El papel del antígeno prostático específico (PSA) y el estadio patológico antes de la radioterapia en la predicción de los resultados de la resonancia magnética multiparamétrica (RMmp) en pacientes con recidiva del cancer de próstata tras prostatectomía radical / Role of PSA levels and pathological stadiation before radiation therapy in predicting mp-MRI results in patients with prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy

Objetivo Evaluar el valor del antígeno prostático específico (PSA) en la predicción de los resultados de la resonancia magnética multiparamétrica (RMmp) en pacientes con cáncer de próstata (CaP) de alto (puntuación de Gleason≥8, pT≥3, pN1) y bajo grado (puntuación de Gleason<8, pT<3, pN0). Materiales y métodos Ciento ochenta y ocho pacientes se sometieron a una RMmp de 1,5-T después de la prostatectomía radical y antes de la radioterapia. Los pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos: el grupo A incluía pacientes con recidiva bioquímica (RB) y el grupo B pacientes sin RB pero con alto riesgo de recidiva local. Teniendo en cuenta la puntuación de Gleason, pT y pN como variables de agrupación independientes, se realizaron análisis ROC de los niveles de PSA en el momento del diagnóstico del CaP primario y antes de la radioterapia con el fin de identificar el punto de corte óptimo para predecir el resultado de la RMmp. Resultados En los grupos A y B, el área bajo la curva del PSA antes de la radioterapia fue superior a la del PSA en el momento del diagnóstico del CaP, en tumores de bajo y alto grado. Para los tumores de bajo grado, la mejor área bajo la curva fue de 0,646 y 0,685 en el grupo A y B, respectivamente; para los tumores de alto grado, la mejor área bajo la curva fue de 0,705 y 1 en el grupo A y B, respectivamente. Para los tumores de bajo grado, el punto de corte óptimo del PSA fue de 0,565-0,58ng/ml en el grupo A (sensibilidad y especificidad: 70,5% y 66%), y de 0,11-0,13ng/ml en el B (sensibilidad y especificidad: 62,5% y 84,6%). Para los tumores de alto grado, el punto de corte de PSA óptimo fue de 0,265-0,305ng/ml en el grupo A (sensibilidad y especificidad: 95% y 42,1%), y de 0,13-0,15ng/ml en el grupo B (sensibilidad y especificidad: 100%). Conclusión La RMmp se debe realizar como herramienta diagnóstica complementaria siempre que se detecte una RB, especialmente en el CaP de alto grado... (AU)

Objective To evaluate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value in multiparametric magnetic resonance imagin (mp-MRI) results prediction, analyzing patients with high (Gleason Score ≥8, pT≥3, pN1) and low grade (Gleason Score <8, pT<3, pN0) prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and methods One hundred eighty-eight patients underwent 1.5-T mp-MRI after radical prostatectomy and before radiotherapy. They were divided into 2 groups: A and B, for patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) and without BCR but with high local recurrence risk. Considering Gleason Score, pT and pN as independent grouping variables, ROC analyses of PSA levels at primary PCa diagnosis and PSA before radiotherapy were performed in order to identify the optimal cut-off to predict mp-MRI result. Results Group A and B showed higher area under the curve for PSA before radiotherapy than PSA at PCa diagnosis, in low and high grade tumors. For low grade tumors the best area under the curve was 0.646 and 0.685 in group A and B; for high grade the best area under the curve was 0.705 and 1 in group A and B, respectively. For low grade tumors the best PSA cut-off was 0.565-0.58ng/ml in group A (sensitivity, specificity: 70.5%, 66%), and 0.11-0.13ng/ml in B (sensitivity, specificity: 62.5%, 84.6%). For high grade tumors, the best PSA cut-off obtained was 0.265-0.305ng/ml in group A (sensitivity, specificity: 95%, 42.1%), and 0.13-0.15ng/ml in B (sensitivity, specificity: 100%). Conclusion Mp-MRI should be performed as added diagnostic tool always when a BCR is detected, especially in high grade PCa. In patients without BCR, mp-MRI results, although poorly related to pathological stadiation, still have a good diagnostic performance, mostly when PSA>0.1-0.15ng/ml. (AU)

Heterotopic hip ossification resection: monocentric experiences of associated factors, outcomes, and complications.

PURPOSE: The exponential increase in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has led to acute and chronic surgery-related complications. Common chronic and local complications are represented by hip ossification (HO). The aim of our study was to assess the clinical and radiological correlates of patients undergoing surgical removal of heterotopic ossifications after THA and the possible association between HO and prosthetic joint infection. METHODS: Data of 26 patients who underwent surgical removal of periprosthetic calcifications after THA from 2000 to 2022 were analyzed and compared with characteristics of 156 subjects without HO. RESULTS: The preoperative radiographs of patients showed a high-grade Brooker, 3 or 4, later reduced to 1 or 2 in the postoperative radiographs. Ten (38.5%) patients underwent radiotherapy prophylaxis, administered as a single dose 24 h before surgery. In 19 (73%) patients, pharmacological prophylaxis with indomethacin was added in the 30 postoperative days. Only one patient who underwent radiotherapy had a recurrence, while new ossifications were found in three patients without prophylaxis (11.5%). Intraoperative cultures were performed for suspected periprosthetic infection in 8 study group patients. In logistic regression, the presence of HO was significantly and inversely associated with the ASA score (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09-0.82; P = 0.021) after adjusting. CONCLUSION: Surgical HO removal in symptomatic patients with high-grade disease produces good clinical and radiographic results. Radiotherapy was a good perioperative and preventive strategy for recurrence, also associated with NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors.

Role of psa levels and pathological stadiation before radiation therapy in predicting mp-MRI results in patients with prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate PSA value in mp-MRI results prediction, analyzing patients with high (GS≥8, pT≥3, pN1) and low grade (GS<8, pT<3, pN0) Prostate Cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-eight patients underwent 1.5-Tmp-MRI after Radical Prostatectomy (RP) and before Radiotherapy (RT). They were divided into 2 groups: A and B, for patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) and without BCR but with high local recurrence risk. Considering Gleason Score (GS), pT and pN as independent grouping variables, ROC analyses of PSA levels at primary PCa diagnosis and PSA before RT were performed in order to identify the optimal cut-off to predict mp-MRI result. RESULTS: Group A and B showed higher AUC for PSA before RT than PSA at PCa diagnosis, in low and high grade tumors. For low grade tumors the best AUC was 0.646 and 0.685 in group A and B; for high grade the best AUC was 0.705 and 1 in group A and B, respectively. For low grade tumors the best PSA cut-off was 0.565-0.58ng/mL in group A (sensitivity, specificity: 70.5%, 66%), and 0.11-0.13ng/mL in B (sensitivity, specificity: 62.5%, 84.6%). For high grade tumors, the best PSA cut-off obtained was 0.265-0.305ng/mL in group A (sensitivity, specificity: 95%, 42.1%), and 0.13-0.15ng/mL in B (sensitivity, specificity: 100%). CONCLUSION: Mp-MRI should be performed as added diagnostic tool always when a BCR is detected, especially in high grade PCa. In patients without BCR, mp-MRI results, although poorly related to pathological stadiation, still have a good diagnostic performance, mostly when PSA>0.1-0.15ng/mL.

El papel de la resonancia magnética multiparamétrica en el diagnóstico de la recidiva local tras la prostatectomía radical y antes de la radioterapia de rescate / The role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of local recurrence after radical prostatectomy and before salvage radiotherapy

Objetivo Evaluar la precisión diagnóstica de la resonancia magnética multiparamétrica (RMmp) en la detección de la recidiva local del cáncer de próstata (CaP) después de la prostatectomía radical (PR) y antes de la radioterapia (RT). Materiales y métodos Un total de 188 pacientes se sometieron a una RMmp de 1,5T después de la PR y antes de la RT. Los pacientes se dividieron en 2 grupos: con recidiva bioquímica (grupo A) y sin recidiva bioquímica, pero con alto riesgo de recidiva local (grupo B). Las variables continuas se compararon entre los 2 grupos mediante la prueba t de Student; las variables categóricas se analizaron mediante chi-cuadrado de Pearson. El análisis ROC se realizó considerando como variables de agrupación el PSA antes de la RT, el grado ISUP, el pT y el pN. Resultados La recidiva del CaP (reducción de los niveles de PSA después de la RT) fue del 89,8% en el grupo A y del 80,3% en el grupo B. Al comparar los pacientes con y sin recidiva del CaP, hubo una diferencia significativa en los valores de PSA antes de la RT para el grupo A, y en los valores de PSA antes y después de la RT para el grupo B. En el grupo A hubo una correlación significativa entre el PSA antes de la RT y el diámetro de la recidiva, y entre el PSA antes de la RT y el tiempo transcurrido hasta la recidiva. La precisión diagnóstica de la RMmp en la detección de la recidiva local del CaP tras la RT es del 62,2% en el grupo A y del 38% en el grupo B. La imagen potenciada en difusión es la secuencia de RM más específica y la perfusión dinámica con contraste la más sensible. Para el PSA=0,5ng/ml, el AUC disminuye, mientras que la sensibilidad y la precisión aumentan para cada secuencia de RM. Para el PSA=0,9ng/ml, el AUC de la perfusión dinámica con contraste aumenta significativamente (AU)

Purpose Assess multiparametric-MRI (mp-MRI) diagnostic accuracy in the detection of local recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (PR) and before radiation therapy (RT). Materials and methods A total of 188 patients underwent 1.5-T mp-MRI after RP before RT. Patients were divided into 2 groups: with biochemical recurrence (group A) and without but with high risk of local recurrence (group B). Continuous variables were compared between 2 groups using Student-t test; categoric variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square. ROC analysis was performed considering PSA before RT, ISUP, pT and pN as grouping variables. Results PCa recurrence (reduction of PSA levels after RT) was 89.8% in group A and 80.3% in group B. Comparing patients with and without PCa recurrence, there was a significant difference in PSA values before RT for group A and for PSA values before RT and after RT for group B. In group A, there was a significant correlation between PSA before RT and diameter of recurrence and between PSA before RT and time spent before recurrence. The mp-MRI diagnostic accuracy in detecting PCa local recurrence after RP is of 62.2% in group A and 38% in group B. Diffusion weighted imaging is the most specific MRI-sequence and dynamic contrast enhanced the most sensitive. For PSA=0.5ng/ml, the AUC decreases while sensitivity and accuracy increase for each MRI-sequence. For PSA=0.9ng/ml, dynamic contrast enhanced-AUC increases significantly. Conclusion mp-MRI should always be performed before RT when a recurrence is suspected. New scenarios can be opened considering the role of diffusion weighted imaging for PSA≤0.5ng/ml (AU)

The role of multiparametric mri in the diagnosis of local recurrence after radical prostatectomy and before salvage radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Assess multiparametric-MRI (mp-MRI) diagnostic accuracy in the detection of local recurrence of Prostate Cancer (PCa) after Radical Prostatectomy (PR) and before Radiation Therapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 188 patients underwent 1.5-T mp-MRI after RP before RT. Patients were divided into two groups: with biochemical recurrence (group A) and without but with high risk of local recurrence (group B). Continuous variables were compared between two groups using T-Student; categoric variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square. ROC analysis was performed considering PSA before RT, ISUP, pT and pN as grouping variables. RESULTS: PCa recurrence (reduction of PSA levels after RT) was 89.8% in the group A and 80.3% in the group B. Comparing patients with and without PCa recurrence, there was a significant difference in PSA values before RT for group A and for PSA values before RT and after RT for group B. In group A, there was a significant correlation between PSA before RT and diameter of recurrence and between PSA before RT and time spent before recurrence. The mp-MRI diagnostic accuracy in detecting PCa local recurrence after RP is of 62.2% in group A and 38% in group B. DWI is the most specific MRI-sequence and DCE the most sensitive. For PSA = 0.5 ng/ml, the AUC decreases while sensitivity and accuracy increase for each MRI-sequence. For PSA = 0.9 ng/ml, DCE-AUC increases significantly. CONCLUSION: mp-MRI should always be performed before RT when a recurrence is suspected. New scenarios can be opened considering the role of DWI for PSA ≤ 0.5 ng/ml.

A multicenter LArge retrospectIve daTabase on the personalization of stereotactic ABlative radiotherapy use in lung metastases from colon-rectal cancer: The LaIT-SABR study.

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has been shown to increase survival in oligometastatic disease, but local control of colorectal metastases remains poor. We aimed to identify potential predictive factors of SBRT response through a multicenter large retrospective database and to investigate the progression to the polymetastatic disease (PMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 23 centers, and was approved by the Ethical Committee (Prot. Negrar 2019-ZT). 1033 lung metastases were reported. Clinical and biological parameters were evaluated as predictive for freedom from local progression-free survival (FLP). Secondary end-point was the time to the polymetastatic conversion (tPMC). RESULTS: Two-year FLP was 75.4%. Two-year FLP for lesions treated with a BED < 00 Gy, 100-124 Gy, and ≥125 Gy was 76.1%, 70.6%, and 94% (p = 0.000). Two-year FLP for lesion measuring ≤10 mm, 10-20 mm, and >20 mm was 79.7%, 77.1%, and 66.6% (p = 0.027). At the multivariate analysis a BED ≥125 Gy significantly reduced the risk of local progression (HR 0.24, 95%CI 0.11-0.51; p = 0.000). Median tPMC was 26.8 months. Lesions treated with BED ≥125 Gy reported a significantly longer tPMC as compared to lower BED. The median tPMC for patients treated to 1, 2-3 or 4-5 simultaneous oligometastases was 28.5, 25.4, and 9.8 months (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: The present is the largest series of lung colorectal metastases treated with SABR. The results support the use of SBRT in lung oligometastatic colorectal cancer patients as it might delay the transition to PMD or offer relatively long disease-free period in selected cases. Predictive factors were identified for treatment personalization.

Treatment of brain metastases in small cell lung cancer: Decision-making amongst a multidisciplinary panel of European experts.

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases (BM) are common in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In recent years, the role of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for brain metastases in lung cancer is being reevaluated, especially in the context of new systemic treatments available for SCLC. With this analysis, we investigate decision-making in SCLC patients with BM among European experts in medical oncology and radiation oncology. METHODS: We analyzed decision-making from 13 medical oncologists (selected by IASLC) and 13 radiation oncologists (selected by ESTRO) specialized in SCLC. Management strategies of individual experts were converted into decision trees and analyzed for consensus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic patients, chemotherapy alone is the most commonly recommended first line treatment. In asymptomatic patients with limited volume of brain metastases, a higher preference for chemotherapy without WBRT among medical oncologists compared to radiation oncologists was observed. For symptomatic patients, WBRT followed by chemotherapy was recommended most commonly. For limited extent of BM in symptomatic patients, some experts chose stereotactic radiotherapy as an alternative to WBRT. Significant variation in clinical decision-making was observed among European SCLC experts for the first line treatment of patients with SCLC and BM.

Diagnosis and treatment of early and locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: The 2019 AIOM (Italian Association of Medical Oncology) clinical practice guidelines.

The Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) has developed clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with early and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. In the current paper a panel of AIOM experts in the field of thoracic malignancies discussed these topics, analyzing available scientific evidences, with the final aim of providing a summary of clinical recommendations, which may guide physicians in their current practice.

Treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: The 2019 AIOM (Italian Association of Medical Oncology) clinical practice guidelines.

The Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) has developed clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the current paper a panel of AIOM experts in the field of thoracic malignancies discussed the available scientific evidences, with the final aim of providing a summary of clinical recommendations, which may guide physicians in their current practice.

Ten years experience with breast reconstruction after salvage mastectomy in previously irradiated patients: analysis of outcomes, satisfaction and well-being.

OBJECTIVE: Reconstruction following mastectomy offers women an opportunity to mollify some of the emotional and aesthetic effects of this devastating disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the files of 83 patients who underwent immediate postmastectomy reconstruction with tissue expander between January of 2003 and June of 2012 at our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A (study group) included 30 patients with previous quadrantectomy and radiotherapy who underwent salvage mastectomy after local recurrence; Group B (control group) included 53 patients submitted to primary radical mastectomy. We submitted Breast-Q reconstruction post-operative module to all of our patients. RESULTS: The median follow-up time for the whole group was 36 months (range = 12-144 months). Between group A and group B, there were no significant differences. In the group A, the median time from RT to reconstruction was 24 months (range = 9-192 months). The overall rate of complications was not similar between the two groups (66.6% vs. 58.5%; p = NS). However, the  major complications occurred mostly in the irradiated group, showing a trend of statistical significance (53.3% vs. 32.0%; p = 0.07). In this group, the occurrence of major complications was not different according to time from RT to reconstruction (p = 0.313). In particularly, patients from the irradiated group (group A) had a significantly higher risk of grade III-IV capsular contracture (relative risk 3.75, p = 0.02) and autologous salvage reconstruction (relative risk 10.4, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study prove that heterologous reconstruction is still possible following salvage mastectomy in previously irradiated patients.

Estimating the value of surgical clips for target volume delineation in external beam partial breast radiotherapy.

AIMS: To investigate the role of surgical clips in defining the clinical target volume (CTV) for three-dimensional conformal external beam radiotherapy-partial breast irradiation (3D-CRT-PBI) using preoperative computed tomography scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of patients with early breast cancer underwent conservative surgery with placement of surgical titanium clips (at least three clips required). All patients had a treatment planning computed tomography simulation before (CT1) and after surgery (CT2). The two sets of images were co-registered with a match point registration. The relationship between the clips-based CTV for PBI delineated on CT2 and the initial tumour location on CT1 was studied, evaluating the percentage of intersection volume. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients participated in this study. In total, 13 patients (46.4%) had an intersection volume ≥ 50% and 10 patients (35.7%) had complete intersection (intersection volume = 100%). An increased median intersection volume was observed in patients with more than six clips (P = 0.007) and in patients with a larger portion of breast volume covered by the PBI-CTV (CTV/BV; P = 0.010). Intersection volume increased with the number of clips, after adjustment for CTV/BV (linear coefficient = 5.1693; P = 0.043). Also, a maximum distance from the chest wall ≤0.7 cm and CTV/BV > 9.5% were found to be predictors of an intersection volume ≥50% (area under the curve 0.841; confidence interval 0.649-0.952; P < 0.0001; area under the curve 0.800; confidence interval 0.607-0.926; P = 0.0004) and of an intersection volume of 100% (area under the curve 0.776, confidence interval 0.573-0.916, P = 0.046; area under the curve 0.752, confidence interval 0.536-0.935; P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Titanium clips are essential and six or more increase the accuracy of tumour bed delineation for PBI; also the primary tumour location as well as the percentage of volume of breast covered by PBI-CTV may influence the correct delineation of PBI-CTV.

MR imaging of rectal cancer before and after chemoradiation therapy.

PURPOSE: This study was done to determine the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with rectal carcinoma by comparing post-chemoradiation MR imaging with pathological specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 39 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. All patients received chemoradiation therapy before surgery and neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy followed by MR imaging. MR images were analysed by a team of two expert radiologists unaware of the clinical and histopathological findings. RESULTS: Following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, the analysis of MR images showed 23 (59%) patients with a rectal disease staged ≤T2 and 16 (41%) with a disease staged >T2. Post-treatment histological staging (TNM) revealed 13 patients with a disease >T2 and 26 patients with a disease ≤T2. Cohen's kappa to measure concordance between post-chemoradiation MR staging and histological response showed 83.6% concordance for disease confined to the serosa (≤T3): concordance was 97.22% for disease ≤N1 and 33.33% for disease >N1. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging is critical for discovering T3 disease; moreover, morphological MR imaging does not always provide the opportunity to discern small residual cancer cells hidden in fibrotic tissue that could cause involvement of circumferential resection margin (CRM) on histology.

Induction cisplatin-gemcitabine-paclitaxel plus concurrent radiotherapy and gemcitabine in the multimodality treatment of unresectable stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate feasibility and safety of induction three-drugs combination chemotherapy and concurrent radio-chemotherapy in stage IIIB NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage IIIB NSCLC were treated with three courses of induction chemotherapy, cisplatin 50 mg/m(2), paclitaxel 125 mg/m(2) and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1,8 of every 21 day cycle. Patients without distant progressive disease were then treated with radiotherapy and concurrent weekly gemcitabine (250 mg/m(2)). Toxicity and response of radio-chemotherapy treatment have been assessed. RESULTS: Between Jan 01 and Nov 02, 46 patients were enrolled. Grade 3+ hematological and non-hematological toxicity during the induction phase were 41.3% and 13.1%, respectively. In 38 patients a Clinical Response or Stable Disease was recorded and these patients underwent to concurrent radio-chemotherapy. Grade 3+ hematological and non-hematological toxicities were 8.2% in this group. Further response was observed in 66% of patients. Overall median survival time was 17.8 months, with a 3-year survival rates of 23%. CONCLUSION: Three-drugs induction chemotherapy and concurrent radio-chemotherapy with weekly gemcitabine in locally advanced stage IIIB NSCLC is feasible and safe.

Chemo-radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: the role of gemcitabine.

Gemcitabine (2'-2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) is a well-known cytotoxic drug and a potent radio-enhancer. We herein report the in vitro evidence of its activity, and the clinical experiences when this drug is administered concurrently with radiation. The phase I-II trials are analyzed, focusing on the recent ability to deliver irradiation with low incidence of side effects.

Neoadjuvant concurrent radiochemotherapy in locally advanced (IIIA-IIIB) non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term results according to downstaging.

BACKGROUND: To report the efficacy of induction treatment (IT) protocol with concurrent radiochemotherapy in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to analyze downstaging as a surrogate end point. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with histo- or cytologically confirmed stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC were treated according to an IT protocol followed by surgery. Downstaging was assessed for all resected patients. RESULTS: In the period between February 1992 and July 2000, 92 patients were enrolled in the study (57 IIIA, 35 IIIB). Response was observed in 63 patients; 56 patients underwent radical resection. Patients downstaged to stage 0-I (DS 0-I) showed a statistically significant improved disease-free survival (26.2 months pStage 0-I versus 11.2 months pStage II-III; P=0.0116) and overall survival (median 32.5 months pStage 0-I versus 18.3 months pStage II-III; P=0.025). Patients with DS 0-I had a significantly lower probability (P=0.0353) of developing distant metastases estimated in 0.2963 odds ratio. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy is feasible with good pathological DS results. Pathological downstaging was confirmed to have high predictive value. Its use is suggested in the short-term evaluation of induction protocols efficacy in locally advanced NSCLC.

Radioguided surgery of breast cancer: radiation protection survey.

The aim of this study was to estimate the radioactive risk for surgical staff performing radioguided sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy and to calculate the contamination level in the operating room for assessment of the possible need for specific radiation protection procedures. We studied 20 patients who were selected for quadrantectomy and SN biopsy. The day before surgery a volume of 0.15 mL of 99mTc-nanocoll was injected: the activity was 3.11 +/- 0.85 MBq in group A (15 pts) and 11.6 +/- 0.6 MBq in group B (5 pts). External radiation to staff was evaluated by measuring the exposure rate in air one hour after radiopharmaceutical administration. The air KERMA rate during surgery was estimated considering the physical decay of 99mTc. Contamination of disposable materials and surgical instruments in the operating room was measured using a contamination monitor, whereas the residual activity in the SN and the injection site was measured with a gamma probe. The exposure rate at 20 cm from the injection site was 0.75 microSv/h when the most radioactive patients (group B) were treated. Contamination in the operating room proved to be negligible. Considering the number of radioguided treatments carried out by a surgeon in one year, an equivalent effective dose of 0.075 mSv was estimated; the recommended dose limit according to the relevant Italian law, DL 230/95, is 1 mSv/yr. Surgical staff therefore do not require a classification of "exposed workers" and there is no need to supply the operating room with special containers for radioactive waste.

[Factors affecting the contralateral dose for the non-treated breast in irradiation following quadrantectomy]. / Fattori che influenzano la dose alla mammella non trattata nell'irradiazione dopo quadrantectomia.

We evaluated, with a treatment planning system, the maximum and the mean contralateral breast doses, and, with thermoluminescent dosemeters LiF100; the skin dose during radiation therapy after conservative surgery. The doses were correlated with technical parameters through statistical analysis. Since 1995, 100 patients have been considered, all of them treated with two 60Co tangential beams after quadrantectomy. The mean dose to the contralateral breast exhibited a statistically significant correlation with the gantry angle of the lateral (Pearson, p < .02) and medial beams (p < .01); the maximum dose was correlated with the gantry angle of the lateral (p < .002) and the medial beams (p < .002). In the last 50 patients, the skin dose (measured with TLDs) was correlated with: distance from beam edge (Pearson, p < .02), breast thickness (p < .01), gantry angle of the lateral beam (p < .005), gantry angle of the medial beam (p < .002). Furthermore, only the gantry angle of the lateral (p < .02) and of the medial beams (p < .01) exhibited statistically significant Spearman's correlation with skin dose. Wilcoxon's signed rank sum test for paired data was performed to study wedge dependence. The average contralateral breast dose using two wedges was statistically reduced with respect to the dose without wedges (p < .02). These results suggest that the dose to the contralateral breast could be significantly decreased by careful attention to the treatment details, which implies that the procedures related to the technical aspects of the therapy should be submitted to careful quality control.