Chemoradiation and brachytherapy in biliary tract carcinoma: long-term results

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term effects of chemoradiation and intraluminal brachytherapy in terms of local control, disease-free survival, overall survival, and symptom relief in patients with unresectable or residual extrahepatic biliary carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-two patients with unresectable (17 patients) or residual (5 patients) nonmetastatic extrahepatic bile tumors received external beam radiation therapy (39.6-50.4 Gy) between 1991 and 1997. In 21 patients, 5-fluorouracil (96-h continuous infusion, Days 1-4, 1,000 mg/m2/day) was administered. Twelve patients received a boost of intraluminal brachytherapy with 192Ir wires (30-50 Gy) 1 cm from the source axis. RESULTS: During external beam radiotherapy, 10 patients (45.4%) developed Grade 1 to 2 gastrointestinal toxicity. In patients with unresectable tumor who could be evaluated, the clinical response was 28.6% (4 of 14). Two patients showed complete response. In all 22 patients, median durations of local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival were 44.5 months, 16.3 months, and 23.0 months, respectively. Two patients who received external beam radiation therapy and intraluminal brachytherapy developed late duodenal ulceration. In patients with unresectable tumors, median survival was 13.0 months and 22.0 months in those treated with and without brachytherapy, with 16.7% and no 5-year survival, respectively (p=0.607). Overall 5-year survival was 18.0%: 40% and 11.7% in patients treated with partial resection and in those with unresectable tumor, respectively (p=0.135). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the role of concurrent chemoradiation in advanced biliary carcinoma; the role of intraluminal brachytherapy boost remains to be further analyzed in larger clinical trials.     

Intraluminal low-dose-rate 192Ir brachytherapy combined with external beam radiotherapy and biliary stenting for unresectable extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of combined-modality therapy, including external beam radiotherapy, intraluminal (192)Ir, and biliary stenting for extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 1998, 93 patients with unresectable extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma underwent definitive radiotherapy. The dose of external beam radiotherapy was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Low-dose-rate (192)Ir was delivered at a dose of 27-50 Gy (mean 39.2) at 0.5 cm from the source. An expandable metallic endoprosthesis was used to establish an internal bile passage. RESULTS: The median survival was 12 months, with a 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rate of 50%, 10%, and 4%, respectively. Tumor length, hepatic invasion, and distant metastasis significantly affected survival. Ninety-six percent of patients could successfully remove external drainage catheters. The actuarial biliary patency rate for these patients at 1, 3, and 5 years was 52%, 29%, and 18%, respectively. Tumor length, tumor diameter and T stage were significantly associated with the patency rate. Mild-to-severe gastroduodenal complications were observed in 32 patients and were significantly associated with the active length of (192)Ir and linear source activity. Eight patients had treatment-related biliary fistula. CONCLUSIONS: Our combined-modality therapy provided reasonable local control and improved the quality of life of patients with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma. Because none of the treatment characteristics had any impact on survival or biliary patency, lower dose levels and/or a localized target volume are recommended to minimize morbidity.     

Radiation therapy for primary carcinoma of the extrahepatic biliary system. An analysis of 63 cases

From 1976 to 1988, 63 patients received radiation therapy for primary cancers of the extrahepatic biliary system (eight gallbladder and 55 extrahepatic biliary duct). Twelve patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Chemotherapy was administered to 13 patients. Three patients underwent intraluminal brachytherapy alone (range, 28 to 55 Gy). Sixty patients received megavoltage external-beam radiation therapy (range, 5.4 to 61.6 Gy; median, 45 Gy), of whom nine received additional intraluminal brachytherapy (range, 14 to 45 Gy; median, 30 Gy). The median survival of all patients was 7 months. Sixty patients died, all within 39 months of radiation therapy. One patient is alive 11 months after irradiation without surgical resection, and two are alive 50 months after liver transplantation and irradiation. Symptomatic duodenal ulcers developed after radiation therapy in seven patients but were not significantly related to any clinical variable tested. Extrahepatic biliary duct cancers, the absence of metastases, increasing calendar year of treatment, and liver transplantation with postoperative radiation therapy were factors significantly associated with improved survival.     

经导管~(192)Ir近距离放射治疗局部晚期肝门部胆管癌

目的：观察局部晚期肝门部胆管癌姑息性引流术后１９２Ｉｒ腔内放疗的疗效。方法：先行手术探查尽可能刮除肿瘤并放置Ｕ型管引流，术后再经导管腔内放疗。参考点距离放射源中心轴１０ｍｍ，总量２４～３０Ｇｙ／３次。３例配合肝动脉区域性灌注化疗，１例配合外照射ＤＴ４５Ｇｙ／４．５周。结果：生存期６～２６个月，中位生存期１１．５月。１５例死亡，１例目前存活８个月。全组１年生存率３７．５％，２年生存率６．０％，结论：局部晚期肝门部胆管癌姑息性引流术后腔内放疗可提高生存期及生活质量     

Biliary tree malignancies: The University of Minnesota experience

Because of its slow-growing natural history, most patients with extrahepatic biliary tree malignancies present with inoperable disease. For the minority of patients with operable disease, surgical resection remains the treatment of choice and offers the patient the best chance for long-term local control. The role of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the management of these patients in the definitive, adjuvant, and palliative setting is expanding, although unsettled. Response rates with chemotherapy have been low and will most likely find a place in a combined multimodality setting. Radiotherapy (external beam, intraoperative, and intraluminal brachytherapy using ¹⁹²Ir) has played a major role in the treatment of these cancers. The close proximity of bowel, kidney, and liver limits the external beam radiotherapy doses that can be safely delivered. Since most patients require placement of percutaneous transhepatic biliary catheters to relieve jaundice, this route has been utilized to deliver higher doses of radiation to the tumor area with intraluminal ¹⁹²Ir ribbons. The University of Minnesota has treated 15 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancers. Most were located at the bifurcation of the common bile duct and were treated with intraluminal brachytherapy alone or with external beam radiotherapy. Our results are comparable to previously reported retrospective data with a median survival of 8 months and three long-term survivors. J. Surg. Oncol. 1997;65:298–305. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Chemoradiation with or without intraoperative radiation therapy in patients with locally recurrent rectal carcinoma: prognostic factors and long term outcome

BACKGROUND: Rectal carcinoma patients with local recurrence are reported to have a dismal prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined modality therapy on clinical outcome and to determine the prognostic impact of a "presurgical" staging system. METHODS: Between September 1989 and June 1997, 47 patients (with a median follow-up of 80 months) with locally recurrent, nonmetastatic rectal carcinoma were classified according to the extent of pelvic sidewall involvement as determined by pretreatment computed tomography (CT) scan. They received preoperative external beam radiation (45-47 grays [Gy] in 34 patients; 23.4 Gy in 13 preirradiated patients) plus concomitant 5-fluorouracil (1000 mg/m(2)/day as a 96-hour continuous infusion on Days 1-4 + 29-32) and mitomycin C (10 mg/m(2) as a bolus intravenously on Day 1 + 29). After 4-6 weeks, the patients were evaluated for surgical resection and intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) procedure (10-15 Gy) or, in unresectable patients, a boost dose was planned by chemoradiation (23.4 Gy) or brachytherapy. Thereafter, adjuvant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for a total of six to nine courses) was prescribed. RESULTS: During chemoradiation, 2 patients (4.3%) developed Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Grade 3-4 acute toxicity. Twenty-five patients (53. 2%) had an objective response after chemoradiation. Twenty-one patients (45%) underwent radical surgical resection. The overall 5-year survival and local control rates were 22% and 32%, respectively. The classification system significantly predicted survival (P = 0.008). Radically resected patients had better local control and survival (P < 0.0001); in patients treated with IORT, the 5-year local control and survival rates were 79% and 41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The data from the current study suggest that combined modality therapy was well tolerated and improved resectability, local control, and survival. The classification system appears to be a reliable tool with which to predict clinical outcome in patients with locally recurrent rectal carcinoma.     

External beam radiation therapy with or without high-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy for patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Clinical results of external beam radiation therapy (RT) with or without intraluminal brachytherapy (IBT) for patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma were evaluated retrospectively. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1996, 21 patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated by external beam RT, with or without high dose rate IBT, with curative intent. There were 18 males and 3 females; their median age was 67 years (range, 51-85 years). Eight patients were treated by external beam RT alone (60-69 gray [Gy]), whereas the remaining 13 patients were treated by IBT after external beam RT. Most patients in the IBT group received 2 or 3 fractions of IBT of 4 Gy after external beam RT of 50-56 Gy. RESULTS: All of the 21 tumors showed complete regression at the end of RT. Local recurrence was noted in 4 patients in the group that received external beam RT alone and in 2 patients in the IBT group. Salvage therapy was successful for 4 patients. Local control probability and cause specific survival probability for the IBT group were significantly higher than those for the group that received external beam RT alone (P < 0.05 for both). The 3-year local control and cause specific survival rates for the IBT group were 85% and 100%, respectively, whereas those for the external beam RT group were 45% and 67%, respectively. Transient esophageal ulcers were noted in two patients in the IBT group. CONCLUSIONS: External beam RT and IBT is a safe and effective treatment modality for patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma.     

High dose rate afterloading intraluminal brachytherapy for advanced inoperable rectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High dose rate intraluminal brachytherapy for tumours of the rectal and anal canal which were inoperable either because of the age and frailty of the patient or because of advanced disease has been evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective review of 50 consecutive patients the two main indications for brachytherapy were as part of a radical radiation programme in those unfit for major surgery (26 patients) or as palliation for advanced or metastatic disease (22 patients). Radical treatment was either sole treatment delivering 6 Gy fraction 2 to 3 times weekly up to 36 Gy or as a boost of 12 Gy after 45 Gy in 25 fractions external beam chemoradiation. Palliative treatments were given predominantly as a single dose of 10 Gy. RESULTS: This was predominantly a group of frail elderly patients with a median age of 82 years (range 35-91). Local tumour response was seen in 21/25 assessable patients with 14 complete responses. Median survival for the entire population was 6 months (range 1-54 months); in patients treated with 'radical' intent this was 25 months (range 1.5-54) and in the palliative group 7.2 months (range 1-37). The most common presenting symptom was bleeding per rectum for which a 64% response rate was obtained with 57% complete responses. Mucous discharge responded in 64% with 28% complete responses. The median duration of response was 7 months. CONCLUSION: Intraluminal HDR brachytherapy is an effective local treatment for patients otherwise unfit for radical surgery both as a component of radical treatment, or as a simple single palliative procedure.     

肝外胆管癌的放射治疗：附12例分析

During the past 8 years, 12 patients with extrahepatic bile duct adenocarcinoma which was contra-indicated to operation or who underwent conservative resection wer treated by radiotherapy in our hospital. Five patients were given post-operative radiation of 60-70 Gy/7-9 weeks, 3 patients received 12 Mev beta beam of one single 30 Gy intra-operative radiotherapy and 4 were treated by intra-operative radiotherapy of 20 Gy plus external irradiation of 40 Gy/5 weeks after the operation. The results indicated that most of the patients died around 1 year and 2 are still alive for over 2 years. The present results are more favorable as compared with those treated before 1980 because biliary drainage had been done before timely high dose radiotherapy after the operation. The author considers that intra-operative radiotherapy or its combination with external irradiation might be helpful to improve the prognosis in extrahepatic bile duct cancer.     

Treatment of roentgenographically occult endobronchial carcinoma with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy: second report

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of treatment with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy for roentgenographically occult endobronchial carcinoma (ROEC). METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 79 lesions (71 cases) of ROEC were treated with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy from July 1991 to December 1998. Of these lesions, 68 (64 cases) were treated with our standard dose (external beam radiotherapy of 40 Gy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy of 25 Gy) and are the subject of this report. All 64 patients were males, and their ages ranged from 55 to 80 (median, 68) years. The histologic diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in all patients. RESULTS: In all cases, the scheduled treatment was carried out within 2 months. Follow-up period ranged from 4 to 91 (median, 44) months from the beginning of this treatment. Acute toxicity was tolerable. Grade 2 radiation pneumonitis was observed in 4 cases, and there was no case of greater than Grade 2 radiation fibrosis. Nineteen cases of bronchial stenosis and 23 cases of bronchial obstruction were observed on follow-up bronchoscopy. However, no Grade 2 or greater deterioration of respiratory function due to radiotherapy, prolonged symptoms, or fatal toxicity was observed. Nine patients suffered recurrence, 5 of whom were rescued by surgery and external beam radiotherapy, and 4 of whom died of disease. The 5-year cause-specific survival, overall-survival, and disease-free rate were 96.1%, 72.3%, and 87.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low-dose-rate brachytherapy is effective and results in acceptable complications for ROEC.     

125I interstitial implant, precision high-dose external beam therapy, and 5-FU for unresectable adenocarcinoma of pancreas and extrahepatic biliary tree

Twelve patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and two patients with carcinoma of the extrahepatic biliary tree received combined therapy with 125I implant, precision high-dose (PHD) photon external beam therapy, and systemic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The 125I implant delivered 120 to 210 Gy (median 140 Gy). PHD external beam therapy was given with high-energy photons (10, 15 or 45 meVp) and was initiated 4 to 6 weeks postimplant. A dose of 48.6 to 63 Gy was delivered over 5.5 to 7 weeks in 1.8 Gy increments. Six patients received 5-FU, 500 mg/m2 via weekly intravenous bolus injection. No patient was lost to follow-up (range, 3.5-57 months). Acute postoperative morbidity included pancreatic fistula in two patients and gastrointestinal tract bleeding, pulmonary embolism, and cholangitis in one patient each. No patient died of radiation complications. Median survival of the patients with pancrease cancer was 15 months. One patient is alive at 41 months with hepatic metastasis. Satisfactory palliation was observed in patients with pancreas cancer treated with 125I interstitial implant followed by PHD external beam photon therapy and 5-FU. Patient survival did not seem superior to that of patients treated with PHD external beam therapy +/- chemotherapy, a less morbid procedure. Two cases of bile duct cancer treated in similar fashion are presented.     

晚期胆管癌24例疗效分析

目的:晚期不能手术胆管癌患者,目前仍未有统一的治疗标准。本文将回顾性分析晚期不能手术的胆管癌的治疗效果并探讨其治疗策略。方法:1986年~2003年本院收治的晚期不能手术的胆管癌患者24例,其中21例(87·5%)治疗前行胆道减压术。接受传统的常规外照射(常规组)14例,三维适形放疗(适形组)10例,其中配合全身化疗5例均为出现淋巴结或远处转移者。结果:(1)全组有效率75·0%,其中适形组和常规组的局部完全缓解率分别为50·0%(5/10)、7·1%(1/14)(P=0·05);总胆红素转为正常者79·2%(19/24)。(2)全组平均生存时间为11·0个月,6、12、18、24个月生存率分别为62·5%、37·5%、12·5%、4·2%。其中,适形组和常规组的平均生存时间分别为17·2和6·7个月(P<0·001)。(3)放疗毒副反应可以接受,两组的发生率相仿。(4)60Gy以上和小于60Gy的平均生存时间分别为18·0和6·9个月(P<0·001)。(5)配合化疗患者近期疗效满意。结论:(1)放疗是晚期胆管癌的主要治疗手段,适形放疗进一步提高局控率和生存率,可常规应用。(2)联合放、化疗可能有益于提高疗效。(3)生存时间与放疗剂量呈正相关,为提高局控率及生存率,可考虑联合应用外照射与腔内放疗。     

鼻咽癌外照射加腔内近距离超分割推量照射的远期疗效分析

背景与目的:鼻咽癌的后装治疗一般采用鼻咽腔内治疗的方法进行推量照射,适用于局部早期鼻咽癌.福建省肿瘤医院率先开展鼻咽旁插植技术,无颅底破坏的局部晚期鼻咽癌采用后装治疗推量照射.本文分析腔内后装推量照射的远期疗效,探讨常规外照射的合适剂量配合后程超分割后装推量照射的临床价值.方法:1998年1月～2002年12月体外照射加腔内后装超分割推量放射治疗鼻咽癌患者352例,体外常规放射治疗50～70 Gy后进行腔内近距离超分割推量照射,外照射后咽旁间隙肿瘤残留者配合咽旁区插植放疗.采用个体化鼻咽腔内施源器,超分割照射每次2.5～3.0 Gy,2次/天,间隔6 h,总剂量5～32 Gy,中位剂量17 Gy.结果:本组l、2、3、5年生存率分别为97.0%、91.3%、87.6%、84.7%.总体5年生存率Ⅰ、Ⅱ期88.2%,Ⅲ、Ⅳ期79.2%(log-rank检验,P=0.016);总体局控率Ⅰ、Ⅱ期94.1%,Ⅲ、Ⅳ期91.7%(log-rank检验,P＞0.05).后组颅神经损伤32例(9.4%).结论:鼻咽腔内后装联合咽旁间隙捅植近距离放射治疗鼻咽癌取得良好的局控率和生存率,局部晚期鼻咽癌取得与早期鼻咽癌类似的局控率,咽旁间隙受累者咽旁插植增加颈动脉鞘区照射剂量,后组颅神经损伤发生率较高.     

Role of postoperative radiotherapy in the management of extrahepatic bile duct cancer

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiation for patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer who had undergone either curative or palliative surgery, and to identify the prognostic factors for these patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between March 1982 and December 1994, 91 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer underwent RT at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital. Of these patients, 84 were included in this retrospective study. The male/female ratio was 3.7:1 (66 men and 18 women). The median age of the patients was 58 years (range 33-76). Gross total surgical resection was performed in 72 patients, with pathologically negative margins in 47 and microscopically positive margins in 25. Twelve patients underwent surgical exploration and biopsy or subtotal resection with palliative bypass procedures. All the patients received >40 Gy of external beam RT after surgery. Concurrent 5-fluorouracil was administered during external beam RT in 71 patients, and maintenance chemotherapy was performed in 61 patients after RT completion. The minimal follow-up of the survivors was 14 months, and the median follow-up period for all the patients was 23 months (range 2-75). RESULTS: The overall 2- and 5-year survival rate was 52% and 31%, respectively. The 2- and 5-year disease-free survival rate was 48% and 26%, respectively. On univariate analysis using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method, the use of chemotherapy, performance status, N stage, size of residual tumor, stage, and tumor location were significant prognostic factors. However, on multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model, N stage (N0 vs. N1 and N2, p = 0.02) was the only significant prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Long-term survival can be expected in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer who undergo radical surgery and postoperative chemoradiation. Regional lymph node metastasis is a poor prognostic factor for these patients.     

Hemithoracic radiation therapy after pleurectomy/decortication for malignant pleural mesothelioma

PURPOSE: To evaluate pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a retrospective review, we included MPM patients treated with P/D and adjuvant RT at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1974 to 2003. When indicated, patients received intraoperative brachytherapy to residual tumor. RESULTS: All 123 patients received external beam RT (median dose, 42.5 Gy; range, 7.2-67.8 Gy) to the ipsilateral hemithorax postoperatively. Fifty-four patients underwent brachytherapy (matched peripheral dose, 160 Gy). The median and 2-year overall survival for all patients was 13.5 months (range, 1-199 months) and 23%, respectively. One-year actuarial local control for all patients was 42%. Multivariate analysis for overall survival revealed radiation dose <40 Gy (p = 0.001), nonepithelioid histology (p = 0.002), left-sided disease (p = 0.01), and the use of an implant (p = 0.02) to be unfavorable. Two patients (1.6%) died from Grade 5 toxicity within 1 month of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Pleurectomy/decortication with adjuvant radiotherapy is not an effective treatment option for patients with MPM. Our results imply that residual disease cannot be eradicated with external RT with or without brachytherapy and that a more extensive surgery followed by external RT might be required to improve local control and overall survival.     

Intraluminal brachytherapy in the treatment of bile duct carcinomas

Patients with carcinoma of the biliary tract have a poor prognosis because the disease is often unresectable at diagnosis. Intraluminal brachytherapy has been reported as an effective treatment for localized cholangiocarcinoma of the biliary tract. The purpose of our study was to analyse the survival of patients treated with brachytherapy and make some recommendations regarding its use. Fifteen patients underwent brachytherapy via a trans-hepatic approach at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1983 to 1993. Eleven patients had low-dose rate brachytherapy and four patients had high-dose rate treatment. There were nine males and six females. The median age was 64 years. Other treatment included bypass procedures in two patients, endoscopic stents in 14 patients and external beam irradiation in one patient. The median survival was 12.5 months and 47% of the patients survived 1 year. The only complication reported was cholangitis which was seen in one patient. There did not seem to be any difference in survival or complications between low- and high-dose rate brachytherapy. We conclude that the addition of intraluminal brachytherapy after biliary drainage prolongs survival and is a safe and effective treatment, but patients still have a high rate of local failure, and further studies will be needed to address this problem.     

Anal canal carcinoma: early-stage tumors < or =10 mm (T1 or Tis): therapeutic options and original pattern of local failure after radiotherapy

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical history, management, and pattern of recurrence of very early-stage anal canal cancer in a French retrospective survey. METHODS: The study group consisted of 69 patients with Stage Tis and T1 anal canal carcinoma < or =1 cm treated between 1990 and 2000 (12 were in situ, 57 invasive, 66 Stage N0, and 3 Stage N1). The median patient age was 67 years (range, 27-83 years). Of the 69 patients, 66 received radiotherapy (RT) and 3 with in situ disease were treated by local excision alone without RT. Twenty-six patients underwent local excision before RT (12 with negative and 14 with positive surgical margins). Of the 66 patients who underwent RT, 8 underwent brachytherapy alone (median dose, 55 Gy), 38 underwent external beam RT (median dose, 45 Gy) plus a brachytherapy boost (median boost dose, 20 Gy), and 20 underwent external beam RT alone (median dose, 55 Gy). RESULTS: Of the 69 patients, 68 had initial local control. Of the 66 patients treated by RT, 6 developed local recurrence at a median interval of 50 months (range, 13-78 months). Four patients developed local failure outside the initial tumor bed. Of the 3 patients with Tis treated by excision alone, 1 developed local recurrence. No relation was found among prior excision, dose, and local failure. The 5-year overall survival, colostomy-free survival, and disease-free survival rate was 94%, 85%, and 89%, respectively. The rate of late complications (Grade 1-3) was 28% and was 14% for those who received doses <60 Gy and 37% for those who received doses of > or =60 Gy (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Most recurrences occurred after a long disease-free interval after treatment and often outside the initial tumor site. These small anal cancers could be treated by RT using a small volume and moderate dose (40-50 Gy for subclinical lesions and 50-60 Gy for T1).     

Definitive radiotherapy for patients with isolated vaginal recurrence of endometrial carcinoma after hysterectomy

PURPOSE: To determine the outcome of patients after radical radiotherapy (RT) for isolated vaginal recurrence of endometrial carcinoma and to determine the clinical and pathologic predictors of outcome. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the records of 91 patients treated at our institution between 1960 and 1997 with radical RT for vaginal recurrence after definitive surgery for endometrial carcinoma. Thirty-one percent of the patients received external beam RT (EBRT) alone, 12% received brachytherapy alone, and 57% received a combination. The median dose of radiation was 75 Gy (range 34-122). All end points were measured from the time of the first recurrence. The median duration of follow-up after recurrence was 58 months (range 1-289). RESULTS: The 2- and 5-year local control (LC) rate and overall survival rate was 82% and 75% and 69% and 43%, respectively. The median time from initial diagnosis of endometrial cancer to death from disease was 38 months. On univariate analysis, a dose to the relapse site of > or =80 Gy and EBRT plus brachytherapy vs. single-modality therapy were significant predictors of improved LC. On multivariate analysis, only the type of treatment correlated significantly with LC (p = 0.03). On univariate analysis, Grade 1 or 2 vs. Grade 3 tumor and EBRT plus brachytherapy vs. single-modality therapy were significant predictors of improved overall survival. CONCLUSION: RT provides excellent LC of isolated vaginal recurrences of endometrial carcinoma, particularly when high doses are given using a combination of EBRT and brachytherapy. However, distant metastases frequently develop despite local disease control, contributing to a 5-year overall survival rate of <50%. For patients who have an isolated vaginal recurrence, the time from initial diagnosis of endometrial cancer to death from disease is usually >3 years. For this reason, in studies of adjuvant RT, long-term follow-up is required to permit evaluation of the impact of treatment on survival.     

Surgical resection after preoperative chemoradiotherapy benefits selected patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer

Simultaneous chemoradiation is used in unresectable pancreatic cancer for palliation. It is not known if the use of adjuvant surgery will benefit this group of patients. From November 1991 to September 1998, 47 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer were treated with simultaneous preoperative radiation therapy (45 Gy) and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy followed three different protocols: cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil +/- paclitaxel; cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (protracted infusion); and docetaxel and gemcitabine. Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy was performed 1 month after the end of radiation in patients selected for resection. Twenty-three unresectable tumors after preoperative treatment (47%) received an additional dose (10-12 Gy) of radiotherapy using intraoperative or external radiation therapy. Twelve patients (26%) were considered to have clinically resectable tumors after the preoperative treatment. Nine patients had surgery (19% of the total number of patients), and 2 of them had complete pathologic response. After chemoradiation, two patients died of pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding, respectively, and another two patients died in the postoperative period. Local recurrence was observed in 22% of the patients and 57% had distant metastases. Three-year survival rates for patients with unresectable and resectable tumors was 0% (median survival 10 months) and 48% (median survival 23 months), respectively (p = 0.0004). Preoperative treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer is feasible. In some patients, the tumor can be resected, and in addition some cases of complete pathologic response were found. Long-term survivors were observed in the group of resected tumors. More effective chemotherapy regimens are needed because the majority of the patients died of metastatic disease.     

Results of irradiation or chemoirradiation for primary unresectable, locally recurrent, or grossly incomplete resection of gastric adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of irradiation +/- chemotherapy for patients with unresectable gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 60 patients with a gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and a locally advanced unresectable primary (n = 28), a local or regional recurrence (n = 21), or gross residual disease following incomplete resection (n = 11) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were treated with external beam irradiation (EBRT) alone or external beam plus intraoperative irradiation (IOERT), and 55 of the 60 (92%) patients received 5-FU based chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median survival for the entire cohort was 11.6 months. There was no significant difference in median survival between each of the three treatment groups. In examining the extent of disease there was a significant difference in survival based on the number of sites involved. Nine patients with disease limited to a single non-nodal site appeared to represent a favorable subgroup compared to the rest of the patients (median survival of 21.8 months vs. 10.2 months,p = 0.03). In the patients with recurrent disease, the number of sites involved (p = 0.05), and total dose adding external beam dose to IOERT dose (> 54 Gy vs. < or =54 Gy, p = 0.06) were of borderline significance in regard to survival. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with either primary unresectable, locally or regionally recurrent, or incompletely resected gastric carcinoma, the overall survival is similar, and related to the extent of disease based on the number of regional sites involved. The patients with a single non-nodal site of disease represent a favorable subgroup and patients with recurrent disease may benefit from total irradiation doses > 54 Gy.