Prophylactic Radiotherapy for Prevention of Heterotopic Ossification After Periacetabular Fractures: A Review of Efficacy and Associated Conditions.

Prophylactic radiotherapy (XRT) is a commonly used treatment to decrease heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with traumatic hip injuries. We conducted a retrospective review of patients at risk for HO who underwent XRT. Of the patients reviewed, 27.3% developed radiographic HO, 11.2% developed symptoms, and 2.0% required resection surgery. Patients were divided into primary (n = 71) and secondary prophylaxis (n = 27) cohorts. In the primary group, 25.0% developed radiographic HO, 5.6% developed symptoms, and 0 required surgery. In the secondary cohort, 33.3% of patients developed new radiographic HO, and 25.9% were symptomatic: four had a Brooker score of 3, and three had a score of 4 (p = 0.03), and 7.4% required surgical resection. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(2):113-118, 2022).

Beyond Sedlis-A novel histology-specific nomogram for predicting cervical cancer recurrence risk: An NRG/GOG ancillary analysis.

PURPOSE: The Sedlis criteria define risk factors for recurrence warranting post-hysterectomy radiation for early-stage cervical cancer; however, these factors were defined for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at an estimated recurrence risk of ≥30%. Our study evaluates and compares risk factors for recurrence for cervical SCC compared with adenocarcinoma (AC) and develops histology-specific nomograms to estimate risk of recurrence and guide adjuvant treatment. METHODS: We performed an ancillary analysis of GOG 49, 92, and 141, and included stage I patients who were surgically managed and received no neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate independent risk factors for recurrence by histology and to generate prognostic histology-specific nomograms for 3-year recurrence risk. RESULTS: We identified 715 patients with SCC and 105 with AC; 20% with SCC and 17% with AC recurred. For SCC, lymphvascular space invasion (LVSI: HR 1.58, CI 1.12-2.22), tumor size (TS ≥4 cm: HR 2.67, CI 1.67-4.29), and depth of invasion (DOI; middle 1/3, HR 4.31, CI 1.81-10.26; deep 1/3, HR 7.05, CI 2.99-16.64) were associated with recurrence. For AC, only TS ≥4 cm, was associated with recurrence (HR 4.69, CI 1.25-17.63). For both histologies, there was an interaction effect between TS and LVSI. For those with SCC, DOI was most associated with recurrence (16% risk); for AC, TS conferred a 15% risk with negative LVSI versus a 25% risk with positive LVSI. CONCLUSIONS: Current treatment standards are based on the Sedlis criteria, specifically derived from data on SCC. However, risk factors for recurrence differ for squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the cervix. Histology-specific nomograms accurately and linearly represent risk of recurrence for both SCC and AC tumors and may provide a more contemporary and tailored tool for clinicians to base adjuvant treatment recommendations to their patients with cervical cancer.

Delays in definitive cervical cancer treatment: An analysis of disparities and overall survival impact.

OBJECTIVE: Delays in time to treatment initiation (TTI) with definitive radiation therapy (RT) or chemotherapy and RT (CRT) for cervical cancer could lead to poorer outcomes. This study investigates disparities in TTI and the impact of TTI on overall survival (OS). METHODS: Adult women with non-metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2014, treated with definitive RT or CRT, and reported to the National Cancer Database were included. TTI was defined as days from diagnosis to start of RT or CRT. The impact of TTI on OS in patients treated with concurrent CRT which included brachytherapy was then assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 14,924 patients were included (84.7% CRT, 15.3% RT). TTI was significantly longer for Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.18) and Hispanic women (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.24) compared to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) women. Expected TTI (eTTI) for NHW, NHB, and Hispanic women were 38.1, 45.2, and 49.4days. eTTI rose from 36.2days in 2004 to 44.3days by 2014. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was associated with increased eTTI of 46.5days versus 40.0days for non-IMRT. Longer TTI was not associated with inferior OS in patients treated with concurrent CRT. CONCLUSIONS: Delays in starting RT/CRT for cervical cancer increased from 2004 to 2014. Delays disproportionately affect NHB and Hispanic women. However, increased TTI was not associated with increased mortality for women receiving CRT. Further study of TTI's impact on other endpoints is warranted to determine if TTI represents an important quality indicator.

T2 signal intensity as an imaging biomarker for patients with superficial Fibromatoses of the hands (Dupuytren's disease) and feet (Ledderhose disease) undergoing definitive electron beam irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: Electron beam therapy is a definitive radiation treatment option for superficial fibromatoses of the hands and feet. Because objective criteria for treatment response remain poorly defined, we sought to describe changes in electron beam treated lesions on MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 1 male and 9 female patients with a total of 37 superficial fibromatoses; average age was 60.7 years. Standard 6 MeV electron beam treatment included 3 Gy per fraction for 10 or 12 treatments using split-course with 3-month halfway break. Pre- and post-treatment MRIs were evaluated to determine lesion size (cm3), T2 signal intensity and contrast enhancement (5-point ordinal scales) by a fellowship trained musculoskeletal radiologist. MRI findings were correlated with clinical response using a composite 1-5 ordinal scale, Karnofsky Performance Scale and patient-reported 10-point visual analog scale for pain. RESULTS: Mean volume decreased from 1.5 to 1.2 cm3 (p = 0.01, paired t-test). Mean T2 hyperintensity score decreased from 3.0 to 2.1 (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed-rank). Mean enhancement score available for 22 lesions decreased from 3.8 to 3.0 (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed-rank). Performance scores improved from 78.9 ± 13.7 to 84.6 ± 6.9 (p = 0.007, paired t-test). Pain scores decreased from 3.0 ± 3.3 to 1.1 ± 2.0 (p = 0.0001, paired t-test). Post-treatment T2 signal correlated weakly with performance and pain (Spearman's ρ = -0.37 and 0.16, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MRI is valuable for evaluating patients undergoing electron beam therapy for superficial fibromatoses: higher pretreatment T2 intensity may predict benefit from radiotherapy. T2 hypointensity may be a better marker than size for therapeutic effect.

Prognostic impact of clinical tumor size on overall survival for subclassifying stages I and II vaginal cancer: A SEER analysis.

PURPOSE: This study accessed the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to determine if tumor size is an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) for patients with stages I and II vaginal cancer (VC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified in the SEER database, patients with available tumor size having stage I or II squamous cell histology from January 2004 through December 2012 with minimum follow-up of six months. Univariate analyses (UA) and multivariable analyses (MVA) evaluated the effect of several prognostic factors, including tumor size, regarding OS. RESULTS: 529 SEER patients were found with recorded tumor sizes, of which 293 (55.4%) were stage I and 236 (44.6%) stage II. UA found the following significant prognostic factors of worse OS: tumor size >2cm (HR=1.80, p=0.02) and older age at diagnosis (p<0.001) in stage I; and tumor size >2cm (HR=2.13, p=0.04) and older age at diagnosis (p<0.001) in stage II. Estimates of 5-year OS in patients with tumor size ≤2cm vs. >2cm were 79.2% vs. 66.1% in stage I (p=0.0187) and 80.9% vs. 51.2% in stage II (p=0.0369). MVA confirmed about double risk of death for patients with tumor size >2cm (HRs: 1.88 in stage I and 2.06 in stage II). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size seems to predict OS outcome in patients with stages I/II VC. Further confirmatory investigations are recommended to firmly establish its incorporation into currently accepted staging criteria for these patients.

Acr appropriateness Criteria management of vaginal cancer.

Due to its rarity, treatment guidelines for vaginal cancer are extrapolated from institutional reports and prospective studies of cervical and anal cancer. An expert panel was convened to reach consensus on the selection of imaging and therapeutic modalities. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) used by the panel to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment. Four variants were developed to represent clinical scenarios in vaginal cancer management. Group members reached consensus on the appropriateness of the pretreatment evaluation and therapeutic interventions. This article represents the consensus opinion of an expert panel and may be used to inform clinical recommendations in vaginal cancer management.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® role of adjuvant therapy in the management of early stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The use of adjuvant treatment(s) following initial hysterectomy and retroperitoneal nodal harvesting of patients with clinical stage I and II cervical carcinoma is (are) presently based on the pathological assessment of surgical specimens. This report sought to delineate further the clinical application of potential therapeutic interventions and associated follow-up investigations of this patient cohort. METHODS: The American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every two years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journal and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment. RESULTS: From this process, 5 unique clinical variants were developed. These scenarios pertained to options of adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy, methods of delivery of radiotherapy to optimize target volume coverage while simultaneously minimizing radiation exposure of adjacent healthy organs, and recommendations for patient follow-up care. Group members reached consensus of topic ratings in descending order of importance. A risk assessment breakdown was established to highlight the most likely indications for adjuvant treatment(s). CONCLUSION: This assembly by the ACR of physicians involved in the management of patients with early stage cervical cancer was able to describe appropriateness criteria to aid other practitioners in selecting reasonable implementation of postoperative therapies and subsequent surveillance studies. These guidelines await further validation and refinement by both current and future prospectively randomized clinical studies regarding this patient population.

A phase I study of concurrent weekly topotecan and cisplatin chemotherapy with whole pelvic radiation therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: a gynecologic oncology group study.

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and acute dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of intravenous topotecan administered with weekly cisplatin during pelvic radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: Patients were treated at one of two dose levels receiving intravenous topotecan at 0.5mg/m(2) and cisplatin at either 30 or 40 mg/m(2) given weekly for 6 weeks concurrently with pelvic radiation and intracavitary brachytherapy. The primary endpoint for the escalation study was acute dose-limiting toxicities occurring within 30 days of completing radiation therapy. RESULTS: Eleven patients were enrolled. Dose-limiting toxicity consisting of Grade 3 nausea and vomiting lasting >24h in one patient and grade 3 febrile neutropenia in another patient occurred at the first dose level of weekly topotecan 0.5mg/m(2) and cisplatin 40 mg/m(2). This necessitated de-escalation to weekly cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) in combination with topotecan 0.5mg/m(2) and pelvic radiation. This dose level was tolerable in 6 evaluable patients with only one DLT consisting of grade 4 thrombocytopenia, grade 3 abdominal pain and grade 3 elevated gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). CONCLUSIONS: In women with locally advanced cervical cancer, intravenous topotecan 0.5mg/m(2) and cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) given weekly for 6 weeks with concurrent pelvic radiation and intracavitary brachytherapy were tolerable. Further expansion of the feasibility cohort of this study was suspended based on the results of a phase 3 trial comparing the efficacy of platinum combinations in advanced and recurrent cervical cancer.

Primary Versus Secondary Radiotherapy for Heterotopic Ossification Prevention About the Elbow.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) about the elbow. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and twenty-nine patients who received prophylactic radiotherapy (XRT) over a 15-year period were identified. Patients were included if they received XRT to the elbow joint and had at least 12 weeks of follow-up after XRT. Fifty-four patients were ultimately included. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated with a single dose of 7 Gy. Ninety-eight percentage of patients received XRT within 24 hours after surgery, and all patients received XRT within 72 hours after surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASUREMENTS: The primary study measures evaluated were the presence or absence of clinically symptomatic HO and the presence of radiographic HO after XRT to the elbow joint. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were treated with XRT after a traumatic injury requiring surgery (primary prophylaxis), and 36 were treated with XRT after excision surgery to remove HO which had already formed (secondary prophylaxis). In the primary cohort, 16.7% developed symptomatic HO after XRT and 11.1% required surgery to resect the heterotopic bone. In the secondary cohort, 11.1% developed symptomatic HO after surgery and XRT and 5.5% required resection surgery. No secondary malignancies were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that XRT for elbow HO may be safe and effective for both primary and secondary HO. XRT for HO was not shown to be associated with radiation-induced sarcoma in this series, at least in the short term. Further study in a large patient population with extended follow-up is required to better characterize populations at high risk for development of HO and secondary malignancy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A Phase I Study using low-dose fractionated whole abdominal radiotherapy as a chemopotentiator to full-dose cisplatin for optimally debulked stage III/IV carcinoma of the endometrium.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of combining low-dose fractionated whole abdominal radiation (LDF-WAR) with weekly full-dose cisplatin (FD-CDDP) for patients with stage III/IV endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Patients with optimally debulked stage III/IV carcinoma of the endometrium (without extra-abdominal disease) were eligible for the study. Postoperatively, patients received the institutional standard systemic chemotherapy and vaginal brachytherapy. Patients then underwent experimental six weekly cycles of FD-CDDP (40 mg/m², maximum 70 mg IV) followed by LDF-WAR 6-8 hours after initiation of chemotherapy. In a conservative design, 6 patients were accrued to two sequential cohorts of LDF-WAR, at 0.5 Gy/fraction [Fx] (total 3 Gy) and 0.75 Gy/Fx (total 4.5 Gy). Toxicities and laboratory studies were evaluated at each visit. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled from January 2005 to June 2009 with median follow-up of 13.5 months (range: 5-27 months). Seventy-five percent of enrolled patients had uterine papillary serous histology. Eleven patients at least partially completed therapy (range: 2-6 cycles of FD-CDDP/LDF-WAR) with one additional patient opting out at the higher dose level. Combination therapy overall was well tolerated. Three patients in each cohort experienced grade 3 acute hematologic events with one recorded grade 4 toxicity in the second cohort. Of patients receiving any of the experimental treatment, five have experienced recurrences. Three of these patients were in cohort one and received 0.5 Gy/Fx LDF-WAR. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with LDF-WAR as a novel chemopotentiator to FD-CDDP is a feasible adjuvant regimen in optimally debulked patients with stage III/IV endometrial carcinoma. Further investigation is warranted to determine treatment efficacy.

A phase I study of docetaxel as a radio-sensitizer for locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of weekly docetaxel with concurrent radiotherapy (RT) for the primary treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. METHODS: Eligible patients included those with locally advanced squamous cell cervical cancer without para-aortic lymph node involvement. Docetaxel dose levels were 20 mg/m(2), 30 mg/m(2) and 40 mg/m(2) given intravenously weekly for 6 cycles. Three patients were to be treated at each dose level and 6 to receive the MTD. RESULTS: Fifteen patients completed 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy. One of three patients experienced 2 delayed grade 3 severe adverse events (SAE) at the 20 mg/m(2) dose level consisting of colonic and ureteral obstruction. At the 30 mg/m(2) dose level, 1/4 patients had a probable treatment-related celiotomy due to obstipation and a necrotic tumor. Of the 8 patients treated at the 40 mg/m(2) dose level, 1 experienced grade 3 pneumonitis, likely treatment related. Overall, 10/15 (67%) experienced grade 1 or 2 diarrhea, 6 had grade 2 hematologic toxicity, and 2 had grade 2 hypersensitivity. 10 of 16 patients (67%) had no evidence of disease with follow-up ranging from 10-33 months (average 23 months). CONCLUSIONS: The recommended phase II dose of docetaxel administered weekly with concurrent radiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is 40 mg/m(2).

Are increased tumor aneuploidy and heightened cell proliferation along with heterogeneity associated with patient outcome for carcinomas of the uterine cervix? A combined analysis of subjects treated in RTOG 9001 and a single-institution trial.

PURPOSE: To look for possible associations between measurements of DNA index (DI), S-phase fraction (SPF), and tumor heterogeneity (TH) using flow cytometry and overall survival for patients with invasive cervical carcinoma treated with definitive irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 57 patients with International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Stages IB(2) through IVB cervical carcinomas treated with definitive radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy were enrolled into this registry study that involved flow cytometric analysis of fresh tissue from each cervical cancer obtained by pretreatment biopsy. These specimens were evaluated for DNA aneuploidy (DI 1.5), SPF (15%), and TH (uniploid vs. multiploid). RESULTS: In these analyses 27 of the patients were treated in Radiation Therapy Oncology Group protocol 9001, and an additional 30 were offered chemoradiation at a single institution. Forty-one patients had DI 1.5. Twenty-nine patients had SPF 15%, and 2 had no determinable SPF. Forty-three patients had uniploid and 14 multiploid tumors. The 4-year estimated overall survival rate for the entire study cohort was 62% (95% confidence interval 48%-74%). With a median follow-up of 3.7 years, there were no observable associations by univariate analysis for DI, SPF, or TH concerning patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant associations among DI, SPF, or TH and patient outcome. Additional studies are indicated to identify tumor biomarkers that could predict patients at risk for disseminated disease.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy for previously irradiated, recurrent head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE: Primary treatment fails in >70% of locally advanced head and neck cancer patients. Salvage therapy has a 30-40% response rate, but few long-term survivors. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has recently emerged as a new modality for salvage therapy. This retrospective study evaluated our experience using every-other-week IMRT with concurrent chemotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 2001 and 2006, 41 patients underwent IMRT as repeat RT with concurrent chemotherapy. All but 6 patients received 60 Gy at 2 Gy/fraction. RT was delivered on an alternating week schedule. RESULTS: With a median follow-up time of 14 months, the overall response rate was 75.6%, with a complete response and partial response rate of 58.5% and 17.1%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall survival, disease-free survival, and progression-free survival at 24 months was 48.7%, 48.1%, and 38%, respectively. Patients who underwent surgery as a part of their salvage therapy had a mean estimated survival of 30.9 months compared with 22.8 months for patients who received only chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.126). Grade 3 or 4 acute toxicities occurred in 31.7% of patients, but all had resolved within 2 months of therapy completion. No deaths occurred during treatment, except for 1 patient, who died shortly after discontinuing treatment early because of previously undiagnosed metastatic disease; 6 patients had long-term complications. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent chemotherapy with repeat radiotherapy with IMRT given every other week appears to be both well tolerated and feasible in patients treated with previous radiotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer. IMRT represents a reasonable modality for reducing treatment-related toxicities in a repeat RT setting.

A gynecologic oncology group randomized phase III trial of whole abdominal irradiation (WAI) vs. cisplatin-ifosfamide and mesna (CIM) as post-surgical therapy in stage I-IV carcinosarcoma (CS) of the uterus.

PURPOSE: After initial surgery, there has been no established consensus regarding adjunctive therapy for patients with uterine carcinosarcoma (CS). This study was designed to compare patient outcome following treatment with adjuvant whole abdominal irradiation (WAI) versus (vs.) chemotherapy for patients with this rare group of female pelvic malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible, consenting women with stage I-IV uterine CS, no more than 1 cm postsurgical residuum and/or no extra-abdominal spread had their treatments randomly assigned as either WAI or three cycles of cisplatin (C), ifosfamide (I), and mesna (M). RESULTS: 232 patients were enrolled, of whom 206 (WAI=105; CIM=101) were deemed eligible. Patient demographics and characteristics were similar between arms. FIGO stage (both arms) was: I=64 (31%); II=26 (13%); III=92 (45%); IV=24 (12%). The estimated crude probability of recurring within 5 years was 58% (WAI) and 52% (CIM). Adjusting for stage and age, the recurrence rate was 21% lower for CIM patients than for WAI patients (relative hazard [RH]=0.789, 95% confidence interval [CI]: (0.530-1.176), p=0.245, 2-tail test). The estimated death rate was 29% lower among the CIM group (RH=0.712, 95% CI: 0.484-1.048, p=0.085, two-tail test). CONCLUSION: We did not find a statistically significant advantage in recurrence rate or survival for adjuvant CIM over WAI in patients with uterine CS. However, the observed differences favor the use of combination chemotherapy in future trials.

Magnetic resonance imaging and positron-emission tomography imaging in the 21st century as tools for the evaluation and management of patients with invasive cervical carcinoma.

For over 4 decades, the delivery of definitive radiotherapy to patients with carcinoma of the cervix has involved both external beam and brachytherapy. Both of these therapeutic modalities have been traditionally linked to 2-dimensional radiographic guidance. Currently, the staging of these tumors still resides in clinical examinations and 2-dimensional diagnostic x-rays. Recently, there have been significant technological developments in imaging, namely magnetic resonance imaging and positron-emission tomography. These novel radiologic advances have subsequently led to a number of investigational studies, which in turn have shown a "paradigm shift" not only in the diagnosis but also in the radiation delivery used for patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix.

New Strategies for Multimodality Therapy in Treating Locally Advanced Cervix Cancer.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer of women worldwide. In the developing world, it comprises 12% of all cancers of women. Since 1999, the mainstay of treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) has been concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiation. However, outcomes in this disease remain suboptimal, with long-term progression-free survival and overall survival rates of approximately 60%. There are several new strategies of combined modality treatment under evaluation in LACC, including chemotherapy before and after treatment as well as novel agents such as poly-adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors, antiangiogenic blockage, and immunotherapy. We provide a brief overview of these strategies and their potential in the treatment of women with LACC.

Acute and Chronic Cutaneous Reactions to Ionizing Radiation Therapy.

Ionizing radiation is an important treatment modality for a variety of malignant conditions. However, development of radiation-induced skin changes is a significant adverse effect of radiation therapy (RT). Cutaneous repercussions of RT vary considerably in severity, course, and prognosis. When they do occur, cutaneous changes to RT are commonly graded as acute, consequential-late, or chronic. Acute reactions can have severe sequelae that impact quality of life as well as cancer treatment. Thus, dermatologists should be informed about these adverse reactions, know how to assess their severity and be able to determine course of management. The majority of measures currently available to prevent these acute reactions are proper skin hygiene and topical steroids, which limit the severity and decrease symptoms. Once acute cutaneous reactions develop, they are treated according to their severity. Treatments are similar to those used in prevention, but incorporate wound care management that maintains a moist environment to hasten recovery. Chronic changes are a unique subset of adverse reactions to RT that may develop months to years following treatment. Chronic radiation dermatitis is often permanent, progressive, and potentially irreversible with substantial impact on quality of life. Here, we also review the etiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, prevention, and management of late-stage cutaneous reactions to radiotherapy, including chronic radiation dermatitis and radiation-induced fibrosis.

The Impact of Perioperative Chemotherapy Timing in Conjunction With Postoperative External-Beam Radiation Therapy on Extremity Soft-Tissue Sarcomas Outcome.

PURPOSE: The perioperative management of primary extremity soft-tissue sarcomas (ESTS) is multidisciplinary including radiation therapy and chemotherapy (CT). The interplay between these modalities and the relative importance of each remain unclear. Our study aims to determine the relative impact of CT and radiotherapy on the outcome of ESTS patients treated with limb-sparing surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of ESTS registry yielded 97 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and/or adjuvant CT with or without external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2009. The cohort comprised 56 males and 41 females whose age at surgery ranged from 17 to 83 years (median, 56 y). Tumor characteristics included the following: 73 lower ESTS; 70 grade 3 lesions; 63 American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III tumors; and 27 lesions with positive microscopic margins. The following outcome parameters were evaluated for the patients' subgroups: overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: EBRT was delivered postoperatively to 81 patients and 49 received CT. Median EBRT dose was 63 Gy (range, 50 to 72 Gy). At median follow-up of 54.6 months, the 5-year OS, LRC, DFS was 68.9%, 87.1%, 66.5%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, positive surgical margins negatively impacted LRC, DFS, and OS (hazard ratio [HR]=10.43, P=0.004), (HR=2.37, P=0.03), (HR=2.26, P=0.038), respectively. EBRT use improved LRC (HR=0.24, P=0.018) and DFS (HR=0.36, P=0.021). The impact of EBRT on DFS was retained (HR=0.28, P=0.006) in the high-grade ESTS subgroup who received CT. The 5-year local failure rate was 6.5%, 28.6%, and 22.2% (P=0.019) for patient receiving NCT, adjuvant chemotherapy, and no CT, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data support the use of NCT followed by limb-sparing surgery and adjuvant EBRT in ESTS for local failure reduction with a trend toward improved DFS.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® pretreatment evaluation and follow-up of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic and the fourth most common malignancy in women in the United States. Cross-sectional imaging plays a vital role in pretreatment assessment of endometrial cancers and should be viewed as a complementary tool for surgical evaluation and planning of these patients. Although transvaginal US remains the preferred examination for the screening purposes, MRI has emerged as the modality of choice for the staging of endometrial cancer and imaging assessment of recurrence or treatment response. A combination of dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion weighted MRI provides the highest accuracy for the staging. Both CT and MRI perform equivalently for assessing nodal involvement or distant metastasis. PET-CT is more appropriate for assessing lymphadenopathy in high-grade FDG-avid tumors or for clinically suspected recurrence after treatment. An appropriate use and guidelines of imaging techniques in diagnosis, staging, and detection of endometrial cancer and treatment of recurrent disease are reviewed.The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every two years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.