Can serial evaluation of serum SCC-Ag-level predict tumor recurrence and patient survival in squamous-cell carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy? A multi-institutional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tumor marker screening may be useful to evaluate tumor response and detect tumor recurrence. However, usefulness and cut-off value of squamous-cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) for recurrence and survival has not yet established in cervical cancer. METHODS: From January 2010 to October 2016, 304 patients with cervical squamous-cell carcinomas with FIGO stage IB-IVA who underwent curative chemoradiotherapy followed by brachytherapy at four institutions were included in this study. Serum SCC-Ag level was measured before treatment, re-measured after completion of treatment, and again at the time of relapse during follow-up. SCC-Ag levels at each measurement point were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Their associations with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 36.5 months, there were 66 (21.7%) recurrences and 76 (25.0%) deaths. The ROC curve showed optimal Youden indices were 4, 1.5, and 4 ng/mL at pretreatment, treatment, and recurrence, respectively. In patients with SCC-Ag ≥ 4 ng/mL, not SCC-Ag < 4 ng/mL before treatment, post-treatment SCC-Ag level (≥ 1.5 ng/mL vs. < 1.5 ng/mL) showed significant differences in 3-year RFS (65.5% vs. 45.0%, p < 0.001) and OS (78.5% vs. 55.4%, p < 0.001). In 66 recurrent patients, patients with SCC-Ag ≥ 4 ng/mL at recurrence showed a significantly lower OS rate than others (59.5% vs. 33.0%, p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: SCC-Ag level after treatment and at recurrence was useful for predicting recurrence and survival only when its pretreatment value was high (≥ 4 ng/mL).

Oncologic Outcome and Morbidity in the Elderly Rectal Cancer Patients After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy and Total Mesorectal Excision: A Multi-institutional and Case-matched Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the toxicity and oncologic outcome of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative total mesorectal excision (TME) in the elderly (≥70 yrs) and younger (<70 yrs) rectal cancer patients. BACKGROUND: Sufficient data for elderly rectal cancer patients who received definitive trimodality have not been accumulated yet. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1232 rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant CRT and TME were enrolled in this study. After propensity-score matching, 310 younger patients and 310 elderly patients were matched with 1:1 manner. Treatment response, toxicity, surgical outcome, recurrence, and survival were assessed and compared between the 2 groups of patients. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years for the younger patient group and 74 years for the elderly group. Pathologic complete response rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups (younger and elderly: 17.1% vs 14.8%, P = 0.443). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (younger and elderly: 67.7% vs 65.5%, P = 0.483) and overall survival (younger and elderly: 82.9% vs. 79.5%, P = 0.271) rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups either. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery was less frequently delivered to the elderly than that to younger patients (83.9% vs 69.0%). Grade 3 or higher acute hematologic toxicity was observed more frequently in the elderly than that in the younger group (9.0% vs 16.1%, P = 0.008). Late complication rate was higher in the elderly group compared with that in the younger group without statistical significance (2.6% vs 4.5%, P = 0.193). CONCLUSIONS: Although acute hematologic toxicity was observed more frequently in the elderly patients than that in the younger patients, elderly rectal cancer patients with good performance status who received preoperative CRT and TME showed favorable tumor response and recurrence-free survival similar to younger patients.

Nadir/pre-chemoradiotherapy ratio of white blood-cell count can predict tumor response and recurrence-free survival in locally advanced rectal cancer: a multi-institutional analysis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether change of white blood-cell (WBC) count before and during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) might be associated with susceptibility to radiation and tumor response. METHODS: Medical records of 641 patients with rectal cancer who received preoperative CRT followed by curative surgery were retrospectively reviewed in five tertiary centers. Complete blood cell with differential count was measured weekly during the period of CRT. We assessed nadir/pre-CRT ratio of WBC count as a predictor for tumor response to CRT and a prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival. RESULTS: Enrolled patients were divided into low WBC ratio (LWR) and high WBC ratio (HWR) arms with cut-off value of 0.49 calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve. Of 641 patients, 490 (76.4%) and 151 (23.6%) were categorized into HWR (> 0.49) arm and LWR (≤ 0.49) arms, respectively. Complete pathologic response rate after CRT was significantly higher in LWR arm than that in HWR arm (23.8% vs. 12.2%, p = 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level over 5 ng/ml [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.566, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.351-0.912; p = 0.019) and HWR (adjusted OR 0.412, 95% CI 0.256-0.663; p = 0.001) were significantly negative factors of pathologic complete response. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was significantly higher in the LWR group than that in the HWR group (83.3% vs. 67.6%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Low nadir/pre-chemoradiotherapy ratio during preoperative CRT can predict good tumor response. It is significantly associated with improved recurrence-free survival in rectal cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging during definitive chemoradiotherapy can predict tumor recurrence and patient survival in locally advanced cervical cancer: A multi-institutional retrospective analysis of KROG 16-01.

OBJECTIVE: Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by brachytherapy is a standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. During CRT, marked reduction of cervical tumor is often observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The primary aim of this study was to assess the association between tumor response in MRI using FIGO classification and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Multi-institutional data were retrospectively reviewed to identify the significance of MR tumor response on tumor recurrence and patient survival. 225 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, staged as FIGO Ib2-IVa on initial pelvic MRI, were included. Post-CRT MRI was performed median 35days after the beginning of CRT and before brachytherapy. A median 54Gy of external radiation was given with weekly cisplatin during CRT. RESULTS: 112 (49.7%) of the 225 patients showed a positive response in post-CRT MRI and were named the responsive arm. After a median follow-up time of 36.2months, the responsive arm had significantly lower para-aortic recurrence (7.5% vs. 12.4%; p=0.04) and distant metastasis (13.2% vs. 27.6%; p=0.03) rates than did the non-responsive arm. The responsive arm had significantly higher 3-year cause-specific survival rate (94.6% vs. 81.1%, p<0.01) than did the non-responsive arm. In the multivariate analysis, tumor size (hazard ratio, 1.91 and 95% confidence interval, 1.07-3.43; p=0.028) and positive MR response (hazard ratio, 1.75 and 95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.27; p=0.045) were significant factors for recurrence-free survival CONCLUSION: Early tumor response evaluation with MRI using FIGO classification effectively predicted distant tumor metastasis and disease-specific survival in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Tumour size, volume, and marker expression during radiation therapy can predict survival of cervical cancer patients: a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of KROG 16-01.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this multi-institutional study was to determine the prognostic impact of tumour parameters, such as tumour size (TS), tumour volume (TV), and marker expression, on survival during radiation therapy (RT) for cervical cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 231 patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer, classified as Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Ib2-IVa, were enrolled in this study. Pre- and mid-RT pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-ag) analysis were performed twice, during RT and just before brachytherapy. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 27.8months (range, 2-116months). Multivariate analysis revealed that stage (odds ratio [OR], 2.936 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.119-7.707; P=0.029), tumour volume reduction rate (TVRR) (OR, 3.435 and 95% CI, 1.062-11.106; P=0.039), and SCC-ag reduction rate (SCCRR) (OR, 5.104 and 95% CI, 1.769-14.727; P=0.003) were independently associated with overall survival (OS), while pre-RT TS (OR, 2.148 and 95% CI, 1.221-3.810; P=0.009), mid-RT TV (OR, 3.106 and 95% CI, 1.685-5.724; P<0.0001) and SCCRR (OR, 1.954 and 95% CI, 1.133-3.369; P=0.016) were associated with progression-free survival (PFS). Based on the prognostic factor analysis, patients with the highest prognostic risk score of 3 showed poorer overall survival and progression free survival than patients with lower prognostic risk scores. CONCLUSION: We identified that tumour parameters such as TVRR, SCCRR, pre-RT TS, and mid-RT TV areindependent and strong prognostic parameters for patients with cervical cancer receiving RT. This scoring system-based prognostic factor analysis could be used to help develop optimized treatment plans for cervical cancer patients during RT.

Pathologic Implications of Radial Resection Margin and Perineural Invasion to Adjuvant Chemotherapy after Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy and Surgery for Rectal Cancer: A Multi-Institutional and Case-Matched Control Study.

We assessed the exact role of adjuvant chemotherapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery in rectal cancer patients with positive surgical margin or perineural invasion (PNI). This multi-institutional study included 1799 patients with rectal cancer at cT3-4N0-2M0 stages. Patients were divided into two groups. The high-risk group had a positive margin and/or perineural invasion. The low-risk group showed no positive margin or PNI. Propensity-score matching analysis was performed, and a total of 928 patients, with 464 in each arm, were evaluated. The high-risk group showed significant differences in overall survival (OS, 73.4% vs. 53.9%, p < 0.01) and recurrence-free survival (RFS, 52.7% vs. 40.9%, p = 0.01) at five years between the adjuvant chemotherapy arm and observation arm. The low-risk group showed no significant differences in 5-year OS (p = 0.61) and RFS (p = 0.75) between the two arms. Multivariate analyses showed that age, pathologic N stage, and adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly correlated with OS and RFS in the high-risk group (all p < 0.05). Adjuvant chemotherapy improved OS and RFS more significantly in rectal cancer patients with positive surgical margin or PNI than in those with negative surgical margin and PNI.

Serum conversion pattern of SCC-Ag levels between pre- and post-chemoradiotherapy predicts recurrence and metastasis in cervical cancer: a multi-institutional analysis.

The value of squamous-cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) as a tumor marker for cervical cancer is controversial because it is not elevated (> 2 ng/mL) in a quarter of patients at diagnosis. Two hundred ninety one IB-IVA cervical squamous cell-carcinoma patients who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were included in four tertiary institutions. Serum conversion pattern between pre- and post-treatment SCC-Ag levels was categorized into the following three arms: (1) Consistent Seronegative arm (both ≤ 2 ng/mL); (2) Negative Conversion arm (from > 2 ng/mL to ≤ 2 ng/mL); and (3) Consistent Seropositive arm (both > 2 ng/mL). Median follow-up time was 40.3 months. For Consistent Seronegative (N = 67), Negative Conversion (N = 165), and Consistent Seropositive (N = 59) arms, the 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 79.4%, 62.0%, and 48.4% (P < 0.001) and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 86.3%, 80.6%, and 58.7% (P = 0.001), respectively. The serum conversion pattern of SCC-Ag between pre- and post-treatment was the most significant and potent prognostic factor of RFS (P = 0.001) and OS (P = 0.007) on the multivariate analysis. Simply checking whether SCC-Ag level is above or below 2 ng/mL before and after definitive CRT can provide clinicians with a simple rule-of-thumb for prediction of disease outcome in cervical cancer patients.

Significance of elevated SCC-Ag level on tumor recurrence and patient survival in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of uterine cervix following definitive chemoradiotherapy: a multi-institutional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: There is no definitive guideline for the significance and cut-off value of squamous-cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) in cervical cancer. Thus, we analyzed the significance and optimal cut-off value of SCC-Ag for predicting tumor recurrence and patient survival in squamous-cell carcinoma of uterine cervix. METHODS: From January 2010 to October 2016, we enrolled 304 cervical cancer patients with squamous-cell carcinoma staging International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Ib-IVa and treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by intra-cavitary radiotherapy (ICR). The cut-off value of SCC-Ag level for tumor recurrence was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier method to estimate the significance of SCC-Ag level. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off value of SCC-Ag level for predicting tumor recurrence was calculated and set at 4.0 ng/mL in the ROC curve. After a median follow-up period of 36.5 months, the 3-year RFS (56.6% vs. 80.2%, p<0.001) and OS (72.1% vs. 86.8%, p=0.005) were significantly lower in SCC-Ag ≥4 ng/mL arm than in <4 ng/mL arm. The 3-year locoregional recurrence (17.6% vs. 7.0%, p=0.012), distant metastasis (20.4% vs. 6.9%, p=0.002), and para-aortic recurrence (9.4% vs. 2.1%, p=0.012) rates were significantly higher in SCC-Ag ≥4 ng/mL arm than in SCC-Ag <4 ng/mL arm. CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment SCC-Ag level higher than 4 ng/mL may be a useful predictor of tumor recurrence in patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with definitive CRT and ICR.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Rectal Cancer Patients Treated With Preoperative Chemoradiation and Total Mesorectal Excision: A Multicenter and Retrospective Propensity-Score Matching Study.

PURPOSE: The role of adjuvant chemotherapy after preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) and curative surgery in rectal cancer has yet to be definitely determined. We performed a retrospective and multicenter study to evaluate whether adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) could reduce recurrence and improve survival in locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed data from 8 tertiary institutions for 1442 patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative CRT and total mesorectal excision. Patients were classified into 2 groups: the AC group (patients who received chemotherapy after surgery) and the observation group (those who did not receive chemotherapy after surgery). Propensity-score matching was used to assess the exact role of AC. The AC group was then subdivided to investigate the impact of adding oxaliplatin to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Group 1 was treated with 5-FU/folinic acid or capecitabine without oxaliplatin, and group 2 received 5-FU/folinic acid or capecitabine with oxaliplatin. RESULTS: The 3-year relapse-free survival rates in the AC and observation groups were 85.9% and 84.3%, respectively (P = .532). The 3-year overall survival rates in the AC and observation groups were 94.9% and 89.9%, respectively (P = .123). The rates of locoregional recurrence (2.2% vs 3.2%, P = .294) and distant metastasis (12.4% vs 12.9%, P = .927) at 3 years were not significantly different between the two groups. The 3-year relapse-free survival rates of group 1 and group 2 were 71.5% and 74.8%, respectively (P = .426). The 3-year overall survival rates of group 1 and group 2 were 89.9% and 96.5%, respectively (P = .102). CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study found insufficient evidence to support the use of 5-FU-based AC after preoperative CRT and curative surgery in rectal cancer.

Pathologic Staging Inconsistency Between ypT4N0 (stage II) and ypT1-2N1 (stage III) After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy and Total Mesorectal Excision in Rectal Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: In the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results population-based data, the survival curves reversed between T4N0 (stages IIB or IIC) and T1-2N1 (stage IIIA) in rectal cancer. However, T4N0 had a higher stage than T1-2N1 in the current colorectal staging system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 1804 patients with rectal cancer who were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery. We grouped patients by pathologic stage, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival rates were calculated and compared for each stage. We evaluated prognostic factors that influenced recurrence and survival. RESULTS: In the recurrence and survival analysis, 3-year RFS rates were 95.9% for ypStage 0, 94.0% for ypStage I, 78.9% for ypStage IIA, 55.8% for ypStage IIB/C, 80.2% for ypStage IIIA, 64.6% for ypStage IIIB, and 44.9% for ypStage IIIC. Patients with ypStage IIB/C showed significantly worse RFS (P = .004) than did those with ypStage IIIA. The ypStage IIB/C group showed significantly higher rates of both locoregional recurrence (24.3% vs. 5.5%; P = .02) and distant metastasis (31.6% vs. 17.1%; P = .048) than did the ypStage IIIA group. Compared with ypStage IIIA, ypStage IIB/C showed significantly higher pre-chemoradiotherapy carcinoembryonic antigen (P = .004), circumferential radial margin involvement (P = .001), and positive perineural invasion (P = .014). CONCLUSION: Patients with rectal cancer staged ypT4N0 were associated with higher locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis rates than those staged ypT1-2N1 in the current staging system.

Continuous Effect of Radial Resection Margin on Recurrence and Survival in Rectal Cancer Patients Who Receive Preoperative Chemoradiation and Curative Surgery: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the proper length and prognostic value of resection margins in rectal cancer patients who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by curative total mesorectal excision (TME). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 1476 rectal cancer patients staging cT3-4N0-2M0 were analyzed. All patients received radiation dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions with concurrent 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine. Total mesorectal excision was performed 4 to 8 weeks after radiation therapy. RESULTS: The recurrence-free survival (RFS) at 5 years showed a significant difference between 3 groups: patients with circumferential resection margin (CRM) ≤1 mm, CRM 1.1 to 5 mm, and CRM >5 mm (46.2% vs 68.6% vs 77.5%, P<.001). Patients with CRM ≤1 mm showed a significantly higher cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (P<.001) and distant metastasis (P<.001) at 5 years compared with the other 2 groups. Patients with CRM 1.1 to 5 mm showed a significantly higher cumulative incidence of distant metastasis (P<.001), but not locoregional recurrence (P=.192), compared with those with CRM >5 mm. Distal resection margin (≤5 vs >5 mm) did not show any significant difference in cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (P=.310) and distant metastasis (P=.926). CONCLUSION: Rectal cancer patients with CRM ≤1 mm are a high-risk group, with the lowest RFS. Patients with CRM 1.1 to 5 mm may be at intermediate risk, with moderately increased distant recurrence. Distal resection margin was not significantly associated with RFS in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant CRT and total mesorectal excision.

Value of imaging study in predicting pelvic lymph node metastases of uterine cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in predicting pelvic lymph node (LN) metastases in patients with cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to March 2015, 114 patients with FIGO stage IA1-IIB uterine cervical cancer who underwent hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and took CT, MRI, and PET/CT before surgery were enrolled in this study. The criteria for LN metastases were a LN diameter ≥1.0 cm and/or the presence of central necrosis on CT, a LN diameter ≥1.0 cm on MRI, and a focally increased FDG uptake on PET/CT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy for pelvic LN metastases were estimated. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for detection of pelvic LN metastases were 51.4%, 85.9%, 41.3%, 90.1%, and 80.3% for CT; 24.3%, 96.3%, 56.3%, 86.8%, and 84.6% for MRI; and 48.6%, 89.5%, 47.4%, 90.0%, and 82.9% for PET/CT, respectively. The sensitivity of PET/CT and CT was higher than that of MRI (p=0.004 and p= 0.013, respectively). The specificity of MRI was higher than those of PET/CT and CT (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). The difference of specificity between PET/CT and CT was not statistically significant (p=0.167). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that preoperative CT, MRI, and PET/CT showed low to moderate sensitivity and PPV, and moderate to high specificity, NPV, and accuracy. More efforts are necessary to improve sensitivity of imaging modalities in order to predict pelvic LN metastases.

Postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level has a prognostic value for distant metastasis and survival in rectal cancer patients who receive preoperative chemoradiotherapy and curative surgery: a retrospective multi-institutional analysis.

The cut-off value and prognostic significance of postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level in rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and curative surgery are still unclear. 1559 rectal cancer patients staged with cT3-4N0-2M0 received preoperative CRT and total mesorectal excision (TME). CEA levels were measured before CRT and 3-4 weeks after surgery. Clinicopathologic factors that could be associated with tumor recurrence and patient survival were analyzed. The cumulative probability of tumor recurrence showed a steep increase with a cutoff value of 2.5 ng/mL for postoperative CEA level, and the gradient decreased as the CEA levels increased above 2.5 ng/mL. After a median follow-up time of 46.7 months, patients with postoperative CEA level >2.5 ng/mL had significantly lower relapse-free survival (RFS) (65.2 vs. 75.6 %, P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (78.1 vs. 88.3 %, P < 0.001) at 5 years than patients with postoperative CEA level ≤2.5 ng/mL. On the multivariate analysis, postoperative CEA level was a significant prognostic factor for RFS (HR 1.561; 95 % CI 1.221-1.996; P < 0.001) and OS (HR 2.073; 95 % CI 1.498-2.869; P < 0.001). Postoperative CEA level independently affected RFS irrespective of pre-CRT CEA level. Postoperative CEA level was a significant predictor for distant recurrence (P = 0.004), but not for locoregional recurrence (P = 0.472). Postoperative CEA level >2.5 ng/ml is a predictor of distant metastasis and a negative prognostic factor for survival in rectal cancer patients who receive preoperative CRT and curative surgery.

Analysis of Geometric Shifts and Proper Setup-Margin in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Pelvic Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Using Endorectal Ballooning and Daily Enema for Prostate Immobilization.

We evaluate geometric shifts of daily setup for evaluating the appropriateness of treatment and determining proper margins for the planning target volume (PTV) in prostate cancer patients.We analyzed 1200 sets of pretreatment megavoltage-CT scans that were acquired from 40 patients with intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer. They received whole pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). They underwent daily endorectal ballooning and enema to limit intrapelvic organ movement. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of daily translational shifts in right-to-left (X), anterior-to-posterior (Y), and superior-to-inferior (Z) were evaluated for systemic and random error.The mean ±â€ŠSD of systemic error (Σ) in X, Y, Z, and roll was 2.21 ±â€Š3.42 mm, -0.67 ±â€Š2.27 mm, 1.05 ±â€Š2.87 mm, and -0.43 ±â€Š0.89°, respectively. The mean ±â€ŠSD of random error (δ) was 1.95 ±â€Š1.60 mm in X, 1.02 ±â€Š0.50 mm in Y, 1.01 ±â€Š0.48 mm in Z, and 0.37 ±â€Š0.15° in roll. The calculated proper PTV margins that cover >95% of the target on average were 8.20 (X), 5.25 (Y), and 6.45 (Z) mm. Mean systemic geometrical shifts of IMRT were not statistically different in all transitional and three-dimensional shifts from early to late weeks. There was no grade 3 or higher gastrointestinal or genitourianry toxicity.The whole pelvic IMRT technique is a feasible and effective modality that limits intrapelvic organ motion and reduces setup uncertainties. Proper margins for the PTV can be determined by using geometric shifts data.

Setup Error and Effectiveness of Weekly Image-Guided Radiation Therapy of TomoDirect for Early Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: This study investigated setup error and effectiveness of weekly image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) of TomoDirect for early breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-one breasts of 147 consecutive patients who underwent breast conserving surgery followed by whole breast irradiation using TomoDirect in 2012 and 2013 were evaluated. All patients received weekly IGRT. The weekly setup errors from simulation to each treatment in reference to chest wall and surgical clips were measured. Random, systemic, and 3-dimensional setup errors were assessed. Extensive setup error was defined as 5 mm above the margin in any directions. RESULTS: All mean errors were within 3 mm of all directions. The mean angle of gantry shifts was 0.6°. The mean value of absolute 3-dimensional setup error was 4.67 mm. In multivariate analysis, breast size (odds ratio, 2.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 7.90) was a significant factor for extensive error. The largest significant deviation of setup error was observed in the first week of radiotherapy (p < 0.001) and the deviations gradually decreased with time. The deviation of setup error was 5.68 mm in the first week and within 5 mm after the second week. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was a significant association between breast size and significant setup error in breast cancer patients who received TomoDirect. The largest deviation occurred in the first week of treatment. Therefore, patients with large breasts should be closely observed on every fraction and fastidious attention is required in the first fraction of IGRT.

Interpretation and Prognostic Value of Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography After Induction Chemotherapy With or Without Radiation in IIIA-N2 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Who Receive Curative Surgery.

We evaluate the correlation of clinical staging on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and pathologic staging and the prognostic value of PET-CT after induction chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We analyzed 42 cases of clinical stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC who receive 2 to 4 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy with or without radiation followed by curative resection. The maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of the suspected lesion on PET-CT was recorded. PET-CT findings after induction chemotherapy were compared with those of initial PET-CT and pathology after surgery. The accuracy of PET-CT in restaging of the primary tumor after induction chemotherapy was 50.0%. Eighteen (42.8%) of 42 patients were underestimated ycT stage, and 3 (7.1%) of 42 patients was overestimated ycT stage by PET-CT scan. The accuracy of PET-CT in restaging of the nodal disease was 71.4%. Six (14.3%) of 42 patients were underestimated ycN stage, and 6 (14.3%) of 42 patients were overestimated ycN stage as compared with pathologic staging. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate were 68.5% and 40.9%, respectively. Complete responders (ycT0N0M0) on PET-CT after induction chemotherapy had a significantly longer RFS time than did incomplete responders (28.3 vs 9.1 months, P = 0.021). Complete response on PET-CT after induction chemotherapy with or without radiation was a good prognosticator for RFS in stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients who received surgery. However, response evaluation on PET-CT after induction chemotherapy should be interpreted with caution due to its unacceptable accuracy.

Re-irradiation of unresectable recurrent head and neck cancer: using Helical Tomotherapy as image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Re-irradiation (re-RT) is considered a treatment option for inoperable locoregionally recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC) after prior radiotherapy. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of re-RT using Helical Tomotherapy as image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy in recurrent HNC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with recurrent HNC and received re-RT were retrospectively reviewed. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoints were locoregional control and toxicities. RESULTS: The median follow-up period of total 9 patients was 18.7 months (range, 4.1 to 76 months) and that of 3 alive patients was 49 months (range, 47 to 76 months). Median dose of first radiotherapy and re-RT was 64.8 and 47.5 Gy10. Median cumulative dose of the two courses of radiotherapy was 116.3 Gy10 (range, 91.8 to 128.9 Gy10) while the median interval between the two courses of radiation was 25 months (range, 4 to 137 months). The response rate after re-RT of the evaluated 8 patients was 75% (complete response, 4; partial response, 2). Median locoregional relapse-free survival after re-RT was 11.9 months (range, 3.4 to 75.1 months) and 5 patients eventually presented with treatment failure (in-field failure, 2; in- and out-field failure, 2; out-field failure, 1). Median OS of the 8 patients was 20.3 months (range, 4.1 to 75.1 months). One- and two-year OS rates were 62.5% and 50%, respectively. Grade 3 leucopenia developed in one patient as acute toxicity, and grade 2 osteonecrosis and trismus as chronic toxicity in another patient. CONCLUSION: Re-RT using Helical Tomotherapy for previously irradiated patients with unresectable locoregionally recurrent HNC may be a feasible treatment option with long-term survival and acceptable toxicities.