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Background: External beam radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy has become the mainstay of treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancers. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare paclitaxel to cisplatin as an agent for concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head neck region in terms of toxicities and response to treatment. Materials and Methods: Biopsy-proven Stage III and Stage IVA head and neck squamous cell cancer patients were included in the study. The study arm patients received concurrent dose of paclitaxel 20 mg/m2 I/V 1 h infusion 4 h before radiation, repeated weekly for 6 cycles. Patients in the control arm received concurrent dose of cisplatin 30 mg/m2 I/V 1 h infusion 4 h before radiation, repeated weekly for 6 cycles. Patients of both arms received a total dose of 66 Gy external beam radiation, 200 cGy/day, 5 fractions in a week in 6.5 weeks treated on a Theratron 780E Cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. Results: Acute Grades III and IV renal toxicity and nausea were reported significantly more number of cases in cisplatin arm in comparison to paclitaxel arm. There was no statistically significant difference observed in the groups in terms of treatment response and failure pattern (χ2 = 3.63, df = 1, level of significance 0.05). On follow-up, up to 6 months, 51.85% of cases are disease free in the control arm and 50.66% of cases in the study arm. Conclusion: Low-dose weekly paclitaxel concurrent with external beam radiation therapy given in conventional fractionation is comparable to concurrent cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in terms of efficacy. There is lower incidence of severe renal toxicity and vomiting with concurrent paclitaxel than with cisplatin.
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Background: In adults most common intracranial malignant lesion is brain metastasis, far outnumbering primary brain tumor. The most common primary site is lung cancer (18–64%), followed by breast (25–21%), malignant melanoma (4–16%), and colorectal cancer (2–12%). It is hypothesized that the incidence of brain metastasis might be increasing, as a result of increasing survival from recent advance in cancer treatment, more frequent brain screening for specific primary malignancy that known to have a higher prediction for brain metastasis and greater availability and use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain. In clinical oncology, understanding brain metastasis is important, because it has profound effect on length of survival, quality of life, and in one-third to one-half of affected patients, they represent the direct cause of death despite current improvement in therapeutic approach. Epidemiological data of brain metastasis are lacking in India. Objectives: Aims of our retrospective analysis are to study epidemiology and pattern of care of brain metastasis over last one decade in Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Materials and Methods: Between 2006 and December 2017, a total of 710 patients of brain metastasis treated in our department with palliative intent were analyzed retrospectively. New-onset neurological symptoms in a known case of cancer we always presumed that, symptoms were due to brain metastasis until proven otherwise. Hence, all patients presenting with acute neurological signs and symptoms underwent through clinical examination, contrast-enhanced (CE) computed tomography brain, and/or CEMRI of brain. Epidemiology, pattern of care, and outcome in the form of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were determined. Results: Fifty-seven percent patients were male. The median age was 62 years at the time of diagnosis. Lung carcinoma was most common primary site seen in 52% patients, followed by carcinoma breast second most common primary site, seen in 32% patients. Headache (73%) and motor weakness were most common presenting symptoms. Supratentorial location most common site, out of which parietal region is most common. The only small number of patients was offered best supportive care alone whereas majority of the patients were considered fit for palliative therapy. Treatment consisted of metastasectomy when possible and palliative whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) alone or followed by systemic therapy. Optimal supportive care in addition to chemotherapy or radiotherapy is given to all patients. A total of 254 patients were given blood product, erythropoietin, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor following chemotherapy. Hospitalization required in 71% patients and tumor-related problem was most common cause (46%). Remaining patients were hospitalized for delivery WBRT or CCT. The median OS is 9 months. Patients with younger age and breast primary associated with better prognosis than lung primary. Conclusions: We can conclude that carcinoma lung in male and carcinoma breast in females was most common cause of brain metastasis. Because advance in palliative therapy, outcome of patients with brain metastasis has improved, and patients with brain metastasis benefit from palliative radiotherapy and chemotherapy and this treatment could be delivered easily on outpatients basis.
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Background: Worldwide, an estimated 572,034 esophageal cancer cases and 508,585 deaths occurred in 2018 and it accounts for approximately 3.2% of all malignancy. Because esophagus has no serosal covering with extensive, longitudinal connecting system of lymphatic plexus, direct invasion to contiguous structures and lymph node metastasis occurs early. Unresectable or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis is seen in approximately 80% of patients, with cure rate <15% and thus making carcinoma of esophagus is one of the most dreaded malignancies. As most of the patients are diagnosed in locally advanced or metastatic stage, so curative surgical resection is not an option. Hence, in these groups of patients, other treatment modalities including concurrent chemoradiation have been tried. However, many of these patients are in a poor general condition so that radical concurrent chemoradiation as an alternative surgical resection could not be offered. In this group of patients, only radiotherapy (RT) is an option in intention to improve quality of life and to increase disease-free survival (DFS) if possible. As there is more chance local failure when patients treated with only external beam RT (EBRT), increasing dose to tumor may improve local control. Intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) is an important treatment option for dose escalation along with EBRT in the treatment of locally advanced and inoperable carcinoma esophagus. ILBT provides focal dose escalation, rapid reduction tumor, rapid restoration of swallowing function with sparing of surrounding normal tissue, and potentially improving therapeutic ratio. Hence, based on these facts, following EBRT, ILBT is an effective adjuvant modality to delivered high tumoricidal dose which can facilitate good local control, DFS with acceptable toxicity. We have used ILBT alone as palliative RT and combined modality with EBRT as radical treatment approach. Objectives: The aim of our study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of external beam radiation plus ILBT in locally advanced, inoperable carcinoma of esophagus in terms of improving local control, DFS, toxicity, and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A total of 58 carcinoma esophagus patients treated with EBRT plus ILBT in our RT department from 2012 to 2015 analyzed retrospectively. EBRT, total dose of 40 Gy/20 fractions, delivered in 4 weeks, using anteroposterior posteroanterior portal in cobalt-60 machine. Two–three weeks after completion of EBRT, ILBT was done using esophageal budgie. The total dose of brachytherapy was 10 Gy in two fractions, 1 week apart, 5 Gy in each fraction. EBRT and ILBT treatment completed in 8–9 weeks. Response assessed by clinical assessment, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography chest and abdomen initially at 3 months and then at 6 months. Results: Local disease control seen in 65% of patients. With a median follow-up of 15 months, the median DFS was 8 months and median overall survival was 14 months. Regional nodal failure and distant metastasis were seen in 35% and 46% of patients, respectively. The incidence of acute mucositis was seen in 75% of patients and late toxicity is seen in 25% of cases. Swallowing function preserved in >87% of patients. Conclusion: In patients with locally advanced carcinoma of esophagus and poor performance status who are unable to tolerate radical concurrent chemoradiation, combination of EBRT plus ILBT produces good local control, DFS, and durable relief of dysphagia with acceptable toxicity.
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Background: In India, the majority of the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of head and neck (60–80%) presented in locally or locoregionally advanced stage but non-metastatic disease as compared to 40% in developed nations. Uncontrolled local and/or locoregional disease causes most fatalities and predominant failure pattern is local and/or locoregional. Concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) is now standard of care. However, regarding either the optimal scheduling of chemotherapy regimen or radiotherapy (RT) dose fractionation scheme, no consensus exists. Paclitaxel is also active agents against squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. Weekly paclitaxel appeared to be equivalent to weekly cisplatin with concurrent radiation in the treatment of locally advanced SCC of head and neck cancer (HNC). Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel in locally advanced head and neck malignancy is recommended in NCCN Guideline. Objectives: The aim of our study is feasibility and efficacy of CRT with paclitaxel for the treatment locally advanced HNC in our institute, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Material and Methods: Between January 2014 and December 2018 ninety eight (98) previously untreated patients with locally advanced histologically confirmed carcinoma oral cavity, oropharynx, and hypopharynx treated with CRT. Chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel at a dose 40 mg/m2 over 1 h given once weekly from 1st week of RT, up to 4–6 cycles. RT consisted of 66 Gy/33#/61/2 weeks, 2 Gy/fraction, delivered by two parallel opposed lateral face and neck and low anterior neck portal, in cobalt 60 machines. Toxicity was graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3. To assess response to therapy contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) head and neck and/or magnetic resonance imaging head and neck; CECT chest or whole-body fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography computed tomography scan were done. Results: Overall complete response (CR) rate seen in 68% and partial response seen in 32% patients. Two-year disease-free survival, progression free survival, and overall survival were 59%, 72% and 85%, respectively. Grade II acute skin reaction seen in 45% patients and Grade III acute skin reaction seen in 55% patients. Similarly, Grades II and III mucosal reaction is seen in 48% and 52% patients. All patients experience Grade II dysphagia and managed conservatively. Conclusions: CRT with paclitaxel in locally advanced HNC is safe and confers high CR rate with acceptable toxicity. However, more randomized study with large number of patients is needed to come to conclusions regarding its efficacy.
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Background: Breast cancer is a major public health problem for women throughout the world. According to GLOBOCAN 2012, India along with the United States and China is responsible for almost one-third of global breast cancer burden. There has been 11.54% increase in incidence and 13.82% increase in mortality due to breast cancer in India from 2008 to 2012. According to GLOBOCAN 2018, for both sexes, breast cancer second most common cancer after lung cancer accounting for 11.6% of total cases. Most of the cases diagnosis at an advanced stage because of inadequate screening, lack of appropriate medical facilities thereby increasing breast cancer mortality. It is the second most common malignancy among Indian women accounting for 7% of global burden of breast cancer. Incidence of breast carcinoma varied in the different regions of the world with lowest incidence in Africa, Asia and highest incidence in North America and Europe. This geographic variability is not only to environmental factors but also to lifestyle. There is a paucity of epidemiological data regarding carcinoma of breast. Objectives: The aims of our study were to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiology of breast cancer in our institution, N.R.S. Medical College Kolkata. Materials and Methods: We have analyzed 4172 newly diagnosed breast carcinoma cases, registered at N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, over one decade, in between January 2008 and December 2017 retrospectively. A total of 4172 cases confirmed by pathological examination were included for analysis. Demographic and clinicopathological profile and management offered to the breast cancer patients were recorded from the medical records file. The staging was performed using American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor, node, and metastasis classification staging system. Results: In our study, about 63% of the patients came from urban areas and 37% from rural areas. The mean age at diagnosis was 52 ± 9.5 years, with a range from 26 to 82 years. The age at menarche in this study ranged from 10 to 16 years, mean being 12 ± 1.5 years. Age at the time of first pregnancy ranged from 19 to 32 years, with the mean age being 22 ± 6.2 years. Family history of breast carcinoma in first and second degree relatives was found in 92 (2.2%) patients in this study. Approximately 5% (216) patients were nulliparous. About 63% of the patients were postmenopausal while 36% were premenopausal. Common presenting symptoms include breast lump (100%) and axillary swelling (33%). Histologically, 99.5% cases were infiltrating ductal carcinoma, and it was most common histology. Most patients were diagnosed with Grade II tumors (45%) followed by Grades I and III, and approximately 75% of the patients were in Stages II and III and 10% patients in Stage IV. The most common site of metastasis was lung (33%), bone (26%), liver (23%), and brain (14%). Conclusions: The majority of the breast carcinoma patients presented with Stages II and III disease, approximately 99% cases were infiltrating ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified and were mainly Grade II followed by Grade III disease. The prevalence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor hormone receptor status and Her2/neu status in the population needs further investigation in the future. The government needs to urgently strengthen and augment the existing facilities including screening, which is inadequate at present to handle the current breast cancer load in India.
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Background: Worldwide, leading cause of cancer mortality is lung cancer. Approximately 63,000/year new lung cancer cases reported in India. Around 80–85% of patients of lung cancer is non-small cell histology (non-small cell lung cancer) and over >90% of patients presented locally advanced and metastatic disease. Hence, in these patients, population curative treatment approach with radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy in most of the time is non-viable option yielding short survival and relatively poor prognosis. In majority of such cases, the only aim of treatment remains palliative, the main aim is to improve quality of life. Although there are other medical management of symptoms palliation, radiation therapy is the cheapest option, quite effective, time efficient, and well tolerated in providing relief from symptoms. The rate of palliation of symptoms is quite high for chest pain and hemoptysis at 60–80%, whereas cough and dyspnea are improved in only 50–70%. For intrathoracic disease with obstructive symptoms, 30 Gy/10# over 2 weeks are generally recommended. Patients with poor performance status, advanced age, and associated comorbidity at the time of diagnosis, for which daily RT over 2–3 weeks is logistically difficult, 1–2 fractions have been utilized with good results. There are multiple randomized trials showed that both short and long RT course were equally effective for symptoms control. Aims and Objectives: The aims of our study are to compare the outcome, symptom control and assess toxicity profile in locally advanced lung cancer patient with 17 Gy/2 fractions (8.5 Gy/fraction, × 2 fractions) only on Saturdays over 2 weeks versus 30 Gy/10 fractions (3 Gy/fraction) over 2 weeks and to compare quality of life. Materials and Methods: This study was a single-institutional, prospective, open-labeled, randomized controlled study. Eligible patients were age ≥18 years with histopathologically proven lung carcinoma which was inoperable Stage III or IV disease and too locally advanced to curative concurrent chemoradiation, pulmonary symptoms attributable to the primary tumor, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤3, and adequate hematologic (hemoglobin >10 g/dl; absolute neutrophil count >1500; platelet count >100,000/ml; and hepatic and renal function calculated creatinine >60 ml/min). Patients with bleeding diathesis, emphysematous bullae, poor respiratory function or reserve, pregnancy, and ECOG performance status >3 were excluded from the study. Results: Age, stage, histopathology, and pre-treatment symptoms score between two groups were comparable and statistically not significant. Pain in chest due to lung cancer was decreased in both arms due to treatment (at treatment completion Arm A = 47.62 and Arm B = 38.09). However, at the 2nd follow-up, difference between two arms was statistically significant where Arm A = 27.78 and Arm B = 15.00; P = 0.005. Global health status of patients in this study was improved in both arms due to treatment. Physical functioning emotional functioning, role functioning, global health status, cognitive functioning, and social functioning were improved in both arms due to treatment and kept improving during follow-up, but difference between two arms was not significance. Conclusions: Although overall symptom palliation, toxicity profile, and quality of life parameters are almost equal in both arms, patients with short expected survival, 8.5 Gy × 2 fractions would be preferable, limiting the number of hospital visit to a minimum. On the other hand, 3 Gy × 10 fractions schedule can be chosen for those patients with longer expected survival and better ECOG status, due to prolong duration of palliative response.
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Background: Globally, cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer and the 4th most common malignancy in women with over 526,000 cases diagnosed in 2015 and 239,000 dying of carcinoma cervix every year. Cervical cancer is more common in areas where women have less access to screening, including parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India and also the second most common cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age and one of the leading causes of cancer mortality, accounting for 17% of all cancer death among women aged between 30 and 69 years. Nearly, all cases of cervical carcinoma can be attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV), and type 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer and precancerous cervical lesion worldwide. It is now well-established fact that persistence of HPV infection is a causative factor for cervical neoplasia. Epidemiological data regarding cervical cancer are lacking in India. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiology of cervical cancer in our institution. Materials and Methods: Newly diagnosed carcinoma cervix cases registered at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, between January 2009 and December 2018, were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 4082 cases confirmed by histopathological examination included for analysis. Age, parity, age at marriage, residential area, symptoms, stage, and histological types collected from patient’s record file. Staging was done using Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system. Results: About 92% of patients came from rural areas and rest of the patients came from urban areas. Median age of diagnosis is 48 years. Most patients presented in Stage II and Stage III disease (85%). Squamous cell carcinoma found in 85% of patients and most common histology; adenocarcinoma second most common histology (14%). Lymph node metastasis seen in pelvic nodes (48%) followed by para-aortic node (9%) and supraclavicular metastasis in <1% of patients. The most common sites of distant metastasis seen in lung (19%) followed by bone (14%) most commonly to pelvic bone and lumbar vertebra. Conclusion: Most carcinoma cervix patients presented in Stages II and III and squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histology seen in 85% of patients. HPV related and molecular risk factors are needed further investigation in future. Multi-institutional and longer period of study may represent population-based data. Awareness of our society regarding needs for screening of asymptomatic patients and HPV vaccination initiative from government is needed for the reduction of incidence and death from cervical cancer.
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Background: Lung cancer is the most common cancer and leading cause cancer-related death in worldwide and also in India. Around 42% of these patients have adenocarcinoma. Most of these patients presented in locally advanced stage or metastatic disease. There is no significant difference in effectiveness among different chemotherapy regimens with median survival of 8 months only. Hence, additional treatment option including newer monoclonal antibodies is needed to improve tumor control and survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is critical determinant of tumor angiogenesis, a process that is necessary component of tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Bevacizumab (Bev), a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG1) targeting VEGF, effective in colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme, and non-small cell lung cancer and approved for clinical use since 2004. Objectives: The aim of our study is feasibility of the combination of Bev with paclitaxel and carboplatin in locally advanced (Stage IIIB) metastatic adenocarcinoma of lung in our institute, N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Materials and Methods: Between February 2015 and December 2018, ninety-eight previously untreated patients with locally advanced metastatic (Stages IIIB and IV) adenocarcinoma of lung treated with Bev with paclitaxel and carboplatin. Paclitaxel at a dose of 175 mg/m2, carboplatin at an AUC 6 mg/ml/min, and Bev at a dose of 15 mg/kg given on the 1st day of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy administered every 3 weeks up to 6 cycles with maintenance Bev until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity whichever is earlier. Patients ECOG 2 or more, brain metastasis, squamous cell histology, and hemoptysis were not included in the study. Results: The Median overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) were 9.4 and 5.2 months, respectively. Anemia (19%) and neutropenia (16 %) are most common toxicity. Conclusion: Bev with paclitaxel and carboplatin in selected patients with adenocarcinoma of lung is safe and confers survival benefit with acceptable toxicity.