Ryan Hutten, MD

BACKGROUND: Delays in initiating and completing brachytherapy may have adverse oncologic outcomes for patients with cervical, uterine, and prostate cancer. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on brachytherapy in the United States has not been well-characterized.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to evaluate how a positive COVID-19 test affected timeliness of treatment for patients undergoing brachytherapy for cervical, uterine, and prostate cancer.

METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Database to identify patients diagnosed with cervical, uterine, and prostate cancer in 2019 and 2020 who received brachytherapy in their treatment. Patients who tested positive for COVID-19 between cancer diagnosis and start of radiation were compared to those who did not test positive for COVID-19. Time in days from cancer diagnosis to initiation of radiation was compared using two-sample t-tests with p < 0.05 signifying significant differences.

RESULTS: We identified 38,341 patients with cervical (n = 6,925), uterine (n = 18,587), and prostate cancer (n = 12,829). Rates of COVID-19 positivity were cervical cancer (n = 135; 2%), uterine cancer (n = 236; 1.3%), and prostate cancer (n = 141; 1%). Of those, 35% of cervical, 49% of uterine, and 43% of prostate cancer patients tested positive between their cancer diagnosis and initiation of radiation. Median days to radiation was significantly longer in these patients: 78 versus 51 for cervical cancer (p < 0.01), 150 versus 104 for uterine cancer (p < 0.01), and 154 versus 124 for prostate cancer (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: For patients with cervical, uterine, and prostate cancer diagnosed between 2019-2020, testing positive for COVID-19 after their cancer diagnosis was associated with a delay to initiation of radiation by 4-7 weeks.

PMID:38395662 | DOI:10.1016/j.brachy.2024.01.006

PURPOSE: We aim to independently validate the prognostic utility of the combined cell-cycle risk (CCR) multimodality threshold to estimate risk of early metastasis after definitive treatment of prostate cancer and compare this prognostic ability with other validated biomarkers.

METHODS: Patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were enrolled into a single-institutional registry for the prospective observational cohort study. The primary end point was risk of metastasis within 3 years of diagnostic biopsy. Secondary end points included time to definitive treatment, time to subsequent therapy, and metastasis after completion of initial definitive treatment. Multivariable cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression models were produced accounting for competing risk of death and stratified on the basis of the CCR active surveillance and multimodality (MM) thresholds. Time-dependent areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated.

RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 554 men with prostate cancer and available CCR score from biopsy. The CCR score was prognostic for metastasis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.32 [95% CI, 1.17 to 4.59]; P = .02), with scores above the MM threshold having a higher risk than those below the threshold (HR, 5.44 [95% CI, 2.72 to 10.91]; P < .001). The AUC for 3-year risk of metastasis on the basis of CCR was 0.736. When men with CCR above the MM threshold received MM therapy, their 3-year risk of metastasis was significantly lower than those receiving single-modality therapy (3% v 14%). Similarly, a CCR score above the active surveillance threshold portended a faster time to first definitive treatment.

CONCLUSION: CCR outperforms other commonly used biomarkers for prediction of early metastasis. We illustrate the clinical utility of the CCR active surveillance and multimodality thresholds. Molecular genomic tests can inform patient selection and personalization of treatment for localized prostate cancer.

PMID:38330260 | DOI:10.1200/PO.23.00364

PURPOSE: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use during cancer treatment is controversial. We aim to evaluate contemporary CAM use, patient perceptions and attitudes, and trust in various sources of information regarding CAM.

METHODS: A multi-institutional questionnaire was distributed to patients receiving cancer treatment. Collected information included respondents' clinical and demographic characteristics, rates of CAM exposure/use, information sources regarding CAM, and trust in each information source. Comparisons between CAM users and nonusers were performed with chi-squared tests and one-way analysis of variance. Multivariable logistic regression models for trust in physician and nonphysician sources of information regarding CAM were evaluated.

RESULTS: Among 749 respondents, the most common goals of CAM use were management of symptoms (42.2%) and treatment of cancer (30.4%). Most CAM users learned of CAM from nonphysician sources. Of CAM users, 27% reported not discussing CAM with their treating oncologists. Overall trust in physicians was high in both CAM users and nonusers. The only predictor of trust in physician sources of information was income >$100,000 in US dollars per year. Likelihood of trust in nonphysician sources of information was higher in females and lower in those with graduate degrees.

CONCLUSION: A large proportion of patients with cancer are using CAM, some with the goal of treating their cancer. Although patients are primarily exposed to CAM through nonphysician sources of information, trust in physicians remains high. More research is needed to improve patient-clinician communication regarding CAM use.

PMID:37722084 | DOI:10.1200/OP.23.00179

BACKGROUND: Given the poor lymphatics of the glottis, we evaluated omission of chemotherapy in patients treated definitely for T3N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the glottis.

METHODS: We performed survival analysis of patients with T3N0M0 SCC of the glottis identified in the National Cancer Database treated with radiation alone versus chemoradiation.

RESULTS: A total of 3785 patients were identified. Patients age ≥70 and those with comorbidities were less likely to receive chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR] 0.30, 95% CI [0.25-0.37] and 0.48 [0.31-0.76], respectively). Five-year OS was lower in patients treated with radiation versus chemoradiation (33.8% [30.3%-37.2%] vs. 58.0% [55.8%-60.0%]). In patients <70 with no comorbidities this difference persisted (51.0% [44.5%-57.0%] versus 66.7% [64.0%-69.3%]).

CONCLUSION: Overall survival was higher in patients treated with chemoradiation compared to radiation alone, even when controlling for age and comorbidities. Radiotherapy with chemotherapy omission is not appropriate in patients with T3N0M0 SCC of the glottis.

PMID:36433726 | DOI:10.1002/hed.27255

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown an increased risk of second primary malignancies (SPMs) in survivors of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Survivors live longer due to the intensification of and improvements in therapy; thus, we aimed to characterize SPM patterns in patients with DLBCL by treatment modality.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Standardized incidence ratio and absolute excess risk of SPMs were assessed in patients with primary DLBCL from 1975 to 2016 in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. A subgroup analyses based on, sex, race, age at the time of diagnosis, latency, and treatment modality were performed. Propensity score-adjusted cumulative incidence curves were generated, stratified by treatment and accounting for death as a competing risk.

RESULTS: In total, 45,946 patients with DLBCL were identified with a mean follow up of 70 months. Overall, 9.2% of patients developed an SPM with a standardized incidence ratio of 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.27). There was no difference in SPM risk between men and women or Black and White patients. Patients age <25 years were particularly susceptible to the development of SPMs, with a risk 2.5 times greater than patients aged 50 to 74 years. Temporal patterns showed increasing risk of solid malignancies and decreasing risk of hematologic malignancies over time, with bladder cancer posing the greatest absolute excess risk of any cancer type after 15 years. Patients treated with radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), and chemoradiation therapy (CRT) all had an increased risk of SPM development compared with the general population. The cumulative incidence of SPMs was the lowest in patients treated with RT and the highest when treated with CRT. In the modern treatment era, the cumulative incidence of SPM for patients treated with CT versus CRT was not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS: In this large population-based study, we demonstrate unique SPM risk patterns based on age, latency, and treatment modality that have important implications for the treatment and screening of patients diagnosed with DLBCL.

PMID:36420188 | PMC:PMC9677201 | DOI:10.1016/j.adro.2022.101035

Radiotherapy (RT) utilization for early-stage, low-grade follicular lymphoma (FL) is low despite treatment guideline recommendations. We compare treatment trends for early-stage FL in the era of involved-site RT and rituximab. We identified 11,645 patients in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) with stage I-II, grade 1-2 nodal or extranodal FL diagnosed 2011-2017, with median follow-up of 44 months. From 2011 to 2017, RT utilization rates decreased from 33.4% to 22.4%, observation decreased from 65.3% to 49.7%, chemoimmunotherapy increased from 0.5% to 15.0%, immuno-monotherapy increased from 0.6% to 10.2%, and RT + systemic therapy increased from 0.6% to 2.5%. RT utilization remains low in the involved-site RT and rituximab era.

PMID:36408967 | DOI:10.1080/10428194.2022.2148215

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the integration of a virtual education curriculum to support radiation oncologists in training. We report outcomes from Radiation Oncology Virtual Education Rotation (ROVER) 2.0, a supplementary virtual educational curriculum created for radiation oncology residents globally. A prospective cohort of residents completed surveys before and after the live virtual webinar sessions (pre- and post-surveys, respectively). Live sessions were structured as complex gray-zone cases across various core disease sites. Resident demographics and responses were summarized using means, standard deviations, and proportions. Nine ROVER sessions were held from October 2020 to June 2021. A total of 1487 registered residents completed the pre-survey, of which 786 attended the live case discussion and 223 completed post-surveys. A total of 479 unique radiation oncology residents (of which 95, n = 19.8%, were international attendees) from 147 institutions (national, n = 81, 55.1%; international, n = 66, 44.9%) participated in the sessions. There was similar participation across post-graduate year (PGY) 2 through 5 (range n = 86 to n = 105). Of the 122 unique resident post-surveys, nearly all reported learning through the virtual structure as "very easy" or "easy" (97.5%, n = 119). A majority rated the ROVER 2.0 educational sessions to be "valuable or "very valuable" (99.2%, n = 121), and the panelists-attendee interaction as "appropriate" (97.5%, n = 119). Virtual live didactics aimed at radiation oncology residents are feasible. These results suggest that the adoption of the ROVER 2.0 curricula may help improve radiation oncology resident education.

PMID:36083458 | PMC:PMC9461407 | DOI:10.1007/s13187-022-02216-1

PMID:36055318 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.06.065

PURPOSE: This case report describes the use of a trachelectomy and adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy for pediatric clear cell adenocarcinoma as definitive fertility-sparing treatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: A previously healthy 8-year-old female presented with abdominal cramping and heavy vaginal bleeding. Diagnostic imaging revealed a 3.5 cm circumscribed cervical mass, with subsequent biopsy revealing clear cell adenocarcinoma. Fertility preserving treatment was requested.

RESULTS: The patient underwent a radical trachelectomy, with final pathology demonstrating a close radial margin. Due to close margin, adjuvant radiotherapy with a vaginal cylinder was delivered to a total dose of 18 Gray in three fractions prescribed to a depth of 5 mm from the vaginal surface using iridium-192. With 2 years of follow-up, the patient continues to do well with no evidence of recurrence or late toxicity from treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix is a rare occurrence that lacks clinical trials to guide effective treatment. Adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy following trachelectomy in a pediatric patient with clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix is feasible and well-tolerated.

PMID:35973904 | DOI:10.1016/j.brachy.2022.06.004

PURPOSE: Delays in initiation of radiotherapy may contribute to inferior oncologic outcomes that are more commonly observed in minoritized populations in the United States. We aimed to examine inequities associated with delayed initiation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried to identify the 10 cancer sites most commonly treated with IMRT. Interval to initiation of treatment (IIT) was broken into quartiles for each disease site, with the 4th quartile classified as delayed. Multivariable logistic regression for delayed IIT was performed for each disease site using clinical and demographic covariates. Differences in magnitude of delay between subsets of patients stratified by race and insurance status were evaluated using two-sample t-tests.

RESULTS: Among patients (n = 350,425) treated with IMRT between 2004 and 2017, non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic, and Asian patients were significantly more likely to have delayed IIT with IMRT for nearly all disease sites compared with non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients. NHB, Hispanic, and Asian patients had significantly longer median IIT than NHW patients (NHB 87 days, P < .01; Hispanic 76 days, P < .01; Asian 74 days, P < .01; and NHW 67 days). NHW, Hispanic, and Asian patients with private insurance had shorter median IIT than those with Medicare (P < .01); however, NHB patients with private insurance had longer IIT than those with Medicare (P < .01).

CONCLUSION: Delays in initiation of IMRT in NHB, Hispanic, and Asian patients may contribute to the known differences in cancer outcomes and warrant further investigation, particularly to further clarify the role of different insurance policies in delays in advanced modality radiotherapy.

PMID:35930751 | PMC:PMC9663141 | DOI:10.1200/OP.22.00104

Omission of radiotherapy in the upfront management of early-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) has become more common with time. We report patterns of care and outcomes of stage I-II cHL treated with chemotherapy (CT) only versus CT and radiotherapy (combined modality therapy, CMT). From the National Cancer Database, we identified 28,327 early-stage cHL patients treated with CT (n = 15,798) or CMT (n = 12,529) from 2004 to 2018. CMT utilization declined over the period from 58% to 34%. With median follow-up of 6.2 years, the 5- and 10-year overall survival for CT versus CMT was 93.3% versus 96.9% (p < 0.001) and 88.7% versus 93.5% (p < 0.001), respectively. On multivariable analysis, uninsured (OR 0.75, p < 0.001) and Black patients (OR 0.86, p = 0.02) were less likely to receive CMT, and treatment with CT was predictive of death (OR 2.0, p < 0.001). This report highlights real-world outcomes in early-stage cHL, with worse survival with CT and notable disparities in CMT utilization.

PMID:35904407 | DOI:10.1080/10428194.2022.2105325

INTRODUCTION: Maximum tumor diameter (MTD) on pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to further risk stratify for men with prostate cancer (PCa) prior to definitive local therapy. We aim to evaluate the prognostic impact of radiographic maximum tumor diameter (MTD) in men with localized prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a single-center retrospective cohort of men receiving definitive treatment for PCa (radical prostatectomy [RP] or radiotherapy [RT]) with available pretreatment MRI, we conducted univariable and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models for progression using clinical variables including age, NCCN risk group, radiographic extracapsular extension (ECE), radiographic seminal vesical invasion (SVI), and MTD. RP and RT cohorts were analyzed separately. Covariates were used in a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis and progression-free survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and groups were compared using log-rank tests.

RESULTS: The cohort included 631 patients (n = 428 RP, n = 203 RT). CART analysis identified 4 prognostic groups for patients treated with RP and 2 prognostic groups in those treated with RT. In the RP cohort, NCCN low/intermediate risk group patients with MTD>=15 mm had significantly worse PFS than those with MTD <= 14 mm, and NCCN high-risk patients with radiographic ECE had significantly worse PFS than those without ECE. In the RT cohort, PFS was significantly worse in the cohort with MTD >= 23 mm than those <= 22 mm.

CONCLUSION: Radiographic MTD may be a useful prognostic factor for patients with locoregional prostate cancer. This is the first study to illustrate that the importance of pretreatment tumor size may vary based on treatment modality.

PMID:35787979 | DOI:10.1016/j.clgc.2022.06.010

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is commonly used to treat early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Beam arrangements for SBRT include multiple entry and exit pathways resulting in irregular low-dose distributions within normal lung parenchyma. An improved understanding of posttreatment radiographic changes may improve the ability to predict clinical complications including radiation pneumonitis as well as assist in early detection of local failures. Radiation treatment planning is conducted using software systems separate from diagnostic radiology, often not accessible to the diagnostic radiologist. We developed a workflow for interfacing radiation dose information from lung SBRT treatments with a diagnostic radiology picture archiving and communication system (PACS). In an anonymized PACS study folder, SBRT dose maps depicting high-dose, low-dose, and nonirradiated lung volumes were viewable side by side with pretreatment and follow-up diagnostic computed tomography scans. Clinical utility was evaluated by 2 thoracic diagnostic radiologists reviewing posttreatment diagnostic follow-up scans in the PACS both with and without radiation dose maps available. The addition of the biologically effective dose map did not significantly change identification rates of radiation induced lung injury) (92% vs 95%; P = .32) but did significantly decrease radiologic suspicion for local recurrence (22% vs 8%; P = .003). The addition of biologically effective dose maps significantly increased confidence in identifying radiation induced lung injury (7.75 vs 8.82; P = .004) and local recurrence (5.5 vs 6.6; P = .005). The recommendation for additional workup was not significantly different (10% vs 7%; P = .41). We demonstrated the feasibility and clinical utility of a workflow generating simplified radiation dose maps that are viewable within a PACS for diagnostic radiology review.

PMID:35752410 | DOI:10.1016/j.prro.2022.06.007

PURPOSE: The benefits of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared with standard 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy have been demonstrated in many cancer sites and include decreased acute and late toxicity, improved quality of life, and opportunities for dose escalation. Limited literature suggests non-white patients may have lower utilization of IMRT. We hypothesized that as the use of IMRT has increased in recent years, racial inequities have persisted and disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black (NHB) patients. We aim to evaluate temporal trends in IMRT utilization focusing on disparities among minoritized populations.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The National Cancer Database was queried to identify the 10 disease sites with the highest total number of cancer patients treated with definitive intent IMRT in 2017, the most recent year for which data are available. Exclusions included stage IV, age <18 years, unknown insurance status, unknown race, and palliative intent radiation. Race and ethnicity variables were combined and classified as non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, NHB, Asian, Native American/Eskimo, and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Multivariable logistic regression for IMRT utilization was performed for each disease site for both early (2004-2010) and contemporary (2011-2017) cohorts, adjusting for clinical and demographic covariates.

RESULTS: Among the 10 selected disease sites, 1,010,292 patients received radiation therapy as part of definitive treatment between 2004 and 2017. Overall IMRT utilization rates increased from 22.0% in 2004 to 57.8% in 2017. After adjustment and compared with non-Hispanic White patients, NHB patients were significantly less likely to receive IMRT in 1 of 10 disease sites in the 2004 to 2010 cohort, and 5 of 10 disease sites in the 2011 to 2017 cohort.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite greater awareness of racial disparities in cancer care and outcomes, this study demonstrates worsening disparities in the use of IMRT, particularly for NHB patients. These differences may exacerbate racial disparities in cancer outcomes; therefore, identification of underlying drivers of differential IMRT utilization is warranted.

PMID:35360509 | PMC:PMC8960883 | DOI:10.1016/j.adro.2021.100887

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to develop nomograms to predict the risk reduction for metastasis and death in pathologically node-positive (pN +) prostate cancer patients treated with or without radiation therapy (RT).

MATERIALS/METHODS: From a prospectively gathered institutional database, we identified patients with pN + M0 prostate cancer after surgery. We evaluated several regression models of known or suspected clinical-pathologic covariates and selected the model with the highest Harrell's concordance-index (c-index) and clinical utility to prognosticate metastasis for inclusion in a nomogram. Covariates in the final, competing-risk adjusted, metastasis model included PSA nadir after surgery, pathologic T-stage, margin status, Gleason score (GS), number of positive lymph nodes, and use of postoperative radiotherapy combined with androgen deprivation therapy (RT + ADT). The overall survival model also included Charlson comorbidity score and age.

RESULTS: 336 pN + men with a mean age of 64.9 years and a median follow-up of 4.1 years who had a radical prostatectomy were included in the analysis. 83 men were recommended RT + ADT, of whom 4% refused the ADT and received RT alone. C-index was 0.85 and 0.71 for the MFS and OS models, respectively. On multivariable analysis (MVA) adjusted for competing risks, RT + ADT significantly improved MFS (HR=0.70 P = < .01) with number of nodes positive, GS 8-10, PSA nadir > 1 ng/mL, and pT3b prognostic for metastasis. MVA for OS demonstrates RT+ADT improves survival (HR=0.40, P = .02), with GS8-10 and PSA nadir > 1.0 prognostic for death.

CONCLUSION: We developed predictive nomograms for patients with pN+ prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy. These models can discretely quantify an individual's risk of metastasis or death with and without post-prostatectomy radiotherapy.

PMID:35304077 | DOI:10.1016/j.clgc.2022.01.018

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant guidelines in surgically resected p16+ oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) with positive surgical margins (PSM) or extranodal extension (ENE) are based on randomized controlled trials predating p16 status. It remains unclear if adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary in p16+ patients with these features.

METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to identify cases of nonmetastatic p16+ OPC diagnosed from 2010 to 2017. Patients treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation (aRT) or adjuvant chemoradiation (aCRT) were eligible for analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 14 071 patients were eligible for analysis. Overall survival (OS) was not statistically different between aRT and aCRT in patients with PSM (hazard ratio (HR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-1.28), ENE (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.69-1.27) or both (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.41-1.31).

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with p16+ OPC with ENE, PSM, or both, adding chemotherapy to aRT was not associated with improved OS.

PMID:34931386 | DOI:10.1002/hed.26951

BACKGROUND: Larger maximum tumor diameter (MTD) has been associated with worse prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes. However, the impact of MTD in PCa treated with external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy boost (EBRT+BB) remains unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with PCa treated with EBRT+BB were identified from an institutional database. Clinical data including MTD, age, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use, prostate specific antigen (PSA), International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) group, clinical T-stage, and presence of adverse pathology on imaging were retrospectively collected. Multivariable and univariable cox proportional hazards models for biochemical failure (BF) and distant metastasis (DM) were produced with MTD grouped by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) cut-point. Cumulative hazard functions for BF and DM were compared with log-rank test and stratified by ISUP group.

RESULTS: Of 191 patients treated with EBRT+BB, 113 had MTD measurements available. Larger MTD was associated with increased ADT use and seminal vesicle involvement. ROC optimization identified MTD of 24 mm as the optimal cut-point for both BF and DM. MTD was independently associated with both BF (HR 8.61, P = .048, 95% CI 1.02-72.97) and DM (HR 8.55, P = .05, 95% CI 1.00-73.19). In patients with ISUP group 4 to 5 disease, MTD > 24 mm was independently associated with increased risk of DM (HR 10.13, P = .04, 95% CI 1.13-91.12).

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate MTD in the setting of EBRT+BB. These results demonstrate that MTD is independently associated with BF and metastasis. This suggests a possible role for MTD in risk assessment models and clinical decision-making for men receiving EBRT+BB.

PMID:34776367 | DOI:10.1016/j.clgc.2021.10.003

Primary squamous cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive disease with historically poor outcomes and no established treatment guidelines. Case reports are limited but describe multiple treatment approaches. Seeking to identify practice patterns and treatment outcomes, we used the US National Cancer Data Base to identify 66 males with locoregional primary squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy between 2004 and 2015. Patients were stratified into treatment groups consisting of local therapy alone (n = 40; 61%), local therapy and chemotherapy (n = 13; 20%), chemotherapy alone (n = 7; 11%), and observation (n = 6; 9%). Patients with clinical stage T3-T4 disease were significantly more likely to receive combined chemotherapy and local therapy on multivariable analysis. Median survival was 20 mo for patients treated with local therapy alone, 37 mo with local therapy and chemotherapy, and 11 mo with chemotherapy alone. Overall survival was not significantly different between treatment groups. Despite limitations in sample size, these data suggest that addition of chemotherapy to local therapy is a reasonable treatment approach for select patients.

PATIENT SUMMARY: Squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate is an extremely rare disease. Our review of patterns of care using data from the National Cancer Data Base shows inconsistent use of combined local and systemic therapy. The small sample size for this rare disease limits any conclusions regarding survival differences, but the data suggest that a combination approach using chemotherapy in addition to surgery or radiation is a reasonable treatment option for disease confined to the prostate.

PMID:34337486 | PMC:PMC8317810 | DOI:10.1016/j.euros.2020.11.008

INTRODUCTION: Managing pathologically node positive (pN+) prostate cancer (PCa) is controversial. We describe temporal patterns and predictors of pN+ PCa in men with initially surgically managed clinically node negative (cN-) PCa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational retrospective analysis of nonmetastatic, cN- PCa uses the National Cancer Database. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify covariates associated with pN+ disease. Cox proportional hazards modeling and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate survival patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with or without pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND).

RESULTS: The rates of radical prostatectomy in men with grade group (GG) 4 and GG5 increased from 47.6% to 53.1% and from 42.5% to 49.5%, respectively. The annual rate increased from 2.02% in 2010 to 5.12% in 2017 (P < .001). The annual rates of PLND increased from 54.3% to 71.7%. The most significant predictor of pN+ PCa was ISUP GG4 (odds ratio [OR] 12.5, P< .001) and GG 5 (OR 26.2, P < .001). Rates of pN+ identification increased from 5.5% to 9.4% in men with GG4 and from 13.4% to 19.5% in men with GG5 (P< .001). In GG4 and GG5, patients undergoing PLND had superior survival to those managed without PLND (P < .01).

CONCLUSION: Among patients with cN- PCa, the diagnosis of pN+ PCa has become more common over time. GG4 and GG5 are the strongest independent predictors of pN+ disease. Because incidental pN+ results in upstaging these data are useful for informing discussions before radical prostatectomy.

PMID:34130915 | DOI:10.1016/j.clgc.2021.05.003

PMID:33867142 | DOI:10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.04.010

Objective Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a dose-limiting toxicity that affects the treatment of lung cancer. Data on factors predictive of developing symptomatic RP after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are limited. We reviewed data to identify pretreatment factors predictive of the development of symptomatic RP in patients' lung cancer treated with SBRT. Methods Data were collected on 296 patients treated with SBRT for lung cancer. Factors available at time of consultation were analyzed for the development of symptomatic RP, defined as CTCAE v. 4.0 ≥ Grade 2. The factors analyzed included patient demographic, tumor-specific, and pretreatment pulmonary function data. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess for predictive factors. Results Median follow-up was 22 months. The rate of symptomatic RP was 16%. Univariate analysis showed an increased rate of symptomatic RP with treatments to the right lung (22% vs. 9%, p = 0.007), driven primarily by an increased rate of symptomatic RP when treating the right lower lobe (RLL) vs. other lobes (31 vs. 13%, p = 0.03). Patients with a history of prior lung directed therapy were also more likely to develop symptomatic RP (12% vs. 24%, p = 0.008). These statistical differences were retained on multivariate analysis. Conclusion SBRT to the right lung, especially the RLL, and to patients with a history of prior lung-directed therapy increases the risk of developing symptomatic RP after SBRT. Further studies on ways to predict and prevent symptomatic RP are needed.

PMID:32351841 | PMC:PMC7188020 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.7462

PURPOSE: The use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as an effective treatment modality for patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with excellent local control rates. Despite this, there is a predominant pattern of distant failure. We sought to identify factors that help predict which patients with stages I to IIA NSCLC treated with SBRT are at highest risk of distant failure, so that we may utilize these factors in the future to help determine which patients may benefit from the addition of systemic therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 292 patients treated with SBRT for early stage NSCLC from 2006 to 2016 at 2 institutions. Patients were classified by T stage, tumor size, location and histology, pretreatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) standardized uptake value (SUV), smoking status, and age. The primary endpoint of the study was distant failure. We aimed to analyze if patient characteristics could be identified that predicted for distant failure through the use of competing risk analysis.

RESULTS: The median follow-up was 21.9 months. The median dose of radiation and fractionation delivered was 50 Gy (range, 45-65 Gy) in 5 fractions (range, 3-13 fractions). The median patient age was 72.8 years (interquartile range, 65.4-79.7 years). The 2-year distant failure was 22.0%, and overall survival at 2 years was found to be 61.0%. For every 1-year increase in patient age, the hazard of distant failure at any given time was 3% lower (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-0.99; P = .04). None of the remaining characteristics emerged as significant risk factors for distant failure on univariable or multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our cohort had distant failure and survival rates comparable with what has been described in the literature. Although we were unable to identify factors outside of age that correlated to risk of distant failure, this topic warrants further investigation, as distant failure is the primary pattern of failure with SBRT when used as the primary management for early-stage NSCLC. Additional molecular studies are needed to further inform on the role of systemic therapy in patients with early-stage NSCLC to improve clinical outcomes.

PMID:30279109 | DOI:10.1016/j.cllc.2018.09.002

OBJECTIVE: We assess the utility of transparent 3D reconstructed CT images for evaluation of traumatic pelvic bony injuries compared to traditional radiographs.

METHODS: Radiographs and 3D reconstructed CT were anonymized and randomized before review by 4 board certified physicians using a standardized questionnaire and compared to a gold-standard axial CT by a fifth board certified physician.

RESULTS: 49 patients were included. We found significant agreement (K=[0.5-0.92], p<0.001) and comparable accuracy (K=[0.36-0.38], p<0.02) and ghost images of radiographs and transparent 3D reconstructed CT without a difference in confidence (p=0.38).

CONCLUSION: Transparent 3D reconstructed CT images may be sufficient for pelvic trauma injury without the use of radiographs.

PMID:28463744 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinimag.2017.04.007

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of early suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) on brain structure and neurocognitive outcomes. We conducted an observational study of subjects within 1 year of HIV infection. Ten ART-naïve and 10 ART-suppressed individuals were matched for age and infection duration and age-matched to 10 HIV-seronegative controls. Quantitative brain imaging and neurocognitive data were analyzed. Subjects on suppressive ART had diminished corpus callosum structural integrity on macromolecular and microstructural imaging, higher cerebrospinal fluid percent, higher depression scores, and lower functional performance. Early suppressive ART may alter the trajectory of neurological progression of HIV infection, particularly in the corpus callosum.

PMID:24965253 | PMC:PMC4206660 | DOI:10.1007/s13365-014-0261-7

We are interested in developing oncolytic adenoviruses for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) bone metastases. A key limitation of Adenovirus 5 (Ad5) is that upon systemic administration, it produces major liver and systemic toxicities. To address this issue, a chimaeric Ad5/48 adenovirus mHAd.sTβRFc was created. Seven hypervariable regions of Ad5 hexon present in Ad5-based Ad.sTβRFc expressing soluble transforming growth factor beta receptor II-Fc fusion protein (sTGβRIIFc), were replaced by those of Ad48. mHAd.sTβRFc, like Ad.sTβRFc, was replication competent in the human PCa cells, and produced high levels of sTGβRIIFc expression. Compared to Ad.sTβRFc, the systemic delivery of mHAd.sTβRFc in nude mice resulted in much reduced systemic toxicity, and reduced liver sequestration. Ad.sTβRFc produced significant liver necrosis, and increases in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 levels, while mHAd.sTβRFc produced much reduced responses of these markers. Intravenous delivery of Ad.sTβRFc or mHAd.sTβRFc (5 × 10(10) viral particles/mouse) in nude mice bearing PC-3-luc PCa bone metastases produced inhibition of bone metastases. Moreover, a larger dose of the mHAd.sTβRFc (4 × 10(11) viral particles /mouse) was also effective in inhibiting bone metastases. Thus, mHAd.sTβRFc could be developed for the treatment of PCa bone metastases.

PMID:24791939 | PMC:PMC4435591 | DOI:10.1038/mt.2014.80

BACKGROUND: To investigate the reliability of a novel magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) postprocessing technique for the hippocampus using histogram analysis, and compare results to more established volumetric measurements. This study is conducted in healthy volunteers as a precursor to future applications regarding progressive neurologic diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS: Eight healthy subjects were scanned twice with interval of 1 week using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Automated pixel-wise analysis was performed for the hippocampal regions of each patient. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of variation (COVs), and instrumental standard deviation (ISD).

RESULTS: Reliable metrics were 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, peak location, and mean approach (ranges: ICC = .93-.96, COV = 2.71-3.88%, ISD .78-1.01). Histogram peak height had ICC below .7, and a COV above 10%. Volumetric measurements had (ICC = .95-.97, COV = 1.43-3.39%).

CONCLUSION: Excellent scan-rescan reproducibility (ICC > .9, COV < 10%) was observed for specific MTR histogram metrics and the mean MTR approach. These results are comparable to the volumetric approach. Future studies can examine the possibility that MTR changes precede morphological changes as this study suggests that both MTR and volumetric measurements of the hippocampus can be used as reliable imaging tools.

PMID:22817911 | DOI:10.1111/j.1552-6569.2011.00697.x