Radiation therapy for the management of painful bone metastases: Results from a randomized trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two radiotherapy schedules in patients with bone metastases. BACKGROUND: We analyzed the need for re-irradiation, rates of pain control, pathological fractures, and functionality in patients randomized to single-fraction (8 Gy 1×) or multiple-fraction radiotherapy (3 Gy 10×) with at least 12 months follow-up, during five years. The hypothesis was that the two radiotherapy schedules are equally effective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients with painful skeletal metastases were randomized to receive single fraction (8 Gy) or multiple fraction (3 Gy 10×) radiotherapy. RESULTS: In the single-fraction group, seven pathological fractures occurred (15.5%) versus two (4.4%) in the multiple-fraction group. There was no statistically significant difference between the time it took to suffer a pathological fracture in both groups (p = 0.099). Patients in the single-fraction group received twelve re-irradiations (26.6%), four in the multiple-fraction group (8.8%), with no significant difference between time elapsed before the first re-irradiation (p = 0.438). CONCLUSION: This study shows no difference between the two groups for the majority of patients with painful bone metastases. Patients were followed up during five years, and the trial showed no disadvantage for 8 Gy 1× compared to 3 Gy 10×. Despite the fact that the pathological fracture rate is 3.75 times higher in the single-fraction group, this schedule is considered more convenient for patients and more cost-effective for radiotherapy departments.

Double-blind randomized study of oral glutamine on the management of radio/chemotherapy-induced mucositis and dermatitis in head and neck cancer.

This randomized clinical trial was designed to determine whether glutamine administration was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of mucositis and dermatitis induced by radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CHRT) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Fifty patients were randomized to receive orally either L-Glutamine or placebo (25 patients in each arm). In the glutamine-treated group, 10 g of oral glutamine was administered three times daily. The primary endpoint was to compare the appearance of clinical mucositis between groups at the 6th week, according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Secondary endpoints were: Functional mucositis, mucositis onset, cervicofacial dermatitis, pain, weight loss and assessment of quality of life (according to the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck). In total, 76 and 87.5% developed clinical mucositis in the glutamine and placebo group, respectively. The incidence and severity grade of mucositis at the 6th week did not exhibit statistically significantly differences between the two groups, although it had a higher value in the placebo group. Significant reduction of dermatitis incidence (P=0.038) and severity (P=0.032) was found in the glutamine group. There were no differences in other outcomes such as pain, weight loss and mucositis onset, in treatment parameters including concomitant chemotherapy, radiation dose and previous surgery, or in quality of life. The present study revealed that glutamine provided slight clinical effects compared with placebo in terms of reducing oral mucositis induced by RT or CHRT in patients with HNC at the 6th week; however, the results were not statistically significant. Although the findings suggested a significant benefit in reducing the incidence and severity of dermatitis, further confirmatory studies are required.

Braquiterapia intersticial de alta tasa de rescate en cáncer cabeza cuello previamente radiado / High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy in previously irradiated recurrent head and neck cancer

A pesar de los avances en el tratamiento de cáncer de cabeza y cuello (CCC), el 15-50% de los pacientes presentan recurrencia locorregional. Para los pacientes que presentan enfermedad localmente recurrente o un segundo tumor primario en un campo previamente irradiado, las opciones terapéuticas de rescate son limitadas, siendo la resección quirúrgica con intención curativa la opción de elección para los pacientes con enfermedad limitada. Reirradiación con o sin la adición de quimioterapia puede ser una buena opción, obteniendo en pacientes seleccionados supervivencia a largo plazo. La braquiterapia de alta tasa de dosis (HDRBT) puede jugar un papel importante en el tratamiento de rescate en tumores de cabeza y cuello recurrentes. Presentamos un paciente de 56 años diagnosticado de cáncer de lengua sometido a cirugía y radioterapia externa adyuvante, y recurrencia metastásica ganglionar cervical contralateral a los 18 meses. Recibió tratamiento multidisciplinar con quimioterapia, cirugía y braquiterapia intersticial(AU)

Despite advances in the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC), 15-50% of patients present locoregional disease recurrence. The therapeutic options are limited for patients who present locally recurrent disease or a second primary tumor in a previously irradiated field. Surgical salvage with curative intent is the preferred option for patients with limited-volume disease. Re-irradiation with or without the addition of chemotherapy may hold promise for long-term survival for selected patients. High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy can play an important role in the salvage treatment of previously irradiated recurrent head and neck cancer. The case reported was a 56-year old man diagnosed of tongue cancer who presented recurrent metastatic contralateral cervical node 1.5 years after radical treatment with surgery and adjuvant external radiotherapy. He received multidisciplinary treatment with chemotherapy, surgery and HDR interstitial brachytherapy(AU)