Treatment outcomes using CyberKnife for brain metastases from lung cancer

We investigated the clinical outcomes following treatment using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for brain metastases from lung cancer. A total of 67 patients with 109 brain metastases from lung cancer treated using CyberKnife between 1998 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. SRS (median dose, 24 Gy) was used to treat 79 lesions, and 3-fraction SRT (median dose, 30 Gy) was used to treat 30 lesions. The median follow-up time was 9.4 months (range, 0.4–125 months). The 1-year local control rate was 83.3%, and the 1-year distant brain failure rate was 30.1%. The median survival time was 13.1 months, and the 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 54.8% and 25.9%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, three factors were found to be statistically significant predictors of OS: (i) presence of uncontrolled primary disease [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.04; P = 0.002]; (ii) Brinkman index (BI) ≥ 1000 (HR = 2.75; P = 0.007); and (iii) pulmonary metastases (HR = 3.54; P = 0.009). Radionecrosis and worsening of neurocognitive function after radiosurgery were observed in 5 (7%) and 3 (4%) patients, respectively. Our results indicated that SRS/SRT for brain metastases from lung cancer was effective. Uncontrolled primary disease, high BI, and pulmonary metastases at treatment were significant risk factors for OS.     

结肠癌伴同时性肝转移手术治疗及预后调查

[目的]探讨结肠癌同时性肝转移患者手术治疗选择和预后的因素。[方法]对某院2006~2008年收治的106例结肠癌同时性肝转移手术治疗患者进行分析,通过单因素分析和Cox比例风险模型多因素分析确定患者预后的影响因素。[结果]106例患者中位数生存期为12个月,1年及3年生存率分别为50.9%和10.4%。肝转移瘤切除患者3年生存率为41.7%。单因素分析结果显示,原发肿瘤分化程度、淋巴结转移、肝转移灶数目、肝转移瘤切除、癌胚抗原(CEA)水平、介入治疗和全身化疗为影响预后因素。多因素分析显示肿瘤分化程度、肝转移瘤切除、肝转移瘤数目、介入治疗和全身化疗与预后有关。[结论]肝转移的结肠癌同时性肝转移患者应尽早积极手术根治原发灶及肝转移灶,配合介入、化疗等综合治疗可延长患者生存期。     

The management of liver metastases

The spontaneous life expectancy of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancers is dismaying. Surgical resection is the only treatment which may help these patients. After resection the 5-year survival rate averages 25%. The best results are obtained in patients with one or few metastases localized to one liver lobe. There is no effective adjuvant therapy. Systemic or regional chemotherapy and immunomodulation have little effect in patients with inoperable metastases.     

Results of limb-saving surgery and prognostic factors in patients with osteosarcoma

Ninety six patients with high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities were treated between 1986 and 1997 in the authors institution. They were divided into three groups: in group I, all of 75 patients with non-metastatic OS received intensive chemotherapy and underwent surgery. In group II, 9 patients already had metastases at the time of referral. In group III, 12 patients received chemotherapy in delayed or suboptimal form. In group I, local recurrences occurred in 7 per cent (3 patients), metastases in 20 per cent of the patients with limb-saving, whereas these numbers were 3 per cent and 38 per cent in the amputation group. The 5-year disease free survival (DFS) was 72% v 69% in the limb-saving and amputation group, respectively. In groups II and III, 5-year DFS was extremely poor, 10 and 20% only. With univariate analysis, factors having a positive influence on the survival were: tumor volume < 60 cm3, wide or radical surgical margin, distal location of osteosarcoma, cartilagineous ground substance less than 20% and response to chemotherapy. The last 4 variables maintained their significance in the multivariate Cox model as well. Age > 30 showed indirect negative influence on the final outcome (enhanced intolerability to the drugs and less co-operability of the patients etc.). This data confirm the competence of the limb-saving surgery at certain indications beside the amputation.     

Pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal cancer

We analyzed the outcome of 30 patients who underwent surgery (40 operations) for pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer. Overall 5-year survival rate was 56%. There were no significant differences in survivals 5 years after the first surgery on the basis of potential prognostic factors: disease free interval, number of pulmonary metastases and size of metastatic lesion. Three patients with recurrent pulmonary metastases after the first resection underwent repeated resections and are alive 23, 58 and 62 months after the first pulmonary metastasectomy, respectively. Pulmonary resection for metastases from colorectal cancer prolonged the survival of patients, even those with bilateral lesions or recurrent metastases. These results confirm that pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal cancer is a potentially curative therapy.     

脑转移瘤全脑放疗疗效与预后相关因素分析

目的 探讨脑转移瘤患者放射治疗的疗效及相关预后因素。方法 对2013年12月-2018年10月入住我科符合条件的61例初治接受全脑放射治疗的脑转移瘤患者进行回顾性分析,观察患者生存情况和放疗的不良反应,并对预后进行单因素和多因素分析。结果 全组I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级急性神经系统毒性反应发生率分别为35.3%、10.9%、1.4%;I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级消化道反应发生率分别为12.1%、4.4%、0.3%;I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级血液学毒性发生率分别为27.6%、11.7%、2.2%;I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级急性皮肤损伤发生率分别为6.2%、0.8%、0.1%;无IV级及以上不良反应发生。全组中位生存时间11.9个月,6个月、1年、2年生存率分别为为81.3%、30.6%、12.8%。多因素分析显示肺癌、颅内转移瘤数目和联合化疗为影响患者生存预后的独立因素。结论 全脑放射治疗脑转移瘤安全有效,可有效缓解脑转移瘤患者症状,并延长生存期,原发灶为肺癌、颅内转移癌数目和联合化疗对患者预后起关键作用。     

Reirradiation of spinal metastases with intensity-modulated radiation therapy: an analysis of 23 patients

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of reirradiation with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for spinal metastases. We retrospectively analyzed 23 patients with spinal metastases who underwent IMRT reirradiation between December 2006 and July 2013. We evaluated the spinal radiation doses during the first and second radiation therapy courses, the interval between the courses, and the clinical outcomes after reirradiation, including skeletal-related events, local control rates (LCRs), overall survival (OS), and toxicities. The median time from the first irradiation to reirradiation was 13 months (range, 2–75 months). The median reirradiation dose delivered to 90% of the planning target volume was 24.5 Gy in 5 fractions (range, 14.7–50 Gy in 3–25 fractions). Nineteen patients experienced pain at reirradiation, and 15 of these attained pain relief. Two of the three patients with paresis in the upper or lower extremities upon initiation of reirradiation demonstrated improvement. Local progression was identified in four patients. The median time to local progression was 37 months. The 1- and 2-year LCRs after reirradiation were 88% and 75%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year OS rates after reirradiation were 45% and 20%, respectively, with a median OS of 12 months. No late toxicities occurred. In conclusion, spinal metastasis reirradiation using IMRT appears safe; pain relief and paresis improvement and/or prevention can be expected, along with a reduced risk of radiation-induced toxicity, especially in the spinal cord.     

SMART-Brain技术治疗脑转移瘤的疗效及安全性

目的 探讨基于调强技术实施脑转移瘤同期加量和重点功能区域保护的脑部放疗(simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy for elective brain,SMART-Brain)的临床疗效与安全性。方法 选取60例多发脑转移瘤放疗患者作为研究对象,设计SMART-Brain计划。采用全脑调强技术,给予海马等重要功能区域的保护性脑照射,每次3.0 Gy,照射10次至总剂量达30 Gy,同期给予脑转移瘤每次4.0 Gy的高剂量照射至总剂量达40 Gy。随访所有患者,评估临床疗效、不良反应发生率、中位总生存和颅内无进展时间。结果 有效率为73.33%(44例);疾病控制率为91.67%(55例)。患者中位总生存和颅内无进展时间分别为15.2个月和12个月,1年和2年总生存率分别为66.7%和26.4%,1年颅内无进展生存率为46.7%。与放疗前相比,患者行SMART-Brain计划脑放疗结束后1个月、3个月和6个月时的简易智力状况检查法（mini-mental state examination,MMSE）评分无统计学差异（P&g...     

Prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients with extensive disease caused by small-cell lung cancer responsive to chemotherapy: fewer symptomatic brain metastases and improved survival

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) who responded to chemotherapy. DESIGN: Randomised, controlled clinical trial; phase III study (EORTC nr 08993-22993; www.clinicaltrials.gov, nr NCT00016211). METHOD: Patients aged 18-75 years with a functional status according to WHO < or = 2, and with ED-SCLC and any response to chemotherapy, were randomized to observation (standard care) or PCI. The primary endpoint was time to symptomatic brain metastases. If any pre-defined, key symptom suggesting brain metastases presented, a CT or MRI scan of the brain was performed. The size of the study (143 patients per arm) was determined to detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.44 at 80% power with 2-sided alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: The study accrued 286 patients. PCI decreased the risk of developing symptomatic brain metastases (HR = 0.27 (95% CI: 0.16-0.44; p < 0.001)). The cumulative incidence of developing brain metastases within 1 year was 40% in the control group (95% CI: 32-49) and 15% in the PCI group (95% CI: 8-21). PCI prolonged disease-free (HR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59-0.96, p = 0.02) and overall survival (HR = 0.68; 95% CI; 0.52-0.88, p = 0.003). The 1-year survival rate was 27% (95% CI: 19-36) for the PCI group versus 13% (95% CI: 8-20) for controls. Acute and late treatment toxicity was acceptable. These side effects did not significantly impact on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: PCI significantly reduced the incidence of symptomatic brain metastases and prolonged both disease-free and overall survival and should be part of standard care in SCLC patients who respond to chemotherapy.     

Impact of esophageal cancer staging on overall survival and disease-free survival based on the 2010 AJCC classification by lymph nodes

This retrospective study investigated the effect of modifications presented in the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Manual for staging esophageal cancer on the characterization of the effectiveness of post-operative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, as measured by overall and disease-free survival. The seventh edition of the AJCC Manual classifies the number of lymph nodes (N) positive for regional metastasis into three subclasses. We used the AJCC classification system to characterize the cancers of 413 Chinese patients with esophageal cancer who underwent radical resection plus regional lymph node dissection over a 10-year period. The 10-year survival rate was 14.3% for stage N1 patients and 6.1% for stage N2 patients. Only one stage N3 patient was followed >4 years (53.4 months). The 10-year disease-free rate was 13.6% for stage N1 patients. Patients with stage N2 or N3 cancer were more likely to have tumor recurrences, metastases or death than patients with stage N1 cancer. Post-operative radiotherapy provided no survival benefit, and may have had a negative effect on survival. In this study, the N stage of esophageal cancer was an independent factor affecting overall and disease-free survival. Our results did not clarify whether or not radiotherapy after radical esophagectomy offers any survival benefit to patients with esophageal cancer.     

The treatment of colorectal liver metastases: good 5 year survival chance after partial liver resection at the Rotterdam University Hospital, 1984/1999

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of partial liver resection in patients with liver metastases. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHOD: All of the patients who underwent a partial liver resection at the Rotterdam University Hospital during the period June 1984-August 1999 due to one or more metastases of a colorectal carcinoma were traced in the computerised hospital archive. Data concerning the primary tumour, the diagnostics carried out, the liver resection carried out and the clinical outcome after the operation were analysed using the statistical software SPSS. The actuarial survival was determined according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In total 163 patients underwent an operation: 108 men and 55 women, with a mean age of 58 years (range: 32-77). Postoperative morbidity occurred in 34 patients (21%), mostly infections and gall leakage. During the hospital admission 10 patients died (6%). In the follow-up period, mean 30.2 months (median: 23.8) there was a recurrence of colorectal carcinoma in 82 of the patients (50%). The actuarial 5-year survival chance was 37%. The only statistically significant unfavourable prognosis factor for survival, was a larger tumour volume in the liver at the time of the hepatectomy.     

Neck lymph node dissection in squamous cell carcinoma originating in the head-and-neck area; the significance for the prognosis]

Neck dissection has a therapeutical as well as a prognostic relevance with respect to regional recurrence and distant metastases. Between January 1973 and July 1986 576 neck dissections in 511 patients (396 men, 115 women, among whom 486 with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and 14 with neck metastases of an unknown primary tumour) were performed at the department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the Free University Hospital, Amsterdam. Patients with tumour at the margins were excluded. Recurrence-free curves were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier and the log rank test was used to test the differences. All patients underwent a comprehensive neck dissection and were irradiated postoperatively when three or more tumour-positive nodes or extranodal spread were reported by the pathologist. Endpoint for analysis was occurrence of an ipsilateral neck recurrence or of a distant metastasis. Figures were corrected for a simultaneous recurrence at a higher level. A total of 29 neck recurrences (7.2%; n = 523) and 26 distant metastases (10.7%; n = 281) were demonstrated in the 5-year follow-up period. The number of positive nodes was of prognostic significance for both events (p = 0.039 and p = 0.0027). Extranodal spread was shown only to increase the incidence of distant metastases (p = 0.017), whereas its prognostic value with regard to recurrence in the neck was nullified by the strict institution of postoperative radiotherapy. It is recommended to give radiotherapy to patients with two positive nodes and possibly to every patient with a histopathologically positive neck.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Long-term results of definitive chemoradiotherapy for unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PurposeThe present study aimed to evaluate the long-term results of definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for unresectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC).Materials and methodsWe analyzed eighty patients with unresectable LA-ESCC, who underwent definitive CRT between 2001 and 2014. The 5-year overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were calculated, and we investigated the prognostic factors and adverse events.ResultsThe median age was 66 years (range, 41–83 years). Histologically, all patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The most common tumor site was the middle thoracic esophagus in 43 (54%) patients. According to the eighth edition of the Union for International Cancer Control TNM classification, sixty-six patients (83%) had T4 disease, 59 (74%) had regional lymph node (LN) metastases, and 35 (44%) had distant LN metastases beyond the regional LN (M1 LYM) disease. Forty-five (56%) and 35 (44%) patients belong to clinical stages IVA and IVB, respectively. The median follow-up period for survivors was 86 months. The 5-year OS, CSS, and PFS rates were 20.2%, 25.7%, and 18.4%, respectively. On univariate analysis, only the performance status score was significantly associated with better overall survival (p = 0.026). Grade 3 or higher late adverse events were observed in 12 (15%) patients, and these included cardiopulmonary adverse events in 6 (8%) patients. Treatment-related death occurred in 3 (4%) patients.ConclusionWe showed the long-term results of definitive CRT for unresectable LA-ESCC. The survivals are still poor and new treatment strategies need to be developed.     

Poor prognosis of osteosarcoma of pelvis; 39 years of registration by the Netherlands Commission on Bone Tumors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of treatment in patients with osteosarcoma of the pelvis. DESIGN: Retrospective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients with pelvic osteosarcoma registered in the files of the Netherlands Committee on Bone Tumours over 1957-1995 were reviewed. Complete information was obtained on 62 cases: 27 males and 35 females, median age was 31 years (range: 12-83). Distant metastases were present in 11 patients (stage IIIB; 18%), while 50 patients had stage IIB osteosarcoma (81%) and 1 patient stage IB osteosarcoma (2%). The results of treatment and survival were determined. RESULTS: Median survival was 14 months (2-177), the 5-year survival 15%. Distant metastases developed in 27 of 42 (64%) patients with curatively treated stage IIB osteosarcoma, with prolonged metastasis-free survival after chemotherapy treatment (p < 0.0012). Survival in patients with stage IIB pelvic osteosarcoma was better after surgical resection of the primary tumour than after no operation (p < 0.0054); (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy gave no longer survival than surgery alone (p < 0.083). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of pelvic osteosarcoma was poor, despite modern multimodality treatment regimens, including surgical resection and chemotherapy.     

分化型甲状腺癌骨转移的预后及影响因素

目的 探讨分化型甲状腺癌（differentiated thyroid cancer, DTC）骨转移患者的预后及影响因素。方法 回顾性分析108例DTC骨转移患者,所有患者均在中国医学科学院肿瘤医院接受DTC骨转移治疗。应用Kaplan-Meier生存分析构建生存曲线,通过log-rank检验及构建Cox比例风险模型筛选影响预后因素,着重分析治疗方式与预后的相关性。结果 108例患者中位生存时间为70个月,5、10、15、20年总体生存率分别为54.4%、24.3%、9.8%、4.3%。单因素分析结果显示,单一骨转移灶、不发生临床骨相关事件（skeletal-related events, SREs）及颈部淋巴结转移的患者预后较好（P=0.003～0.019）。接受联合治疗（P <0.001）及只接受131I治疗的患者（P=0.109）,预后均好于接受了非131I的治疗患者。多因素变量分析结果显示,只有单一骨转移灶、SREs、治疗方式是独立预后因素。结论 对于DTC骨转移的患者,仅有单一骨转移,没有发生SREs以及采用131I治疗联合多种治疗手段与良好预后显著相关。     

Better treatment for patients with colorectal liver metastases

Three patients, 61, 58 and 63 years old, presented with non-resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. The first patient, a man, who had a solitary lesion in the liver and severe cardiovascular morbidity, was successfully treated with laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy. The second patient, a woman, had large multiple liver metastases and two concomitant isolated pulmonary metastases. Following chemotherapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin, all lesions were downsized and a hemihepatectomy and pulmonary wedge resections were able to be performed in two stages. At the last follow-up, both patients were disease-free after 12 and 24 months respectively. The third patient, a man, presenting with multiple synchronous liver metastases, showed a significant decrease of hepatic tumour involvement after six courses of capecitabine. At present he is in a good condition and his disease is stable. Surgical resection ofcolorectal liver metastases leads to a 5-year survival rate of up to 45% in selected patients. Unfortunately, only 10 to 20% of patients are amenable to surgical resection. In the remaining group, a combination of new treatment options using local tumour ablative therapies and novel chemotherapeutic regimens provide alternative strategies with the potential of long-term survival.     

The probability of survival of patients with bronchial carcinoma

A study was made of the effect of the discontinuation of population screening for tuberculosis, on January 1, 1982, on the referral pattern and therapeutic results in patients with bronchial carcinoma. In 1981 only a few patients were referred because of lesions detected at the screening. Accordingly, discontinuing the screening had no demonstrable effect. Also, there was no difference between patients referred because of a fortuitous finding and those who consulted because of symptoms. Nevertheless the results, especially the 5-year survival rates, were far better for those whose tumours had favourable TNM classifications. This applied in particular if resection of parts of the lung was feasible and operation revealed no metastases in mediastinal lymph nodes and no infiltrating growth. For this group of patients the 5-year survival rate amounted to 59.4%. With only symptomatic treatment the rate was 16.7% and for patients with small-cell anaplastic carcinomas given chemotherapy, it was 5.6%.     

Comparison of chemoradiotherapy with radiotherapy alone in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma

Despite the wide use of definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma, there is little evidence that CRT improves the survival of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma compared with radiotherapy (RT) alone. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the outcome of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma treated by CRT and RT alone. Patients were treated at the Gunma Prefectural Cancer Center (Ota, Japan) and the Gunma University Hospital (Maebashi, Japan). Patients provided written informed consent before treatment. Patients with distant metastases were excluded. CRT consisting of RT, nedaplatin, and 5-fluorouracil has been performed since 2002 when patients have adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal function. Between November 1993 and April 2006, 8 patients were treated by CRT and 12 were RT alone. The median follow-up period of surviving patients was 19 months. CRT group had a significantly higher complete response rate than those RT alone group (87% vs. 33%, P = 0.05). Of all patients, 2-year overall survival rate was 41% and the median survival time was 18 months. The 2-year overall survival of patients treated by CRT was 58%, significantly better than 24% of those with RT alone (P = 0.02). CRT can improve outcomes of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma compared with RT alone.