A meta-analysis on salvage surgery as a potentially curative procedure in patients with isolated local recurrent or persistent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy

BackgroundIsolated local recurrent or persistent esophageal cancer (EC) after curative intended definitive (dCRT) or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) with initially omitted surgery, is a potential indication for salvage surgery. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of salvage surgery in these patients.Material and methodsA systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was performed using databases of PubMed/Medline. All included studies were performed in patients with persistent or recurrent EC after initial treatment with dCRT or nCRT, between 2007 and 2017. Survival analysis was performed with an inverse-variance weighting method.ResultsOf the 278 identified studies, 28 were eligible, including a total of 1076 patients. Postoperative complications after salvage esophagectomy were significantly more common among patients with isolated persistent than in those with locoregional recurrent EC, including respiratory (36.6% versus 22.7%; difference in proportion 10.9 with 95% confidence interval (CI) [3.1; 18.7]) and cardiovascular complications (10.4% versus 4.5%; difference in proportion 5.9 with 95% CI [1.5; 10.2]). The pooled estimated 30- and 90-day mortality was 2.6% [1.6; 3.6] and 8.0% [6.3; 9.8], respectively. The pooled estimated 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 39.0% (95% CI: [35.8; 42.2]) and 19.4% [95% CI:16.5; 22.4], respectively. Patients with isolated persistent or recurrent EC after initial CRT had similar 5-year OS (14.0% versus 19.7%, difference in proportion −5.7, 95% CI [-13.7; 2.3]).ConclusionsSalvage surgery is a potentially curative procedure in patients with locally recurrent or persistent esophageal cancer and can be performed safely after definitive or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy when surgery was initially omitted.     

Lesion regression rate based on RECIST: prediction of treatment outcome in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy compared with FDG PET-CT

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the lesion regression rate (ΔLR) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria could be used for the prediction of treatment outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) compared with FDG PET-CT. A total of 33 patients underwent MRI and PET-CT at pretreatment and at 8 weeks after CRT. We assessed the treatment outcome by analyzing the following parameters: the RECIST criteria, ΔLR, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria, and pretreatment SUV_max of the primary tumor and node. The correlation between the analysis of the parameters and the results of the long-term follow-up of the patients was determined. The RECIST did not significantly correlate with locoregional control (LRC) or survival. The ΔLR was significantly lower for the lesions with locoregional failure (LRF) than for those with LRC. A threshold ΔLR of 48% revealed a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 77.3% for the prediction of LRF. Progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with ΔLR ≥ 48% was significantly better than that of patients with ΔLR < 48% (P = 0.001), but not overall survival. There was a significant correlation between LRC and the EORTC (P = 0.02). The patients who achieved a complete response by the EORTC criteria showed significantly better PFS and overall survival (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). The ΔLR was inferior to FDG PET-CT with respect to the prediction of patient survival; however, it may be useful for selecting patients in need of more aggressive monitoring after CRT.     

Impact of Induction Chemotherapy and Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy on Operative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Locoregional Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach or Gastroesophageal Junction

Background Significant tumor downstaging has been achieved in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma by induction chemotherapy and preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CTX–CTXRT). However, the influence of CTX–CTXRT on operative morbidity and mortality has not yet been clarified. The aim of the present study was to document the frequency and nature of morbidity and mortality after surgery combined with CTX–CTXRT, and identify factors predictive of postoperative complications in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A prospectively collected database on 71 consecutive patients who underwent CTX–CTXRT at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between January 1997 and August 2004 was reviewed. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were investigated, and risk factors for overall complications were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 38.0% (27 patients) and 2.8% (2 patients), respectively. Age greater than 60 years [relative risk 11.3 (95% confidence interval 2.50–50.6)] and body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/m² or above [relative risk 4.08 (95% confidence interval 1.08–15.4)] were significant risk factors for overall complications. Conclusions CTX–CTXRT can be performed safely with an acceptable operative morbidity and a low operative mortality rate in patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer, with careful consideration of added risk associated with age and obesity.     

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

We report a case of combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. A 78-year-old man with vertigo was referred to our hospital where chest X-ray revealed a tumor shadow in the right lung. A transbronchial lung biopsy specimen verified a diagnosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (cT1N0M0). Right lower lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection (#7,8,9) was performed. A postoperative histological diagnosis was combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of a component of squamous cell carcinoma [pT4 (pm) N2M0]. The patient received concurrent chemoradiotherapy due to upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis 4 months after surgery. The chemoradiotherapy well responded and the patient remains well 9 months after surgery.     

Persistent extramural vascular invasion positivity on magnetic resonance imaging after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy predicts poor outcome in rectal cancer

BackgroundIn rectal cancer, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) is the presence of tumour cells in blood vessels outside the muscular layer, which is associated with poor prognosis. Regression of EMVI on MRI following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or its persistence may have prognostic implications.MethodsThis retrospective study included 52 patients with rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision following long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). EMVI assessments were done on previous pelvic MRIs obtained before neoadjuvant CRT and eight weeks after the completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in initially EMVI positive cases.ResultsPersistently EMVI positive patients had worse overall survival and disease-free survival compared to initially EMVI negative patients and patients who returned to negative (p < 0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis identified persistent EMVI positivity after neoadjuvant treatment (HR, 102.9; p = 0.003) as significant independent predictor of worse overall survival; and persistent EMVI positivity (HR, 17.0; p = 0.002), mesorectal fascia involvement after neoadjuvant treatment (HR, 8.0; p = 0.017), and poor differentiation (HR, 10.3, p = 0.012) as significant independent predictors of worse disease-free survival.ConclusionPersistent EMVI positivity after neoadjuvant therapy appears to be an independent factor for poor overall survival; and persistent EMVI positivity as well as mesorectal fascia involvement on post neoadjuvant therapy MRI and poor differentiation appears to be important predictors of poor disease-free survival in rectal cancer patients.     

进展期低位直肠癌新辅助放化疗后侧方淋巴结清扫的选择和意义

侧方淋巴引流是低位直肠癌3个重要的淋巴引流方向之一。沿引流途径清扫淋巴结是直肠癌根治术基本要求,也决定淋巴结清扫范围。但侧方淋巴结是区域淋巴结还是远处淋巴结,一直存在争议。这带来新辅助放化疗和侧方淋巴结清扫、以及新辅助放化疗对侧方淋巴结转移疗效的争议。笔者综合分析国内外研究进展,对直肠癌侧方淋巴结转移规律、影响侧方淋巴结转移复发危险因素以及放化疗前后MRI检查对侧方淋巴结评估等进行深入阐述,并结合临床实践,探讨进展期低位直肠癌新辅助放化疗后侧方淋巴结清扫的选择和意义。     

Pilot study of 6 weeks of chemoradiotherapy with 5 FU and hydroxyurea in malignant gliomas

Summary In an attempt to improve the primary treatment of malignant gliomas we used a concomitant 6-week course of chemoradiotherapy with 5 fluorouracil (5 FU) and hydroyxurea (HU) in 24 adults with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) (7 cases) or glioblastomas (GLB) (17 cases). This patient population was characterised by a poor prognostic profile; 50% of cases had biopsic or subtotal surgery and 70% had GLB. Patients received 2 Gy/day 18 MV photons with 300m² of 5 FU in continuous infusion and 500 mg x 4/day per os of HU, five days per week during 6 weeks. Treatment was poorly tolerated in terms of toxicity and implied heavy logistics (hospitalization, central venous access) worsening the quality of life which is already bad in malignant gliomas. Unfortunately we did not improve median survival which does not exceed 26 weeks with 7 long survivors (> 49 weeks). This pilot study does not offer any benefits over current standard approaches. Aggressive locoregional approaches such as this should perhaps be attempted in patients with a better profile.     

Strategies in the treatment of diffuse pontine gliomas: the therapeutic role of hyperfractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy

This article will review the current treatment of pediatric patients with diffuse pontine gliomas (DPG) and discuss three potential avenues of therapeutic research including (i) radiotherapy (RT) in combination with radiation sensitizers, (ii) dose-intensive, induction chemotherapy with hematopoietic support followed in sequence with RT applied as a consolidation therapy, and (iii) the interleafed application of phase-specific chemotherapeutic agents and hyperfractionated external beam radiotherapy (HFEBRT) referred to as chemoradiotherapy.     

Treatment of oesophageal cancer with preoperative chemoradiotherapy may increase operative mortality

AIMS: This phase II multicentric study evaluates a modified preoperative chemoradiotherapy schedule. METHODS: Patients <75 years with potentially resectable neoplasm were eligible. Treatment included an initial course of CDDP 100 mg/m2 (Day 1) and 5-FU CI 5000 mg/m2 (Days 1-5) followed by 45 Gy (Days 28-63) and 5-FU CI 5000 mg/m2 (Days 28-33), CDDP 75 mg/m2 (Day 56) and 5-FU CI 3750 mg/m2 (Days 56-61). Regional lymph nodes were irradiated. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were studied. Oesophagectomy was performed in 17. Clear margins were achieved in 16 of these. Eight patients showed a pathologic complete response (pCR). One patient died of infection during the preoperative treatment and four died due to acute surgical complications. The study was closed prematurely because of excessive mortality. Median follow-up was 19 months. Local and regional relapse occurred in one and three patients, respectively. Median time and actuarial 3-year of overall survival and progression free rates were 18.6 months and 28%, and 12.7 months and 10.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This schedule showed a high pCR, resectability and local control rate. Treatment-related mortality limits its clinical applicability, but further investigations are warranted.     

同期放化疗治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌

目的探讨长春瑞滨联合顺铂同期放疗综合治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的疗效和毒副作用。方法对33例晚期非小细胞肺癌患者进行同期放化疗，化疗在放疗开始时同期进行，用药长春瑞滨25mg／m^2第1、8天静脉滴注；顺铂40mg／m^2第1、2天静脉滴注。28d为1个周期，共给6周期。放疗采用常规分割照射（1．8～2Gy／次，5次／周），总剂量为45～55Gy。治疗结果与同期单纯放疗的41例晚期非小细胞肺癌进行对照。结果放化同期组的近期有效率为57．6％，单纯放疗组为34．1％（x^2=4．06，P〈0．05）。放化同期组1、2年生存率分别为63、6％、39．4％，单纯放疗组分别为29．3％、14．696（1年生存率的卡方检验：x^2=8．74，P〈0．01；2年生存率的卡方检验：x^2=5．87，P〈0．05）。放化同期组肿瘤进展时间平均为10．2个月，单纯放疗组为4．5个月（Log Rank检验：x^2=6．34，P〈0．05）。两组结果相比有显著性差异。两组患者治疗过程中出现的毒副反应主要为骨髓抑制，以及放射性食管炎等。但所有病例均顺利完成治疗过程，无治疗相关死亡。结论长春瑞滨联合顺铂同期放疗可以提高晚期非小细胞肺癌的近期疗效和远期生存率，是一种安全有效的综合治疗手段。