Adjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer : Treatment results and analysis of possible prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the clinical outcome and toxicity of radiochemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) patients treated according to the Intergroup 116 trial protocol in our institution. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients with LAGC treated with radical surgery and adjuvant radiochemotherapy. We analyzed overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional failure-free survival (LFS), prognostic factors and toxicity. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 96.48 months. The majority of tumors were T3-T4 (75%) and 86.6% had nodal metastases. The OS, DFS and LFS rates to 3 years were 53.48%, 52.75% and 81.65%, respectively and to 5 years 40%, 46.73% and 76.77% respectively. The univariate analysis showed that N stage < N2, TN stage < IIIA, R0 resection and N­ratio < 3 were statistically significant prognostic factors for OS and DFS, T stage < T4 for OS and N­ratio < 3 for LFS. The group with D2 lymphadenectomy had worse LFS than the D1 group (65.2% vs 88.1%, respectively, p = 0.039) probably due to a significant difference in the proportion node positive patients in the D2 group (94% vs. 78%; p = 0.027). In the multivariate analysis, only R0 resection was statistically significant factor for improved OS (p = 0.018). Acute grade III-IV gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity rates were 8.5% and 15.2%, respectively and 89.5% completed treatment as planned. CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with those of the Intergroup-0116 trial for LAGC in terms of survival. This regimen is well tolerated and with acceptable toxicity. An R0 resection was an independent prognostic factor for improved OS.

Conservative surgery, external radiotherapy, and HDR brachytherapy in a single fraction of 7 Gy in early breast cancer: long-term toxicity and esthetic assessment.

INTRODUCTION: The essential issue in conservative treatment is the quality in breast preservation. When risk factors for local relapse exist, a tumour bed boost is required, but the boost choice remains controversial. Prospectively, we studied long-term toxicity, cosmetic outcome and prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After conservative treatment, 115 patients received a single dose of 7 Gy HDR-brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost between June 1996 and December 2005. Late toxicity was assessed using the LENT-SOMA scale. For esthetic assessment, a subjective scale was used for patients and a modified Fehlauer scale for physicians. Mean age was 56.6 years. Invasive ductal carcinoma (78 %) and lumpectomy (60 %) were predominantly reported. 48 % received chemotherapy (CT). RESULTS: Regarding toxicity, 39 % of patients reported breast pain, 75 % fibrosis, 56 % telangiectasias, 19 % lymphoedema, and 51 % retraction/atrophy. Concerning management, 22 % of patients with pain and 45 % with lymphoedema were treated. The esthetic result was found satisfactory by 96 % of the patients and 85 % of the physicians. Fibrosis was influenced by CT and a larger irradiated volume and telangiectasias by a greater implant volume. CONCLUSIONS: HDR-BT boost shows good cosmetic effects with acceptable toxicity. Patients overestimate the esthetic outcome. LENT/SOMA is useful to assess chronic toxicity.

Early-stage breast cancer conservative treatment: high-dose-rate brachytherapy boost in a single fraction of 700 cGy to the tumour bed.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Conservative treatment represents the current therapy for early-stage breast cancer. When risk factors for local relapse exist, a tumour bed boost is required. Retrospectively, we evaluated the prognostic factors influencing local recurrence (LR), overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: After conservative treatment, 210 patients received a single-dose HDR brachytherapy (HDRBT) boost between June 1996 and December 2005. Mean age was 57 years; 75% had invasive ductal carcinoma. The most frequent surgery was lumpectomy (55.7%); 39.4% were G3, 18.6% intraductal component >25% and only 22% had negative margins. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 85 months, at 5 and 10 years the OS was 93% and 88%, DFS 92% and 89%, and LR 3.6% and 5.3%, respectively. For LR, the risk factors were carcinoma in situ, N+ and involved margins, whereas for metastasis, the risk factors were T2 tumours, stage III, N+ and the presence of local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: HDR-BT boost in one fraction is an effective, simple and safe method for reducing LR. The outpatient setting and shorter treatment duration represent undeniable advantages.