumetric assessment with patient outcome.