Prognostic factors of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck in carbon-ion radiotherapy: The impact of histological subtypes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of histological subtypes of head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) on the results of carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of the 113 patients with ACC who were treated with CIRT between December 2006 and July 2013, 100 patients with identified histological subtypes were enrolled in this study. CIRT at a total dose of 57.6 or 64.0Gy (RBE) was administered in 16 fractions. Histological grading was defined as the presence or absence of a solid growth pattern. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 60 months. 5-Year local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) of all patients were 68.6%, 74.8% and 65.7%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, the prescribed dose (p=0.001) and gross tumor volume (p=0.002) were significant independent risk factors for LC. No significant difference for local control of solid/non-solid growth patterns was found (p=0.093). Solid growth pattern was an independent risk factor for both OS (p=0.033) and DMFS (p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: CIRT appears able to locally control solid growth pattern ACC in the head and neck. Improved intervention is needed to extend DMFS and OS.

Definitive carbon-ion radiotherapy for locally advanced parotid gland carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of the safety and efficacy of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for locally advanced parotid gland carcinomas. METHODS: Clinicopathological features and outcomes were evaluated in 46 patients receiving C-ion RT for parotid gland carcinomas. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had adenoid cystic carcinoma; 8 had adenocarcinoma, 8 had mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and 14 had other carcinomas. T2, T3, T4a, and T4b diseases were diagnosed in 3, 18, 8, and 17 patients, respectively. C-ion RT was provided to 25 patients as the primary treatment, to 20 patients for local recurrences after surgery, and to 1 patient for residual tumor after surgery. During follow-up (median duration, 62 months), 5-year local control and overall survival (OS) rates were 74.5% and 70.1%, respectively. Of the 30 patients without facial nerve palsy before C-ion RT, 25 showed no radiation-induced facial nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: C-ion RT is effective and has acceptable toxicity levels for locally advanced parotid gland carcinomas. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 724-729, 2017.

Long-term outcomes after carbon-ion radiotherapy for oral mucosal malignant melanoma.

Oral mucosal malignant melanoma (OMM) is extremely rare and has a poor prognosis. Owing to its rarity, it has not yet been possible to establish an optimal treatment modality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for OMM. Between 1997 and 2013, 19 patients with OMM were treated with C-ion RT alone. Patient ages ranged from 44 to 84 years (median, 69 years). Nine men and 10 women were included. OMMs were restaged in accordance with the seventh edition of the tumour/node/metastasis (TNM) Staging System of the International Union Against Cancer. Before treatment, 14 patients had T3 disease and 5 had T4a disease. Three patients were classified as having N1 disease. All patients were classified as having M0. The hard palate was the most frequently involved oral subsite. All patients were treated with 57.6 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) in 16 fractions. The median follow-up period was 61 months (range, 8-190 months). The 5-year local control, overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 89.5%, 57.4% and 51.6%, respectively. For local control and overall survival, T classification was found to be a significant prognostic factor. Grade 2 and 3 osteoradionecrosis was observed in three and four patients, respectively. The presence of teeth within the planning target volume was a significant risk factor for developing osteoradionecrosis. C-ion RT was an effective treatment option with acceptable toxicity for OMM.

Single-energy metal artefact reduction with CT for carbon-ion radiation therapy treatment planning.

OBJECTIVE: One approach to improving image quality of CT is to use metal artefact reduction image processing, such as single-energy metal artefact reduction (SEMAR). To quantify the impact of image correction on the quality of carbon-ion dose distribution, treatment planning using SEMAR was evaluated. METHODS: Using a head phantom into which metal screws could be inserted, we acquired standard planning CT images. We calculated dose distributions using phantom images with and without metal added, and with and without SEMAR. Hounsfield unit (HU) and dose distribution variation of these images with and without SEMAR were measured using metal-free image subtraction. We similarly analysed the image data sets of two patients with head and neck cancer who had dental implants. RESULTS: HU difference between metal-containing images and metal-free images without and with SEMAR were -79.5 ± 97.2 HU and -1.4 ± 19.5 HU on severe artefact area, respectively. The range of dose distribution difference from the prescribed dose between uncorrected and SEMAR-corrected images varied from -19.5% to -3.4% within planning target volume (PTV). PTV-D95 (%) for uncorrected and SEMAR-corrected image data were 82.4% and 95.4%, respectively. For data in patients with metal dental work, PTV-D95 (%) for uncorrected and SEMAR-corrected data were 92.2% and 92.5% (Patient 1), and 90.9% and 95.7% (Patient 2), respectively. CONCLUSION: SEMAR algorithm shows promise in improving CT image quality and in ensuring an accurate representation of dose distribution. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: SEMAR may improve treatment accuracy without the need for dental implant extraction in patients with head and neck cancer.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy for locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the tongue base.

BACKGROUND: Most cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the tongue base are radioresistant, and are diagnosed in the advanced stage. Therefore, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for locally advanced ACC of the tongue base. METHODS: Eighteen patients with ACC of the tongue base were treated with C-ion RT between May 2002 and April 2014. Seventeen patients had T4a disease and 1 patient had T2 disease before C-ion RT. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 57 months (range, 10-132 months). The 5-year local control rate was 92%. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 72% and 44%, respectively. Regarding late reactions, 2 patients developed grade 3 mandible osteoradionecrosis, and 1 had grade 3 hemorrhage of the tongue base. CONCLUSION: C-ion RT was effective with acceptable toxicities for locally advanced ACC of the tongue base. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2122-E2126, 2016.