Oligodendrogliomas: the Mayo Clinic experience.

Eighty-one patients with pure supratentorial oligodendrogliomas underwent surgery alone (19 patients) or surgery plus postoperative radiation therapy (63 patients) between the years 1960 and 1982. The median survival time and the 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates for these 82 patients were 7.1 years, 54%, 34%, and 24%, respectively; these values were significantly different from those for an age- and sex-matched normal reference population. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed on 13 possible prognostic factors including: patient age and sex; presence of seizures; site, size, side, computerized tomography (CT) enhancement, grade, and calcification of the tumor; and treatment (extent of surgical resection, lobectomy, radiation dose, and radiation field). Of these factors, tumor grade as classified by the Kernohan and St. Anne-Mayo methods was most strongly associated with survival. Patients with Grade 1 or 2 tumors by either grading method had a median survival time and 5- and 10-year survival rates of approximately 9.8 years. 75%, and 46%, respectively, compared to 3.9 years, 41%, and 20% for those with Grade 3 or 4 tumors. The extent of surgical resection was also associated with survival. The 19 patients who underwent gross total resection of their tumor had a median survival time and 5- and 10-year survival rates of 12.6 years, 74%, and 59%, compared to 4.9 years, 46%, and 23%, respectively, for the 63 who had subtotal resection. When comparing the 19 patients who underwent surgery alone with the 63 who had surgery plus postoperative radiation therapy, there did not appear to be a survival benefit to be gained from the addition of postoperative radiation therapy. However, the patients who had surgery alone tended to have gross total resections and lower tumor grades. Analysis of the subset of 63 patients who underwent subtotal resection alone or with radiation therapy showed that the median survival time and 5- and 10-year survival rates were: 2 years, 25%, and 25% for the eight patients with subtotal resection alone; 4.5 years, 39%, and 20% for the 26 patients with surgery and low-dose (less than 5000 cGy) radiation therapy; and 7.9 years, 62%, and 31% for the 29 patients receiving surgery and high-dose radiation therapy (greater than or equal to 5000 cGy), respectively.     

Criteria of diagnosis and grading of oligodendrogliomas or oligo-astrocytomas according to the WHO and Sainte-Anne classifications

Two main classification systems are used in France for the histological typing and grading of oligodendrogliomas: the WHO and Sainte-Anne Hospital (SA) classifications. According to the WHO, the typing of diffuse gliomas is based on the predominant cell type, oligodendroglial versus astrocytic. In contrast, the SA classification is based on the distinction of two patterns of tumor growth, solid tumor tissue versus isolated tumor cells and also relies on imaging and clinical features. According to this approach, the SA classification includes in the category of oligodendrogliomas, the fibrillary or gemistocytic diffuse astrocytomas (WHO grade II) as well as a substantial proportion of astrocytomas WHO grade III, 2) the WHO uses multiple histological criteria for the grading of oligodendrogliomas (grade II versus grade III), including the degree of differentiation, cellular atypia, mitotic activity and necrosis. In contrast, the SA grading of these tumors (grade A versus B) only uses two criteria: the presence or absence of endothelial hyperplasia, and the presence or absence of contrast enhancement. This last criterion allows overcoming the problems related to the representativeness of surgical samples. Difficulties and discrepancies regarding the diagnosis of oligodendrogliomas are in part due to the lack of immunomarker for the identification of tumoral oligodendrocytes. The potential interest of new markers of oligodendroglial precursors for the diagnosis of these tumors will further be discussed.     

胸腺瘤患者预后因素分析

目的 探讨影响胸腺瘤患者术后远期生存率的相关因素。方法 回顾性分析我科1973—2000年间手术治疗的69例胸腺瘤，应用Kaplan—Meier法和Cox比例风险模型对可能影响胸腺瘤术后远期生存率的因素进行单因素和多因素分析。结果 全组患者5年、10年、15年生存率分别为83．3％、67．4％、41．9％。单因素分析显示年龄、Masaoka分期、WHO组织学分类、肿瘤切除范围、Rosai／Levine分类对胸腺瘤患者术后长期生存率有显著影响(P＜0．01)，但经多因素分析表明仅Masaoka分期(P＜0．01)、肿瘤切除范围(P＜0．05)、年龄(P＜0．05)是独立的预后因素。结论 对胸腺瘤应积极进行手术治疗，即使姑息性切除亦有助于提高远期生存。     

Supratentorial recurrences of gliomas. Results of reoperations on astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas

Summary On the basis of our previous investigation regarding histological transformation of recurrent astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas we report the clinical results of reoperations. The present observations deal with 121 cases: grade 1 astrocytomas (45), oligodendrogliomas (12), grade 2 astrocytomas (47), and oligodendrogliomas (17), respectively. In all these a second reoperation was performed in 14 cases. Operative mortality was relatively high, but without significant difference in the two groups of malignancy: 24.5% and 29.6%. Survival times in both groups showed striking individual differences. We achieved post-reoperation survivals exceeding one year in 18 and 14 cases, respectively. The results of second reoperations were generally poor. We find no remarkable differences in survival time following reoperations in primary grade 1 and grade 2 tumours. Similarly, malignant change proved to be not decisive for survival times. On the contrary, most of our patients with unchanged grade 1 astrocytomas, reoperated on after a longer interval, achieved a short second survival only. Prolongation of life expectancy by radiotherapy is doubtful. Irradiation seems to be necessary with malignantly transformed tumours if the patient did not have any treatment before reoperation.     

Oligodendroglioma: pathology and molecular biology

BACKGROUND: Recently, important new information has become available concerning the histologic recognition and molecular biology of oligodendrogliomas. This information, in turn, impacts the way neurosurgeons diagnose and treat patients with these tumors. The purpose of this paper is to review the pathology and basic science of oligodendroglioma, highlighting these developments. METHODS: Information for this review was obtained by a Medline search using the term "oligodendroglioma," and limiting the results to articles dealing with pathology. Chapters from standard textbooks were also used, and bibliographies were checked for additional key articles contributing to the understanding of the pathobiology of this disease. RESULTS: On histologic examination, oligodendrogliomas must be differentiated from tumors including the fibrillary astrocytoma, clear cell ependymoma, central neurocytoma, and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT). There is no specific immunocytochemical marker allowing for the recognition of human oligodendroglial tumor cells. A current simplified grading scheme separates these tumors into low grade (WHO grade II) and anaplastic (WHO grade III) oligodendrogliomas. New molecular and genetic markers may aid in grading oligodendrogliomas and identifying patients with a better prognosis or response to chemotherapy. Markers studied include Ki-67, PCNA, EGFr, VEGF, platelet-derived growth factor, p16, p18, p53, bcl-2, COX-1, and chromosomal deletions. The combination of allelic losses on chromosomes 1p and 19q has been statistically associated with a longer recurrence-free survival after chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: A patient with an oligodendroglioma may at times still present a diagnostic challenge for the neuropathologist. Yet making an accurate diagnosis is essential, since the clinical course and optimal therapeutic approach differs from that of other gliomas. In the near future, molecular characterization of oligodendrogliomas is expected to play an even greater clinical role.     

Multivariate Analyse von Prognosefaktoren nach Resektion duktaler Pankreaskarzinome

At Hanover Medical School 466 patients were operated for ductal pancreatic cancer from 1971 to 1993. In 192 cases the pancreatic tumor could be resected, which amounts to a resection rate of 41%. These patients were subjected to uni- and multivariate factorial analysis in order to evaluate factors of significant prognostic value. Extended pancreatic resection because of vascular involvement or invasion of adjacent organs was performed in 40% (n=77) of the cases. A curative RO resection was possible in 85% of patients. The operative lethality dropped with time and from 1985 to 1993 was 3.5%. Patient survival at 5 years was 13.4% with a median survival time of 10.9 months. According to the univariate analysis the prognosis deteriorated with increasing tumor size and lymphatic and hematogenic metastases. There was a significant correlation between tumor stage according to the UICC and prognosis. The prognosis after resection was also significantly influenced by the residual tumor state and tumor grading. Extended pancreatic resections, however, had no significant prognostic impact. The multivariate analysis showed that only three factors were of independent significant relevance: residual tumor state, tumor size and tumor grade. The presence or absence of lymphatic and hematogenic metastases had no independent prognostic significance after resection of ductal pancreatic carcinomas.     

Long-term survival and prognostic factors in thymic epithelial tumours.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze long-term survival and the prognostic significance of some factors after surgical resection of thymic epithelial tumours. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and histopathological data on 132 patients operated on for thymic tumours, from 1970 and 2001. Histologic diagnosis based on the new WHO classification system was made by a single pathologist. A univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors predicting survival was carried out. RESULTS: There were: 108 complete resections (81.8%), 12 partial resections (9.1%) and 12 biopsies (9.1%). Overall 5, 10 and 15-year survival rate was 72, 61 and 52.5%, respectively. The Masaoka staging system showed 44 stage I, 18 stage II, 52 stage III and 18 stage IV. Histologic results were: 14 subtype A, 31 AB, 20 B1, 28 B2, 29 B3 and 10 C; the respective proportions of invasive tumour (stage II-IV) was 28.6, 58.1, 50, 75, 86.2 and 100%. There were 16 tumour recurrences (14.8%) of 108 radically resected thymomas, 10 were treated with radical re-resection. In univariate analysis, four prognostic factors were statistically significant: radical resection, Masaoka clinical staging, WHO histologic subtype and resectable tumour recurrence. In multivariate analysis, the independent factors predicting long-term survival were WHO histology and Masaoka stage. CONCLUSIONS: The WHO histologic classification seems to be the most significant prognostic factor reflecting the invasiveness of the thymic tumour. Completeness of resection and Masaoka stage I and II assure a better survival. Unresectable recurrence of thymic tumour predicted a worse prognosis.     

Chest wall recurrence after mastectomy does not always portend a dismal outcome

Background: Chest wall recurrence (CWR) after mastectomy often forecasts a grim prognosis. Predictors of outcome after CWR, however, are not clear.Methods: From 1988 to 1998, 130 patients with isolated CWRs were seen at our center. Clinicopathologic factors were studied by univariate and multivariate analyses for distant metastasis–free survival after CWR. The median post-CWR follow-up was 37 months.Results: Initial nodal status was the strongest predictor of outcome by univariate analysis. Other significant factors included initial T4 disease, primary lymphovascular invasion, treatment of the primary tumor with neoadjuvant therapy or radiation, time to CWR >24 months, and treatment for CWR (surgery, radiation, or multimodality therapy). Multivariate analysis also found initial nodal status to have the greatest effect; time to CWR and use of radiation for CWR were also independent predictors. Three groups of patients were identified. Low risk was defined by initial node-negative disease, time to CWR >24 months, and radiation for CWR; intermediate risk had one or two favorable features; and high risk had none. The median distant metastasis–free survival after CWR was significantly different among these groups (P < .0001).Conclusions: Patients with CWR are a heterogeneous population. Patients with initial node-negative disease who develop CWR after 24 months have an optimistic prognosis, especially if they are treated with radiation.     

Prognostic factors predictive of survival for truncal and retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: The authors identified prognostic factors relevant to clinical outcomes (especially survival) in truncal and retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: These results can be used to optimize surgical management and select patients most likely to benefit from novel therapeutic strategies in future trials. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of a prospectively compiled database of 183 consecutive patients with truncal and retroperitoneal sarcomas seen at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute between 1970 to 1994. RESULTS: For truncal sarcoma, multivariate analysis showed that high-grade histology was associated with an eightfold increased risk of death compared with low-grade histology (p = 0.001). In addition to grade, gross positive margin of resection (p = 0.001), microscopic positive margin (p = 0.023), and tumors greater than 5 cm in size (p = 0.018) were important independent prognostic factors for survival. In this series, postoperative radiation therapy for truncal sarcoma was associated with a 2.4-fold decreased risk of death compared with truncal sarcoma patients receiving no adjuvant radiation therapy, having adjusted for the other prognostic factors (p = 0.030). In contrast, for retroperitoneal sarcoma, multivariate analysis showed that high-grade and intermediate-grade histology were associated with a five- to sixfold increased risk of death compared with low-grade histology (p = 0.009). In addition to grade, gross positive margin of resection (p = 0.001) and microscopic positive margin (p = 0.004) were important independent prognostic factors for survival in retroperitoneal sarcoma. Patients who received either preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma had a 4.6-fold (p = 0.002) and 3-fold (p = 0.010) increased risk of death, respectively, compared with patients receiving no adjuvant chemotherapy, having adjusted for the other prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The histologic grade and the margin of resection are prognostic for survival in both truncal and retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma. Tumor size was an independent prognostic factor for truncal sarcoma, but not for retroperitoneal sarcoma. Postoperative adjuvant radiation was beneficial to overall survival for truncal sarcoma. In this series of patients receiving a heterogeneous mixture of chemotherapeutic regimens-either as preoperative "neoadjuvant" therapy or as postoperative "adjuvant" therapy, there were no beneficial effects on survival compared with nonrandomized patients not receiving chemotherapy.     

胸腺瘤的外科治疗和预后分析

目的探讨外科治疗在胸腺瘤治疗中的作用及预后的影响因素。 方法回顾性分析2004年1月—2017年1月就诊于甘肃省人民医院胸外科并接受手术治疗的55例胸腺瘤患者的临床资料。生存率的计算及单因素生存分析采用Kaplan-Meier法进行,组间差异使用Log-rank检验进行计算,所有经单因素生存分析有意义的参数均纳入多因素生存,采用Cox分析确定与预后相关的因素。 结果55例胸腺瘤患者中,成功随访53例,失访2例。53例患者均接受手术治疗,中位随访时间75.3个月,1、3、5、10年生存率分别为71.1%、56.7%、39.3%和23.3%。单因素分析结果显示：临床症状、肿瘤直径、肿瘤切除范围、Masaoka分期、WHO组织学分类及放化疗对胸腺瘤患者术后长期生存率均有显著影响(P<0.01);多因素Cox分析表明肿瘤切除方式(HR＝5.15,95% CI：1.573～16.883,P<0.05)、肿瘤直径(HR＝5.53,95% CI：1.879～11.797,P<0.05)、WHO分型(HR＝13.23,95% CI：3.015～29.230,P<0.05)、Masaoka分期(HR＝5.18,95%CI：1.597～13.737,P<0.05)以及放化疗(HR＝12.14,95% CI：2.979～49.503,P<0.05)是影响胸腺瘤术后生存率的独立因素。 结论肿瘤直径、肿瘤切除方式、WHO分型、Masaoka分期以及术后放化疗是影响胸腺瘤患者预后的独立因素。     

Nogo-a expression in glial CNS tumors: a tool to differentiate between oligodendrogliomas and other gliomas?

Gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors. In a minority of cases, the differentiation between astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas based on morphologic characteristics alone can be difficult; though it is important, as patients with oligodendrogliomas follow a more favorable clinical course. Here we report on the immunohistochemical expression pattern of the oligodendrocytic marker Nogo-A in 113 central nervous system tumors including 28 oligodendrogliomas [15, World Health Organization (WHO) grade II; 13, grade WHO III], 50 astrocytomas [10, grade WHO II; 11, grade WHO III; 29 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)], 11 ependymomas WHO grade II, 7 central neurocytomas, 2 dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNTs), 5 clear cell meningiomas, and 10 metastases to the brain. The oligodendrocytic marker Nogo-A was found to be strongly expressed in 71% of oligodendrogliomas, but in 0% of ependymomas WHO grade II, astrocytomas WHO grade II or III, DNTs, central neurocytomas, or clear cell meningiomas. In GBM, a subgroup of tumors (24%) showed strong expression of Nogo-A coincidently with Ki67 positivity but glial fibrillary acidic protein-negativity. However, neither in oligodendrogliomas nor GBM was a correlation between the loss of 1p19q and the extent of Nogo-A expression observed. Our findings indicate that Nogo-A is strongly expressed in the majority of oligodendrogliomas and might be a helpful marker to distinguish oligodendrogliomas from astrocytomas WHO grades II and III as well as ependymomas. They also support the hypothesis that GBM may be a heterogeneous group of tumors derived from different progenitor cells.     

肌层浸润性膀胱癌保留膀胱术后复发与进展的相关因素分析

目的 探讨影响肌层浸润性膀胱癌保留膀胱术后复发与进展的相关因素,为临床选择肌层浸润性膀胱癌患者行保留膀胱手术提供依据.方法 回顾性分析获得系统随访的38例行保留膀胱手术的肌层浸润性膀胱癌患者的资料,对性别、年龄、肿瘤数目、肿瘤大小、病理分级、既往复发、手术方式、即刻灌注、静脉化疗等因素进行生存分析,定义复发或进展为终点事件.生存分析运用Kaplan-Meier法,单因素与多因素分析运用Cox回归,采用Log-rank法进行显著性检验.结果 随访3~36个月,25例复发(复发率65.8%),17例进展(进展率44.7%).复发时间(11.6±0.8)个月,中位复发时间11个月,未复发生存时间(19.9±1.5)个月,中位生存时间19个月.进展时间(11.2±1.2)个月,中位进展时间10个月.Cox单因素分析发现,肿瘤数目、肿瘤大小、病理分级、既往复发、静脉化疗均是影响肿瘤复发与进展的因素;Cox多因素分析发现,肿瘤数目(RR=2.968,P=0.004)、病理分级(RR=2.128,P=0.027)是影响肿瘤复发的独立危险因素,肿瘤数目(RR=4.519,P=0.003)、病理分级(RR=3.137,P=0.014)同样是影响肿瘤进展的独立危险因素. 结论 肿瘤数目、病理分级是影响肌层浸润性膀胱癌保留膀胱术后复发与进展的独立危险因素,临床上尽可能选择肿瘤数目较少、病理分级较低的肌层浸润性膀胱癌患者行保留膀胱手术.     

Cellular apoptosis, proliferation and bcl-2 Bax expression in colorectal carcinoma and their association with tumor prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between cellular apoptosis, proliferation and bcl-2/bax expression in the tissue of colorectal carcinoma and biological behavior of the tumor. METHOD: The apoptotic cells index (AI) in situ were identified by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfer-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistologic staining for Ki-67 proliferation index (KI), bcl-2/bax protein expression was performed on archival material from 77 adenocarcinomas. RESULT: The mean AI and KI were 5.3/45.4 in early stage cancer, 5.6/48.7 in non-metastatic cancer, 6.6/55.3 in advanced cancer and 8.9/60.1 in cancer with distant metastasis respectively. There was a positive relationship between the AI and KI in each specimen. bcl-2 and bax was expressed as 54.5%, 74% in carcinoma and highly differentiated carcinoma. In the univariate analysis, significantly longer survival time was observed in the subgroup of bcl-2 positive carcinoma with low AI. In the multivariate analysis, tumor stage, tumor type, KI, and bcl-2 expression were independent risk factors for prognosis. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that abnormally exchanged AI/KI, bcl-2/bax expression appears to be an event associated with tumor progression and apoptosis might also reflect the proliferative activity of human colorectal carcinoma.     

Intracranial ependymomas in adult patients. Retrospective analysis of 121 cases from the multicentric French study

Ependymomas are rare intracranial tumors observed in adults. Prognostic factors as well as proper therapeutic management remain controversial. We report a retrospective study of 121 cases intracranial ependymomas diagnosed between 1990 and 2004 in adult patients. Mean age was 46 years with a 1/1 sex-ratio. Supratentorial and infratentorial localization was noted for 41 (33.9%) and 80 (66.1%) patients respectively. Total gross resection was achieved for 62.8% of tumors. WHO staging was grade II for 72.7% and III for 27.3%. Recurrence developed in 41 (33.9%) patients. Median follow-up was 70 months. The 5-year and 10-year overall survivals were 85 and 76% respectively; the respective progression-free survivals were 64 and 43%. At univariate analysis, age, KPS, localization, extent of surgery and histological grade were correlated with overall survival. At multivariate analysis age, location, histological grade and extent of surgery contributed most to prediction of overall survival. Concerning progression-free survival, univariate analysis found age, KPS, localization, extent of surgery, complementary treatment and histological grade to be correlated with recurrence. Multivariate analysis retained extent of surgery, histological grade and complementary treatment as the most important predictors of progression-free survival. This study demonstrated that extent of surgery and tumor grade are the two main prognostic factors in adult intracranial ependymomas with respect to overall and progression-free survival. Furthermore, our data suggest that postoperative radiotherapy significantly increases progression-free survival in patients with incompletely resected grade II tumors.     

Factors of importance for prediction of survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, treated with or without nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE: The indications for nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma remain controversial. A number of variables were analysed to identify factors that might predict the survival time, and these factors were used to obtain guidance as to which patients might benefit from palliative nephrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records for 106 consecutive patients with primary metastatic renal cell carcinoma, including clinicopathological factors, routine laboratory data and metastatic spread. The association of the different factors to survival time was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A number of factors correlated to survival time in univariate analysis, including solitary versus multiple metastases, serum albumin and DNA ploidy, but after Cox multivariate analysis their significance was lost. The remaining independent prognostic factors were performance status, number of metastatic sites, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), calcium in serum and vein invasion with tumour thrombus formation. The factors with no association to survival time were the metastatic sites, tumour size and nuclear grade. Patients treated with nephrectomy had a significantly longer survival time than those who did not undergo nephrectomy (p < 0.001). None of the 28 patients who did not undergo nephrectomy survived for 2 years, compared with 38 of the 78 patients who were nephrectomized. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who can be expected to survive longer, and who might be recommended for nephrectomy despite metastatic disease, would have the following independent factors: a good performance status, metastases limited to one organ, low ESR, normal calcium in serum and no tumour thrombus formation.     

Predictive factors for survival in surgically resected clinical IA peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung

BACKGROUND: Patients with clinical IA (C-IA) lung cancer have a 5-year survival rate of approximately 70% after surgical therapy alone. We attempted to clarify preoperative factors that are predictive for poor prognosis after surgery among patients diagnosed with C-IA adenocarcinoma of the lung. METHODS: Between 1994 and April 2002, 65 patients with C-IA adenocarcinoma of the lung underwent lobectomy + hilar and mediastinal node dissection. The chest computed tomography (CT) imaging and clinicopathologic records of the patients were examined. Tumors were subtyped into solid type or nonsolid type categories according to the component of ground glass opacity assessed by CT. Age, sex, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, histologic subtype (replacing versus nonreplacing), and tumor size were also analyzed. RESULTS: Solid type on CT and high serum CEA level (>or=4.0 ng/mL) were prognostic factors for poor outcome in univariate analyses (p < 0.05). Solid type on CT, high serum CEA level, and larger tumor size (> 20 mm) were significant (p < 0.05) prognostic factors for poor outcome in multivariate analyses. Solid type on CT and high serum CEA level were significant (p < 0.01) risk factors for lymph node involvement in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, based on the factors of CT subtype, tumor size, and serum CEA level, the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 20.1% for patients with two of the three factors, and 21.2% even if they were assessed as pN0. Computed tomography subtype was strongly associated with histologic subtype (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Solid type on CT (associated with histologic subtype such as nonreplacing type), tumor size larger than 20 mm, and high serum CEA concentration are important preoperative predictive factors for poor outcome after surgery for patients with C-IA lung adenocarcinoma.     

Importance of the treatment package time in surgery and postoperative radiation therapy for squamous carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND: To determine the effect of treatment time-related factors on outcome in patients treated with surgery and postoperative radiation therapy (RT) for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 208 consecutive patients treated from 1992 to 1997 with surgery and postoperative RT (> or =55 Gy) for SCCHN. The treatment time factors considered were (1) interval from surgery to the start of RT; (2) RT duration; and (3) the total time from surgery to completion of RT (treatment package time). Treatment package time was dichotomized into short (< or =100 days) vs long (>100 days) categories. Other variables considered were clinical and pathologic staging, margin status, RT dose, and tumor site. Patients were also divided into intermediate- and high-risk groups on the basis of eligibility for RTOG 95-01. Univariate (logrank) and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Median follow-up for surviving patients was 24 months. Actuarial 2-year locoregional control (LRC) and survival rates were 82% and 71%, respectively. In univariate analysis, factors associated with higher locoregional failure were high-risk group (p =.011), margin status (p =.038), pathologic stage (p =.035), clinical N stage (p =.006), package time (p =.013), and RT treatment time (p =.03). Package time was also a significant predictor of survival in univariate analysis (p =.021). The other two individual time factors, tumor factors, and RT dose were not significant. Both risk status and treatment package time were significant factors in a multivariate model of LRC. CONCLUSIONS: A total treatment package time of <100 days is associated with improved tumor control and survival. Every effort should be made to keep the time from surgery to the completion of postoperative RT to <100 days.     

High dose rate brachytherapy as a boost for the treatment of localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We report the outcome and toxicities of high dose rate brachytherapy as a boost for localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2003, 309 patients with prostate carcinoma were treated with external beam radiation therapy and high dose rate brachytherapy. Furthermore, 36% of the patients received neoadjuvant/concurrent or adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Patients were stratified into 3 groups. Group 1 of 67 patients had Gleason score 6 or less, pretreatment prostate specific antigen 10 ng/ml or less and clinical stage T2a or less. Group 2 of 109 patients had Gleason score 7 or greater, pretreatment prostate specific antigen greater than 10 ng/ml and clinical stage T2b or greater. Group 3 of 133 patients had 2 or more of these higher risk factors. RESULTS: At a median followup of 59 months the 5-year biochemical control rate, as defined by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, was 86%, cause specific survival was 98% and overall survival was 91%. Biochemical control in stratified groups 1 to 3 was 98%, 90% and 78%, respectively. On univariate analysis risk group, pretreatment prostate specific antigen and Gleason score were significant predictors of biochemical control. However, on multivariate analysis only risk group and pretreatment prostate specific antigen were significant. Using the Common Toxicity Criteria scale there were 2 cases of grade 3 acute urinary toxicity. Regarding late side effects 4% of patients had grade 3 genitourinary toxicity and 1 had a grade 4 rectal complication. CONCLUSIONS: External beam radiation therapy and high dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer resulted in excellent biochemical control, cause specific survival and overall survival with minimal severe acute or late complications.     

Age and radiation response in glioblastoma multiforme

OBJECTIVE: Advanced age is a strong predictor of shorter survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GM), especially for those who receive multimodality treatment. Radiographically assessed tumor response to external beam radiation therapy is an important prognostic factor in GM. We hypothesized that older GM patients might have more radioresistant tumors. METHODS: We studied radiographically assessed response to external beam radiation treatment (five-level scale) in relation to age and other prognostic factors in a cohort of 301 GM patients treated on two prospective clinical protocols. A total of 223 patients (74%) were assessable for radiographically assessed radiation response. A proportional odds ordinal regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Younger age (P = 0.006), higher Karnofsky Performance Scale score before radiotherapy (P = 0.027), and more extensive surgical resection (P = 0.028) predicted better radiation response in univariate analyses. Results were similar when clinical criteria were used to classify an additional 61 patients without radiographically assessed radiation response (stable versus progressive disease). In multivariate analyses, age and extent of resection were significant independent predictors of radiation response (P < 0.05); Karnofsky Performance Scale score was of borderline significance (P = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Older GM patients are less likely to have good responses to postoperative external beam radiation therapy. Karnofsky Performance Scale score before radiation treatment and extent of surgical resection are additional predictors of radiographically assessed radiation response in GM.