The use of stereotactic body radiation therapy for local control of glomangiomatosis: a case report.

The vast majority of glomangiomas are small, benign neoplasms that can occur anywhere in the body but typically arise in the subcutaneous tissues of the extremities and are capable of causing extreme pain. Typically, these lesions are managed surgically with excellent rates of tumor control. On occasion, patients present with a variant of the glomangioma tumor consisting of numerous or recurrent nodules, a condition classified as glomangiomatosis. The authors present a case report of a young patient with multiply recurrent painful glomangiomas of the left foot, who was ultimately diagnosed with glomangiomatosis pedis. After multiple surgeries and surgical consultations, no surgery other than amputation was recommended. Therefore, the patient sought consultation with regard to stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). In the absence of other options, and based on its effectiveness in treating glomus tumors of the head and neck which display similar natural history and histologic features, SBRT was offered. The patient underwent SBRT to the largest of his remaining tumors with excellent local control and significant reduction in pain at two and a half years follow-up.

Fiducial-free CyberKnife stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for single vertebral body metastases: acceptable local control and normal tissue tolerance with 5 fraction approach.

This retrospective analysis examines the local control and toxicity of five-fraction fiducial-free CyberKnife stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for single vertebral body (VB) metastases. All patients had favorable performance status (ECOG 0-1), oligometastatic disease, and no prior spine irradiation. A prescribed dose of 30-35 Gy was delivered in five fractions to the planning target volume (PTV) using the CyberKnife with X-sight spine tracking. Suggested maximum spinal cord and esophagus point doses were 30 and 40 Gy, respectively. A median 30 Gy (IQR, 30-35 Gy) dose was delivered to a median prescription isodose line of 70% (IQR, 65-77%) to 20 patients. At 34 months median follow-up (IQR, 25-40 months) for surviving patients, the 1- and 2-year Kaplan-Meier local control estimates were 80 and 73%, respectively. Two of the five local failures were infield in patients who had received irradiation to the gross tumor volume and three were paravertebral failures just outside the PTV in patients with prior corpectomy. No local failures occurred in patients who completed VB radiation alone. The 1- and 2-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival estimates were 80 and 57%, respectively. Most deaths were attributed to metastatic disease; one death was attributed to local recurrence. The mean maximum point doses were 26.4 Gy (SD, 5.1 Gy) to the spinal cord and 29.1 Gy (SD, 8.9 Gy) to the esophagus. Patients receiving maximum esophagus point doses greater than 35 Gy experienced acute dysphagia (Grade I/II). No spinal cord toxicity was documented. Five-fraction fiducial-free CyberKnife SBRT is an acceptable treatment option for newly diagnosed VB metastases with promising local control rates and minimal toxicity despite the close proximity of such tumors to the spinal cord and esophagus. A prospective study aimed at further enhancing local control by targeting the intact VB and escalating the total dose is planned.

Planned neck dissection for advanced primary head and neck malignancy treated with organ preservation therapy: disease control and survival outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The role of planned neck dissection after organ preservation therapy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy/radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancers presenting with clinically positive neck disease is still being elucidated. The aim of this study is to review the outcomes of such patients treated by organ preservation therapy at our institution. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 33 patients who underwent planned neck dissections after organ preservation therapy for advanced primary head and neck malignancy. Endpoints measured were disease-free survival and local, regional, and distant control. SETTING: Tertiary metropolitan medical center. RESULTS: Two-year actuarial disease-free survival was 61%, and neck control was 92%, with only two failures in the neck. The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and total dose of radiotherapy did not correlate with neck control or disease-free survival. The presence of pathologically positive nodal disease at the time of neck dissection did not correlate with recurrent neck disease, but was a predictor of local recurrence (p = .0086). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that for patients undergoing planned neck dissection after organ preservation therapy, neck control is obtained in almost all cases. The presence of pathologically positive nodal disease at the time of surgery may have implications for the incidence of local recurrence.

Limitations of reduced-field irradiated volume and technique in conventional radiation therapy of prostate cancer: implications for conformal 3-D treatment.

In order to define technical limitations of conventional external beam irradiation for clinically localized prostate cancer, we evaluated the impact of several reduced-field treatment factors, such as reduced-field (RF) irradiated volume, RF technique, photon energy of treatment, and dose on survival endpoints and local control in a retrospective series. Several survival endpoints, such as disease-specific survival, freedom from relapse survival, biochemical no-evidence of disease (bNED) survival, and local control were associated with several treatment variables using univariate and multivariate analyses in 329 patients. Reduced-field technique appeared to predict survival outcome, with patients treated by bilateral 120 degrees arcs faring less well than those treated by full 360 degrees rotational fields. The irradiated volume of the reduced-field was also significantly associated with survival outcome, with patients treated with smaller volumes faring less well. Local failure rates also appeared increased, although not statistically, in patients treated with smaller RF sizes. In an attempt to explain these detected deficiencies, dose-volume histograms for prostate coverage were created for a small sample of patients. The deficiencies related to small reduced-field volume appeared to be largely attributable to poor dosimetric coverage of the prostate. These results underscore the limitations of conventional external beam treatment for prostate carcinoma when conventional techniques are employed, particularly if small reduced fields are used, and further supports the development of improved treatment techniques, such as conformal irradiation, as alternatives.

Complications from planned, posttreatment neck dissections.

OBJECTIVE: To report the complication rate from planned, posttreatment neck dissections in patients who show control of primary squamous cell carcinoma by chemotherapy and radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. DESIGN: Retrospective review of case series. SETTING: Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC. PATIENTS: Thirty-four patients with clinically positive neck disease treated with organ preservation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. INTERVENTIONS: Planned neck dissection after treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Perioperative complications. RESULTS: Forty-one neck dissections were performed on 34 patients. Complications were seen in 13 (38%) of 34 patients and 15 (37%) of 41 neck dissections. Wound complications occurred in 9 (22%) of 41 dissections. Neck dissection complication rate did not correlate with previous use of chemotherapy or with the use of brachytherapy at the primary site at the time of the neck dissection. Preoperative radiotherapy dose greater than 70 Gy was associated with complications in 58% vs 29% when preoperative dose was less than 70 Gy (P = .09). This trend was reflected primarily in wound complications (42% vs 14%; P = . 10) and reached significance for skin flap necrosis (33% vs 0%; P = .005). Other factors that were associated with increased complications were preoperative albumin level less than 38 g/L and early neck drain removal. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate associated with planned posttreatment neck dissection is similar to that previously reported for neck dissection. Wound complications are more common when higher preoperative radiotherapy doses are used.

Treatment of female urethral carcinoma in medically inoperable patients using external beam irradiation and high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: We developed and present our experience with high dose rate brachytherapy for treatment of carcinoma of the urethra in medically inoperable women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1991, 4 women with localized urethral cancer, medically unable to undergo resection or interstitial implantation, were treated with external beam and high dose rate intracavitary implantation rather than external beam irradiation alone. The fractionated implants were delivered with a high dose rate remote afterloader using a shielded vaginal applicator and modified urethral catheter. The urethral catheter was inserted through the lumen of a 20F Foley tube to improve depth dose. Homogeneous dose distribution was achieved and customized to the individual patient. RESULTS: All high dose rate brachytherapy treatments were given at the clinic without use of sedation or anesthesia. Treatment was well tolerated, and all patients maintained voluntary urinary function and local control at 12 to 55 months after therapy. Chronic morbidity due to urethral, bladder, vaginal or rectal injury, including urethral stenosis, necrosis or fistula, was not noted. Isodose distributions were compared among this technique, interstitial implantation and external beam radiotherapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Although we prefer interstitial implantation as the boost technique for women with urethral cancer, high dose rate brachytherapy is a reasonable option for medically inoperable patients. This outpatient treatment is well tolerated, preserves voluntary urinary function and enhances quality of life.

Effects of beam spoiler on radiation dose for head and neck irradiation with 10-MV photon beam.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a lucite beam spoiler on the dose distribution to points inside and outside the primary beam for head and neck irradiation with a 10-MV photon beam. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Build-up and depth-dose measurements were performed with a parallel-plate ionization chamber for 5 x 5, 10 x 10, and 15 x 15-cm field sizes using lucite spoilers with two different thicknesses at two different lucite-to-skin distances (LSD) for a 10-MV x-ray beam. Corrections were applied to account for finite chamber size. Beam profiles and isodose curves were obtained at several depths using film dosimetry. Beam uniformity was determined from uniformity indices. Peripheral doses (PD) were measured at the surface and at 1.5- and 2.5-cm depths using film dosimetry and a parallel-plate ionization chamber. Measurement points were positioned at the edge of a 10 x 10-cm field and at distances extending to 5.0 cm away. The treatment planning data for the 10-MV x-ray beam were modified to account for the effects of the beam spoiler when treating head and neck patients. RESULTS: The spoiler increased the surface and build-up dose and shifted the depth of maximum dose toward the surface. With a 10-MV x-ray beam and a 1.2-cm-thick lucite at 15 cm LSD, a build-up dose similar to a 6-MV x-ray beam was achieved. The beam uniformity was altered at shallow depths. The peripheral dose was enhanced particularly at the surface and at the points close to the beam edge. The effects of the beam spoiler on beam profile and PD were reduced with increasing depths. CONCLUSION: The lucite spoiler allowed use of a 10-MV x-ray beam for head and neck treatment by yielding a build-up dose similar to that of a 6-MV x-ray beam while maintaining skin sparing. The increase in PD was at superficial depths and was reduced at points away from the edge; therefore, it is clinically nonsignificant. Spoiling the 10-MV x-ray beam resulted in treatment plans that maintained dose homogeneity without the consequence of increased skin reaction or treatment volume underdose for regions near the skin surface.

Radiation dose perturbation at tissue-titanium dental interfaces in head and neck cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the dose perturbation effects at the tissue-metal implant interfaces in head and neck cancer patients treated with 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Phantom measurements were performed to investigate the magnitude of dose perturbation to the tissue adjacent to the titanium alloy implants with (100 mu and 500 mu thick) and without hydroxylapatite (HA) coating. Radiographic and radiochromic films were placed at the upper (and lower) surface of circular metal discs (diameter x thickness: 15 x 3.2, 48 x 3.2, 48 x 3.8 mm2) in a solid water phantom and were exposed perpendicular to radiation beams. The dosimeters were scanned with automatic film scanners. Using a thin-window parallel-plate ion chamber, dose perturbation were measured for a 48 x 3.2 mm2 disc. RESULTS: At the upper surface of the tissue-dental implant interface, the radiographic data indicate that for 15 x 3.2 mm2 uncoated, as well as 100 mu coated discs, dose perturbation is about +22.5% and +20.0% using 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.2 mm2 discs, these values basically remain the same. However, for 48 x 3.8 mm2 discs, these values increase slightly to about +23.0% and +20.5% for 6 MV and 10 MV beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.2 mm2 discs with 500 mu coating, dose enhancement is slightly lower than that obtained for uncoated and 100 mu coated discs for each beam energy studied. At the lower interface for 15 x 3.2 mm2 and 48 x 3.2 mm2 uncoated and 100 mu coated discs, dose reduction is similar and is about -13.5% and -9.5% for 6 MV and 10 MV beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.8 mm2 discs, dose reduction is about -14.5% and -10.0% for 6 MV and 10 MV beams, respectively. For 48 x 3.2 mm2 discs with 500 mu coating, the dose reduction were slightly higher than those for uncoated and 100 mu coated discs. CONCLUSIONS: For the beam energies studied, dose enhancement is slightly larger for the lower energy beam. The results of dose perturbation were similar for 100 mu coated and uncoated discs. These results were slightly lower for the 500 mu coated discs but are not clinically significant. The dosimetry results obtained from radiochromic films were similar to the ones obtained from radiographic film. The dose enhancement results obtained from ion chamber dosimetry are higher than those obtained from film dosimetry. The ion chamber data represent the data at "true" tissue-titanium interface, whereas the ones obtained from film dosimetry represent the data at film-titanium interface.

Use of dental implants for rehabilitation of mandibulectomy patients prior to radiation therapy.

The use of dental implants can aid in prosthetic rehabilitation of patients after ablative cancer surgery of the oral cavity. Biological effects of radiation therapy and the enhancement of radiation by metal implants have limited the use of dental implants. This article presents a case of dental implants used prior to radiation therapy for rehabilitation of a mandibulectomy patient and discusses the current understanding of radiation effects on bone and metal implants.

Air cavity effects on the radiation dose to the larynx using Co-60, 6 MV, and 10 MV photon beams.

PURPOSE: To determine the perturbation effect in the surface layers of lesions located in the air-tumor tissue interface of larynx using 60Co, 6 MV, and 10 MV photon beams. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), were embedded at 16 measurement locations in slab no. 8 of a humanoid phantom and exposed to two lateral-opposed beams using standard small 7 x 7 cm fields. Similarly, radiographic and radiochromic films were placed between slabs no. 7 and no. 8 of the humanoid phantom and exposed to two lateral-opposed radiation beams. The dosimeters were irradiated with 60Co, 6 MV, and 10 MV photon beams. Computer tomography (CT) treatment planning without inhomogeneity correction was performed. RESULTS: At the tissue-air interface, the average measured percentage dose (% dosem) is about (108.7 +/- 4.8)% with TLD data, (96.8 +/- 2.5)% with radiographic film data, and (100.8 +/- 4.9)% with radiochromic film data. Similarly, in the central part of the cavity, the % dosem is (98.4 +/- 3.1)% with TLD data, (94.3 +/- 3.3)% with radiographic film data, and (91.7 +/- 5.0)% with radiochromic film data. Using the CT-based generated dose distribution (without inhomogeneity correction), the average calculated percentage dose (% dosec) is (98.7 +/- 1.0)% at the tissue-air interface and 98% in the central part of the air cavity. CONCLUSION: For the beam energies studied, the variation from the % dosem at the tissue-air interface for a given dosimetry technique is relatively small [< 5% (TLD), < 3% (radiographic), and < 5% (radiochromic)] and therefore should not be significant in clinical settings. The variation from the % dosem at the tissue-air interface is more significant for lower energies [8% (60Co), 7.3% (6 MV)]. This variation is about 4.3% for 10 MV photon beam, therefore, while our institutional practice favors lower energy (60Co to 6 MV) for node-negative glottic cancers, physical/dosimetric evidence offers no disadvantage to the use of higher energy photons.

Intraoperative high-dose rate interstitial irradiation of hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma. Results of a phase I-II trial.

BACKGROUND: Resection of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma can be curative. Unresectable but liver-confined metastases might be ablated by high-dose radiation with a similar curative result. METHODS: At Georgetown University Hospital, 22 patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma underwent 24 interstitial irradiation procedures at laparotomy in a Phase I-II study. A single dose was administered with a high-dose rate iridium-192 afterloader. Dose to the tumor periphery was 20 Gy, 25 Gy, and 30 Gy in 13, 9, and 2 procedures, respectively. RESULTS: No acute or chronic radiation toxicity has occurred at a median follow-up of 11 months. Median actuarial local control at irradiated sites was 8 months, with 26% actuarial local control at 26 months by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. In the two patients undergoing two procedures each, a second biopsy of previously irradiated areas demonstrated tumor eradication. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative, radical approach to unresectable colorectal hepatic metastases proved safe. Additional study is needed to determine whether interstitial irradiation is as effective as surgical resection, or whether it alters the natural history of the disease or longevity.

A randomized study of the efficacy of adjuvant local graft irradiation following renal transplantation.

A prospective randomized study investigating the effectiveness of adjuvant local graft irradiation (LGI) following renal transplantation was performed at Georgetown University Hospital from 1983 until 1988. One hundred and thirty-eight patients were enrolled in the study with 117 patients receiving cadaver kidney transplantations and 21 patients receiving living related kidney transplantations. Seventy-one patients were randomized to receive adjuvant local graft irradiation consisting of 600 cGy in four fractions with chemical immunosuppression whereas the remaining 67 patients received chemical immunosuppression only (control group). The two groups were comparable at entry with respect to potentially important prognostic variables. Median follow-up for all patients was 30 months. The 3-year actuarial allograft success rate was 75% and 68% for the local graft irradiation and control groups, respectively. A nonsignificant trend favoring the irradiated group was noted. Subgroup analysis of the 21 recipients of kidneys from living related donors suggested an improvement in allograft survival for the local graft irradiation arm. Cadaver allograft survival was not significantly different between the two treatment arms. There was no apparent benefit in kidney function or time to the first rejection episode in the group receiving local graft irradiation.

Cancer of the pancreas: are chemotherapy and radiation appropriate?

Current treatment of pancreatic carcinoma is not adequate. Local recurrence and distant metastases result in disease progression and death in the majority of patients. The authors focus on the natural history of the disease, the results with currently available treatments and the future of combined modality treatment. Reviewing the literature in support of combined treatments, they observe that several potential benefits may result: Palliation of symptoms, prolongation of survival (albeit measured in months), and occasional long-term survival. Patients with carcinoma of the pancreas are appropriate candidates for investigational treatment protocols.

Intraoperative radiation therapy of hepatic metastases: technical aspects and report of a pilot study.

Surgical resection of hepatic metastases offers long-term survival, and possible cure, for selected patients with colorectal carcinoma. Fifty percent of patients considered candidates for resection are found to have disease confined to the liver. The resections necessary are often more extensive than predicted preoperatively, which provides an opportunity for innovative approaches using radiation therapy. The intraoperative radiation therapy technique presented here offers the ability to control multiple metastatic deposits in patients not deemed resectable. This is achieved using remote afterloading interstitial (Ir-192) radiation therapy to deliver tumoricidal radiation doses to limited volumes within the liver. The technique was used to treat 11 patients in a pilot study, delivering radiation doses of 20 Gy to the periphery of predetermined target volumes in a single treatment. The number of metastatic deposits treated ranged from 2 to 11 separate tumors with maximum diameters from 3 to 9 cm (median 6 cm). Hospitalizations were from 6 to 23 days (median 8) with only one patient experiencing a surgically related complication (wound dehiscence and pneumonia). There were no radiation related complications on follow-up to 18 months. Biopsies of two treated sites in a patient undergoing reoperation confirmed control of tumors by this procedure. This technique is offered as a standby procedure to patients undergoing exploration for hepatic resection at our institution.

Intraoperative interstitial radiation therapy for hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinomas.

Liver metastases from colorectal carcinomas occur frequently. While surgical resection offers the only hope for long-term cure, unsuspected bilobar metastases or extrahepatic metastatic disease may be found at laparotomy, precluding hepatic resection for cure. In this setting intraoperative interstitial hepatic irradiation using the Gamma Med II (Mick Radio-Nuclear Instruments, Bronx, New York) remote afterloading irradiator and an Iridium-192 source permits delivery of a tumoricidal dose to liver tumor(s) with a limited radiation dose to adjacent normal liver. Six patients underwent laparotomy for potential resection of hepatic metastases in a shielded operating room equipped with remote anesthesia monitoring capability and were found to be unresectable. An upper hand retractor facilitated liver exposure during the exploratory and subsequent radiation phases of the procedure. Intraoperative interstitial radiation therapy was performed in each patient. No significant complications occurred on follow-up from 2 to 9 months. Hepatic tumor regression or stabilization occurred on sonography and/or CT scan in each case with a median follow-up of 5 months. The technique offers the potential to ablate discrete tumor nodules within the liver. Ongoing clinical trials will determine the role of intraoperative interstitial radiation in the treatment of hepatic metastases.

Intraoperative single-dose radiotherapy. Observations on staging and interstitial treatment of unresectable liver metastases.

Fourteen patients with a history of colonic cancer were evaluated for metastatic disease and were thought to have unresectable disease confined to the liver. Exploratory surgery revealed that two patients had extensive extrahepatic disease, and the procedure was terminated. In 12 patients, closed-end needles (diameter, 2.1 mm) were introduced into each nodule and connected to a 370-MBq (10-Ci) afterloading iridium source. Radiation doses were dependent on nodule size, providing minimum doses of 20 Gy (2000 rad) to the lesion's periphery with rapid radiation falloff avoiding toxic effects to adjacent normal tissue. The maximum number of nodules treated in one patient was 11. The largest nodule treated measured 9 x 6.5 x 6 cm. Cholecystectomy in four patients allowed precise implantation and obviated biliary fistula. Preoperative computed tomography underestimated the number of hepatic metastases in all cases but one, and treatment-induced computed tomographic alterations further limited its utility. Radiation treatment was well tolerated, and the median hospitalization was eight days. Of ten patients whose preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen values exceeded 10 ng/dL, the values in six patients decreased postoperatively.

Interstitial radiation therapy for hepatic metastases: sonographic guidance for applicator placement.

A new technique is reported for the treatment of hepatic metastases using sonography-directed percutaneous placement of a 14-gauge needle applicator and a high-intensity "remote afterloading" iridium-192 (Ir-192) source for interstitial radiation therapy. The results with six patients show that the procedure is easily performed, patient tolerance is good, and there is minimal disruption of the patient's lifestyle. Hospitalizations have been less than 24 hr. Partial response or stable disease in the liver was observed in all six patients. Tumoricidal doses up to 5000 rad (cGy) in a single treatment with durations from 7 to 41 min were achieved in small volumes (less than 25 cm3) with no clinically significant toxicity on follow-up evaluations from 2-6 months. The technique appears to ablate discrete metastatic tumor deposits in the liver.

Electrophysiologic properties of perhexiline.

Perhexiline maleate (Pexid), a promising clinical antiarrhythmic and antianginal drug, was evaluated for its electrophysiologic effects on the entire conduction system of the intact canine heart throughout a wide range of therapeutic and potentially toxic doses. Intracardiac conduction times were measured by bipolar intramyocardial and transvenous endocardial electrodes before and following the intravenous administration of each dose of perhexiline maleate, 3 mg/kg every 30 min for a total of 4 doses in 7 open-chest anesthetized dogs. Eight animals served as controls in which similar operative technique and electrophysiologic variables were recorded after infusion of the maleate diluent. In addition, the effects of perhexiline on atrial and ventricular thresholds to electrical stimulation were recorded, as well as the QRS and QT intervals, sinus rate, and rhythm disorders. It was observed that perhexiline did not significantly (p greater than .05) alter sinus rate, QT interval, QRS duration, PR interval, intra-atrial conduction time, atrioventricular nodal conduction time, and His-Purkinje conduction velocity. The drug did not affect the cardiac threshold to electrical stimulation of less than 0.1 ma. No ectopic atrial or ventricular activity emerged during the accumulated influence of the agent. From this study, it is concluded that perhexiline does not exert deleterious actions on the conduction system of the intact canine heart. In view of the negligible toxic effects and its efficacy in treating ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients, the drug deserves further clinical evaluation.