Palliative Lung Radiotherapy: Higher Dose Leads to Improved Survival?

AIMS: Choosing the optimal palliative lung radiotherapy regimen is challenging. Guidance from The Royal College of Radiologists recommends treatment stratification based on performance status, but evidence suggests that higher radiotherapy doses may be associated with survival benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fractionation regimen and additional factors on the survival of palliative lung cancer radiotherapy patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective univariable (n = 925) and multivariable (n = 422) survival analysis of the prognostic significance of baseline patient characteristics and treatment prescription was carried out on patients with non-small cell and small cell lung cancer treated with palliative lung radiotherapy. The covariates investigated included: gender, age, performance status, histology, comorbidities, stage, tumour location, tumour side, smoking status, pack year history, primary radiotherapy technique and fractionation scheme. The overall mortality rate at 30 and 90 days of treatment was calculated. RESULTS: Univariable analysis revealed that performance status (P < 0.001), fractionation scheme (P < 0.001), comorbidities (P = 0.02), small cell histology (P = 0.02), 'lifelong never' smoking status (P = 0.01) and gender (P = 0.06) were associated with survival. Upon multivariable analysis, only better performance status (P = 0.01) and increased dose/fractionation regimens of up to 30 Gy/10 fractions (P < 0.001) were associated with increased survival. Eighty-five (9.2%) and 316 patients (34%) died within 30 and 90 days of treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective single-centre analysis of palliative lung radiotherapy, increased total dose (up to and including 30 Gy/10 fractions) was associated with better survival regardless of performance status.

Radiotherapy for small-cell lung cancer-Where are we heading?

Radiotherapy has an established role in the management of limited-disease small-cell lung cancer. However, essential questions related to the optimisation of thoracic radiotherapy remain unanswered including (i) optimal total dose, (ii) fractionation, (iii) timing and sequencing of radiation, (iv) volume of irradiation, and (v) concurrent chemotherapy combinations. The role of thoracic radiotherapy for extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer is more poorly understood but evidence suggests radiotherapy may have an important role in this setting. This review highlights the need for well-designed multi-national trials aimed at the optimisation and standardisation of radiotherapy for SCLC.

When should the seminal vesicles be included in the target volume in prostate radiotherapy?

External beam radiotherapy to the prostate and seminal vesicles as a radical treatment for prostate cancer can result in a significant dose being delivered to the rectum. This can be reduced if the target volume includes the prostate only. Using a Medline search, published studies are reviewed to show that the risk of seminal vesicle involvement can be accurately predicted using readily available pre-treatment parameters. We recommend when to exclude the seminal vesicles from a target volume, and the proportion of seminal vesicles that should be included in a target volume in higher risk patients.

Primary radiotherapy for carcinoma of the retromolar trigone: a useful alternative to surgery.

AIMS: Squamous cell carcinoma of the retromolar trigone is uncommon. The standard initial treatment is primary surgery, which usually involves microvascular reconstruction with a composite flap. Some patients are considered unsuitable for this procedure. This retrospective study examined the outcome and toxicity for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the retromolar trigone treated with definitive radiotherapy in a single centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 2000, 43 patients were treated with definitive radiotherapy with a median dose of 50Gy in 16 fractions over 21 days. Hospital case notes and radiotherapy records were analysed. RESULTS: The median age was 66 years (range 39-84 years). Nodal disease was evident in 13 (30.2%) patients. Twenty-one patients (51.2%) had stage I/II disease and 20 patients (48.8%) had stage III/IV disease. After a median follow-up of 59 months, 13 (30.2%) patients were alive and well, nine (20.9%) patients had died of an intercurrent illness and 21 (48.8%) had died of their disease. Five-year locoregional control was 46.5% (95% confidence interval 29.7-61.7), cause-specific survival was 45.7% (95% confidence interval 29.1-60.8) and overall survival was 30.9% (95% confidence interval 17.5-46.3). Osteoradionecrosis was documented in two patients. DISCUSSION: This hypofractionated regimen is convenient for this patient population and produced comparable outcomes to longer fractionation schedules without an increase in late toxicity.