Evaluation of adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy for lung cancer

One hundred eighteen patients with lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed to determine whether postoperative radiotherapy (RT) improves survival. Patterns of treatment failure and three year NED (no evidence of disease) survival rates were assessed according to extent of tumor spread, histology, and treatment method. Patients with hilar or mediastinal node metastases were at higher risk of local failure compared to those with negative nodes. Postoperative RT reduced local recurrence and improved 3 year survival among patients with positive nodes. However, postoperative RT did not improve survival among those with negative nodes. Our data indicated that patients with positive hilar or mediastinal nodes may require postoperative RT to improve survival.     

Adjuvant radiation therapy for rectal cancer

Since 1976, 104 patients with rectal cancer have been treated with a new approach of combined pre- and postoperative radiation. All patients were given 500 rad preoperative irradiation on the day of or the day before surgery. Surgery in the majority of patients was an abdominal perineal resection. The disease was then staged pathologically according to Astler-Coller's modification of Duke's staging. Patients with early stage cancer (Stages A and B1) were followed with no further therapy. Patients with poor prognostic characteristics (Stages B2, C1, C2) were given postoperative pelvic irradiation (4500 rad in 5 weeks). Twenty-nine patients were found to have Stage A or B1 cancer and were followed with no further therapy. Of these 29 patients, 1 patient developed recurrence and one has died of metastatic disease. The excellent survival of patients with early tumors indicates that minimizing the role of adjuvant therapy in this group has not been detrimental to their survival. Fifteen were found to have liver metastases at laparotomy and had just a colostomy and palliative therapy. Sixty patients had Stage B2 and C disease. Thirty-one received postoperative irradiation as per protocol. Twenty-nine patients did not receive postoperative irradiation for a variety of reasons. Follow-up ranges from 1 to 7 years in these patients. Of the 29 patients with Stage B2 and C disease who should have but did not receive postoperative radiation, 10 patients (34%) have developed a recurrence in the pelvis, and 5 other patients (17%) have developed metastatic disease. Of 31 patients who received postoperative irradiation, only 2 patients (6%) developed a local recurrence and 4 patients (13%) have developed distant metastases. Survival at 3 years was 80% for patients receiving the combined treatment, as compared to 42% for those not receiving the postoperative part of the treatment protocol.     

Characterization of FDG-PET images after stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung cancer

Background and purpose

The purpose was to characterize ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective review of 32 FDG-PET scans from 23 patients who underwent SBRT for lung cancer and who showed no evidence of local recurrence. The FDG uptake by lesions was assessed visually using a 3-point scale (0, none or faint; 1, mild; or 2, moderate to intense), and the demarcation (ill- or well-defined) was evaluated. For semi-quantitative analysis, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated.

Results

Grade 2 intensity was observed in 70%, 33%, 30%, and 0% of PET scans performed <6, 6-12, 12-24, and >24 months, respectively, after SBRT; well-defined demarcation was observed in 80%, 33%, 40%, and 17%, respectively, and the respective means of the SUVmax were 4.9, 2.6, 3.0, and 2.3. The SUVmax was significantly higher for scans performed at <6 months than at 6-12 or >24 months.

Conclusions

FDG uptake tended to be intense and well-defined at early times after SBRT, especially within 6 months, and was faint and ill-defined at later periods. Moderate to intense FDG uptake observed soon after SBRT does not always indicate a residual tumour.     

Non-small cell lung cancer: radiation therapy for locoregional recurrence after complete resection

Background We investigated patterns of failure after radical radiation therapy in relation to the radiation field in patients with postsurgical locoregional recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Between 1992 and 2002, 31 patients with locoregional recurrence were treated with radiation therapy. At the time of radiation therapy, the sites of recurrence were the bronchial stump, the regional lymph nodes, the chest wall, and both the regional lymph nodes and the chest wall in 7, 20, 3, and 1 patient, respectively. The prescribed dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks in all patients. Results The response rate was 87%. The overall 1-year, 2-year, and 4-year Kaplan-Meier survival rates were 61%, 30%, and 15%, respectively, and the median survival time was 14 months. Locoregional relapse with or without distant metastasis occurred in 15 patients (in-field, 7; marginal, 7; out-field, 1), and distant metastasis alone occurred in 7 patients. The sites of marginal relapse were the upper margin in two patients, the ipsilateral margin in one patient, the contralateral margin in one patient, and the lower margin in three patients, respectively (in one patient, the data for marginal relapse overlapped). In all patients with relapse on the lower margin, the mediastinal lymph nodes were dissected at the initial surgery. Conclusion Postoperative recurrent non-small cell lung cancer showed distinctive features: the response rate was high, and the incidence of marginal relapse was also high, as in small cell lung cancer. The incidence of lower marginal relapse was high, in contrast to that in surgery-naive patients.     

非小细胞肺癌后程加速超分割放疗疗效观察

目的：通过前瞻性的研究非小细胞肺癌（ＮＳＣＬＣ）后程加速超分割放疗的疗效，寻找ＮＳＣＬＣ的最佳治疗手段。方法：对１９９３年１月～１９９６年７月我院收治的７０例ＮＳＣＬＣ患随机分组研究。常规组３５例：用＾６０Ｃｏ或８Ｍｖ－ｘ，５次／Ｗ，２Ｇｙ／次，总剂量７０Ｇｙ／３５次／７～８Ｗ。后程加速超分割组３５例：放疗前程为常规分割，２Ｇｙ／次，４０Ｇｙ／２０次／４Ｗ后改野，５天／Ｗ，２次／天，１．８Ｇｙ／     

Postoperative extended-volume external-beam radiation therapy in high-risk esophageal cancer patients: a prospective experience

Background and Purpose

Extended-volume external-beam radiation therapy (rt) following esophagectomy is controversial. The present prospective study evaluates the feasibility of extended-volume rt treatment in high-risk esophagectomy patients with a cervical anastomosis receiving postoperative combined chemoradiation therapy.

Patients and Methods

From 2001 to 2006, 15 patients with resected esophageal cancer were prospectively accrued to this pilot study to evaluate the adverse effects of extended-volume rt. Postoperative management was carried out at London Regional Cancer Program. Eligibility criteria were pathology-proven esophageal malignancy (T3–4, N0–1), disease amenable to surgical resection, and esophagectomy with or without resection margin involvement. Patients with distant metastases (M1) and patients treated with previous rt were excluded. All 15 study patients received 4 cycles of 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy. External-beam rt was conducted using conformal computed tomography planning, with multi-field arrangement tailored to the pathology findings, with coverage of a clinical target volume encompassing the primary tumour bed and the anastomotic site in the neck. The radiation therapy dose was 50.40 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction. The rt was delivered concurrently with the third cycle of chemotherapy. The study outcomes—disease-free survival (dfs) and overall survival (os)—were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Treatment-related toxicities were assessed using the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Common Toxicity Criteria.

Results

The study accrued 10 men and 5 women of median age 64 years (range: 48–80 years) and TNM stages T3N0 (n = 1), T2N1 (n = 2), T3N1 (n = 11), and T4N1 (n = 1). Histopathology included 5 adenocarcinomas and 10 squamous-cell carcinomas. Resection margins were clear in 10 patients. The median follow-up time was 19 months (range: 3.5–53.4 months). Before radiation therapy commenced, delay in chemotherapy occurred in 20% of patients, and dose reduction was required in 13.3%. During the concurrent chemoradiation therapy phase, 20% of the patients experienced chemotherapy delay, and 6.6% experienced dose reduction. No patient experienced treatment-related acute and chronic esophagitis above grade 2. Disease recurred in 40% of the patients (6/15), and median time to relapse was 24 months. No tumour recurred at the anastomotic site. The median dfs was 23 months, and the median os was 21 months.

Conclusions

Extended-volume external-beam rt encompassing the tumour bed and the anastomotic site is feasible and safe for high-risk T3–4, N0–1 esophageal cancer patients after esophagectomy.     

非小细胞肺癌根治术后放射治疗价值的前瞻性研究

目的　评价术后放疗对根治术后N1与N2 非小细胞肺癌的作用。方法　 1982年 2月至 1995年12月收治的 36 6例小于 6 5岁的N1与N2 非小细胞肺癌病例 ,随机分为术后放疗组 (n =184)和单纯手术组 (n= 182 )。结果　术后放疗组和单纯手术组 5年生存率分别为 43 .4%± 5 .1%和 40 .5 %± 4.6 % (P =0 .5 6 ) ,5年无瘤生存率分别为 42 .9%± 5 .2 %和 38.3 %± 4.5 % (P =0 .2 8)。T3 4 N1M0 患者在术后放疗组的 5年生存率和5年无瘤生存率分别为 5 8.1%± 15 .5 %和 6 5 %± 12 % ,单纯手术组则分别为 39.9%± 10 .2 % (P =0 .0 92 )和40 %± 10 % (P =0 .0 5 7)。术后放疗可明显减少胸内复发 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　术后放疗可减少局部复发 ,对总的生存改善不明显 ,但对T3 4 或N1患者有望获得治疗益处     

Prediction of radiation-induced changes in the lung after stereotactic body radiation therapy of non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: To estimate the risk of radiation-induced changes in the lung before single-dose treatment (stereotactic body radiation therapy [SBRT]) of lung cancer, the quantitative dose-response and volume-response relations must be known. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 64 patients treated for non-small-cell lung cancer with single doses of 20-30 Gy were classified according to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of perifocal changes in the lung detected by CT. Patients without toxic events in the lung were required to have >or=6 months of follow-up. The mean dose (D(mean)) in the ipsilateral lung and the volume receiving >7 or 10 Gy (V7 and V10, respectively) were used to calculate the dose-response and volume-response curves. The predictive value of additional variables was also investigated. RESULTS: Of the 64 patients, 83% exhibited the selected endpoint. The tolerance values at a 50% probability of toxic events were 1.2 +/- 0.7 Gy for the D(mean) and 5.8 +/- 3.0% and 3.1 +/- 2.0% for V7 and V10, respectively. A nonsignificant shift to higher doses was seen for the dose-response curve for the upper compared with the lower part of the lung. CONCLUSION: The D(mean), V7, and V10 can be used to predict the risk of lung toxicity after SBRT treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Because of the lack of patients with low prescribed doses, however, the related uncertainty of this prediction is still relatively large. The D(mean), V7, and V10 are equally well suited. The additional investigated variables did not provide significant advantages. The lower part of the lung appears to be more radiosensitive than the upper.     

肺功能中度减退的肺癌患者术后并发症分析

背景与目的:随着肺癌开胸手术的深入开展,术前肺功能状况对手术的影响越来越受重视。本研究分析肺通气功能中度减退的肺癌患者术后并发症发生情况,探讨与并发症发生的相关因素。方法:同步对照分析肺通气功能中度减退(31例)与肺功能正常(62例)两组病例并发症的发生情况,进行t检验及卡方检验作比较,行logistic回归分析影响并发症出现的有关因素。结果:肺通气功能中度减退患者术后常见低氧血症(41.9%),心律失常或心功能不全(25.8%),肺部感染(25.8%)等一般并发症,呼吸衰竭、心力衰竭等严重并发症的发生率为9.2%,院内死亡率为3.2%;而对照组此4类并发症发生率分别为:16.1%、8.1%、9.6%及3.2%,无院内死亡。回归分析显示年龄、手术切除范围与并发症的发生相关。结论:肺通气功能中度减退的肺癌患者术后出现低氧血症等一般并发症几率较正常组明显增高,手术范围较局限的患者,严重并发症及院内死亡率并无明显增高,年龄越大、手术切除范围越大者并发症发生几率越大。     

Results of A trial with topotecan dose escalation and concurrent thoracic radiation therapy for locally advanced, inoperable nonsmall cell lung cancer

: To conduct a dose escalation clinical study with topotecan and concurrent standard dose thoracic irradiation to assess its feasibility and toxicity in the treatment of patients with locally advanced, inoperable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLCA).

: Between April 1993 and August 1994, 12 patients with inoperable, loco-regionally advanced NSCLCA were entered in a prospective dose escalation trial and assigned to receive concurrent thoracic radiotherapy and topotecan. Patients received thoracic irradiation to a total tumor dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Initial fields were to encompass the gross disease plus the mediastinum. Topotecan was delivered by bolus injection days 1 through 5, and days 22 through 26, beginning on the same day as the radiation therapy. The initial dose level was 0.5 mg/m². Two additional dose levels of 0.75 mg/m² and 1.0 mg/m² were tested.

: Six patients were accessioned to the 0.5 mg/m² dose level, three patients to the 0.75 mg/m² dose level, and three patients to the 1.0 mg/m² dose level. At the 0.5 mg/m² dose level, zero of six patients had ≥Grade 4 hematologic toxicity. One of the six had Grade 3 esophagitis. At the 0.75 mg/m² dose level, two of three patients had ≥Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity including anorexia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and weakness; zero patients experienced ≥Grade 4 hematologic toxicity. At the 1.0 mg/m² dose level one of three patients had ≥Grade 3 esophagitis, and two of three patients experienced Grade 4 neutropenia. With a follow-up of 12 to 24 months, two patients are alive and free of disease, three patients are alive with disease (two with distant metastasis, one with local disease and distant metastasis), and the remaining seven patients are dead of disease.

: The combination of topotecan and thoracic radiotherapy for nonsmall lung cancer, in the manner given by this protocol, could be safely given at a dose level of only 0.5 mg/m² days 1 to 5 and 22 to 26 with 60 Gy of external beam radiotherapy. Higher doses of topotecan were associated with high hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity. Distant metastasis was the primary pattern of failure.     

胃癌的术后放射治疗

术后辅助放射治疗或放化疗已开始被应用于胃癌患者,本文就胃癌术后放疗或放化疗的指征,意义,毒副反应,放疗的剂量和范围作一综述。     

The CD36 dynamic change after radiation therapy in lung cancer patients and its correlation with symptomatic radiation pneumonitis

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between serum CD36 levels and radiation pneumonitis in 30 patients irradiated for lung cancer. We found CD36 may become an important index for predicting the occurrence and development of radiation pneumonitis and evaluating the curative effect.     

Influence of smoking status on treatment outcomes after post-operative radiation therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer

Background and purpose

The role of post-operative radiotherapy in patients with resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. Modifiable factors, like smoking, may help guide therapy. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of smoking on control in patients undergoing post-operative radiation therapy (PORT) for NSCLC.

Materials and methods

Between 1995 and 2007, 152 patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC were analyzed (median follow-up 26 months). Non-smokers were defined as patients who never smoked or who had stopped smoking at the time of initial consultation. Sixty seven percent were non-smokers; 5% never smoked, 40% of the non-smokers had ceased smoking for a year or less, while 55% had stopped for more than a year.

Results

On univariate analysis, smokers had worse 5-year local control than non-smokers (70% versus 90%, p = 0.001) and locoregional control (52% versus 77%, p = 0.002). The 5 -year survival rate was 21% for smokers and 31% for non-smokers (p = 0.2). On multivariate analysis, smokers maintained a detrimental effect on locoregional control (HR 3.6, p = 0.0006).

Conclusions

Smokers at initial consultation have poorer local and locoregional control after PORT than non-smokers. In patients being considered for PORT for NSCLC, quitting smoking before treatment confers additional treatment advantage.     

肺癌切除术后围手术期死亡原因的探讨

目的探讨肺癌切除术后围手术期死亡原因,以设法提高手术存活率。方法对１７４例肺癌切除术后围手术期死亡的５例进行分析。结果２例死于肺水肿和（或）肺不张,１例心肌梗塞并室颤,１例拔除气管导管时心跳骤停,１例Ⅳ期肺癌死于脑转移、全身衰竭。结论肺部和心脏的并发症为围手术期死亡的主要原因,应分别采取相应措施,积极预防,以降低手术死亡率。     

Postoperative adjuvant mediastinal radiation in lung cancer

Postoperative adjuvant mediastinal radiation therapy was used in a group of 18 patients with advanced (nine Stage 2, nine Stage 3) non-small cell carcinoma of the lung who had undergone curative resection. All patients had metastases to hilar and/or mediastinal nodes. The disease-free survival at 2 1/2 years was 55% for Stage 2 patients, suggesting a survival advantage compared to historical controls. No benefit was found in Stage 3 patients. A prospective randomized study of adjuvant radiation in node-positive patients is indicated.