Volumetric modulated arctherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Clinical efficacy and late toxicity.

PURPOSE: We report our experience of 86 consecutive patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 86 patients with histologically proven primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with volumetric modulated arctherapy technique radiotherapy. Primary endpoints were local, regional, distant control, and overall survival, second endpoint was late toxicity. RESULTS: The median age was 47.5 years (range: 13-79 years) with sex ratio 1.09. At diagnosis, rhinologic symptoms represented the most common clinical presentation, reported by 61 patients (70.9%). Almost 88.4% of patients presented non-keratinizing undifferentiated carcinoma histology (n=76). Most of the patients presented a locally advanced disease defined by stage III and IVa (95.3%). Therefore, 31 patients were treated by concurrent chemoradiation (36%), 52 patients received induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (57%), three patients received induction chemotherapy followed by exclusive radiotherapy (3.5%). and three patients treated with exclusive irradiation (3.5%). With a median follow up of 15.7 months (range: 4-33.3 months), nine patients died (10.4%), three presented local or locoregional relapse (3.4%), while nine patients presented distant recurrences (10.4%). The two years overall and disease-free survival rates were 88.7% and 83.1% respectively, locoregional control was 100% at 12 months and 96.2% at 24 months, and the two years distant failure-free survival was 86.7%. Time to relapse was the only prognostic factor in univariate analysis for overall survival in our study. The therapeutic tolerance was good with 61.7% of grade 3 and 2.3% grade 4 hyposialia respectively, 46.5% of otological disorders and no radionecrosis was noted. CONCLUSION: Volumetric modulated arctherapy technique with concurrent chemoradiotherapy is an effective treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with excellent overall and locoregional control without severe toxicity. Distant metastasis is the major site of failure, so induction chemotherapy added to chemoradiotherapy must be discussed in multidisciplinary consultation meeting because it significantly improved recurrence-free survival and overall survival, as compared with chemoradiotherapy alone.

Organization of a radiotherapy service during the COVID-19 epidemic: Experience of Regional Center of Oncology of Agadir, Morocco.

This study proposes organization of the activity of a radiotherapy service during the pandemic COVID-19 period. Reliable circuits for staff as well as for patients are installed and treatment protocols are adapted to the current COVID-19 situation. Several scenarios are proposed to deal with any subsequent pandemic situation.

Medulloblastoma in childhood: What effects on neurocognitive functions?

PUPOSE: Medulloblastoma is the most common primary malignant central nervous system tumor in childhood, accounting for 16-25% of cases (1). New treatment approaches have led to improved survival rates; however toxicities are still a major concern. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were selected from the records of patients who were treated with craniospinal irradiation for medulloblastoma. Between January 2008 and December 2012, 62 patients were diagnosed with medulloblastoma at the national institute of oncology Rabat, 27 patients were still alive at the time of the study, of which n=16 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients at the time of the study was 9.6 years. All children were treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy, according to standard protocols. Median follow-up between treatment and evaluation was 4 years. All the children were assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - fourth Edition (WISC-IV) three to five years after completion of radiotherapy. The test was administered by two well-trained psychologists in a distraction-free environment. The scoring was then reviewed by a psychologist from Brooklyn College. RESULTS: The mean standard score Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) (M=63, SD=12.6) was found to be in the extremely low range and in the 1st percentile rank (PR), compared to the general population. All the measured primary index scales were below typical performance: verbal comprehension (M=67.7, SD=13.1), perceptual reasoning (M=63.5, SD=13.8) and processing speed (M=62.7, SD=15.5) were all found to be in the extremely low range, while xorking memory (M=75.5, SD=10.8) was found to be in the borderline range compared to the general population. To identify factors influencing the results, we performed both univariate and multivariate analyses. Age at the time of radiotherapy, initial clinical stage, total cranial radiotherapy dose, socioeconomic status, and the time of evaluation were identified as significantly impacting cognitive scores in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only age at the time of radiotherapy and initial clinical stage remained factors significantly impacting cognitive outcomes with P=0.001 and P<0.001 respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study is evidence that tremendous efforts are still to be made in low-income countries to correctly measure neurocognitive dysfunction in medulloblastoma survivors and to prepare those patients to a typical life after the completion of treatment.

Twenty years experience in treating childhood medulloblastoma: Between the past and the present.

PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma is the most common primary malignant central nervous system tumour in children. These last decades, treatment modalities have largely evolved resulting in better survival rates. Nevertheless, long-term toxicity is a major concern in this setting. The purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical results and medical outcomes of a cohort of paediatric patients treated for medulloblastoma in Xhinhua Hospital in Shanghai. These results are compared with those from other centres reported in literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at Xhinhua Hospital in Shanghai, China. It included 121 patients treated for medulloblastoma from 1993 to December 2013. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 6.7 years (range: 1-14.3 years). Total surgical resection was achieved in 60% of the cases. Classic medulloblastoma was found in 59% of the cases. Adjuvant radiotherapy was delivered in all cases and chemotherapy concerned 70.2% of the studied cohort. The median follow-up time of the study was 84 months (range: 24-120 months). Five- and 10 years progression-free survival rates were 83.2%, and 69.5% and 5 years and 10 years. Overall survival rates were 82.5%, and 72.5%. Patient's age significantly influenced survival: patients under 3 years old had the worse outcomes (P=0.01). T and M stages also significantly impacted survival rates: advanced stages were associated with lower rates (P=0.08 and 0.05 respectively). Finally, patients receiving temezolomide had bad outcomes when compared to the new standard protocol used in the department (P=0.03). The most commonly reported late toxicity was growth suppression in 35 patients (52.2%). Hypothyroidism requiring hormone replacement was recorded in 29% of the cases. Hearing loss, and problems including poor concentration, poor memory and learning difficulties were reported in 19% and 25% of the cases respectively. Second cancers were noted in three cases. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results are comparable to those reported in literature. Nevertheless, efforts should be made to ensure longer follow-ups and correctly assess treatment-related toxicity.

[Pain flare following palliative external beam radiotherapy: Prospective study of 41 cases]. / Éxacerbation de la douleur après la radiothérapie externe antalgique : étude prospective de 41 cas.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy plays a major role in relieving pain caused by bone metastases; paradoxically initial flare of symptom is common. Our objectives were to assess prospectively the incidence, and to identify predictor's factors of this acute complication. PATIENT AND METHODS: Forty-one patients treated with analgesic external beam radiotherapy were followed prospectively. Patients recorded pain severity and analgesic intake was documented. Pain flare was defined as an increase of two points in the intensity of pain on the numerical scale with no reduction in analgesic intake and/or 25% increase of the analgesic intake without decreasing pain intensity. RESULTS: Primary cancer was the breast, lung and prostate in 49%, 29% and 22% of patients respectively. Twelve patients (29%) had a pain flare. No factor was significantly associated with the occurrence of this complication. A favorable analgesic response was observed in 27 patients. The pain flare was not related to subsequent analgesic response. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy is an effective treatment of pain related to bone metastasis, but with a high incidence of painful exacerbation.

Lung cancer: Incidence and survival in Rabat, Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, but epidemiologic data from developing countries are lacking. This article reports lung cancer incidence and survival in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. METHODS: All lung cancer cases diagnosed between 2005 and 2008 were analyzed using data provided by the Rabat Cancer Registry. The standardized rate was reported using age adjustment with respect to the world standard population, and the observed survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-one cases were registered (314 males and 37 females), aged 27-90 years (median, 59 years). The most common pathological type was adenocarcinoma (40.2%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (31.9%); the majority of cases were diagnosed at stage IV (52%). The age-standardized incidence rate was 25.1 and 2.7 per 100,000 for males and females, respectively, and the overall observed survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 31.7% and 3.4%, respectively. The clinical stage of disease was the only independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of lung cancer in Rabat is very poor. This finding explains the need for measures to reduce the prevalence of tobacco and to improve diagnostic and therapeutic facilities for lung cancer.

Unusual evolution of leiomyosarcoma of the rectum: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyosarcoma of the rectum is a rare entity that comprises less than 0.1 % of all rectal malignancies. Given the uncommon nature of this tumor and the controversy about its treatment we report one case and review the literature in an attempt to report a particular evolution and to discuss the most appropriate treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes the presentation of leiomyosarcoma of the rectum. A 30-year-old man from the north of Morocco presented with rectorrhagia and constipation. On physical examination we found a mass in his rectum approximately 6 cm from his anal margin. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a rectal mass with a parietal attachment that invaded the fascia and his perirectal tissue. Before any treatment he defecated spontaneously the tumor. On histopathological examination a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was made. An anterior resection of his rectum was performed with adjuvant radiotherapy at a dose of 50 Gy. After 1 year of surveillance, he has not presented any clinical symptoms and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging was normal. Unfortunately, histological analysis of a superficial biopsy of a rectal leiomyosarcoma may not be reflective of the entire tumor mass, and a diagnosis is based essentially on postoperative pathological examination. The optimal treatment modality in patients with rectal leiomyosarcomas is controversial. Prognosis is also poor; tumor size, histological grade, mitotic index, and local staging are the most known prognosis factors. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of rectal leiomyosarcoma is poor; more investigations are necessary to understand the progression of these tumors and to define an optimal treatment modality.

Factors influencing diagnosis delay of advanced breast cancer in Moroccan women.

BACKGROUND: Delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer in symptomatic women of 3 months or more is associated with advanced stage and low survival. We conducted this study to learn more about the extent and reasons behind diagnosis delay of advanced breast cancer in Moroccan women. METHODS: A group of patients with advanced breast cancer were interviewed at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat during the period from February to December 2014. Diagnosis delay was devised into patient delay and system delay. Patient delay was defined as time from first symptoms until first medical consultation. System delay was defined as time from first presentation to a health care provider until definite diagnosis or treatment. Prospective information and clinical data were collected on a form during an interview with each patient and from medical records. RESULTS: In all, 137 patients were interviewed. The mean age of women was 48.3 ± 10.4 years. The median of consultation time was 6[4,12] months and the median of diagnosis time was 1[1,3] months. Diagnosis delay was associated to a personal reason in 96 (70.1 %) patients and to a medical reason in 19 (13.9 %) patients. A number of factors predicted diagnosis delay: symptoms were not considered serious in 66 (55.9 %) patients; traditional therapy was applied in 15 (12.7 %) patients and fear of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment in 14 (11.9 %) patients. A use of traditional methods was significantly associated with rural residence and far away from basic health center (p = 0.000). Paradoxically, a family history of breast cancer was significantly higher in who report a fear of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment to diagnosis delay (p < 0.001). Also, a significantly higher risk of more than 6 months delay was found among rural women (P = 0.035) and women who live far away from specialized care center (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis delay is very serious problem in Morocco. Diagnosis delay was associated with complex interactions between several factors and with advanced stages. There is a need for improving breast cancer information in our populations and training of general practitioners to reduce advanced breast cancer by promoting early detection.

[Combined radiation therapy and androgen deprivation in the management of prostate cancer: Where do we stand?]. / Association de radiothérapie et d'hormonothérapie dans la prise en charge des cancers localisés de la prostate: où en est-on?

Radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy play a major role in the management of prostate cancer. Indeed, radiotherapy and hormone therapy are combined in a neoadjuvant and concomitant setting for intermediate risk cancers but also in an adjuvant setting in high risk or locally advanced prostate cancer. The benefice of this association was suggested by preclinical studies and demonstrated later by several randomized trials. However, as these trials were conducted before the era of dose escalation the role of androgen deprivation therapy in this case is less clear. Moreover, as hormonal therapy can lead to a significant morbidity and a decrement in quality of life its indications must be carefully weighed especially in case of intermediate risk cancer witch represent a heterogeneous group with distinct prognostic subgroups.

Isolated thyroid metastasis revealed an unknown lung adenocarcinoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer metastasis to the thyroid is extremely rare. The most common sites that have been reported to metastasize to the thyroid gland are breast and kidney. As to primary lung cancer metastasizing to the thyroid gland, only a few cases have been described in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 37-year-old white Arabian woman who had never smoked tobacco products for whom a malignant thyroid mass revealed a primary lung tumor. She had a surgical excision for both the thyroid and the pulmonary tumors, and received adjuvant chemotherapy. At 1 year, she is still in remission. CONCLUSIONS: Our case is rare as it describes a case where the thyroid lesion was the revealing sign of an unknown lung carcinoma. Management of thyroid metastases should depend on the individual situation and surgical excision should be proposed whenever a patient's condition is favorable.

[Determinants of patient and health system delays for women with breast cancer in Morocco, 2013]. / Déterminants des délais patient et système de santé des femmes atteintes d'un cancer du sein au Maroc, 2013.

BACKGROUND: In Morocco, breast cancer is the first most common cancer in women. It is diagnosed in most cases at an advanced stage. Delay in diagnosis and access to treatment for breast cancer increases morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the consultation delay (patient delay), diagnosis delay and access to treatment delay (health system delays) of women with breast cancer admitted at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. Factors associated with these delays were analyzed. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2012 to May 2013 at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. Two hundred eligible and consenting women were interviewed using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Stages I and II were identified as "early stages" and III and IV as "advanced stages". RESULTS: In our population, 54% were diagnosed at an early stage of breast cancer and 46% at an advanced stage. The median total delay was 120 days (interquartile interval [IIQ]=81-202 days). The patient delay (median=65 days, IIQ=31-121) was longer than the health system delay (median=50 days, IIQ=29-77). High risk for a long total delay (more than 4 months) was observed for women who were aged over 65 years (OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.10-4.20), illiterate (OR=4.50, 95% CI 2.10-6.20), rural residents (OR=3.40, 95% CI 1.23-8.13), in a lower socioeconomic category (OR=4.75, 95% CI 1.45-15.60), without knowledge about breast self-examination (OR=5.67, 95% CI 2.65-12.15) and seen more than 2 times before diagnosis (OR=7.70, 95% CI 2.88-20.50). A long total delay increased the risk of being diagnosed at an advanced stage (OR=5.62, 95% CI 3.03-10.45). CONCLUSION: Efforts should be directed to providing good information to the population at risk, better access to screening and continuing medical training to enable diagnosis and early treatment.

Prognostic factors affecting cervical adenocarcinoma: 10 years experience in a single institution.

OBJECTIVES: We performed a population-based study to determine the significance of adenocarcinoma and to evaluate its behavior over the last 10 years among patients treated in the National cancer institute of Morocco. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study that was conducted in the national cancer institute of Morocco. Over a period of 10 years, we retrieved 350 cases of cervical invasive adenocarcinoma. Survival was analyzed according to the Kaplan-Meier method. A univariate analysis of prognostic factors was performed using the test of log rank. Cox regression model was used for the multivariate analysis of prognostic factors. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 46 years. Sixty seven percent of the patients had locally advanced stage. Radiotherapy was prescribed in 73.3 % of the cases. The mean follow-up time for surviving patients was 51 months. The 5-year survival rates according to clinical stages were as follows, 76 and 62 % for stages I and II, respectively, 32 and 9 % for stages III and IV, respectively. Tumor stage, tumor grade, positive lymph nodes status, lymphovascular space involvement and patient's age were significant prognostic factors in a univariate analysis. While only stage and lymph node involvement remained significant independent predictors for survival in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Although in our country incidence of adenocarcinoma is lower than the ones reported in western countries, in general our results are consistent with those reported in the literature. Better outcomes are observed in both early stages and young patients. Also, we found that FIGO stage, grade and lymph node metastases to be significant prognostic factors for survival in cervical adenocarcinoma.

Five years' experience treating locally advanced cervical cancer with concurrent chemoradiotherapy: results from a single institution.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of female cancer death. In Morocco it is the second most common cancer, our department recruits more than 500 patients each year and proximally half of the cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2008, all patients with diagnosis of locally advanced cervical cancer referred to our department and treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy were retrieved. We analyzed outcomes for this particular population; overall survival, local control, and toxicities, we also retrieved prognostic factors influencing outcomes for this population. RESULTS: The overall survival rate for the cohort was 68 % at 2 years, and reached 47 % at 5 years. The overall LC rate was 71 % at 2 years and 58 % at 5 years. The most important prognostic factors for OS and LC were the pretreatment hemoglobin, the tumor size, total duration of treatment, and the use of brachytherapy. For OS, the presence of enlarged lymph nodes was also important. For LC, the number of chemotherapy's courses was important. Of the included patients, 20 % experienced late grade 3 or 4 toxicity. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that despite all the treatment strategies available, locally advanced cervical cancer is associated with bad outcomes. In this cohort, the most important prognostic factors were the pretreatment hemoglobin level and the tumor size.

Impact of cervical cancer on quality of life: beyond the short term (Results from a single institution): Quality of life in long-term cervical cancer survivors: results from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most widespread gynecological malignancies in women worldwide. Treatment strategies and screening modalities have largely evolved these past years resulting in an improvement of survival. However, treatment modalities are associated with long term side effects that significantly impacts quality of life (QOL) in cervical cancer survivors. The aim of this study is to evaluate QOL (General and sexual QOL) in cervical cancer survivors up to 10 years after the diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional descriptive study design, 110 cervical cancer survivors (CCS) and 80 healthy controls completed questionnaires assessing QOL. RESULTS: Participants were Arabic White, sexually active. The mean age at diagnosis was 34 years and was 43 years at the time of the interview. In our series long term CCS have generally a good global QOL comparable with healthy controls. However, issues concerning emotional functioning were over expressed by CCS. As to the sexual impact of cervical cancer; CCS experienced less sexual functioning and enjoyment and less satisfaction with their body image when compared to healthy controls. In a multivariate analysis, spiritual well-being and social support were the predictor factors that statistically affected QOL among the studied cohort, it accounted for 81 % of the variance in QOL scores. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the complexity of the relationship between QOL and cervical cancer sequelae in one hand and socio-demographic factors in the other hand is necessary to improve QOL among cervical cancer survivors. More efforts should make to inform disease free patients about expected side effects and symptoms to face the physical changes that would affect their QOL and sexual activity.

[Superior vena cava syndrome with malignant causes]. / Syndrome cave supérieur d'origine maligne.

Superior vena cava syndrome comprises various symptoms and signs resulting from the obstruction of the superior vena cava and resulting in reduced blood flow. Superior vena cava may occur secondary to a variety of conditions, but malignant etiologies are the most common. Usually, the diagnosis is based on a quite clear clinical presentation. Patient with acute presentation can develop life-threatening complications such as cerebral or laryngeal edema. In the absence of these two conditions, a histologic diagnosis should be obtained before the initiation of any therapy. Management of superior vena cava syndrome requires a multidisciplinary team. Therapeutic approaches include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endovascular approach, and the choice of therapy will depend on the severity of the symptoms, the type and the stage of the tumor, but also the patient's general condition.

[Concomitant chemoradiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: current knowledge, controversies and future directions]. / Chimioradiothérapie concomitante des tumeurs infiltrantes de la vessie : acquis, controverses et perspectives.

Radical cystectomy with lymphadenectomy is currently the standard of care for muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer; however and because of its morbidity and its impact on quality of life, there is a growing tendency for bladder-sparing strategies. Initially reserved for elderly or unfit patients unable to undergo radical cystectomy, chemoradiotherapy became a true alternative to surgery for highly selected patients. Although there are no randomized trials comparing radical cystectomy with bladder preserving approaches, surgery remains the preferred treatment for many clinicians. Furthermore, comparison is even more difficult as modalities of radiotherapy are not consensual and differ between centers with a variability of protocols, volume of irradiation and type of chemotherapy. Several ongoing trials are attempting to optimize chemoradiotherapy and limit its toxicity, especially through techniques of adaptive radiotherapy or targeted therapies.

[Primary central nervous lymphoma: what is the role for radiotherapy?]. / Lymphome primitif du système nerveux central : quel rôle pour la radiothérapie ?

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare extranodal form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with an aggressive course and unsatisfactory outcome. Historically, whole-brain radiotherapy was the sole treatment for patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma, with high response rates but typically, this did not result in long-lasting remissions. The addition of high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy regimens to whole-brain radiotherapy has significantly improved patients' outcome, but has resulted in a higher incidence of late neurotoxicity, particularly in elderly patients. To date, the role of consolidation radiotherapy is controversial, and some investigators have developed alternative strategies aiming at avoiding immediate irradiation or using a reduced radiotherapy dose to the whole-brain with promising results.

[Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix: Report of six cases and a review of the literature]. / Carcinome neuroendocrine à petites cellules du col utérin : à propos de six cas et revue de la littérature.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumour, mainly developing at the expense of the respiratory and of the digestive tract. Gynecological neuroendocrine tumours are rare and small cell neuroendocrine tumours of the uterine cervix represent 2% of cervical cancer. Given their rarity and the lack of randomized trials, the diagnostic and therapeutic management of these tumors is difficult and essentially based on that of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours. Like the latter, and despite multimodality regimens, the prognosis of these tumours remains poor. Through this series, we report our experience in the management of these particular tumours while comparing our data with those of the literature.

Melanomes malins primitifs anorectaux

Le melanome malin primitif anorectal represente 0;5 a 1 de toutes les tumeurs de cette region. C'est une pathologie agressive avec un pronostic souvent reserve. La rarete de cette localisation de melanome malin nous a pousses a en faire le point a partir des observations marocaines