Significado do uso da prótese peniana de silicone no seguimento da braquiterapia pélvica / Significado do uso da prótese peniana de silicone no seguimento da braquiterapia pélvica / Meaning of the use of silicone penile prosthesis in the follow-up of pelvic brachytherapy

Objetivo: descrever o significado do uso da prótese peniana de silicone para dilatação vaginal no seguimento da braquiterapia em mulheres com câncer ginecológico. Método: pesquisa narrativa, realizada no Centro de Pesquisas Oncológicas, Brasil, com 34 mulheres, após braquiterapia pélvica, em seguimento no serviço de fisioterapia. Coleta de dados por entrevistas semiestruturadas, incluindo dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e o significado do uso da prótese peniana na dilatação vaginal, submetidas à análise de conteúdo e discutidas à luz do estudo From 'sex toy' to intrusive imposition. Resultados: o significado perpassa o exercício de dilatação vaginal; as dificuldades relacionadas às condições vaginais, doença, tratamento, dor, sexo, constrangimentos, preconceitos, falhas na educação em saúde; as motivações relacionam-se à busca por qualidade de vida, apoio dos companheiros e profissionais. Conclusão: a abordagem de possíveis barreiras emocionais, psicológicas, sociais e físicas deve ser planejada e executada para prevenção da estenose vaginal e melhor acolhimento.

Objective: to describe the meaning of the use of silicone penile prosthesis for vaginal dilation in the follow-up of brachytherapy in women with gynecological cancer. Method: narrative research conducted at the Centro de Pesquisas Oncológicas, Brazil, with 34 women after pelvic brachytherapy, under follow-up at the physical therapy service. Data collection through semi-structured interviews, including sociodemographic and clinical data and the significance of the use of penile prosthesis in vaginal dilation, submitted to content analysis and discussed in the light of the study From 'sex toy' to intrusive imposition. Results: the meaning permeates the vaginal dilation exercise; difficulties related to vaginal conditions, disease, treatment, pain, sex, constraints, prejudices, failures in health education; motivations are related to the search for quality of life, support of partners and professionals. Conclusion: the approach of possible emotional, psychological, social and physical barriers should be planned and executed for prevention of vaginal stenosis and better reception.

Objetivo: describir el significado del uso de una prótesis peneana de silicona para la dilatación vaginal posterior a la braquiterapia en mujeres con cáncer ginecológico. Método: investigación narrativa, realizada en el Centro de Pesquisas Oncológicas, Brasil, con 34 mujeres, después de braquiterapia pélvica, en seguimiento en el servicio de fisioterapia. Recopilación de datos a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, incluyendo datos sociodemográficos y clínicos y el significado del uso de prótesis peneana en la dilatación vaginal, sometidos a análisis de contenido y discutidos a la luz del estudio From 'sex toy' to intrusive imposition. Resultados: el significado impregna el ejercicio de dilatación vaginal; dificultades relacionadas con condiciones vaginales, enfermedad, tratamiento, dolor, sexo, vergüenza, prejuicios, fallas en la educación para la salud; las motivaciones están relacionadas con la búsqueda de calidad de vida, apoyo de la pareja y profesionales. Conclusión: se debe planificar y ejecutar el abordaje de las posibles barreras emocionales, psicológicas, sociales y físicas para prevenir la estenosis vaginal y una mejor recepción.

Principais implicações terapêuticas à qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer de colo uterino: uma revisão narrativa / Therapeutic implications to the quality of life of cervical cancer's patients: a narrative review

O câncer de colo uterino é o quarto tipo mais incidente e fatal entre as mulheres no Brasil e no mundo, o que representa mundialmente em torno de 600 mil novos casos e mais de 300 mil mortes a cada ano. Assim como o diagnóstico, o tratamento da doença pode impactar de forma significativa a qualidade de vida dessas pacientes. A aplicação de questionários que avaliem os diferentes aspectos da qualidade de vida das mulheres afetadas por esse câncer é uma ferramenta relevante, pois auxilia na compreensão e identificação dos principais danos relacionados ao tratamento. Este trabalho visa analisar a literatura atual que investiga e relata os principais efeitos à qualidade de vida de mulheres com câncer de colo uterino associados a diferentes modalidades terapêuticas e, desse modo, contribuir nas escolhas de tratamento e manejo clínico que resultem em menores impactos à qualidade de vida dessas mulheres.(AU)

Cervical cancer is the fourth most incident and fatal cancer type among women in Brazil and worldwide. This data represents around 600 thousand new cases worldwide each year and more than 300 thousand lives lost. Both diagnosis and treatment can significantly impact the quality of life of cervical cancer patients. The application of questionnaires that assess the different aspects of the quality of life of women affected by this cancer is a relevant tool, as it helps to understand and identify the main damages related to the treatment. This article aims to analyze the current literature that reports the main effects on the quality of life of women with cervical cancer associated with different therapeutic modalities. In this way, the review could assist in the treatment choices that imply less impact on the quality of life of these women.(AU)

Braquiterapia adaptativa guiada por resonancia magnética para el cáncer cervical localmente avanzado: experiencia del Hospital Carlos Van Buren / MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer: experience at Carlos Van Buren Hospital

Introducción y objetivos: El tratamiento estándar para pacientes con cáncer cervical localmente avanzado (CCLA) se basa en radioterapia externa y quimioterapia concomitante seguida de braquiterapia adaptativa guiada por imágenes (BTAGI). El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los resultados del protocolo de BTAGI de resonancia magnética del Servicio de Oncología del Hospital Carlos Van Buren. Métodos: En pacientes con CCLA tratadas con Radioquimioterapia concomitante seguida de BTAGI de resonancia magnética se evaluó la reducción tumoral, parámetros dosimétricos y la toxicidad aguda. Resultados: Se evaluó la reducción tumoral entre el diagnóstico y el momento de la braquiterapia en 34 pacientes. Todas las pacientes completaron el tratamiento de radioterapia externa. Veinticuatro pacientes recibieron 3 sesiones de braquiterapia. Dosis equivalentes totales > 80 Gy se logro en todos los pacientes. Doce pacientes presentaron reducción del volumen tumoral mayor al 70%. La mediana de las dosis equivalentes totales prescritas al D2cc de vejiga fue 73.9 Gy, al recto 65.6 Gy y al intestino fue de 69.1 Gy. Una paciente presento toxicidad gastrointestinal grado ≥ 3. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas al comparar pacientes que recibieron dosis equivalentes totales desde los 85 Gy con las que recibieron menor dosis respecto a toxicidad gastrointestinal (p=0.33) y genitourinaria (p=0.97). Conclusión: La braquiterapia adaptativa guiada por resonancia magnética se puede realizar en el sistema público de salud y cumplir con las recomendaciones internacionales requeridas para el tratamiento estándar del CCLA.

Introduction and purpose: External beam radiation therapy with concomitant chemotherapy followed by adaptive image-guided brachytherapy (IGABT) is the standard of care for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). The purpose of this study was to describe the local outcomes of the magnetic resonance IGABT protocol at the radiation oncology department of the Carlos Van Buren Hospital. Methods: Tumor reduction, dosimetric parameters and acute toxicity were evaluated in patients with LACC treated with concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by magnetic resonance IGABT. Results: Tumor reduction between diagnosis and brachytherapy was evaluated in 34 patients. All patients completed external radiation therapy treatment. Twenty-four patients received 3 sessions of brachytherapy. All patients received a total equivalent dose > 80 Gy. Twelve patients showed a tumor volume reduction greater than 70%. The median total equivalent dose prescribed to the bladder D2cc was 73.9 Gy, the rectum 65.6 Gy, and the intestine 69.1 Gy. One patient presented grade ≥ 3 gastrointestinal toxicity. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing patients who received total equivalent doses larger than 85 Gy with those who received lower doses regarding gastrointestinal (p = 0.33) and genitourinary (p = 0.97) toxicity. Conclusion: MRI-guided adaptive brachytherapy can be performed in the public health system and achieve the international recommendations required as standard of care treatment of LACC.

125Ⅰ seed brachytherapy for recurrent salivary gland carcinoma after external radiotherapy / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical application and efficacy of 125Ⅰ radioactive seeds implantation in the treatment of recurrent salivary gland carcinoma after external radiotherapy.@*METHODS@#From July 2004 to July 2016, 43 cases of recurrent salivary gland carcinoma of the neck after external radiotherapy or surgery combined with external radiotherapy were treated. According to the conventional segmentation radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (once a day, 1.8-2.0 Gy each time, 5 days per week), the cumulative radiation dose of the patients in this group was calculated. In the study, 26 patients received 50-60 Gy, 7 patients received less than 50 Gy, 4 patients received 60-70 Gy, and 6 patients received more than 80 Gy (range: 80-120 Gy). The interval between the last external irradiation and local recurrence was 4-204 months, and the median interval was 48 months. Among them, 25 cases were treated with 125Ⅰ radioactive seeds implantation only and 18 cases were treated with 125Ⅰ radioactive seeds implantation after operation. The prescription dose was 100-140 Gy. The control rate, survival rate and disease-free survival rate were recorded to evaluate the side effects.@*RESULTS@#The median follow-up time was 27 months (ranging from 2.5 to 149.0 months). Among them, the median follow-up time of adenoid cystic carcinoma patients was 31 months (range: 2.5-112.0 months), and the median follow-up time of mucoepidermoid carcinoma patients was 18 months (range: 5-149 months). The local control rates for 1, 3 and 5 years were 66.5%, 48.8% and 42.7%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5- year survival rates were 88.0%, 56.7% and 45.8%, respectively. The disease-free survival rates of 1, 3 and 5 years were 58.3%, 45.4% and 38.1%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in local control rate, survival rate, and disease-free survival between the radioactive seeds implantation group and the radioactive seeds implantation group after surgical resection. There were 2 cases of acute radiation reaction Ⅰ/Ⅱ and 3 cases of reaction Ⅲ or above. In the late stage of radiotherapy, there were 8 cases with Ⅰ/Ⅱ grade reaction and 3 cases with Ⅲ grade or above reaction. The incidence of radiation reactions of Grade Ⅲ and above was 7%.@*CONCLUSION@#125Ⅰ radioactive seeds implantation provides an alternative method for the treatment of recurrent salivary gland carcinoma after external radiotherapy. The local control rate and survival rate are improved on the premise of low incidence of side effects.

O significado da dor para mulheres em braquiterapia ginecológica: abordagem fenomenológica na consulta de enfermagem / El significado del dolor para las mujeres en la braquiterapia ginecológica: enfoque fenomenológico en la consulta de enfermería / The meaning of pain for women in gynecological brachytherapy: phenomenological approach in nursing consultation

Objetivo: Identificar a percepção da dor para mulheres em braquiterapia ginecológica na consulta de enfermagem. Método: Estudo qualitativo, realizado entre fevereiro a novembro de 2012, apoiado na abordagem da Fenomenologia Sociológica Compreensiva de Alfred Schutz. Treze mulheres participaram, maiores de dezoito anos, submetidas à braquiterapia ginecológica de dois serviços de radioterapia localizados no Rio de Janeiro e outro em São Paulo. Resultados: Uma característica que sobressaiu a partir dos depoimentos se referiu à dor na braquiterapia ginecológica, em que as mulheres revelaram o anseio por superá-la. Conclusão: Tal anseio independe da idade e do grau de instrução, é comum a todas e oriundo do vivido com o câncer. O que modifica é a maneira como se apresenta e a sua intensidade, que variam conforme a singularidade de cada sujeito

Objetivo: Identificar la percepción del dolor para las mujeres en braquiterapia ginecológica en la consulta de enfermería. Método: Estudio cualitativo, realizado de febrero a noviembre de 2012, a favor del enfoque de la fenomenología sociológica Integral de Alfred Schutz. Los participantes fueron trece las mujeres mayores de dieciocho años sometidos a la braquiterapia ginecológica dos servicios de radioterapia ubicadas en Río de Janeiro y otro en Sao Paulo. Resultados: Una característica que se destacó de los estados mencionados dolor en la braquiterapia ginecológica, en el que las mujeres revelan el deseo de superación. Conclusión: Este deseo es independiente de la edad y nivel de educación, es común a todos y procedentes de los vivos con el cáncer. Lo que cambia es la forma en que se presenta y su intensidad, que varían de acuerdo a la singularidad de cada sujeto

Objective: The study's goal has been to identify the perception of pain for women in gynecological brachytherapy in nursing consultation. Methods: It a qualitative study, carried out from February to November 2012, supported in the approach of the Sociological Phenomenology Comprehensive Alfred Schutz. Participants were thirteen women over eighteen years submitted to gynecological brachytherapy two radiotherapy services located in Rio de Janeiro and another in Sao Paulo. Results: One characteristic that emerged from the statements referred to pain in gynecological brachytherapy, in which women revealed the desire to overcoming it. Conclusion: This desire is independent of age and level of education; it is common to all and coming from the living with cancer. What changes is the way it is presented and its intensity, which vary according to the uniqueness of each subject

Comparative analysis of short - term functional outcomes and quality of life in a prospective series of brachytherapy and Da Vinci robotic prostatectomy

ABSTRACT Introduction There is a growing interest in achieving higher survival rates with the lowest morbidity in localized prostate cancer (PC) treatment. Consequently, minimally invasive techniques such as low-dose rate brachytherapy (BT) and robotic-assisted prostatectomy (RALP) have been developed and improved. Comparative analysis of functional outcomes and quality of life in a prospective series of 51BT and 42Da Vinci prostatectomies DV Materials and Methods Comparative analysis of functional outcomes and quality of life in a prospective series of 93 patients with low-risk localized PC diagnosed in 2011. 51patients underwent low-dose rate BT and the other 42 patients RALP. IIEF to assess erectile function, ICIQ to evaluate continence and SF36 test to quality of life wee employed. Results ICIQ at the first revision shows significant differences which favour the BT group, 79% present with continence or mild incontinence, whereas in the DV group 45% show these positive results. Differences disappear after 6 months, with 45 patients (89%) presenting with continence or mild incontinence in the BT group vs. 30 (71%) in the DV group. 65% of patients are potent in the first revision following BT and 39% following DV. Such differences are not significant and cannot be observed after 6 months. No significant differences were found in the comparative analysis of quality of life. Conclusions ICIQ after surgery shows significant differences in favour of BT, which disappear after 6 months. Both procedures have a serious impact on erectile function, being even greater in the DV group. Differences between groups disappear after 6 months.

Long term outcome and side effects in patients receiving low-dose I125 brachytherapy: a retrospective analysis

ABSTRACT Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the disease free survival (DFS), disease specific survival (DSS),overall survival (OS) and side effects in patients who received low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy with I125 stranded seeds. Materials and methods: Between july 2003 and august 2012, 274 patients with organ confined prostate cancer were treated with permanent I125 brachytherapy. The median follow-up, age and pretreatment prostate specific antigen (iPSA) was 84 months (12-120), 67 years (50-83) and 7.8 ng/mL (1.14-38), respectively. Median Gleason score was 6 (3-9). 219 patients (80%) had stage cT1c, 42 patients (15.3%) had stage cT2a, 3 (1.1%) had stage cT2b and 3 (1.1%) had stage cT2c. The median D90 was 154.3 Gy (102.7-190.2). Results: DSS was 98.5%.OS was 93.5%. 13 patients (4.7%) developed systemic disease, 7 patients (2.55%) had local progression. In 139 low risk patients, the 5 year biochemical freedom from failure rate (BFFF) was 85% and 9 patients (6.4%) developed clinical progression. In the intermediate risk group, the 5 year BFFF rate was 70% and 5 patients (7.1%) developed clinical progression. Median nPSA in patients with biochemical relapse was 1.58 ng/mL (0.21 – 10.46), median nPSA in patients in remission was 0.51 ng/mL (0.01 – 8.5). Patients attaining a low PSA nadir had a significant higher BFFF (p<0.05). Median D90 in patients with biochemical relapse was 87.2 Gy (51 – 143,1). Patients receiving a high D90 had a significant higher BFFF (p<0.05). Conclusion: In a well selected patient population, LDR brachytherapy offers excellent outcomes. Reaching a low PSA nadir and attaining high D90 values are significant predictors for a higher DFS.

Fatores associados à variação no comprimento e diâmetro vaginal após radioterapia pélvica para câncer do colo uterino / Factors associated with changes in vaginal length and diameter after pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer

Introdução: o câncer do colo uterino é o quarto tipo de câncer mais comum entre as mulheres. O tratamento pode incluir a radioterapia e um dos eventos adversos é a estenose vaginal. Objetivos: avaliar a incidência de estenose vaginal através de medidas objetivas e uma escala subjetiva, e identificar os fatores associados à ocorrência desse evento adverso após a radioterapia pélvica. Métodos: estudo longitudinal descritivo realizado de janeiro/2013 a novembro/2015 com 139 mulheres portadoras de neoplasia maligna do colo uterino, estádio I-IIIB, com idades entre 18-75 anos que haviam sido convidadas a participar de um ensaio clínico randomizado para avaliar diversos tratamentos para estenose vaginal após radioterapia. O desfecho foi a estenose vaginal, avaliada através da escala de estenose vaginal Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 (CTCAEv3.0) e da diferença entre as medidas do comprimento e do diâmetro da vagina logo após o término da radioterapia. As variáveis independentes foram as características da neoplasia, dados clínicos e sociodemográficos. A análise bivariada foi realizada usando os testes do qui-quadrado, Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney. A análise multivariada foi realizada através da regressão de Poisson e do modelo linear generalizado. Resultados: a média de idade foi de 47,2 (± 13,4) anos e 40,3% das mulheres estavam na pós-menopausa. Metade delas apresentava câncer do colo do útero estadio IIIB (50,4%). Pela escala CTCAEv3.0, 42 mulheres (30,2%) não apresentaram estenose, 96 mulheres (69,1%) apresentaram estenose grau 1 e uma mulher (0,7%) apresentou estenose grau 2 logo após a radioterapia. Com relação às alterações das medidas vaginais, a variação média de diâmetro foi -0,6 (± 1,7) mm e a variação média do comprimento foi -0,6 (± 1,3) cm. Quinze mulheres apresentaram redução do diâmetro vaginal, sendo que em 93,5% delas a redução foi de 0,5 cm e em 1 mulher a redução foi de 1 cm. Com relação ao comprimento vaginal, 65,7% apresentaram diminuição da medida, sendo que dessas, 62% tiveram diminuição de 0,5-1 cm; 32% tiveram diminuição de 1,5-2,5 cm e 6% tiveram diminuição de 3-4 cm. Por outro lado, 11 mulheres (8%) tiveram aumento do comprimento vaginal, sendo que dessas, 36,3% tiveram aumento de 0,5-1 cm; 36,3% tiveram aumento de 1,5-2,5 cm; 18,3% tiveram aumento de 3-4 cm e 9,1% tiveram aumento de 5 cm. Na análise multivariada, mulheres com invasão vaginal apresentaram menos estenose vaginal pela escala CTCAEv3.0 (coeficiente:-0,51;p<0,01). Quanto à variação do diâmetro, mulheres com estadiamento clínico IIIA/IIIB apresentaram redução da medida mais frequentemente (coeficiente:+1,44;p=0,02). Quanto à variação do comprimento, mulheres que realizaram teleterapia/braquiterapia apresentaram maior redução da medida (coeficiente:-1,17;p<0,01) e mulheres portadoras de diabetes (coeficiente:+1,16; p<0,01) e com invasão vaginal pelo tumor (coeficiente:+0,73;p<0,01) apresentaram aumento da medida. Conclusões: a maioria das mulheres apresentou estenose leve, com redução discreta do comprimento do canal vaginal. Estadiamento clínico avançado e realizar uma associação de braquiterapia e teleterapia se associaram a uma maior frequência de estenose. Mulheres com neoplasias do colo que invadem a vagina apresentam aumento das medidas do comprimento vaginal logo após a radioterapia devido à redução do volume tumoral. (AU)

Introduction: cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. Treatment may include radiation therapy and one of the adverse events is vaginal stenosis. Objectives: to evaluate the incidence of vaginal stenosis using objective measures and a subjective scale, and to identify factors associated with the occurrence of this adverse event after pelvic radiotherapy for cancer of the cervix. Methods: a longitudinal descriptive study conducted from Jan/2013 to Nov/2015 with 139 women suffering from malignant cervical cancer, stage I-IIIB, aged 18-75 years who had been invited to participate in a randomized clinical trial to evaluate various treatments for vaginal stenosis after radiotherapy. The main outcome was vaginal stenosis assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAEv3.0) and through changes in vaginal diameter and length after the end of radiotherapy. Independent variables were the characteristics of the neoplasm, clinical and sociodemographic data. Bivariate analysis was carried out using chi-squared test, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney's test. Multiple analysis was carried out using Poisson regression and a generalized linear model. Results: The mean age was 47.2 (± 13.4) years and 40.3% of women were postmenopausal. Half of them had cervical cancer stage IIIB (50.4%). By CTCAEv3.0 scale, 42 women (30.2%) showed no stenosis, 96 women (69.1%) had grade 1 stenosis and one woman (0.7%) had grade 2 stenosis after radiotherapy. Regarding changes in vaginal measures the average change in diameter was 0.6 (± 1.7) mm and the average length variation was -0.6 (± 1.3) cm. Fifteen women had reduced vaginal diameter, and in 93.5% of them the reduction was 0.5 cm and in one woman the reduction was 1 cm. Regarding vaginal length, 65.7% showed a decrease in extent, and of these, 62% had decreased 0.5-1 cm; 32% had decreased 1.5-2.5 cm and 6% had a reduction of 3-4 cm. On the other hand, 11 women (8%) had an increase in vaginal length, and of these, 36.3% had an increase of 0.5-1 cm; 36.3% had an increase of 1.5-2.5 cm; 18.3% had an increase of 3-4 cm and 9.1% had an increase of 5 cm. In multivariate analysis, women with tumoral invasion of the vaginal walls had fewer vaginal stenosis by CTCAEv3.0 scale (coefficient: -0.51, p <0.01). As to changes in diameter, women with clinical stage IIIA/IIIB had reductions in this measure more frequently (coefficient: +1.44; p=0.02). As to changes in vaginal length, women who underwent teletherapy/brachytherapy showed greater reduction in this measure (coefficient: -1.17; p <0.01) and women with diabetes (coefficient: +1.16; p <0.01) and tumoral invasion of the vaginal walls (coefficient: +0.73; p <0.01) had increases in this measure more frequently. Conclusion: most women had mild stenosis, with a slight reduction of the length of the vagina. Advanced clinical stage and performing a combination of brachytherapy and teletherapy were associated with a higher frequency of stenosis. Women with cervical cancer which invades the vaginal walls have increases in vaginal length after radiotherapy due to reduction in tumoral volume.(AU)

Low-dose-rate brachytherapy for patients with transurethral resection before implantation in prostate cancer. Long-term results

ABSTRACT We analyzed the long-term oncologic outcome for patients with prostate cancer and transurethral resection who were treated using low-dose-rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: From January 2001 to December 2005, 57 consecutive patients were treated with clinically localized prostate cancer. No patients received external beam radiation. All of them underwent LDR prostate brachytherapy. Biochemical failure was defined according to the "Phoenix consensus". Patients were stratified as low and intermediate risk based on The Memorial Sloan Kettering group definition. Results: The median follow-up time for these 57 patients was 104 months. The overall survival according to Kaplan-Meier estimates was 88% (±6%) at 5 years and 77% (±6%) at 12 years. The 5 and 10 years for failure in tumour-free survival (TFS) was 96% and respectively (±2%), whereas for biochemical control was 94% and respectively (±3%) at 5 and 10 years, 98% (±1%) of patients being free of local recurrence. A patient reported incontinence after treatment (1.7%). The chronic genitourinary complains grade I were 7% and grade II, 10%. At six months 94% of patients reported no change in bowel function.Conclusions: The excellent long-term results and low morbidity presented, as well as the many advantages of prostate brachytherapy over other treatments, demonstrates that brachytherapy is an effective treatment for patients with transurethral resection and clinical organ-confined prostate cancer

Dosimetric Coverage of the Prostate, Normal Tissue Sparing, and Acute Toxicity with High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Large Prostate Volumes

To evaluate dosimetric coverage of the prostate, normal tissue sparing, and acute toxicity with HDR brachytherapy for large prostate volumes.

Role of vaginal pallor reaction in predicting late vaginal stenosis after high-dose-rate brachytherapy in treatment-naive patients with cervical cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To assess actual rates of late vaginal stenosis and identify predisposing factors for complications among patients with previously untreated cervical cancer following high-dose-rate brachytherapy. METHODS: We performed longitudinal analyses of 57 patients using the modified Dische score at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 60 months after treatment, which consisted of 15 interstitial brachytherapys and 42 conventional intracavitary brachytherapys, with a median follow-up time of 36 months (range, 6 to 144 months). RESULTS: More than half of the patients developed grade 1 (mild) vaginal stenosis within the first year of follow-up, and grade 2 (97.5%, moderate) to grade 3 (severe) stenosis gradually increased with time. Actual stenosis rates for grade 1, 2, and 3 were 97.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.7 to 97.5), 60.7% (95% CI, 42.2 to 79.3), and 7.4% (95% CI, 0 to 18.4) at 3 years after treatment. Pallor reaction grade 2-3 at 6 months was only a statistically significant predisposing factor for grade 2-3 late vaginal stenosis 3 years or later with a hazard ratio of 3.48 (95% CI, 1.32 to 9.19; p=0.018) by a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Patients with grade 0-1 pallor reaction at 6 months showed a grade > or =2 vaginal stenosis rate of 53%, whereas the grade 2-3 pallor reaction group achieved a grade > or =2 vaginal stenosis rate at 3 years at 100% (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: High-dose-rate brachytherapy was associated with high incidence of late vaginal stenosis. Pallor reaction grade 2-3 at 6 months was predictive of late grade 2-3 vaginal stenosis at 3 years after treatment. These findings should prove helpful for patient counseling and preventive intervention.

Prognostic factors for patients with cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective analysis in a Japanese cohort / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the primary treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. We studied prognostic factors for patients treated with CCRT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 85 consecutive patients with cervical cancer who were treated with CCRT between 2002 and 2011, with external beam radiation therapy, intracavitary brachytherapy, and platinum-based chemotherapy. Survival data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients, 69 patients (81%) had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV disease; 25 patients (29%) had pelvic lymph node enlargement (based on magnetic resonance imaging), and 64 patients (75%) achieved clinical remission following treatment. Median maximum tumor diameter was 5.5 cm. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 60.3% and 55.5%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed tumor diameter >6 cm (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 4.6), pelvic lymph node enlargement (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.5), and distant metastasis (HR, 10.0; 95% CI, 3.7 to 27.0) were significantly and independently related to poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: New treatment strategies should be considered for locally advanced cervical cancers with tumors >6 cm and radiologically enlarged pelvic lymph nodes.

Difference in the rate of rectal complications following prostate brachytherapy based on the prostate-rectum distance and the prostate longitudinal length among early prostate cancer patients

PURPOSE: To investigate the difference in rectal complications rate following prostate low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy based on prostate-rectum distance and prostate longitudinal length among early prostate cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2008 to February 2013, 245 prostate cancer patients with a Gleason score or =6 months were evaluated for radiation proctitis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for a prebrachytherapy evaluation, and prostate-rectum distance and prostate longitudinal length were measured. The radiation proctitis was confirmed and graded via colonoscopy based on the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) toxicity criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received a colonoscopy for proctitis evaluation, and 12 were identified as grade 1 on the RTOG scale. Nine patients were diagnosed as grade 2 and 2 patients were grade 3. No patient developed grade 4 proctitis. The rectal-complication group had a mean prostate-rectum distance of 2.51+/-0.16 mm, while non-rectal-complication control group had 3.32+/-0.31 mm. The grade 1 proctitis patients had a mean prostate-rectum distance of 2.80+/-0.15 mm, which was significantly longer than 2.12+/-0.31 mm of grades 2 and 3 patient groups (p=0.045). All 11 patients of grades 2 and 3 had a prostate longitudinal length of 35.22+/-2.50 mm, which was longer than group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.214). CONCLUSIONS: As the prostate-rectum distance increased, fewer postimplantation rectal symptoms were observed. Patients with a shorter prostate-rectum distance in MRI should receive modified implantation techniques or radical prostatectomy.

Ultrasound guided conformal brachytherapy of cervix cancer: survival, patterns of failure, and late complications / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report on the long-term results of transabdominal ultrasound guided conformal brachytherapy in patients with cervical cancer with respect to patterns of failures, treatment related toxicities and survival. METHODS: Three hundred and nine patients with cervical cancer who presented to Institute between January 1999 and December 2008 were staged with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography and treated with external beam radiotherapy and high dose rate conformal image guided brachytherapy with curative intent. Follow-up data relating to sites of failure and toxicity was recorded prospectively. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-two patients were available for analyses. The median (interquantile range) follow-up time was 4.1 years (range, 2.4 to 6.1 years). Five-year failure free survival and overall survival (OS) were 66% and 65%, respectively. Primary, pelvic, para-aortic, and distant failure were observed in 12.5%, 16.4%, 22%, and 23% of patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor volume and nodal disease related to survival, whereas local disease control and point A dose did not. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided conformal brachytherapy of cervix cancer has led to optimal local control and OS. The Melbourne protocol compares favorably to the more technically elaborate and expensive GEC-ESTRO recommendations. The Melbourne protocol's technical simplicity with real-time imaging and treatment planning makes this a method of choice for treating patients with cervical cancer.

Pioderma gangrenoso após quadrantectomia de mama comradioterapia intraoperatória: relato de caso / Pyoderma gangrenosum after breast quadrantectomy with intraoperative radiotherapy: a case report

Pioderma gangrenoso é uma doença inflamatória imunomediada e rara da pele, de diagnóstico extremamente desafiador. A evolução clínica é a base para o diagnóstico, cursando com lesões pustulosas superficiais, halo eritematoso doloroso, rápida progressão para ulcerações dolorosas eestéreis, sem resposta a antibióticos ou a novas intervenções cirúrgicas e, finalmente, com pronta melhora com uso de imunossupressores. O atraso no diagnóstico pode acarretar numerosas internações e terapias prolongadas, sendo que, seu reconhecimento precoce, por outro lado, evita a progressão dessas ulcerações e sua morbidade. Relatou-se um caso de pioderma gangrenoso que evoluiu após cirurgia associada à radioterapia intraoperatória no tratamento conservador do câncer de mama, fazendo-se uma revisão de casos relatados na literatura e suas possibilidades terapêuticas. Questiona-se também se a radioterapia intraoperatória estaria relacionada com algum estímulo imunomediado, o que poderia ter facilitado o desencadeamento do quadro.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare immune-mediated inflammatory disease of skin, which diagnosis is extremely challenging. The clinical course is the basis for diagnosis, coursing with superficial pustular lesions, erythematous halo, rapid progression to painful ulcerations and unresponsive to antibiotics or surgical interventions, and finally, with immediate improvement with the use of immunosuppressant.The delay in diagnosis can result in numerous hospitalizations and prolonged therapy, and its early recognition, moreover, prevents the progression of these ulcers and its morbidity. There was reported a case of pyoderma gangrenosum that developed after surgery associated with intraoperative radiotherapyin conservative treatment of breast cancer, making up a review of cases reported and their therapeutic possibilities. One may wonder also if the intraoperative radiotherapy would be associated with some immune-mediated stimulus, which could have facilitated the onset of the condition.

Subretinal lipid exudation associated with untreated choroidal melanoma.

Subretinal lipid exudation in an untreated choroidal melanoma is very rare. It is seen following plaque radiotherapy in choroidal melanoma. There is only one case report of untreated choroidal melanoma with massive lipid exudation in a patient with metastatic hypernephroma. We report here a rare case of untreated choroidal melanoma with lipid exudation. Subretinal exudation that is rarely seen following plaque brachytherapy was noted at the borders of this untreated tumor. Lipid exudation partially resolved following brachytherapy.

Thyroid diseases as a sequelae following treatment of head and neck cancer.

Aims: To evaluate the radiation-induced sequelae on thyroid gland and influence of concomitant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out on 53 patients of head and neck carcinoma in the age group of 30-75 years (55.9 years). Patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy (52.8%) or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with 5-flourouracil and cisplatinum (47.1%). The target volume included the thyroid gland, which received an average dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Thyroid function tests were done at the start of radiotherapy. Follow up thyroid function tests were done on completion of radiotherapy treatment, at 3 months, at 6 months after treatment, and then every 6 months. Follow up ranges from 3-51 months (median: 27 months). Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was seen in 4 (7.5%) of the 53 patients. In three patients, the incidence was seen after a gap of 12 months and in one patient after a gap of 35 months. Of the four patients, three were of age ≤41 years and 1 was of age 66 years. In younger age group (30-39 years) patients, TSH shows statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in TSH values. No significant difference was observed in radiation and chemo-radiation treatment groups (P > 0.10). Conclusions: Subclinical hypothyroidism is an important sequelae seen in the treated patients of head and neck when thyroid is in the radiation field. The patients with age less than 45 years are more prone to develop hypothyroidism. Chemotherapy has not affected the incidence of hypothyroidism significantly. Also, the dose of radiation has not shown any statistically significant difference.

Brachytherapy for stage IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: survival and toxicity / Braquiterapia para carcinoma epidermóide do colo do útero estádio IIIB: sobrevida e toxicidade

OBJECTIVE: To compare survival and toxicity of three different treatments for stage IIIB cervix cancer: low-dose-rate (LDR), high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and association of HDR and chemotherapy. METHODS. Between 1985 and 2005, 230 patients with FIGO stage IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix received 4-field pelvic teletherapy at doses between 40 and 50.4 Gy, with a different complementation in each group. The LDRB group, with 42 patients, received one or two insertions of LDR, with Cesium-137, in a total dose of 80 to 100Gy at point A. The HDR group, 155 patients received HDR in 4 weekly 7 Gy fractions and 9 Gy to 14.4 Gy applied to the involved parametria. The CHT group, 33 patients, were given the same treatment as the HDR group and received 5 or 6 weekly cycles of cisplatin, 40 mg per m2. RESULTS: The five-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 60 percent for the HDR group and 45 percent for the LDR group, and the two-year PFS for the CHT group was 65 percent (p = 0.02). The five-year Overall Survival (OS) was 65 percent for the HDR group and 49 percent for the LDR group. The two-year OS was 86 percent for the CHT group (p = 0.02). Rectum toxicity grade II was 7 percent for the LDR group, 4 percent for the HDR group and 7 percent for the CHT group that had one case of rectum toxicity grade IV. CONCLUSION: Patients that received HDR had better OS and PFS. The Chemotherapy-HDR association showed no benefit when compared to HDR only. Toxicity rates showed no difference between the three groups.

OBJETIVO: Comparar três diferentes tratamentos para câncer de colo do útero, estádio IIIB: braquiterapia de baixa taxa de dose (LDR), alta taxa de dose (HDR) e associação entre HDR e quimioterapia, quanto à sobrevida e toxicidade. MÉTODOS: Entre 1985 e 2005, 230 pacientes com carcinoma epidermoide de colo do útero estádio IIIB receberam teleterapia pélvica em quatro campos, doses entre 40 e 50.4 Gy, e três complementações diferentes. Grupo LDR, com 42 pacientes, recebeu uma ou duas inserções de LDR, com Césio-137, na dose total de 80 a 100Gy no ponto A. Grupo HDR, 155 pacientes, com HDR em quatro frações semanais de 7 Gy, e 9 Gy a 14.4 Gy nos paramétrios acometidos. Grupo CHT, 33 pacientes, tratadas da mesma forma que o grupo HDR, mais cinco ou seis ciclos semanais de cisplatina, 40 mg por m2. RESULTADOS: A sobrevida livre de progressão em cinco anos (PFS) foi 60 por cento no grupo HDR e 45 por cento no grupo LDR, e a PFS em dois anos para o grupo CHT foi 65 por cento (p = 0.02). A sobrevida global em cinco anos (OS) foi 65 por cento para o grupo HDR e 49 por cento para o grupo LDR. A OS em dois anos foi 86 por cento para o grupo CHT (p = 0.02). Toxicidade retal grau II foi 7 por cento no grupo LDR, 4 por cento no grupo HDR e 7 por cento no grupo CHT, que teve um caso de toxicidade retal grau IV. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes que receberam HDR tiveram melhores índices de sobrevida. A associação quimioterapia-HDR não mostrou benefício quando comparada com apenas HDR. Os índices de toxicidade não foram diferentes.

Radioactive seed migration after prostate brachytherapy with Iodine-125 using loose seeds versus stranded seeds

Objectives: To assess the incidence and clinical parameters that could influence migration of seeds in localized prostate cancer patients treated by stranded versus loose sources by Iodine-125 brachytherapy. Material and Methods: 100 patients were treated from January/1998 until December/2006. Age, PSA, clinical stage, Gleason, prostate volume, number of seeds, activity of radioactive seeds, and dosimetric parameters, such as V100, V150 and D90 were evaluated. Results: Mean follow-up was 79 months (18 - 120. CI 95 percent: 72 - 85). Overall, 6 of 100 patients experienced seed migration. Seed migration was found in 4/50 (8 percent) patients using loose seeds and in 2/50 (4 percent) treated by stranded seeds. Mean value dosimetric parameters for stranded seeds were greater than those for loose seeds (V100( percent): 88.7/82, D90(Gy): 149.2/140.3, D90( percent): 104.2/93.8, V150 ( percent): 53.8/47, respectively). No significant difference in migration of seeds was detected between loose and stranded seeds considering age (p = 0.33), PSA (p = 0.391), prostate volume (p = 0.397), activity of radioactive seeds (p = 0.109), number of seeds (p = 0.338), V100 (p = 0.332), although significant differences were measured in the values of D90( percent and Gy) (p = 0.022 and 0.011) and V150 (p = 0.023). Conclusions: Seed migration after brachytherapy might occur and it does affect post-implant dosimetry.