大体肿瘤靶体积/肺体积预测Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌根治性放疗后放射性肺炎的发生风险

目的 分析接受根治性放疗的Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌患者放射性肺炎(radiation pneumonitis, RP)发生相关的临床、剂量学因素。方法 回顾性分析北京大学肿瘤医院放疗科2013年1月至2014年12月收治的126例接受胸部根治性放疗的Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌患者,统计性别、年龄、病理类型、肿瘤位置、糖尿病史、高血压病史、吸烟史、治疗开始季节、治疗前体力状况(采用美国东部肿瘤协作组ECOG评分)、放疗前化疗方案、同步化疗方案、放射性肺炎分级等临床因素,以及GTV体积、肺体积(lung volume, LV)、全肺V₅、V₁₀、V₂₀、V₃₀、平均肺剂量(MLD)等剂量学参数。对各因素与2级以上放射性肺炎(RP≥2)进行相关性分析。结果 126例患者中发生≥2级放射性肺炎者31例,占24.6%。单因素分析显示,年龄、治疗前ECOG评分、同步化疗方案、GTV/LV比值与≥2级RP具有相关性(R=0.157~0.222,P<0.05);多因素分析显示,年龄、同步化疗方案、GTV/LV比值与≥2级RP发生显著相关(Wald=4.754、6.422和14.79,P<0.05)。结论 Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌患者接受胸部根治性放疗时,年龄增加和GTV/LV比值≥3.2%是≥2级RP发生的危险因素;同步使用单药小剂量紫杉醇也可能导致放射性肺炎发生危险增加。     

非小细胞肺癌三维适形放射治疗后急性放射性肺损伤分析

目的 探讨非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)三维适形放射治疗后放射性肺损伤发生的相关因素,为提高NSCLC局部控制率和改善生存质量提供参考。方法 收集2000年8月至2004年12月符合入组条件接受三维适形放疗的非小细胞肺癌患者107例,其中全程三维适形放疗48例,59例前程行传统常规放疗,后程行三维适形放疗。全组患者均为根治性放疗,处方剂量60~78Gy,中位剂量66Gy。结果 全组患者放射性肺损伤发生率为62.6%,≥2级放射性肺损伤的发生率为38.3%,其中2级23例占21.5%,3级14例占13.1%,4级4例占3.7%。单因素分析显示,慢性阻塞性肺病、照射野个数、双肺接受的平均剂量、双肺V₅~V₄₀对≥2级放射性肺损伤的发生均有显著性影响,其中双肺平均剂量、双肺V₂₀、疗前伴慢性阻塞性肺病为影响放射性肺损伤发生的独立性因素。 结论 NSCLC接受三维适形放疗者,应严格限制双肺接受的平均剂量和双肺V₂₀,尤其对放疗前伴有慢性阻塞性肺病者更应高度重视避免严重放射性肺损伤的发生。     

局限期小细胞肺癌不同局部治疗方式的比较研究

目的比较局限期小细胞肺癌手术联合化疗与放疗联合化疗的预后生存,并分析其相关影响因素。方法回顾性分析2006—2011年230例局限期小细胞肺癌临床资料,其中手术联合化疗（S+C）组121例,放疗联合化疗（R+C）组109例,采用2010版AJCC肺癌TNM分期标准将局限期小细胞肺癌进行分期,两组比较均采用术前临床分期,Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析。结果全组1、3、5年生存率分别为87.0%、38.9%、25.4%,中位生存期为26个月;S+C和R+C两组中Ⅰ+Ⅱ期患者的1、3、5年生存率分别为92.6%、63.2%、47.3%和76.2%、42.9%、30.6%,差异有统计学意义（χ²=7.851,P<0.05）;两组中Ⅲ_A期患者的1、3、5年生存率分别为88.5%、26.9%、10.6%和86.0%、25.1%、25.1%（P>0.05）。单因素分析显示,肿瘤部位、T分期、N分期、TNM分期、化疗周期数、治疗方式对生存产生明显影响（RR＝1.735,P<0.05）;多因素分析显示,TNM分期是影响患者生存的独立因素。结论手术联合化疗有可能使早期小细胞肺癌患者生存获益,而Ⅲ期患者应接受放化疗综合治疗;TNM分期仍然是影响局限期小细胞肺癌预后的独立性因素。     

术后辅助放疗对N2期非小细胞肺癌患者预后的影响

目的 探讨术后辅助放疗对N₂期行肺癌根治术的非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者预后的影响。方法 将美国SEER数据库2004-2016年间收录的接受肺癌根治术联合化疗或术后辅助放化疗的N₂期1 208例非小细胞肺癌患者资料纳入研究,其中接受肺癌根治术联合化疗的有627例（手术+化疗组）,接受肺癌根治术联合放化疗的有581例（手术+放化疗组）。分析并比较术后辅助放疗对N₂期行肺癌根治术的非小细胞肺癌患者预后的影响,同时采用1：1倾向性匹配方法分析两组患者预后情况。结果 纳入研究的两组N₂期非小细胞肺癌患者中,手术+放化疗组患者中位生存期为51月,3年、5年肿瘤特异性生存分别为58.3%、44.9%;手术+化疗组患者中位生存期为50月,3年、5年肿瘤特异性生存分别为59.9%、46.5%;两组患者的肿瘤特异性生存差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;亚组分析发现,T₁期患者中手术+放化疗组的特异性生存明显差于手术+化疗组（χ²=5.085,P<0.05）;多因素Cox回归分析提示,年龄、性别、G分期、T分期及淋巴结转移数目是影响N₂期非小细胞肺癌患者肿瘤特异性生存的重要因素（Wald=15.236、7.039、4.841、10.155、11.192,P<0.05）。倾向性评分匹配两组N₂期非小细胞肺癌患者后分析发现,手术+放化疗组与手术+化疗组的肿瘤特异性生存差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;而T₁期NSCLC患者中手术+放化疗组的特异性生存明显差于手术+化疗组（χ²=5.364,P<0.05）,而T_3~4期的亚组手术+放化疗组的肿瘤特异性生存明显优于手术+化疗组（χ²=4.486,P<0.05）;针对病理亚组倾向性匹配后发现,非腺癌亚组中手术+放化疗组的肿瘤特异性生存亦明显优于手术+化疗组（χ²=6.279,P<0.05）。多因素Cox回归分析也提示,术后放疗的加入是影响N₂期肺非腺癌患者肿瘤特异性生存的重要因素（Wald=7.300,P<0.05）;但肺腺癌亚组患者倾向性匹配后手术+放化疗组与手术+化疗组肿瘤特异性生存之间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 术后辅助放疗能够改善T_3~4期或者非腺癌N₂期非小细胞肺癌患者的预后。而对T₁期术后辅助放疗选择仍需谨慎。     

肺癌适形放疗后放射性肺损伤CT分级的危险因素研究

目的 探讨接受三维适形放疗(3DCRT)后影响严重放射性肺损伤CT分级的危险因素。方法 回顾性分析89例3DCRT的肺癌患者临床资料和随访CT影像资料,统计各临床因素及剂量体积参数。观察放疗结束6～12个月的CT影像资料并根据CT影像资料对放射性肺损伤进行评定分级。分析≥3级严重放射性肺损伤的危险因素。统计采用SPSS15.0软件。结果 89例患者放射性肺损伤CT分级情况:0级8例占9.0%,1级13例占14.6%,2级24例占27.0%,3级23例占25.8%,4级21例占23.6%。单因素分析显示同步化疗(CCT)、大体肿瘤体积(GTV)外放边界、患侧肺平均剂量、患侧肺的V₁₅～V₄₅差异有统计学意义。多因素Logistic回归分析显示:CCT、GTV外放边界和患侧肺V₂₀是影响严重放射性肺损伤CT分级的独立危险因素。结论 对接受3DCRT的肺癌患者,CCT、GTV外放边界和患侧肺V₂₀是影响严重放射性肺损伤CT分级的临床和剂量学危险因素。     

非小细胞肺癌脑转移不同治疗方法的疗效分析

目的 回顾性分析非小细胞肺癌脑转移预后因素,探讨以全脑放疗为主的不同方案多学科综合治疗的疗效。方法 4年中共收治非小细胞肺癌脑转移患者 251例,其中行全脑放疗联合其他多学科治疗患者183例。分析这183例患者临床特点,结合随访资料进行预后因素分析,用Kaplan-Meier 法和Logrank 法分析比较生存率, 用Cox 模型进行多因素回归分析。结果 全组中位生存时间10.0个月。1、2、3年生存率分别为40.6%、16.6%、11.3%。Cox 模型多因素分析显示RPA分级、体重下降与否、血清LDH是否升高和不同的多学科治疗方案为独立预后因素。多因素和单因素生存分析均提示治疗方案明显影响预后。对单个颅内转移灶患者开颅手术+术后放化疗预后好,中位生存期达22个月;全脑放疗联合分子靶向治疗中位生存期达13个月;全脑放疗联合化疗与单纯全脑放疗中位生存期相似均为9个月;对97例全脑放疗联合化疗患者分层分析提示同期放化疗疗效优于序贯放化疗,中位生存期分别为13个月和9个月(χ²=3.89,P=0.049)。结论 RPA分级、体重下降与否、血清LDH水平是影响非小细胞肺癌脑转移患者预后的重要因素。治疗方案影响预后,积极的多学科综合治疗疗效优于单纯全脑放疗。对于一般情况较好能耐受手术的单发脑转移患者,开颅手术+术后放化疗是一种较好的治疗手段。     

局限期小细胞肺癌两种放射治疗技术的剂量学比较

目的 探讨2种不同的放射治疗技术治疗局限期小细胞肺癌时,对靶区和危及器官物理剂量学的影响。 方法 回顾性分析10例局限期小细胞肺癌患者。每例患者在总疗程中需重新定位1次,2个阶段中每阶段均制定常规放疗和三维适形放疗计划(均采用Cadplan R 3.1.2治疗系统)。总剂量为50 Gy。用剂量体积直方图评价2个阶段靶区和危及器官的剂量参数。 结果第1阶段治疗适形放疗在计划靶体积1(PTV₁)的均匀指数(HI) 值、PTV₂的适形指数(CI)值、健肺的V₃₀和健肺的平均剂量上优于常规放疗。第2阶段治疗适形放疗在PTV₁的CI值、平均剂量、HI值优于常规放疗,PTV₂的CI值、平均剂量上也优于常规放疗。 结论 三维适形放射治疗的优势在于更好的满足CI和HI,但对于危及器官的保护上与常规放疗无明显区别。     

三维适形放射治疗联合化疗治疗局限期小细胞肺癌的疗效分析

目的 回顾性分析85例局限期小细胞肺癌三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)联合化疗疗效及生存率,探讨局限期小细胞肺癌的放疗方法。方法 2004年3月至2008年6月经病理或细胞学证实,且进行4个及以上周期化疗联合放疗的局限期小细胞肺癌85例,采用基于CT定位的累及野放疗, 6~10 MV X射线,剂量为46~66 Gy,中位剂量50 Gy,1次/d,5次/周,5~7周。结果 全组患者完全缓解率36.5%,部分缓解率52.9%,稳定率10.6%;有效率89.4%。全组患者1、2、3年总生存率分别为65.9%、33.8%、15.9%,总中位生存时间18个月。59例患者有治疗失败原因记录,局部复发9例占15.2%,局部复发+远处转移21例占35.6%,远处转移29例占49.2%。结论 局限期小细胞肺癌三维适形技术累及野照射疗效较好,需进一步扩大病例数。     

局部晚期非小细胞肺癌放化疗综合治疗的疗效

目的 探讨三维适形放疗联合紫杉醇化疗增敏后加化疗与未加化疗对局部晚期非小细胞肺癌治疗的疗效及不良反应。方法 回顾性分析50例ⅢA和ⅢB期非小细胞肺癌的治疗方法,其中27例采用三维适形放疗联合紫杉醇化疗增敏后加化疗治疗(加化疗组);23例采用三维适形放疗联合紫杉醇化疗增敏后未加化疗治疗(未加化疗组),两组疗效及不良反应相比较。胸部三维适形放疗:3～4 Gy/次,1次/d,5次/周,共4～5周,肿瘤总剂量60～70 Gy。紫杉醇化疗增敏:在每周放疗前的周日给予紫杉醇化疗1次,剂量:30～40 mg/m²,持续3 h静滴,1次/周,共4～5周。化疗方案:紫杉醇135 mg/m²,第1、8天,静脉滴注3 h,顺铂75 mg/m²为第2～4天静脉滴注,28 d为1个周期,化疗周期为3～6个周期。结果 加化疗组完全缓解率33.3%,部分缓解率55.5%,总有效率88.8%;未加化疗组完全缓解率21.7%,部分缓解率39.1%,总有效率60.8%(P<0.05)。中位生存期加化疗组为21个月,未加化疗组为16个月。1、2、3年生存率加化疗组:74.1%、40.7%和19.1%;未加化疗组:64.7%、20%和10%(P<0.05)。主要不良反应为:白细胞下降发生率加化疗组为85.2%,未加化疗组为43.5%(P<0.05);放射性肺炎发生率加化疗组为37%,未加化疗组为30.4%(P>0.05);放射性食管炎发生率加化疗组为29.6%,未加化疗组为26.1%(P>0.05)。结论 联合低剂量紫杉醇化疗增敏的三维适形放疗加化疗可以提高局部晚期非小细胞肺癌的疗效,不良反应可以耐受。     

125I粒子联合化疗治疗局限期小细胞肺癌预后及影响因素分析

目的 评估CT引导下¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入联合全身化疗治疗局限期小细胞肺癌（limited-stage small cell lung cancer LS-SCLC）的临床疗效及影响预后因素。方法 2008年6月至2012年6月在天津医科大学第二医院接受¹²⁵I粒子植入联合全身化疗治疗的LS-SCLC患者128例。采用χ²检验对患者近期疗效影响因素进行分析。采用Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率,Log-rank进行单因素分析,采用Cox比例风险模型进行多因素分析。结果 全组128例患者治疗后,6个月总有效率86.7%（111/128）。1、2、3年生存率分别为77.9%、39.8%、28.0%;中位生存期21.0个月。单因素分析结果显示,年龄、一般状态（performance status,PS）、术前血红蛋白、吸烟指数、肿瘤直径、术前神经元特异性烯醇化酶（neuron-specific enolase,NSE）、是否接受预防性全脑照射（prophylactic cranial irradiation,PCI）、化疗周期数、化疗疗效、处方剂量、术后D₁₀₀、治疗模式均可影响LS-SCLC患者的生存。多因素分析结果显示,年龄、PS评分、术前血红蛋白、肿瘤直径、处理方剂量、化疗周期数、化疗疗效及治疗模式是LS-SCLC的独立预后因素。全组术中气胸29例占22.7%,咯血16例,占12.5%。结论 ¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入治疗LS-SCLC显示了较好的疗效,年龄、PS评分、术前血红蛋白、肿瘤直径、PD、化疗周期数、化疗疗效及治疗模式为LS-SCLC患者预后的主要影响因素。     

Predictive and prognostic value of tumor volume and its changes during radical radiotherapy of stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes heterogeneous presentation of the disease including lymph node involvement and large tumour volumes with infiltration of the mediastinum, heart or spine. In the treatment of stage III NSCLC an interdisciplinary approach including radiotherapy is considered standard of care with acceptable toxicity and improved clinical outcome concerning local control. Furthermore, gross tumour volume (GTV) changes during definitive radiotherapy would allow for adaptive replanning which offers normal tissue sparing and dose escalation.

Methods

A literature review was conducted to describe the predictive value of GTV changes during definitive radiotherapy especially focussing on overall survival. The literature search was conducted in a two-step review process using PubMed®/Medline® with the key words “stage III non-small cell lung cancer” and “radiotherapy” and “tumour volume” and “prognostic factors”.

Results

After final consideration 17, 14 and 9 studies with a total of 2516, 784 and 639 patients on predictive impact of GTV, GTV changes and its impact on overall survival, respectively, for definitive radiotherapy for stage III NSCLC were included in this review. Initial GTV is an important prognostic factor for overall survival in several studies, but the time of evaluation and the value of histology need to be further investigated. GTV changes during RT differ widely, optimal timing for re-evaluation of GTV and their predictive value for prognosis needs to be clarified. The prognostic value of GTV changes is unclear due to varying study qualities, re-evaluation time and conflicting results.

Conclusion

The main findings were that the clinical impact of GTV changes during definitive radiotherapy is still unclear due to heterogeneous study designs with varying quality. Several potential confounding variables were found and need to be considered for future studies to evaluate GTV changes during definitive radiotherapy with respect to treatment outcome.

     

术前临床因素预测pⅢA-N2非小细胞肺癌术后放疗获益人群的研究

目的分析病理分期为ⅢA-N2（pⅢA-N2）的非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者行手术+辅助化疗后,加或不加术后放疗（PORT）的疗效,从术前临床因素中筛选能从PORT中获益的亚组人群。方法回顾性分析2006年1月至2015年12月行根治性手术的pⅢA-N2 NSCLC患者804例。其中,PORT组患者276例,单纯化疗组528例。通过增强CT或者PET/CT获取准确的临床淋巴结分期。CT上淋巴结短径≥10 mm或者PET/CT上淋巴结SUV>2.5定义为转移淋巴结。PORT使用三维适形或调强放疗技术,计划靶体积的设计处方剂量为50~60 Gy,剂量分割为1.8~2.2 Gy/次。采用Log Rank法进行单因素预后分析,Cox回归进行多因素预后分析及亚组分析,通过Kaplan-Meier法和Log Rank检验评估PORT对总生存（OS）、无病生存（DFS）、无局部区域复发生存（LRFS）和无远处转移生存（DMFS）的影响,并进行亚组分析。结果全组患者的中位随访时间为32.07个月。2年、5年OS分别为82.1%、54.5%,中位DFS为19.84个月,中位LRFS为120.31个月,中位DMFS为30.52个月。行PORT显著改善了OS（χ2=5.253,P=0.022）、DFS（χ2=18.397,P < 0.001）、LRFS（χ2=15.358,P < 0.001）和DMFS（χ2=6.434,P=0.011）,且差异均有统计学意义。单因素分析结果显示,男性、年龄≥60岁、术前T分期增加、术前N分期为N1~N2、病理类型为非鳞癌非腺癌、化疗周期为1~2、未行PORT是显著影响OS的不良预后因素。多因素分析结果显示性别、年龄、术前N分期、病理类型、是否PORT为OS相关的独立预后因素;行PORT有OS获益的亚组分别为男性（HR:0.697,95% CI:0.513~0.947,P=0.021）、吸烟（HR:0.648,95% CI:0.464~0.905,P=0.011）、术前N分期为N1~N2（HR:0.640,95% CI:0.465~0.881,P=0.006）、临床分期为Ⅲ期（HR:0.688,95% CI:0.484~0.980,P=0.038）以及病理类型为腺癌（HR:0.726,95% CI:0.527~0.999,P=0.049）的患者。结论PORT能改善全组患者的OS、DFS、LRFS和DMFS。部分术前临床因素具有预测PORT后有OS获益的亚组人群的价值,包括男性、吸烟、术前N分期为N1~N2、临床分期为Ⅲ期以及病理类型为腺癌的患者。     

鼻咽癌同期放化疗中急性皮肤黏膜反应的临床观察及其相关因素分析

目的 探讨鼻咽癌患者同期放化疗中急性皮肤及黏膜反应的影响因素,对主要相关因素进行分析。方法 对85例接受同期放化疗的鼻咽癌患者进行研究,观察并记录BMI、每周放疗剂量、口腔黏膜及颈部皮肤反应情况、血常规等15项临床指标及实验室指标,并进行单因素分析和多因素分析,筛选决定性影响因素。结果 与急性放射性口腔黏膜反应发生密切相关的危险因素,有吸烟史（OR=3.467,P<0.05）和原发灶GTV单次量>2.15Gy（OR=3.393,P<0.05）;与急性放射性皮肤反应发生密切相关的危险因素,有糖尿病史（OR=87.859,P<0.05）,放疗前1周血红蛋白值>130g/L（OR=21.404,P<0.05）。结论 对于同期放化疗的鼻咽癌患者,吸烟史和原发灶GTV单次量为急性放射性口腔黏膜反应的独立影响因素,糖尿病史和放疗前1周的血红蛋白值为急性放射性皮肤反应的独立影响因素。     

Prognostic impact of hemoglobin level and other factors in patients with high-grade gliomas treated with postoperative radiochemotherapy and sequential chemotherapy based on temozolomide

Background and Purpose

To evaluate the influence of serum hemoglobin level prior to radiotherapy and other prognostic factors on survival in patients with high-grade gliomas.

Material and Methods

From 2001?C2010, we retrospectively evaluated a total of 48 patients with malignant glioma treated with surgery and postoperative radiochemotherapy with temozolomide. A total of 37 of 48 patients received sequential temozolomide. Hemoglobin levels were assayed before radiotherapy in all patients. The Kaplan?CMeier method was applied to estimate the overall survival, while the log-rank test was applied to evaluate the differences on survival probability between prognostic subgroups.

Results

Results were assessed in 43 patients. The median overall survival time was 18 months (95% confidence interval: 12?C40 months). The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 62.2% and 36.3%, respectively. The prognostic factors analyzed were gender, age, extent of surgery, performance status before and after radiotherapy, sequential chemotherapy, hemoglobin level, and methylation of the O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene (MGMT). In univariate analysis, the variables significantly related to survival were performance status before and after radiotherapy, sequential chemotherapy, and hemoglobin level. The median overall survival in patients with a hemoglobin level ?? 12 g/dl was 12 months and 23 months in patients with a hemoglobin level > 12 g/dl. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 46.7% and 20.0%, respectively, for patients with a hemoglobin level ?? 12 mg/dl and 69.6% and 45.7%, respectively, for patients with a hemoglobin level > 12 g/dl.

Conclusion

Our results confirm the impact of well-known prognostic factors on survival. In this research, it was found that a low hemoglobin level before radiotherapy can adversely influence the prognosis of patients with malignant gliomas.     

A pilot study on potential plasma hypoxia markers in the radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Hypoxic radioresistance plays a critical role in the radiotherapy of cancer and adversely impacts prognosis and treatment response. This prospective study investigated the interrelationship and the prognostic significance of several hypoxia-related proteins in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated by radiotherapy ± chemotherapy.

Material and methods

Pretreatment osteopontin (OPN), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) plasma levels were determined by ELISA in 55 NSCLC (M0) patients receiving 66 Gy curative-intent radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Marker correlation, association with clinicopathological parameters and the prognostic value of a biomarker combination was evaluated.

Results

All biomarkers were linearly correlated and linked to different clinical parameters including lung function, weight loss (OPN), gross tumor volume (VEGF) and T stage (CA IX). High OPN (p?=?0.03), VEGF (p?=?0.02) and CA IX (p?=?0.04) values were significantly associated with poor survival. Double marker combination additively increased the risk of death by a factor of 2 and high plasma levels of the triple combination OPN/VEGF/CA IX yielded a 5.9-fold risk of death (p?=?0.009). The combined assessment of OPN/VEGF/CA IX correlated independently with prognosis (p?=?0.03) in a multivariate Cox regression model including N stage, T stage and GTV.

Conclusion

This pilot study suggests that a co-detection augments the prognostic value of single markers and that the integration of OPN, VEGF and CA IX into a hypoxic biomarker profile for the identification of patients with largely hypoxic and radioresistant tumors should be further evaluated.     

Predictive value of 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine positron emission tomography/computed tomography for outcome of carbon ion radiotherapy in patients with head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma

Objective

The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the prognostic value of 3′-deoxy-3′-[¹⁸F]fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the outcome of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) in patients with mucosal malignant melanoma (MMM) of the head and neck.

Methods

Thirteen patients (69 ± 13 years) with histologically proven MMM tumor were enrolled. CIRT was performed with a total dose of 57.6–64.0 gray equivalents per 16 fractions over a period of 4 weeks. FLT-PET/CT was performed before and again 1 month after CIRT. Tumor FLT uptake was quantitatively assessed using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max). FLT-PET parameters [pre-CIRT SUV_max, post-CIRT SUV_max, and the reduction rate (RR)] and clinical parameters [age, gender, tumor site, tumor status, gross tumor volume (GTV), and regional lymph node involvement] were evaluated in relation to survival estimates. The follow-up period was 16.1 ± 5.9 months for 9 deceased patients, and 36.7 ± 7.9 months for 4 survivors.

Results

Pre-CIRT SUV_max of ≥4.3, age of ≥80 years old, sinonasal cavity tumor site, and GTV of ≥39 mL were found to be statistically significant prognostic factors for better overall survival. Pre-CIRT SUV_max of ≥5.0, age of ≥80 years old, sinonasal cavity tumor site, and the absence of regional lymph node involvement were statistically significant prognostic factors for better metastasis-free survival. RR of ≥35 % and GTV of <73 mL were predictive of better local control.

Conclusions

The present study indicated for the first time that in patients with the head and neck MMM, FLT-PET/CT imaging was useful for predicting the therapeutic outcome of CIRT. Our results will contribute to the establishment of an effective staging system for MMM based on prognostic factors, depending on treatment choice.     

Prognostic Value of Hemoglobin Concentrations in Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Combined Radio-Chemotherapy and Surgery

PURPOSE: Hemoglobin levels are currently the focus of interest as prognostic factors in patients with head and neck cancer. Most published clinical trials have confirmed hemoglobin to possess a significant influence on survival in patients treated with radiotherapy. In our study we have investigated the prognostic value of hemoglobin in a combined modality schedule. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with advanced head and neck tumors were treated with combined radio-chemotherapy. The therapy comprised 2 courses of induction chemotherapy with ifosfamide (1,500 mg/m2, day 1 to 5) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2, day 5) followed by hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy with a total dose of only 30 Gy. Surgery involved tumor resection and neck dissection. RESULTS: The 1-year overall survival rate and the 2-year survival rate were 79% and 56%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year recurrence-free survival rates were 68% and 49%, respectively. Prognostic factors with an impact on survival were seen in tumor size (T3 vs T4, p = 0.0088), response to radio-chemotherapy at the primary site (no vital tumor rest vs vital tumor rest, p = 0.045), response to lymph node radio-chemotherapy (no vital tumor cells vs vital tumor cells, p = 0.013) and level of hemoglobin after radio-chemotherapy (Hb > or = 11.5 g/dl vs < 11.5 g/dl, p = 0.0084). CONCLUSION: In our study hemoglobin level after radio-chemotherapy was identified for the first time to be also a significant prognostic factor (univariate analysis) in head and neck cancer patients who underwent combined radio-chemotherapy. Besides chemotherapy plus low-dose irradiation achieved similar results in comparison with radical resection and high-dose radiotherapy at least for the first 2 years after therapy. Relapsing disease could be treated with 1 additional course of radiotherapy which is supposed to be well tolerated.     

Hemoglobin as an Independent Prognostic Factor in the Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Tumors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of baseline hemoglobin levels before radiotherapy in patients with head and neck tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study with a median follow-up of 43 months, we analyzed the results of 214 patients irradiated for head and neck cancer between January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1998 (180 men and 34 women; median age 58 years). The treatment concept consisted in adjuvant radiotherapy in 58 patients, 77 patients received definitive radiochemotherapy, 42 patients definitive radiotherapy, and 37 patients reirradiation for in-field recurrence. Baseline hemoglobin values were divided in four groups of the same patient number (quartiles). Several known prognostic factors like sex, age, tumor stage, histologic grading, performance status, and treatment scheme were analyzed for their influence on overall and event-free survival and correlated with pretreatment hemoglobin values (Kaplan-Meier method). In addition, univariate und multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the effect of baseline hemoglobin on response rates. RESULTS: The median survival (event-free survival) of all patients amounted to 15 months (10 months). 25%, 50%, and 75% of patients had hemoglobin values < 11.2 g/dl, < 12.7 g/dl, and < 13.9 g/dl, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the following variables were significant prognostic factors for overall/event-free survival (log-rank test): treatment concept (p < 0.001/p < 0.001), tumor stage (p < 0.001/p < 0.001), general condition (p < 0.001/p < 0.001), and pretreatment hemoglobin (p = 0.014/p = 0.05). Multivariate analysis (Cox) proved these parameters to be independent of each other. In addition, response rate after radiation showed a strong association between hemoglobin and local control probability (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis, baseline hemoglobin level was shown to be an independent significant prognostic factor in radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients. Therefore, the value of tumor anemia as a prognostic factor should be emphasized more.     

Curative radiotherapy in patients with anal cancer: clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in a single-institution experience

Purpose

Our aim was to retrospectively analyse a series of patients with anal cancer treated with curative intent at a single institute in terms of survival and local disease control.

Materials and methods

Forty-two patients with anal cancer were treated with primary radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy. The influence of the prognostic factors on overall (OS), disease-free (DFS), disease-specific (DSS), colostomy-free (CFS) and metastasis-free (MFS) survival was evaluated.

Results

Nine patients had stage I, 15 stage II, four stage IIIA and 14 stage IIIB disease. Tumour progression/ persistence occurred in five patients (12%). The 5-year OS, DSS, DFS, CFS and MFS were 72.7%, 84.2%, 85.7%, 81.1% and 87.1%, respectively. On univariate analysis, T stage emerged as highly significant for OS, DSS, CFS and DFS, whereas N status was a significant prognostic factor for DSS. On multivariate analysis, T stage was a significant prognostic factor for OS and CFS.

Conclusions

Our data support the view that combined chemoradiation treatment of anal cancer is feasible and may provide survival benefits with an acceptable rate of adverse effects. We should consider T and N stages as important prognostic factors for survival.