Survival and quality of life after hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for recurrent malignant glioma

Purpose To prospectively evaluate efficacy, side effects and quality of life in patients with recurrent malignant glioma after hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. Methods and materials From 1/2003 to 8/2005, 15 patients with recurrent malignant glioma were prospectively scheduled for hfSRT with 5 × 7 Gy (90%-isodose). Median gross tumor volume and planning target volume were 5.75 (range, 0.77–21.94) and 22.4 (range, 4.22–86.79) cc, respectively. Irradiation was performed with the dedicated stereotactic radiosurgery system Novalis™ (BrainLAB, Heimstetten, Germany). Results Rates of remission, no change and progressive disease were 27%, 33%, and 40%, respectively, after a median follow-up of 9 months. Progression-free survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 75% and 53% respectively. Quality of life, measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire scores could be kept stable in two thirds of the patients for a median time of 9 months, respectively. Conclusion: Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy with 5 × 7 Gy of recurrent high grade glioma is an effective treatment that helps to maintain quality of life for an acceptable period, comparable to the results obtained with current chemotherapy schedules. Combined approaches of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other targeted therapies deserve further inverstigation.     

Response of global quality of life to high-dose palliative radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: To estimate the impact of high-dose palliative radiotherapy treatment (RT) for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on the patient's quality of life (QoL) over the remaining survival period, and to compute the number of quality adjusted life days (QALDs) gained. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The QoL of an NSCLC patient is modelled as a function of the days left to live, the days since the start of treatment, a patient specific intercept, and a random error term. Least squares regression analysis is used to fit this model to 376 monthly QoL observations supplied by 42 prospectively enrolled high-dose palliative RT patients with NSCLC. Prediction analysis, based on the regression results and on previously published estimates of the survival response to high-dose palliative RT, is used to compute QALDs gained as a result of treatment. RESULTS: QoL improves steadily over the first 86 days after the start of treatment. This improvement then dissipates to 0 over the subsequent 140 days. Median survival after entry (266 days) yields 158.5 QALDs, of which 56.9 can be attributed treatment: 12.6 as a result of a higher daily QoL and 44.3 as a result of longer survival. CONCLUSION: Patients with inoperable NSCLC who received high-dose palliative RT, and survived the median 266 days after entry into the study, can attribute about one-third of their 158.5 QALDs to the QoL and survival responses to treatment.     

Survival and quality of life after palliative surgery for neoplastic gastrointestinal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the prognostic factors which relate to the results, in terms of survival and quality of life, of palliative surgery in cancer patients presenting with an occlusion. METHODS: The files of 109 patients with a neoplasm who were operated on for occlusion between 1990 and 2000 have been re-examined. The prognostic factors studied were age, sex, the location of the primary tumour, the extension of the cancer at the time of the operation, and the surgical procedure carried out. The impact on the quality of life was assessed by the resumption of transit and the return home. RESULTS: The median survival was 64 days and the peroperative mortality was 21%. The quality of life of patients has been improved in 65% of cases. The only factors clearly correlating to survival and the success of the operation are the aetiological diagnosis of the occlusion (local recurrence better than carcinomatosis) and the type of procedure it was possible to carry out (resection better than bypass). CONCLUSION: Palliative surgery can, in a certain number of cases, improve the quality of life of patients, but it has not been possible for us to demonstrate prognostic factors which would allow the selection of patients who could benefit the most from such surgery. Copyright Harcourt Publishers Limited.     

Health-related quality of life in patients treated with temozolomide versus procarbazine for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

PURPOSE: To determine whether chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) versus procarbazine (PCB) for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) was associated with improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: HRQOL was assessed at baseline and during treatment using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and a Brain Cancer Module (BCM20) in two clinical trials that enrolled a total of 366 patients. Two hundred eighty-eight patients provided HRQOL data that could be used for analysis; 109 patients received TMZ in a phase II study, whereas 89 patients received TMZ and 90 received PCB in a randomized phase III study. Changes from baseline in the scores of seven preselected HRQOL domains (role and social functioning, global quality of life [QOL], visual disorders, motor dysfunction, communication deficit, and drowsiness) were calculated for all groups. Statistical significance, effect sizes, and proportions of patients with improved HRQOL scores (changes of > or = 10 points) were calculated. RESULTS: Before disease progression, patients treated with TMZ were found to have an improvement in most of the preselected HRQOL domain scores compared with their baseline (pretreatment) scores. Those who were progression-free on TMZ at 6 months had improvement in all the preselected HRQOL domains. Conversely, patients treated with PCB reported deterioration in HRQOL that was independent of whether or not the disease had progressed by 6 months. Patients with disease progression, regardless of treatment, experienced a sharp decline in all domains at the time of progression. CONCLUSION: Treatment with TMZ was associated with improvement in HRQOL scores compared with treatment with PCB. The deterioration reported by PCB-treated patients was likely because of toxicity. Delaying disease progression by treatment with TMZ is beneficial to the HRQOL status of patients with recurrent GBM.     

Effect of radiotherapy for inoperable remnant and recurrent gastric cancer--focusing of improvement in quality of life

We investigated six cases of inoperable remnant and recurrent gastric cancer treated with radiotherapy with regard to quality of life (QOL). The radiation dose was from 22 to 70 Gy, with a mean dose of 46 +/- 18 Gy. Four cases could be evaluated. Two were PR and two were NC. No patients could ingest food before radiotherapy, but two became able to eat whole gruel, one half gruel and three water. The mean survival time was 5.5 months and prognosis was not improved. Subjective symptoms such as food passage disturbance were decreased by radiotherapy and QOL was improved. Radiotherapy for patients with inoperable gastric cancer seemed to be effective in improving QOL.     

Use of palliative radiotherapy trials for clinical biomarker development

INTRODUCTION: Approximately one quarter of all cancer patients will require palliative radiation treatment at some point during the course of their disease, but only a minority of these patients are entered in clinical trials. ETHICAL ASSESSMENT OF BIOMARKERS IN PALLIATIVE RADIOTHERAPY TRIALS: We review the literature debating the ethics of inclusion of "palliative" patients on clinical trials. We suggest that these patients provide a potentially valuable resource that can be leveraged to facilitate the discovery and validation of biomarkers predictive of radiation response and toxicity. In addition, this patient population offers valuable opportunities to test combination of radiation and targeted therapies to screen for activity, toxicity and biomarkers in a relatively safe manner. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing palliative radiation therapy may provide new opportunities for the development and testing of predictive radiotherapy biomarkers as well as affording opportunities to test combinations of radiation and targeted therapies.     

Survival and quality of life after continuous accelerated radiotherapy of glioblastomas

One hundred and thirty three patients were given radiotherapy after subtotal resection of glioblastoma with different total doses and fractionation schedules including 38 patients receiving continuous accelerated fractionation with 3 fractions of 1.6 Gy per day up to 60 Gy in 2 weeks. Tolerance of the accelerated schedule was as good as of the conventional schedules but overall survival was not improved.     

Assessment of health-related quality of life with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C15-PAL after palliative radiotherapy of bone metastases

AimsTo assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after palliative radiotherapy for painful bone metastases using a palliative questionnaire (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C15-PAL).Materials and methodsPatients scheduled to receive palliative radiotherapy for painful bone metastases (n = 178) completed the QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire before treatment and at week 1, week 2, month 1 and month 2 after the first day of radiotherapy. A partial response (PR) or a complete response (CR) to radiotherapy was defined according to the International Consensus criteria. General linear regression was used to analyse changes in QOL in the entire cohort and within responders and non-responders to radiotherapy at all follow-up periods.ResultsThe overall radiotherapy response was 45% at week 1 (n = 21) (41% PR, 4% CR), 62% at week 2 (n = 28) (58% PR, 4% CR), 62% at month 1 (n = 58) (60% PR, 2% CR) and 65% at month 2 (n = 38) (60% PR, 5% CR). In general, a significant decrease in pain (P < 0.0001), insomnia (P < 0.0001) and constipation (P = 0.004) was seen by month 1 after radiotherapy. In patients who responded to radiotherapy, overall QOL significantly improved by month 2 after radiotherapy (P = 0.002). Radiotherapy responders also reported an improvement in emotional functioning together with a decrease in symptoms such as insomnia and constipation at month 1. No improvements were seen in any of the QLQ-C15-PAL scores for patients whose pain did not respond to radiotherapy.ConclusionRadiotherapy responders showed not only an improvement in pain, but also in HRQOL as assessed by QLQ-C15-PAL. As early as 1 week after radiotherapy for bone metastases, a pain relief response was reported by patients.     

三维适形同步TP方案治疗食管癌放疗后复发疗效观察

目的:观察放疗后复发食管癌患者适形放疗联合化疗的疗效.方法: 2005年10月-2006年 12月对38名患者采用适形放疗联合化疗.结果: CR 23例(60.5%),PR 11例(28.9%) ,SD 2例(5.26%),PD 2例(5.26%).1、2年生存率分别为 60.5%、34.2%.死亡原因为局部未控12例(31.6%),远处转移 13例(34.2%).结论: 对食管癌放疗后复发患者采用适形放疗联合化疗,可提高局控率,有望提高生存率.     

Regrowth pattern of glioblastoma multiforme after radiotherapy

We investigated the correlation between the technique of radiation therapy used and the regrowth pattern of recurrent glioblastoma multiformes of 48 patients who received initial radiation therapy in our clinic from April, 1974 to March, 1988. Three different techniques have been applied to patients with brain tumors: whole brain irradiation, generous local irradiation (the parallel opposing technique or three field technique, in which the treatment field fully covers the peritumoral low density area on CT images), and restricted local irradiation (the rotation technique, in which the treatment field is restricted to within about 2 cm of the tumor margin on CT images). Radiation dose of the treatment field was over 45 Gy in every case. The regrowth pattern was defined as being one of the followings: inside of the treatment field, outside of the treatment field (this includes the boundary zone between the treatment and the non-treatment field), and remote from the treatment field-which mostly due to the tumor spreading through ventricular systems. In all 7 cases that received whole brain irradiation, tumor recurred inside of the treatment field. Two of these 7 cases showed remote recurrence at the same time. Mean duration time to recurrence was 36.3 weeks. In 27 (90%) of 30 cases that received the generous local irradiation, tumor recurred within the treatment field. Only one showed outside recurrence, and two other cases showed remote recurrence. The mean duration time to recurrence in this group was 32.2 weeks. Of 11 cases that received restricted local irradiation, 3 cases (27%) showed recurrence outside of the treatment field, one showed recurrence in a remote area. The mean duration time to recurrence in this group was 38.3 weeks, but was not significantly longer than that of other two groups. These results indicate that restricted local irradiation sometimes fails to cover the tumor invaded area, and that the results of treatment using generous local irradiation are almost the same as those using whole brain irradiation. This suggests that generous local irradiation is advantageous to patients with brain tumors since the incidence of subacute side effects such as mental deterioration is much lower in local irradiation as compared with whole brain irradiation.     

Health-related quality of life outcome for oral cancer survivors after surgery and postoperative radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) data are becoming an important supplement to information pertaining to treatment outcome for cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HRQL outcome for oral cancer survivors after surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and to investigate the variables associated with their HRQL. METHODS: Sixty-six oral cancer patients with cancer-free survival after surgery plus postoperative RT of >2 years were enrolled. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire in the Taiwan Chinese version was self-reported by all participants at the clinics. The linear regression model was used to analyze the socio-demographic and medical-related variables correlated with the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) in SF-36. RESULTS: The mean scores of the eight functional domains in the SF-36 were markedly lower for oral cancer survivors compared with the Taiwanese and US norms. Those with older age, lower annual family income, more advanced cancer stage and flap reconstruction had significantly worse PCS, and those with lower annual family income, unemployment and more advanced cancer stage reported significantly worse MCS. This model accounts for 63% of variance in PCS, and 51% in MCS. CONCLUSIONS: These results provided patient-reported evidence that oral cancer survivors lived with a worse HRQL compared with the general Taiwanese population. Socio-economic factors and cancer stage were important factors correlated with their HRQL.     

Retrospective study of dasatinib for recurrent glioblastoma after bevacizumab failure

There is no effective treatment for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) after bevacizumab failure. Putative mechanisms of resistance to bevacizumab include increased pericyte coverage, mediated partly by platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling, and an infiltrative tumor growth pattern potentially dependent on SRC. We explored the efficacy of dasatinib, a SRC, BCR-ABL, c-KIT, EPHA2, and PDGFRβ inhibitor, in patients with recurrent GBM after bevacizumab failure. Adult patients with histologically confirmed GBM who failed bevacizumab therapy were treated with dasatinib 70–100 mg twice daily in combination with bevacizumab (n = 14), until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicity. Fourteen patients were treated. Median age was 55 years (range 32–66) and median KPS was 80 (range 50–90). All patients (100%) had glioblastomas. The median number of prior regimens was 4 (range from 2 to 6). Of the thirteen evaluable patients, none had a complete or partial response. Only one patient had stable disease after an 8 week interval. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 28 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 26–35 days). Six month progression-free survival (PFS6) was 0%. Median overall survival (OS) was 78 days (95% CI 41–137 days). Treatment was moderately well-tolerated, although one patient sustained a grade 4 intracerebral hemorrhage. Dasatinib in conjunction with bevacizumab does not appear to have activity in patients with recurrent, heavily pretreated GBM.     

Xerostomia and quality of life after intensity-modulated radiotherapy vs. conventional radiotherapy for early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma: initial report on a randomized controlled clinical trial

PURPOSE: To compare directly the effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) vs. conventional radiotherapy (CRT) on salivary flow and quality of life (QoL) in patients with early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-one patients with T2, N0/N1, M0 NPC took part in a randomized controlled clinical study and received IMRT or CRT. Stimulated whole (SWS) and parotid (SPS) saliva flow were measured and Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core quetionnaire, and EORTC head-and-neck module (QLQ-H&N35) were completed at baseline and 2, 6, and 12 months after radiotherapy. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (88%) were in disease remission 12 months after radiotherapy. At 12 months postradiotherapy, 12 (50.0%) and 20 patients (83.3%) in the IMRT group had recovered at least 25% of preradiotherapy SWS and SPS flow respectively, compared with 1 (4.8%) and 2 patients (9.5%), respectively, in the CRT group. Global health scores showed continuous improvement in QoL after both treatments (p < 0.001). However, after 12 months subscale scores for role-physical, bodily pain, and physical function were significantly higher in the IMRT group, indicating a better condition (p < 0.05). Dry mouth and sticky saliva were problems in both groups 2 months after treatment. In the IMRT group, there was consistent improvement over time with xerostomia-related symptoms significantly less common than in the CRT group at 12 months postradiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT was significantly better than CRT in terms of parotid sparing and improved QoL for early-stage disease. The findings support the case for assessment of health-related QoL in relation to head-and-neck cancer using a site-specific approach.     

Quality of life after palliative radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in respiratory symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients with locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving thoracic radiotherapy. Additionally, the correlation between the level of symptom relief and objective tumor response was investigated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty-five patients were entered in this prospective study. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-LC13 were used to investigate changes in QoL. Assessments were performed before radiotherapy and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months after radiotherapy. RESULTS: The QoL response rates were excellent for hemoptysis (79%); good for arm/shoulder pain (56%), chest wall pain (53%), and cough (49%); moderate for dyspnea (39%); and minimal for the general symptoms fatigue (22%) and appetite loss (11%). The QoL response rates for the five functioning scales of the QLQ-C30 varied from 35% for role functioning to 57% for emotional functioning. Global QoL improved in 37% of the cases. In general, there was a tendency for better palliation of symptoms and improvement of QoL among patients with an objective tumor response than among those without objective tumor response, which was statistically significant for dyspnea (p = 0.02) and social functioning (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that conventional thoracic radiotherapy offers palliation of respiratory symptoms and improved QoL in a substantial proportion of patients with locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC. Tumor reduction is only one of the mechanisms by which palliation of symptoms and improvement of QoL is achieved.     

三维适形同步TP方案治疗食管癌放疗后复发疗效观察

目的：观察放疗后复发食管癌患者适形放疗联合化疗的疗效。方法：2005年10月～2006年12月对38名患者采用适形放疗联合化疗。结果：CR23例（60．5％）,PR11例（28．9％）,SD2例（5．26％）,PD2例（5．26％）。1、2年生存率分别为60．5％、34．2％。死亡原因为局部未控12例（31．6％）,远处转移13例（34．2％）。结论：对食管癌放疗后复发患者采用适形放疗联合化疗,可提高局控率,有望提高生存率。     

Symptom response after palliative radiotherapy for patients with brain metastases

Whole brain radiotherapy (RT) is frequently used to palliate symptoms in patients with brain metastases, but the palliative benefit to patients has not been well documented. We conducted a longitudinal observational prospective study of patients receiving standard RT (20 Gray (Gy)/5 fractions) for symptomatic brain metastases. End-points were observer rating of neurological symptoms, patient-rated symptoms, performance status, neurological functional status, cognitive function and quality of life (QOL). Median survival for the 75 patients was 86 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 65-101 days). At 1 month, 19% of patients showed an improvement or resolution of presenting symptoms, 23% were stable and 55% had progressed or died. Patient-rated symptoms were increased at 1 month in comparison to baseline data. Only 4 patients had an improved performance status and 22 were stable. Many patients with brain metastases have a short life expectancy and may not benefit from even short duration radiation schedules. Further effort is needed to optimise patient selection and tailor treatment appropriately.     

42例放疗后复发食管癌三维适形放疗的疗效分析

目的 探讨三维适形放疗(3DCRT)在食管癌首程放疗后局部复发患者中应用的可行性、疗效和放射损伤及影响因素.方法 42例首程放疗后局部复发的食管癌患者,采用3DCRT技术进行二程放疗.放疗处方剂量中位值54 Gy(50～64 Gy),1.8～2.0 Gy/次,5次/周.结果 随访截至2008年12月31日,随访率为100%,其中随访满1、2年者分别为20、22例.42例患者中完全缓解7例,部分缓解31例,无进展4例.全组患者1、2年总生存率分别为60%和24%.全组≥2级放射性食管炎15例,其中2级13例,3级2例.≥2级放射性肺炎9例,其中2级8例,3级1例.≥2级血液学副反应3例,其中2级2例,3级1例.本组共死亡28例,其中死于局部复发9例、远处转移7例、食管瘘1例、食管狭窄1例、全身衰竭4例、心脏病3例、电解质紊乱1例、死因不明1例.结论 食管癌首程放疗后局部复发采用3DCRT二程放疗是可行的,有较好临床症状缓解率和即时疗效,部分患者可延长生存期;但再程放疗并发症较高,临床应用时应严格掌握其适应证.