Adjuvant therapy in high-risk early endometrial carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of 46 cases

Objective

We assessed the prognostic factors and the efficacy of adjuvant therapy and reviewed randomized studies carried out on patients receiving adjuvant therapy with early endometrial carcinoma.

Methods

One hundred and five patients that received primary surgical treatment for stage IB, IC and II endometrial cancer were enrolled in this study. The clinical outcomes were compared among the patients with variable prognostic factors and adjuvant treatments.

Results

One hundred and five patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and 46 patients (43.8%) underwent adjuvant therapy. Disease recurrence occurred in nine patients within a median time of 24 months. Cervical involvement was an independent prognostic factor for the disease-free survival rates. Eight of 16 patients with FIGO stage II disease received adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide (or cyclophosphamide) or combined chemoradiation. The 5-year disease-free survival rate for these patients was 87.5%, a value significantly higher than for patients that received radiation therapy alone (30%).

Conclusion

Adjuvant chemotherapy or combination chemo-radiotherapy might be superior to radiation therapy alone in high-risk early endometrial cancer patients.     

Soft tissue sarcomas and therapeutic management: is there a place for systemic chemotherapy in an adjuvant setting?

Introduction

Extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a rare, heterogeneous malignancy. Surgery is the primary treatment for patients with no evidence of metastatic disease but 50% of patients with high-risk tumors will relapse and develop metastatic disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy aims to lessen the recurrence of cancer after surgery with or without radiotherapy. The objective of this review was to assess the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in adults with resectable soft tissue sarcoma after such local treatment.

Materials and methods

Pub Med searches were done to identify all randomized controlled phase III trials (RCTs) published, and presented in various international conferences, comparing surgery plus adjuvant systemic chemotherapy to surgery alone (S) for resectable soft tissue sarcoma. The following keywords: adjuvant therapy, chemotherapy, soft tissue sarcoma were used to access the principal phase III study and meta-analysis based on individual and published data.

Results

Three randomized phase III trials and three meta-analyses were identified, comparing adjuvant chemotherapy to observation after curative resection. The majority of studies indicate some benefit with chemotherapy, particularly in the relapse-free survival rate, but no survival benefit was observed in the chemotherapy group relative to the control group. Quality of initial surgery is the most important prognostic and predictive factor for Relapse Free Survival (RFS) and Overall Survival (OS).

Conclusion

Compared to surgery alone, the role and value of adjuvant chemotherapy have not yet been established and cannot be recommended outside the context of a clinical trial.     

The clinical observation of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with FOLFOX chemotherapy for rectal cancer of postoperative local recurrence

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with FOLFOX scheme chemotherapy in the treatment of postoperative recurrence of rectal cancer.

Methods

Sixty-eight cases of recurrent rectal cancer were divided randomly into two groups: 34 cases of conformal radiotherapy plus FOLFOX chemotherapy group (experiment group) and 34 cases of conformal radiotherapy (control group). After 6 MvX line with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy technologies for recurrent lesions and pelvic cavity around subclinical lymphatic drainage radiotherapy after radiotherapy to DT 40 Gy to reposit was made use of between both groups, experiment group was made the new treatment plan to continue to irradiate to 50 Gy, and then Shrinkage GTV was pushed quantity in the field 66 Gy. Researchers took chemotherapy in the first week and the fourth week after radiotherapy, with 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m², calcium leucovorin 200 mg, d1-5 with intravenous drip, Oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² and d1 with intravenous drip 2 h, 21 days was one cycle. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.

Results

The survival rates for 1, 2 and 3 years for experiment group and control group were 88.2%, 64.7%, 47.1% and 66.7%, 38.2%, 29.4% (P = 0.03), the 2-year rate of distant metastases was 32.4% and 58.8% (P = 0.032) respectively. The median survival time was 33 and 20 months respectively. There were some side effects between the groups, but there was no statistical difference.

Conclusion

Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plus FOLFOX chemotherapy can be considered as a safe and effective approach to treat rectal cancer patients of postoperative recurrence, and can improve the survival rates of patients and reduce distant metastasis rate obviously and make the acute adverse reaction rate insignificantly.     

Critical weight loss is a major prognostic indicator for disease-specific survival in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy

Background:

Pre-treatment weight loss (WL) is a prognostic indicator for overall survival (OS) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. This study investigates the association between WL before or during radiotherapy and disease-specific survival (DSS) in HNC patients.

Methods:

In 1340 newly diagnosed HNC patients, weight change was collected before and during (adjuvant) radiotherapy with curative intent. Critical WL during radiotherapy was defined as >5% WL during radiotherapy or >7.5% WL until week 12. Differences in 5-year OS and DSS between WL groups were analysed by Cox''s regression with adjustments for important socio-demographic and tumour-related confounders.

Results:

Before radiotherapy, 70% of patients had no WL, 16% had ⩽5% WL, 9% had >5–10% WL, and 5% had >10% WL. Five-year OS and DSS rates for these groups were 71%, 59%, 47%, and 42% (P<0.001), and 86%, 86%, 81%, and 71%, respectively (P<0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, >10% WL before radiotherapy remained significantly associated with a worse OS (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2–2.5; P=0.002) and DSS (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2–3.5; P=0.007).The 5-year OS and DSS rates for patients with critical WL during radiotherapy were 62% and 82%, compared with 70% and 89% for patients without critical WL (P=0.01; P=0.001). After adjustment, critical WL during radiotherapy remained significantly associated with a worse DSS (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2–2.4; P=0.004).

Conclusion:

Weight loss both before and during radiotherapy are important prognostic indicators for 5-year DSS in HNC patients. Randomised studies into the prognostic effect of nutritional intervention are needed.     

Impact of aggregate of risk factors for isolated locoregional failure in breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy without radiotherapy

Background

The impact of aggregate of risk factors on isolated locoregional failure after mastectomy without radiotherapy was assessed.

Methods

We reviewed 1091 patients who had stage I–III unilateral breast cancer and received mastectomy between 1990 and 2002.

Results

Median follow-up time was 67 (1–175) months. On multivariate analysis, four or more positive axillary lymph nodes (AXLN ≥4), pT4, primary tumor larger than 5 cm (T >5 cm), severe lymphatic invasion (ly2–3), and negative hormone receptor status (HR negative) were the statistically significant risk factors (hazard ratios 5.78, 2.31, 2.47, 2.99, and 3.40, respectively). The 8-year isolated locoregional failure-free rates of patients with single risk factor were 88% for AXLN ≥4, 93% for pT4, 93% for T >5 cm, 98% for ly2–3, and 97% for HR negative. Considering impact on isolated locoregional failure, AXLN ≥4 was termed the major risk factor and other factors were termed minor risk factors. The 8-year isolated locoregional failure-free rates were 98% for patients with only 0–1 minor risk factors (low-risk group), 86% for patients with the major risk factor alone or with only 2–4 minor risk factors (intermediate-risk group), 72% for patients with the major risk factor plus 1–2 minor risk factors (high-risk group), and 28% for patients with the major risk factor plus 3–4 minor risk factors (very high-risk group).

Conclusions

Aggregate of risk factors increased the risk of isolated locoregional failure significantly. Patients with the major risk factor plus one or more minor risk factors seemed to be candidates for postmastectomy radiotherapy.     

Molecular targeted therapies in head and neck cancer - An update of recent developements -

Background

To assess the results for local control (LC) and survival in patients with early-stage glottic cancer (GC) who were treated by radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy.

Methods

Fifty-eight patients with T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis who were treated between 2001 and 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Potential prognostic factors for LC were evaluated by univariate analysis.

Results

The 5-year LC rate in all patients was 84.3%. The overall 5-year LC rates for patients with T1a, Tb, and T2 GC were 85.9%, 83%, and 85%, respectively. Of the 58 patients, eight developed recurrent disease at the primary site, and one had lymph node recurrences on the neck. In the final analysis, the total laryngectomy-free survival rate was 93% at five years, and the ultimate LC rates for T1a, Tb, and T2 were 100%, 90.9%, and 95.2%, respectively. In a univariate analysis of 55 patients, there was no statistical significance between the LC rate for RT alone and that for chemoradiation. Only two patients died of laryngeal carcinoma, and one died of intercurrent disease. Fifty-five patients were living disease-free at the end of the study period. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate for all patients was 88.1%, and the 5-year OS rates for T1a, Tb, and T2 were 91.6%, 77.8%, and 89.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

The retrospective analysis showed a high rate of LC and larynx preservation in patients with T1-T2 GC by means of RT with or without chemotherapy. There was, however, no statistical difference in LC rates for the two types of therapy.     

延迟辅助化疗对乳腺癌患者生存期的影响(英文)

Objective: The proper time to commence adjuvant chemotherapy after primary surgery for breast cancer is unknown. It is usually prescribed within 2-3 months after definitive surgery. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) delay beyond 3 weeks ( 21 days) in premenopausal patients with ER-absent tumors being treated for early stages breast cancer on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Methods: This retrospective study was conducted through revision of medical records of premenopausal patients diagnosed with early stage Ⅰ-ⅢA breast cancer and ER-absent tumors who received adjuvant CT after definitive surgery at the Department of Clinical Oncology, Ain-Shams University Hospitals. Results: Between 2005 and 2008, 105 patients were retrospectively analyzed and included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A including 48 patients who started adjuvant CT<21 days of surgery and group B which included 57 patients who had CT delay ≥ 21 days. Both groups were matched demographically. Comparisons of overall survival, and disease-free survival between group A and group B patients all favored group A. At 5-year the OS rates were 87% and 73% for groups A and B respectively (P=0.001), while DFS rates were 85% and 64% in groups A and B respectively (P=0.001). Analysis of other prognostic factors (age, T, N, grade, HER2 status, surgery type, CT type, local radiotherapy received) were analyzed. Only nodal status predicted for worse DFS (P=0.05) and OS (P=0.006). Conclusion: Delay in initiating adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer patients with ER-absent tumors was associated with a decrease in both OS and DFS rates.     

Adjuvant sequential chemoradiation therapy in high-risk endometrial cancer: results of a prospective, multicenter phase-II study of the NOGGO (North-Eastern German Society of Gynaecological Oncology)

Purpose

The management of high-risk endometrial cancer (HREC) remains controversial. We conducted a prospective multicenter phase-II clinical trial to evaluate an adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) with sequential radiotherapy (RT) in patients with HREC.

Methods

Patients with HREC from 8 institutions in Germany were enrolled. After surgery, patients received four cycles of paclitaxel 175 mg/m² (P) and carboplatin AUC5 (C) (d1, q21d) and subsequent external pelvic radiation therapy (1.8 Gy/d, d1-5) at a total dose of 45 Gy with vaginal brachytherapy (3 × 5 Gy). Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Primary endpoints were tolerability, toxicity and QoL. Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as secondary endpoint.

Results

Thirty-five patients were enrolled from 2004 through 2008. Median follow-up was 24 months (range 3–24 months). All patients received 4 cycles of P and C and completed RT. Overall, grade 3/4 haematological toxicity was 25.6 %. Three cycles were delayed because of leukopenia. Grade 3/4 non-haematologic toxicities were rare (≤3 %). No overall change in QoL occurred during treatment. Two-year median PFS and OS rates were both 75.8 %.

Conclusions

Adjuvant combination CT with P + C and sequential RT is well tolerated and a feasible regimen in patients with HREC. Subsequent phase-III trials are warranted.     

Prognostic implication of infiltrative growth pattern and establishment of novel risk stratification model for survival in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic significance of infiltrative growth pattern (INF) and to develop a novel risk stratification model for disease-specific survival (DSS) in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Methods

This study included 113 patients with UTUC treated with radical nephroureterectomy. Pathological features, including INF, were compared with DSS. INF was classified into 3 patterns (INFa, INFb, and INFc). The prognostic factors of DSS were evaluated with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analyses. A risk stratification model based on the relative risks of DSS was then established.

Result

Univariate analysis revealed that patients with high-grade tumor, pathological T stage ≥T3, a non-expanding infiltration pattern (INF ≥b), sessile-type carcinoma, the presence of lymphovascular invasion and positive lymph node involvement showed significantly lower survival rates than their respective counterparts. In the multivariate analysis, high grade tumor, positive lymph node involvement and INF ≥b were independent predictors for DSS (p < 0.05). The patients were stratified into 3 risk groups. The 5-year DSS rates were 94.4 % in the low-risk group, 67.5 % in the intermediate-risk group and 20.5 % in the high-risk group.

Conclusion

In addition to lymph node involvement and pathological tumor grade, INF is a novel independent prognostic factor in patients with UTUC treated with radical nephroureterectomy. Our risk stratification model developed using these 3 factors may help clinicians identify patients with a poor prognosis who might be good candidates for clinical trials of innovative therapies.     

Long-term results with oral fluoropyrimidines and oxaliplatin-based preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with resectable rectal cancer. A single-institution experience

Introduction

Neoadjuvant 5-FU-based chemoradiotherapy in resectable rectal cancer (RC) is a standard of treatment. The use of oral fluoropyrimidines and new agents such as oxaliplatin may improve efficacy and tolerance.

Material and methods

Between 1999 and 2009, 126 RC patients with T3?CT4 and/or N+ disease were given three successive protocols: UFT (32), UFT-oxaliplatin (75) and capecitabine-oxaliplatin (19), alongside 45 Gy of radiotherapy; with surgery 4?C6 weeks after. Adjuvant treatment was given in all patients. The primary objective was pathologic complete response (pCR).

Results

Preoperative therapy was well tolerated, with no toxic deaths and a 15% grade 3?C4 toxicity rate. Eighty-five percent of patients received the full chemotherapy dose, 56% had an abdominoperineal resection, 6% reinterventions and 57% received the full adjuvant chemotherapy planned. The pCR rate was 13%. The downstaging rate was 80%; 8% had progression of disease. The relapse rate was 20%, with local relapse in 6%. By 5 years of followup, 92% of relapses had occurred. Median follow-up was 73 months, 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 75% and 50%, and 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 79% and 66% respectively. There was no benefit from the use of oxaliplatin regarding survival or pCR rates. Older patients had worse long-term outcomes.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with oral fluoropyrimidines and oxaliplatin is feasible and well tolerated. The risk of early progression is low. However, there was no added benefit with the use of oxaliplatin. There were no relapses in patients with pCR. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy is unclear.     

Strahlentherapeutische Optionen bei Hirnmetastasen des kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinoms

Context

Small cell lung cancer is one of the most common primary tumors in patients with brain metastases. These patients usually have a poor prognosis.

Material and methods

Research of the literature and analysis of clinical trials.

Results

Personalized treatment approaches are very important. Prognostic scores can help select the appropriate treatment. As the tumors are very sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and as multiple brain metastases are common, resection of metastases plays a minor role. Also the results after chemotherapy alone have not been convincing. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) alone is considered the standard treatment despite unsatisfactory results. Small studies have combined WBRT and chemotherapy. Although the results have been encouraging, the combined approach has not been introduced as a new standard. After therapeutic and prophylactic WBRT, new or recurrent brain metastases can be controlled with radiosurgery.

Conclusions

However, patient prognosis remains poor despite new treatment approaches. Randomized trials are urgently required.     

Phase II study of adjuvant vinorelbine and cisplatin in Japanese patients with completely resected stage II and III non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

Adjuvant vinorelbine and cisplatin chemotherapy is recognized as a standard regimen for patients with completely resected stage II and III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in Japanese phase III trials with cisplatin-containing regimen has been controversial, and data are limited on the long-term outcome of adjuvant vinorelbine and cisplatin chemotherapy for NSCLC patients.

Methods

This was a single-arm phase II study in patients with completely resected pathological stage II or III NSCLC, who had not received prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Patients received 4 cycles of vinorelbine [25 mg/m² of body surface area (BSA)] and cisplatin (40 mg/m² of BSA) on days 1 and 8, every 4 weeks. Primary end point was the 3-year relapse-free survival; secondary end points were overall survival and safety.

Results

Between December 2006 and January 2011, 60 patients (40 men and 20 women, median age 64 years) were enrolled; all patients were evaluable for survival and safety. Three-year relapse-free survival rate was 55.0 % (95 % confidence interval 42.4–67.6 %). Three- and five-year overall survival rates were 83.3 and 77.8 %, respectively. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths, and adverse effects were acceptable.

Conclusions

Adjuvant vinorelbine and cisplatin chemotherapy was safe and showed a valid relapse-free survival rate. This regimen could be used as a standard regimen and deserves to be a control arm of trials on adjuvant chemotherapy in the Japanese NSCLC patient population.     

A phase II study of docetaxel and oxaliplatin combination in recurrent gastric cancer patients after fluoropyrimidine and/or cisplatin adjuvant treatment: a Korean Cancer Study Group Protocol ST06-02

Background

Surgery alone is no longer an adequate standard of care for patients with resectable gastric cancer. Thus, research efforts should focus on which regimens are the most effective for patients with recurrent gastric cancer after combined treatment with surgery and perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients with histologically confirmed and measurable advanced gastric cancer who showed a relapse even after fluoropyrimidine and/or cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy received docetaxel (35?mg/m²) intravenously on day 1 and 8 plus oxaliplatin (100?mg/m²) intravenously on day 1 every 3?weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Results

A total of 34 patients with relapsed advanced gastric cancer who had received adjuvant chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine and/or cisplatin for a median of 6?months (range, 1–48?months) were enrolled in this trial; 22 (64.7?%) patients had been exposed to both agents. Their median age was 58?years (range, 50–68?years). The overall response rate was 55.9?% (95?% confidence interval (CI), 38.3–73.5?%), including 1 complete response and 18 partial responses. At a median follow-up duration of 28.5?months (range, 9.2–50.7?months), the median progression-free survival for all patients was 5.3?months (95?% CI, 4.4–6.1?months) and the median overall survival was 13.8?months (95?% CI, 11.1–16.4?months). The most common grade 3 or 4 hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were neutropenia (47.1?%) and diarrhea (17.6?%), respectively. Five patients (14.7?%) experienced febrile neutropenia.

Conclusions

Docetaxel and oxaliplatin combination chemotherapy was active and tolerable in patients with recurrent gastric cancer after fluoropyrimidine and/or cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy.     

Patterns of care and the survival of elderly patients with high-risk endometrial cancer: A case-control study from the FRANCOGYN group

Background

The standard of care of endometrial cancer involves complex procedures such as pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and omentectomy, particularly for high-risk endometrial cancer. Few data are available about these complex surgical procedures and adjuvant therapy in elderly women. We aim to examine treatment and survival of elderly women diagnosed with high-risk endometrial cancer.

pT3N0期直肠癌术后辅助放疗价值探讨

目的 探讨pT₃N₀期直肠癌根治性切除术后辅助放疗价值。方法 回顾分析2003-2010年期间本院诊断明确且行TME术的 125例pT₃N₀期直肠癌患者资料,所有患者均接受术后化疗,其中 40例接受术后放疗。Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率,Logrank法检验和单因素预后分析,Cox法多因素分析影响LR因素。结果 5年样本量为 35例,5年OS和DFS分别为 82.3%和72.4%,术后放化疗和化疗的 5年OS分别为72%和83%(P=0.911)。多因素分析送检淋巴结个数、肿瘤是否侵犯肠周脂肪是LR的影响因素(P=0.045、0.021)。低危组(无高危因素)和高危组(≥1个) LR率分别为2.5%和11.8%(P=0.060)。结论 对于无高危因素的pT₃N₀期直肠癌患者术后放疗未能改善OS、LR率,对该期患者术后常规放疗有待探讨。     

408例70岁以上老年肺癌患者的预后因素分析

Objective

The incidence and mortality of lung cancer in people over 70 years were increased in the past 10 years. We defined age 70 years as boundary line of the elderly patients in lung cancer and analyzed and identified the factors affecting prognosis.

Methods

A retrospective study had enrolled 408 cases of lung cancer aged over 70 years old and SPSS13.0 software was used in univariate analysis and COX regression analysis to analyze factors affecting prognosis, such as gender, age, complications, symptoms, pathological type, clinical stage, effusion, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and so on.

Results

In univariate analysis, symptoms, stage, effusion, surgery, chemotherapy and chemotherapy cycles showed affecting prognosis significantly. In COX regression analysis, it showed that clinical stage (P = 0.000), surgery (P = 0.013), chemotherapy cycles (P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

Elderly lung cancer patients could be benefit from surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy while early stage. At late stage, their survival time may be prolonged when receive chemotherapy at least 4 cycles. Single-agent chemotherapy would be a good choice for elderly lung cancer. Effusion, particularly, pericardial effusion significantly influenced the prognosis, so that it should be effectively controlled.     

Treatment results and prognostic factors for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Objective

To review our experience with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with advanced resectable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx and to evaluate the factors affecting survival and larynx preservation.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Subjects and methods

The records of 102 patients with stage III or IV resectable SCC of the larynx treated with CCRT between February 1994 and March 2009 were reviewed. Of 102 patients, 59 were treated with high-dose regimens, including cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), methotrexate, and leucovorin or docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU, and 43 were treated with low-dose regimens, including carboplatin and uracil-tegafur or S-1. Radiotherapy was delivered 5 days a week using a single daily fraction of 1.8–2.0 Gray (Gy), to a total dose of 66.0–70.2 Gy. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and DSS with larynx preservation were estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods. The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to identify significant prognostic factors for DSS and DSS with larynx preservation.

Results

The 5-year OS and DSS for all patients treated with CCRT were 63.9 and 70.7 %, respectively. The 5-year DSS with larynx preservation was 54.1 %. On multivariate analysis, N stage, synchronous multiple primary cancers, and the contents of chemotherapy were significant predictors of OS for patients undergoing CCRT; T stage, N stage, and the contents of chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors for larynx preservation.

Conclusion

The treatment method including the indication for CCRT may be determined by the contents of the chemotherapy and the T and N stages of laryngeal SCC. It is important to diagnose multiple synchronous primary cancers before CCRT.     

Evalution of surface-based deformable image registration for adaptive radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background

The optimal sequencing of chemotherapy and radiotherapy after breast surgery was largely studied but remains controversial. Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy is a valuable method for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer which is under ongoing research program in our hospital. We are evaluating the feasibility of the concomitant use of chemotherapy retrospectively.

Methods

Two hundred forty four women having breast cancer were investigated in a retrospective study. All patients were either treated by radical surgery or breast conservative surgery. The study compares two adjuvant treatments associating concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the first group (group A) the patients were treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in concomitant way using anthracycline (n = 110). In the second group (group B) the patients were treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy in concomitant way using CMF treatment (n = 134). Chemotherapy was administered in six cycles, one each 3 weeks. Radiotherapy delivered a radiation dose of 50 Gy on the whole breast (or on the external wall) and/or on the lymphatic region. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the rates of disease free survival, loco-regional recurrence-free survival and overall survival. The Pearson Khi² test was used to analyse the homogeneity between the two groups. The log-rank test was used to evaluate the differences between the two groups A and B.

Results

After 76.4 months median follow-up (65.3 months mean follow up), only one patient relapsed to loco-regional breast cancer when the treatment was based on anthracycline. However, 8 patients relapsed to loco-regional breast cancer when the treatment was based on CMF. In the anthracycline group, the disease free survival after 5 years, was 80.4% compared to 76.4% in the CMF group (Log-rank test: p = 0.136). The overall survival after 5 years was 82.5% and 81.1% in the anthracycline and CMF groups respectively (Log-rank test: p = 0.428). The loco-regional free survival at 5 years was equal to 98.6% in group A and 94% in group B (Log-rank test: p = 0,033). The rate of grade II and grade III anaemia was 13.9% and 6.7% in anthracycline group and CMF group respectively (Khi²-test: p = 0.009). The rate of grade II and grade III skin dermatitis toxicity was 4.5% in the group A and 0% in the group B (Khi²-test: p = 0.013).

Conclusion

From the 5 years retrospective investigation we showed similar disease free survival and overall survival in the two concurrent chemo-radiotherapy treatments based on anthracycline and CMF. However in the loco-regional breast cancer the treatment based on anthracycline was significantly better than that of the treatment based on CMF. There was more haematological and skin dermatitis toxicity in the anthracycline group.     

Increased risk of stroke in young head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy

Background

Chemo-radiotherapy-induced carotid stenosis and cerebrovascular events in head and neck cancer patients can cause severe disability and death. We aimed to estimate the risk of stroke in such patients over a six-year follow-up period.

Patients and methods

The study cohort consisted of head and neck cancer patients (n = 10,172). Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare the stroke-free survival rate between the patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, surgery alone, and surgery with adjuvant therapy after adjusting for possible confounding factors.

Results

At the end of follow-up, 384 patients had strokes: 126 (4.3%) from the surgery alone group, 167 (3.8%) from the radiotherapy or chemotherapy group, and 91 (3.2%) from the surgery with adjuvant therapy (P = 0.222). Head and neck cancer patients aged less than 55 years treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy conferred a 1.8-fold higher risk for stroke (95% CI, 1.22–2.56; P = 0.003) after adjusting for patient characteristics, co-morbidities, geographic region, urbanization level, and socio-economic status. There was no statistical difference in stroke risk between different treatment modalities in head and neck cancer patients aged 55 years and more.

Conclusions

Young head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy have higher risks for stroke. Different treatment strategies should be considered in such patients.     

Treatment results and prognostic factors for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to review our experience with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with advanced resectable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the hypopharynx and to evaluate the factors affecting survival and larynx preservation.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Methods and materials

The records of 102 patients with Stage III or IV resectable SCC of the hypopharynx treated with CCRT between January 1998 and August 2010 were reviewed. Of the 102 patients, 62 were treated with high-dose regimens including cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, leucovorin or docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil. The remaining 40 were treated with low-dose regimens including carboplatin and uracil-tegafur, weekly docetaxel, or S-1. Radiotherapy was delivered 5 days a week using a single daily fraction of 1.8–2.0 Gray (Gy), to a total dose of 64.8–70.2 Gy. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and DSS with larynx preservation were estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods. The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to identify significant prognostic factors for OS, DSS, and DSS with larynx preservation.

Results

The 5-year OS and DSS for all patients treated with CCRT were 51.3 and 64.3 %, respectively. The 5-year DSS with larynx preservation was 55.5 %. On multivariate analysis, the content of chemotherapy was a significant predictor of OS and DSS for patients undergoing CCRT; N stage was a significant prognostic factor for DSS and larynx preservation.

Conclusion

The treatment method including the indication for CCRT may be determined by the contents of the chemotherapy and the N stages of SCC of the hypopharynx.