Tumour metabolic activity measured by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for radiotherapy planning as a prognostic factor for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse whether the maximum standardized uptake value of the positron emission tomography/computed tomography for radiotherapy planning was useful as a prognostic factor for tumour response and survival of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. BACKGROUND: Increased 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose uptake by lung cancer cells, measured as the maximum standardized uptake value, has been reported to predict the biologic aggressiveness of both early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 61 consecutive patients with unresectable stage IA-IIIB of non-small cell lung cancer. The mean age was 65 years. Seventy five percent of patients in the entire group received an induction chemotherapy. The mean dose of radiotherapy was 61Gy. All patients underwent 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for radiotherapy planning. RESULTS: Thirty six percent of the patients experienced a complete response and 20 % had a partial tumour response. Forty four percent of the patients suffered from a progressive disease. The maximum standardized uptake value of the primary tumour more than 11.4 was correlated with a worse tumour response (p = 0.0001) and a shorter survival of our patients (p = 0.0109). CONCLUSION: We found a correlation between the maximum standardized uptake value and the patient prognosis and lung cancer aggressiveness (Tab. 3, Fig. 5, Ref. 18).

[HDR 192Ir brachytherapy in treatment of basal cell carcinoma of the lower eyelid and inner angle - our experience]. / HDR 192Ir brachyterapia v liecbe bazocelulárneho karcinómu dolnej mihalnice a vnútorného kútika oka - nase skúsenosti.

PURPOSE: First experience and evaluation of relapses in group of patients after surgery with applied adjuvant HDR brachytherapy for recurrent tumor after incomplete excision of basal cell carcinoma of the lower eyelid and inner angle. METHODS: Patients with recurrent basal cell carcinoma of the lower eyelid in year 2010. In 3 male patients with recurrent finding of basal cell after surgery we applied adjuvant HDR 192Ir brachytherapy. The isodose curve chosen to prescribe the dose was 5 mm away from the skin surface. RESULTS: In the year 2010 we applied adjuvant HDR 192Ir brachytherapy in 3 male patients with recurrent basal cell carcinoma. The average age was 58 years (52 to 75 years). From group of 41 patients with non melanotic malignant tumors of the eyelids in 3 patients (7.3 %) with relapse after incomplete excision of the basal cell carcinoma of the lower eyelid we applied after removal of stitches after surgery adjuvant HDR 192Ir brachytherapy. For each patient was made individual orfit mask that bore plastic applicators. Tungsten eye shield applicator was applied to protect the eye globe. Treatment of 10 fractions of 4.5 Gy single dose (5 times weekly) were scheduled within 2 weeks. Patients received outpatient treatment. CONCLUSION: Acute toxicity postradiation erythema of eyelid and skin around relieved by standard symptomatic treatment within a few days after completion of radiation therapy. In 2 year interval after HDR 192Ir brachytherapy we did not record the occurrence of late complications such as corneal ulcers. Our preliminary experience shows excellent early skin tolerance. After 2 years of follow-up at 6 month interval we did not recognize relapse in our group of patients. The proposed technique of HDR 192Ir brachytherapy after surgery should be considered a new clinical treatment in patients with recurrent non melanotic eyelid cancer. Its main advantage lies in the usefulness in all types of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma and sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelids, without restriction by site, dimension, clinical or histological type, or the patients general status.