局部残留和复发鼻咽癌立体定向放疗的预后因素分析

目的分析局部残留和复发鼻咽癌分次立体定向放疗(FSRT)的预后因素。方法采用FSRT治疗鼻咽癌常规放疗后局部残留和复发患者共90例,除3例治疗前已发生远处转移外,余87例(34例残留,53例复发)纳入分析。其中肿瘤位于鼻咽腔内、外者分别为44、43例;中位肿瘤体积为5.7 cm3(0.8～24.7 cm3);残留和复发病灶FSRT的中位处方剂量分别为18 Gy分3次和48 Gy分6次。用Kaplan-Meier法计算无局部失败生存率(LFFS)和疾病相关生存率(DSS),用Logrank法和Cox模型分别进行单因素和多因素的预后分析。结果中位随访时间为24.9个月(3.3～86.3个月),1、2、3、4年LFFS和DSS分别为90%、83%、81%、75%和84%、77%、61%、56%。单因素分析显示肿瘤体积(≤或>5 cm3)对患者DSS有影响(P=0.015)。多因素分析显示肿瘤体积和病灶类型(残留或复发)是影响DSS的独立因素(P<0.05)。残留组和复发组晚期副反应发生率分别为9%和26%。结论FSRT治疗残留和复发鼻咽癌可得到较好局部控制率和生存率,复发病灶和较大肿瘤体积是预后不良的独立影响因素。     

分次立体定向放射治疗在局部残存、复发鼻咽癌中的应用

目的:评价对鼻咽癌患者放射治疗后局部残存、区域复发进行分次立体定向放射治疗(FSRT)的临床价值和毒副作用. 方法:对 24例鼻咽癌放疗后局部残存、区域复发的患者,应用奥沃光子公司生产的立体定向放射治疗系统,10MV X射线,80%为参考剂量曲线,肿瘤边缘分次剂量为4-6Gy/次,2-3次/周,总剂量为8Gy-24Gy.患者分为2组:A组18例为首程根治性放射治疗后6个月内经鼻咽镜、CT或MRI检查仍有较大肿块残存;B组6例为首程根治性放射治疗后6个月以上区域复发者.结果: 24例患者CR为66.7%(16/24),PR 29.1%(7/24),NC 4.2%(1/24),CR PR 95.8%(23/24).鼻咽部大出血的发生率为16.7%(4/24). 结论:对鼻咽癌放射治疗后局部残存、区域复发,采用分次立体定向放射治疗推量治疗是一种有效的方法,鼻咽部大出血是其严重的并发症.     

局部残留或复发鼻咽癌的分次立体定向放射治疗

目的　评价分次立体定向放射治疗 (FSRT)对局部残留和复发鼻咽癌的初步疗效。方法　应用FSRT对 30例局部残留 (11例 )或复发 (19例 )鼻咽癌患者分 2个组进行治疗 ,其残留组和复发组中位处方剂量分别为 18Gy和 4 8Gy ,中位分次量分别为 6Gy和 8Gy ,每周 2次。结果　可评价例数共 2 9例 ,FSRT治疗后 3个月残留组的CR和PR各为 6 /11和 3/11,复发组各为 8/18和 8/18。全组病例随诊 3.4～ 37.9个月 (中位值 15个月 ) ,残留组 1和 2年总生存率、无瘤生存率、无局部复发生存率和无远地转移生存率分别为 77.8%和 6 6 .7%、5 6 .8%和 5 6 .8%、88.9%和 88.9%、75 .0 %和75 .0 % ,复发组相应为 6 9.8%和 5 9.8%、5 3.4 %和 4 4 .5 %、76 .6 %和 6 3.8%、70 .5 %和 5 8.7%。残留组和复发组生存患者卡氏评分≥ 90者分别占 8/8和 11/13。结论　FSRT对局部残留或复发鼻咽癌有较好的局部控制效果和较高的安全性 ,区域和远地转移是治疗失败的主要原因。     

鼻咽癌复发与残存病变的分次立体定向放疗

背景与目的:鼻咽癌复发、残留患者采用常规技术推量,适应症局限,而应用分次立体定向放疗(FS-RT)能得到合理的剂量分布,保护高危器官,提高疗效.本研究旨在评价鼻咽癌患者放射治疗后局部残存、区域复发进行立体定向放射治疗的临床价值和毒副作用.方法:41例鼻咽癌放射治疗后局部残存、区域复发的患者,应用立体定向放射治疗系统,6 MV X线,60%～90%为参考剂量曲线,肿瘤边缘分次剂量为4 Gy,间隔1～2d,总剂量为12～28 Gy(中位数16 Gy)/3～7次(中位数4次)放疗.靶体积为3.56～35.75 cm3,中位靶体积11.02 cm3.患者分为2组:残存组35例为首程适形调强根治性放射治疗后;复发组6例为首程根治性放射治疗后6个月以上区域复发,二程IMRT后;全部病例1个月内经鼻咽镜、CT或MRI检查发现仍有较大肿块残存.结果:FSRT治疗后3个月,CR63.47%(26/41),PR22.0%(9/41),SD14.6%(6/41),全组病例中位随访时间为28个月(3～41个月),残留组1、2、3年总生存率分别为100%、97.1%和91.4%,局控率分别为97.1%、88.6%和88.6%,无瘤生存率分别为94.3%、85.7%和85.7%.复发组1、2年总生存率分别为83.3%和66.7%,局控率分别为66.7%和50.0%.无瘤生存率分别为66.7%和50.0%.结论:FSRT对局部残留或复发鼻咽癌有较好的局部控制效果和较高的安全性,区域复发仍是治疗失败的主要原因.     

Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for 50 patients with recurrent or residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical value of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSRS) as a boost treatment in 44 patients with residual or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after conventional radiotherapy (70-80 Gy) or a second course of radiotherapy (50 Gy) or as salvage treatment in 6 patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after a first or second course of radiotherapy at the primary site. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From September 20, 1995 to December 30, 1998, 50 patients were treated with FSRS with 6 MV of photons. The total FSRS dose was 14-35 Gy (median dose 24) prescribed at 1-4 centers on the 60-90% isodose curves normalized to the isocenter by multiple fractions of 6-8, 12, or 15 Gy, with interfraction intervals of 4-6 days. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (76%) had a complete tumor response, 9 (18%) had a partial response, and 3 (6%) were not assessable. The overall rate of survival was 83.6% at 1 year, 65.0% at 2 years, and 59.6% at 3 years. The overall disease-free survival rate among patients with residual tumor was 89.94% at 1 year, 73.97% at 2 years, and 73.97% at 3 years. Patients who were treated for recurrent lesions or who received FSRS as salvage therapy had a 46.53% rate of disease-free survival at both 1 and 2 years after therapy. CONCLUSION: FSRS is strongly indicated for recurrent or residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the primary site.     

Linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery for limited,locally persistent,and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: efficacy and complications

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and complication of linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) when used as salvage treatment for early-stage persistent and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after primary radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1998 and June 2001, 18 patients (15 men and 3 women; median age 46 years, range 32-84) with locally persistent or recurrent NPC confined to the nasopharynx (rT1) or with limited extension to the nasal fossa or parapharyngeal space (rT2) were treated by SRS. Thirteen patients had rT1 disease and 5 had rT2 disease. Most patients had disease not amenable to surgery or brachytherapy. All patients had undergone previous radical RT. Persistent disease was defined as tumor relapse within 4 months of completion of primary RT, and recurrence as tumor relapse beyond 4 months. Seven patients were treated for persistent disease, eight for a first recurrence, and three for a second recurrence. SRS was performed using multiple noncoplanar arcs of photons delivered to the target volume, which was defined by axial CT at a 3 mm thickness, supplemented by MRI in selected patients (67%). The median target volume was 5.3 cm(3) (range 2.2-16.9). The median SRS dose was 12.5 Gy (range 11-14) delivered to the 80% isodose line. All patients underwent serial nasopharyngoscopy and imaging after SRS. The median follow-up was 26 months (range 11-48). RESULTS: After SRS, 16 (89%) of 18 patients had complete regression of tumor as assessed by nasopharyngoscopy and biopsy. Four patients with an initial complete response to SRS subsequently developed local relapse again, with one recurrence developing outside the target volume 8 months after SRS and three within the target volume at 6-26 months after SRS. Two patients with local disease controlled by SRS developed relapse in other sites (neck node and liver metastases). The actuarial 2-year local control rate after SRS was 72%. Patients treated for persistent disease had a better local control rate (100%; 7 of 7) than those treated for recurrent disease (46%; 5 of 11). Patients with rT1 disease also had a better outcome after SRS compared with those with rT2 disease, with a control rate of 77% (10 of 13) for rT1 disease and 40% (2 of 5) for rT2 disease. Treatments were well tolerated, with no acute side effects. One patient had radiologic evidence of temporal lobe necrosis, although the right temporal lobe had already received a high dose during prior RT. That patient also developed additional local recurrence and liver metastases and died. The actuarial 2-year survival rate was 86%. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicate that SRS is an effective treatment modality for persistent and recurrent early-stage NPC, with early control rates comparable to other salvage treatments such as brachytherapy and nasopharyngectomy. A modest SRS dose at 12.5 Gy also appears to be effective and is associated with minimal morbidities. More clinical experience and longer follow-up are needed to validate our results and to address fully the role of SRS in salvaging local failures of NPC.     

Robotic system-based fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose

We reviewed survival, local control, and toxicity in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who had been treated with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT).

Materials and methods

Between June 2002 and March 2008, we retrospectively reviewed 35 patients with locally recurrent NPC treated using FSRT with CyberKnife. Gross tumor volumes ranged from 2.6 to 64.0 ml (median, 7.9 ml). Radiation doses were prescribed at the isodose line (75-84% of the maximum dose; median, 80%). The prescribed dose of FSRT ranged from 24 to 45 Gy (median, 33 Gy) in three or five fractions.

Results

The overall survival (OS) rate, local failure-free survival (LFFS) rate, and disease progression-free survival (DPFS) rate at 5 years were 60%, 79%, and 74%, respectively. Twenty-three patients achieved complete response after FSRT. Only T stage at recurrence was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DPFS. Five patients exhibited severe late toxicity (Grade 4 or 5).

Conclusions

With regard to OS and LFFS, our study provided favorable outcomes. The incidence of severe late toxicities was acceptable in our study. FSRT would be considered as the alternative treatment of choice in re-irradiation for locally recurrent NPC.     

Clinical outcomes of patients treated with a second course of stereotactic radiosurgery for locally or regionally recurrent brain metastases after prior stereotactic radiosurgery

Patients with metastatic disease are living longer and may be confronted with locally or regionally recurrent brain metastases (BM) after prior stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT). This study analyzes outcomes in patients without prior whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) who were treated with a second course of SRS/FSRT for locally or regionally recurrent BM. We identified 32 patients at our institution who were treated with a second course of SRS/FSRT after initial SRS/FSRT for newly diagnosed BM. We report clinical outcomes including local control, survival, and toxicities. Control rates and survival were calculated using Kaplan–Meier analysis and the multivariate proportional hazards model. The Kaplan–Meier estimate of local control at 6 months was 77 % for targets treated by a second course of SRS/FSRT with 11/71 (15 %) targets experiencing local failure. Multivariate analysis shows that upon re-treatment, local recurrences were more likely to fail than regional recurrences (OR 8.8, p = 0.02). Median survival for all patients from first SRS/FSRT was 14.6 months (5.3–72.2 months) and 7.9 months (0.7–61.1 months) from second SRS/FSRT. Thirty-eight percent of patients ultimately received WBRT as salvage therapy after the second SRS/FSRT. Seventy-one percent of patients died without active neurologic symptoms. The present study demonstrates that the majority of patients who progress after SRS/FSRT for newly diagnosed BM are candidates for salvage SRS/FSRT. By reserving WBRT for later salvage, we believe that a significant proportion of patients can avoid WBRT all together, thus putting fewer patients at risk for neurocognitive toxicity.     

Reirradiation for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: treatment results and prognostic factors

PURPOSE: To analyze the results and evaluate the prognostic factors in the retreatment of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-one patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, who were reirradiated between 1979 and 2000, were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 men and 9 women with median age of 46 years. Histologically, 9 tumors (22%) were World Health Organization (WHO) I, 17 (41.5%) WHO II, and 15 (36.5%) WHO III. According to the 1998 TNM staging system of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, the recurrent disease was Stage I in 5 (12.2%), Stage II in 11 (26.8%), Stage III in 6 (14.6%), and Stage IV in 19 (46.4%) patients. Treatment was delivered with 4-6 MV X-rays or Co-60 gamma rays. The median reirradiation dose was 50 Gy. Treatment was delivered at 1.8-2 Gy/fraction daily, 5 days a week. Chemotherapy was used in 41.5% of the patients. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 23 months (range, 3-143 months). The 2-year and 5-year local progression-free and overall survival rates were 39%, 23%, 48%, and 28%, respectively. On univariate analysis, age (p = 0.04), total reirradiation dose (p = 0.0008) were significant prognostic factors for local progression-free rate. For overall survival age, total reirradiation dose, stage, T stage were significant. On multivariate analysis only total dose (p = 0.005) remained significant for local progression-free rate and total reirradiation dose (p = 0.02), interval to recurrence (p = 0.03), stage (p = 0.018) were significant for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of local recurrence and high-dose reirradiation (60 Gy) are crucial for improving the local control and survival.     

Repeat stereotactic radiosurgery for the management of locally recurrent brain metastases

Purpose

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a well-established treatment option for brain metastases (BM). Repeat SRS for progressive BM is an increasingly used paradigm, although little data is available to support this practice. The goal of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a second SRS procedure on a previously treated BM.

Methods

We performed a retrospective metastasis-level analysis of patients who underwent two SRS procedures on the same lesion and for whom at least 6 months of radiological follow-up was available. The data collected included patient characteristics, clinical symptoms at time of treatment, SRS parameters, radiological response per RANO-BM criteria, clinical evolution and survival.

Results

Seventy-five BM in 56 patients were included in the analysis. Most frequent primary histologies were non-small-cell lung cancer (59%) and breast cancer (19%). At the second SRS, median treatment volume was 1.19 cc (range 0.07–20.6) treated with a median margin dose of 18 Gy (range 12–20) at the 50% isodose line (range 30–80%). Median follow-up was 11 months. Progression per RANO-BM criteria occurred in 31%, yielding actuarial local control at 1, 2, and 5 years of 68%, 54% and 54% respectively. At last follow-up, 10 patients (18%) had improved relative to the initial presentation, while 21 (38%) were stable and 25 (44%) were deteriorated. Radiation-induced edema and radionecrosis occurred in 8.3% and 5% respectively. The median survival from the diagnosis of BM was 30 months.

Conclusion

Repeat SRS is a safe and effective novel therapeutic approach to consider in carefully selected patients.

     

Frameless stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent head and neck carcinoma

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and toxicity of stereotactic radiosurgery (CK-SRS) using the CyberKnife Frameless Radiosurgery System (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) in the management of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (SCCHN). Between November 2001 and February 2004, 22 patients with recurrent, previously irradiated SCCHN were treated with CK-SRS. The following endpoints were assessed post-CK-SRS: local control (LC), cause-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), symptom relief, and acute and late toxicity. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to estimate the LC, CSS, and OS rates. Clinical symptoms were graded as "improved," "stable," or "progressed" after CK-SRS. Acute and late toxicity were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) scale, version 2.0. Seventeen patients were followed until their death. The median follow-up in the remaining five patients was 19 months (range 11-40 months). The median survival time for the entire cohort was 12 months from the time of CK-SRS. The 2-year LC, CSS, and OS rates were 26%, 26%, and 22%, respectively. After CK-SRS, symptoms were improved or stable in all but one patient who reported increasing pain. The treatment was well tolerated, with one case each of Grade 2 and 3 mucositis. There were no acute Grade 4 or 5 CTC toxicities. There were no late toxicities in this cohort. Frameless stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent SCCHN is feasible and safe in the setting of high doses of prior irradiation. The majority of patients experienced palliation of disease without excess toxicity.     

Outcome of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for 90 patients with locally persistent and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

PURPOSE: Local recurrence remains one of the major causes of failure in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (FSRT) have recently evolved as a salvage option of NPC. This study was conducted to review the treatment outcome after FSRT for NPC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between September 1999 and December 2005, 90 patients with persistent (Group 1: n = 34, relapse within 6 months of RT) or recurrent (Group 2: n = 56, relapse beyond 6 months) NPC received FSRT using multiple noncoplanar arcs of 8-MV photon to the target. Median FSRT dose was 18 Gy in three fractions (Group 1) or 48 Gy in six fractions (Group 2). Median follow-up was 20.3 months. RESULTS: Complete response rate after FSRT was 66% for Group 1 and 63% for Group 2. One-, 2-, and 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates for all patients were 82.6%, 74.8%, 57.5%, and 72.9%, 60.4%, 54.5%, respectively. Three-year local failure-free survival, DSS, and PFS rates were 89.4%, 80.7%, and 72.3% for Group 1, and 75.1%, 45.9%, and 42.9% for Group 2, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that recurrent disease and large tumor volume were independent factors that predicted poorer DSS and PFS. Seventeen patients developed late complications, including 2 with fatal hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that FSRT is effective for patients with persistent and recurrent NPC. Compared with reported results of radiosurgery, FSRT provides satisfactory tumor control and survival with a lower risk of complications and it may be a better treatment for local failures of NPC.     

Results and prognostic factors in the retreatment of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose: To review the results and evaluate the prognostic factors in the retreatment of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods and Materials: We reviewed the records of 74 patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated at the University of California, San Francisco between 1957 and 1995. The histologic types included squamous cell carcinoma in 6 (8.1%), nonkeratinizing carcinoma in 48 (64.9%), and undifferentiated carcinoma in 20 (27%) cases. The site of recurrence was in the primary in 46 (62.2%), in the neck nodes in 20 (27%), and in both sites in 8 (10.8%) patients. The recurrent disease was Stage I in 10 (13.5%), Stage II in 16 (21.6%), Stage III in 20 (27%), and Stage IV in 28 (37.9%) patients. Thirty-seven (50%) patients developed recurrence within 2 years and 58 (78.4%) within 5 years after initial treatment. Radiotherapeutic techniques used in the retreatment of primary recurrence consisted of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), intracavitary brachytherapy, heavy-charged particle beam, and gamma knife, alone or in combination. Reirradiation doses ranged from 18 to 108 Gy, with a median dose of 60 Gy. Treatment of recurrent neck nodes consisted of radical neck dissection (RND) ± intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), or EBRT ± hyperthermia, or chemotherapy ± hyperthermia. Chemotherapy was used in 22 (30%) patients. Median follow-up was 20 months (range: 2 to 308 months).

Results: The 3-, 5-, and 10-year actuarial overall survival following retreatment were 49, 37, 18%, respectively. Thirty-six patients (49%) were free of further local-regional recurrence after retreatment. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year local-regional progression-free rates were 52, 40, and 38%, respectively. On univariate analysis, histologic type (p < 0.0001), interval to recurrence (p = 0.034), and treatment modality for early-stage disease (p = 0.01) were significant prognostic factors for overall survival, with age being marginally significant (p = 0.053). For local-regional progression-free rate, only histology was significant (p = 0.035). On multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.026), histology (p = 0.015), and interval to recurrence (p = 0.030) were significant for overall survival, and only histology (p = 0.002) and presence of complications (p = 0.016) were significant for local-regional progression-free rate. Of the 64 reirradiated patients, late complications were documented in 29 (45%) patients. The late complications were permanent in 21 (33%) and severe in 15 (23%) patients.

Conclusion: Retreatment using radiotherapy alone or in combination with other treatment modalities can achieve long-term local-regional control and survival in a substantial proportion of patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Age, histology, and interval to recurrence were independent prognostic factors for overall survival, but only histology and presence of complications were significant for local-regional progression-free rate.     

Management of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

As a consequence of the current excellent loco-regional control rates attained using the generally accepted treatment paradigms involving intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), only 10–20% of patients will suffer from local and/or nodal recurrence after primary treatment. Early detection of recurrence is important as localized recurrent disease is still potentially salvageable, but this treatment often incurs a high risk of major toxicities. Due to the possibility of radio-resistance of tumors which persist or recur despite adequate prior irradiation and the limited tolerance of adjacent normal tissues to sustain further additional treatment, the management of local failures remains one of the greatest challenges in this disease. Both surgical approaches for radical resection and specialized re-irradiation modalities have been explored. Unfortunately, available data are based on retrospective studies, and the majority of them are based on a small number of patients or relatively short follow-up. In this article, we will review the different salvage treatment options and associated prognostic factors for each of them. We will also propose a treatment algorithm based on the latest available evidence and discuss the future directions of treatment for locally recurrent NPC.     

Salvage radiation therapy for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose: To study the treatment outcome in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to explore whether a combination of high-dose-rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy (ERT) could improve the therapeutic ratio.

Methods and Materials: Ninety-one patients with nonmetastatic locally recurrent NPC who were treated with curative intent during the years 1990–1999 were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty-two patients had histologically proven carcinoma. The remaining 9 had clinical and imaging features suggestive of local recurrence. The Ho’s T-stage distribution at recurrence (rT) was as follows: rT1–37, rT2–14, rT3–40. Total equivalent dose (TED) was calculated by the linear–quadratic formula without a time factor correction. For those treated by combined-modality treatment (CMT), the TED was taken as the summation of the equivalent dose by ERT and the absolute dose delivered to floor of the sphenoid by brachytherapy. Eight patients were treated solely with brachytherapy, all receiving 24–45 Gy in 3–10 sessions. Forty-one patients were treated with ERT alone receiving a median TED of 57.3 Gy (range, 49.8–62.5 Gy). Forty-two patients were treated by CMT with a median equivalent dose of 50 Gy (range, 40–60 Gy) given by ERT and 14.8 Gy by brachytherapy (range, 3–29.6 Gy). Multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox regression proportional hazards model.

Results: The 5-year actuarial overall survival rate, disease specific survival rate and local failure-free survival (LFFS) rate for the whole group were 30%, 33.3% and 37.8%, respectively. The 3-year LFFS rates of rT1, rT2, and rT3 diseases were 64%, 61.5%, and 18.4%, respectively (p = 0.001).

Of the 8 patients treated with brachytherapy alone, 4 failed locally. Further analyses were concentrated on the ERT (41 patients) and CMT (42 patients) groups. The 3-year LFFS rates of rT1, rT2, and rT3 diseases were 66.7%, 66.7%, and 18.4%, respectively (p = 0.0008). Better local control for patients who received a TED of 60 Gy or greater was shown. The corresponding 3-year LFFS rates were 29% and 60% (p = 0.0004). Subgroup analysis on the ERT and CMT groups showed a 3-year LFFS rate of 33.5% and 57% (p = 0.003). ERT group had an excess of patients with rT3 disease. Further analysis was performed on the rT1–2 patients showing a trend toward improvement in local control in favor of the CMT group (3-year LFFS rates: CMT, 71.7%; ERT, 54%; p = 0.13). Multivariate analyses showed that rT stage (p = 0.002) and TED (p = 0.01; HR, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–0.98) remained significant.

The 5-year major and central nervous system (CNS) complication-free rates were 26.7% and 47.8%. The following factors were found to be significant on univariate analyses for both complications in the ERT and CMT groups: (1) Modality of treatment: more complications with ERT group; and (2) rT stage. Multivariate analyses showed that the rT stage was significant for predicting the occurrence of major (p = 0.004) and CNS complications (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: For rT1–2 local recurrences, CMT with at least 60 Gy TED is recommended. The high incidence of major late complications is of serious concern. Ways of improving the local control of Ho’s rT3 disease and reducing the risk of late complications should be explored.     

A prognostic scoring system for locoregional control in nasopharyngeal carcinoma following conformal radiotherapy

Purpose: This study established a prognostic scoring system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which estimates the probability of locoregional (LR) control following definitive conformal radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with nondisseminated NPC at initial presentation (n = 630) were enrolled in this study. All patients had magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck and were treated with conformal radiotherapy. Among them, 93% had concurrent chemotherapy, and 76% had postradiation chemotherapy. The extent of the primary tumor, age at diagnosis, primary tumor size, tumor and nodal classification, histology, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level before treatment were included in the analysis for building a prognostic scoring system. The end point for this study was LR control. RESULTS: The prognostic score was defined as the number of adverse prognostic factors present at diagnosis. Four factors had similarly independent prognostic effects (hazard ratio, 2.0-2.6): age >40 years, histologic WHO type I-II, serum LDH level > or =410 U/L, and involvement of two or more sites of the following anatomic structures, i.e., sphenoid floor, clivus marrow, clivus cortex, prevertebral muscles, and petrous bone. The score predicted the 5-year probability of LR control as follows: 0 (15% of the patients), 100%; 1 (42% of the patients), 93%; 2 (29% of the patients), 83%; 3 or higher (13% of the patients), 71%. CONCLUSION: This scoring system is useful in the decision-making for individual patients and the design of clinical trials to improve LR control for advanced-stage NPC.     

A simple prognostic scoring system for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated by chemo-embolization

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comprises heterogeneous groups of patients with differing outcomes. METHODS: In order to attempt to identify patient sub-sets, we retrospectively examined the records of 750 patients with biopsy-proven unresectable HCC, who were treated with hepatic artery chemo-embolization and were followed till death. We used the Cox proportional hazard model, as it was neutral with respect to prejudged cut-off between short and long survival. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, we found a shorter survival to be associated with male gender, presence of cirrhosis, portal hypertension, portal vein thrombosis and elevations of bilirubin, GGTP, ALKP, AFP, DCP, PT and albumin. Five factors were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) on multivariate analysis, namely presence of cirrhosis or ascites and elevations of AFP, ALKP or GGTP. We developed a simplified scoring system based upon the sum of the hazard ratios of each of these five factors. By combining the two factors with the heaviest hazard ratios from our multivariable analysis, namely AFP (+ = >100 ng/mL) and ALKP (+ = >100 IU/mL), we found a simple parsimonious prognostic tool, which segregated the patients into survival groups, namely AFP- ALKP-; either AFP+ or ALKP+; and AFP+ ALKP+; these three groups corresponded to a 24-month survival of 70%, 32% and 12%, respectively. CONCLUSION: we found that only two lab functions, AFP and ALKP levels, in our large HCC patient cohort undergoing hepatic artery chemo-embolization, had prognostic significance.     

Validation of a new prognostic index score for disseminated nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma have variable survival outcomes. We previously designed a scoring system to better prognosticate these patients. Here, we report results on validation of this new prognostic index score in a separate cohort of patients. Clinical features and laboratory parameters were examined in 172 patients with univariate and multivariate analyses and a numerical score was derived for each independent prognostic variable. Significant independent prognostic variables and their scores assigned included poor performance status (score 5), haemoglobin < 12 g dl(-1) (score 4) and disease-free interval (DFI) (DFI < or = 6 months (score 10) or metastases at initial diagnosis (score 1)). Maximum score was 19 and patients stratified into three prognostic groups: good, 0-3; intermediate, 4-8; poor, > or = 9. When applied to a separate cohort of 120 patients, 59 patients were good, 43 intermediate and 18 poor prognosis, with median survivals of 19.6 (95% CI 16.1, 23.1), 14.3 (95% CI 12.3, 16.2) and 7.9 (95% CI 6.6, 9.2) months, respectively. (logrank test: P = 0.003). We have validated a new prognostic score with factors readily available in the clinics. This simple score will prove useful as a method to prognosticate and stratify patients as well as to promote consistent reporting among clinical trials.