Late toxicities in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: The study aims to report late toxicities in locally advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 103 patients of LAHNSCC treated with IMRT. We analyzed the cumulative incidence of late xerostomia, dysphagia, and aspiration at an interval of 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year from the start of IMRT. RESULTS: At a median follow up of 4.2 years (interquartile range, 3.5 to 6 years), the cumulative incidence of grade ≥2 late xerostomia was 5.5%, dysphagia was 6.9%, and aspiration was 11.1%. Logistic regression showed that Dmean of ≥26 Gy to parotids had higher risk of xerostomia (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90-14.22; p = 0.001). Late dysphagia was associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to pharyngeal constrictors (PC) (HR = 7; 95% CI, 1.84-26.61; p =0.004), ≥55 Gy to larynx (HR = 3.25; 95% CI, 1.15-9.11; p = 0.025), and adjuvant RT (HR = 5.26; 95% CI, 1.85-14.87; p = 0.002). Aspiration was associated with Dmean of ≥45 Gy to larynx (HR = 6.5; 95% CI, 1.93-21.88; p = 0.003), Dmean of ≥55 Gy to PC (HR = 3.54; 95% CI, 1.25-9.98; p = 0.017), and patients having late dysphagia (HR = 4.37; 95% CI, 1.55-12.31; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: IMRT is a feasible radiation delivery technique in LAHNSCC with a decreased late toxicity profile.

Chemo-radiation outcomes for esophageal cancer: A reflection from a tertiary cancer center on selection of patients for more aggressive therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Most esophageal cancer patients present with poor nutritional status and may not tolerate radical treatment. AIM: We aim to identify patients who are good candidates for chemo-radiation (CTRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients treated with CTRT were followed up for a mean period of 28 months and factors affecting the outcome were analyzed along with the recurrence pattern. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (88%) received CTRT and all completed treatment as scheduled. Eighteen (32%), 15 (27%) patients were alive with and without disease, respectively, at 28 months while 20 (37%) were dead. There was no statistically significant correlation between local failure and any of the factors like length, grade of the tumor, and chemotherapy received. CONCLUSION: Esophageal cancer patients present at an advanced stage and hence careful selection of patients for radical CTRT is very important for providing relatively longer disease-free interval. Equally important is the close monitoring of patients during treatment which helps in completing the planned treatment which translates into a better long-term outcome.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in carcinoma buccal mucosa; more conformal the best: Is it so?

INTRODUCTION: Since 1980s, computerization has made improvements in radiation therapy delivery from conventional two-dimensional to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (2DCRT to 3DCRT) to intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and its newer versions. This small study is aimed to compare the existing techniques for planning target volume (PTV) and organ at risk (OAR) dose distribution parameters in postoperative buccal mucosa cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten post operative cases of early stage carcinoma buccal mucosa in whom only post operative bed irradiation was indicated was enrolled and was planned with conventional, 3DCRT and IMRT techniques to get 95% PTV coverage and dose received by organs at risk were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Mean and standard deviation values for PTV 95% for IMRT, 3DCRT, and conventional plans were 96.4 ± 1.8, 95.1 ± 1.9, and 91 ± 2.7, respectively. Dose received by OARs was high in conventional technique when compared to the other two. Maximum dose received by 1 cc of brain (46.2 ± 7.9 and 60.8 ± 3.8) (priority was given for PTV coverage) and mean dose received by the same eye (13.6 ± 1.4 and 22 ± 2.4) were less in IMRT when compared to 3DCRT. However, maximum dose received by 1 cc of brainstem (29.7 ± 7.6 and 14.1 ± 9.5), optic chiasma (29.2 ± 4.2 and 12 ± 2.1), spinal cord (31.8 ± 3 and 20.9 ± 4.2), and the same-side optic nerve (22 ± 6.9 and 11.7 ± 9.4) and mean dose received by opposite-side parotid (8.7 ± 1.1 and 1.7 ± 0.4) and submandibular gland (18.6 ± 1.7 and 3.2 ± 0.9) were more with IMRT when compared to 3DCRT. CONCLUSION: In postoperative cases of early-stage carcinoma buccal mucosa, it is good enough to treat with 3DCRT technique. Here, the target area will be well lateralized, and 3DCRT technique can give good target coverage and less dose to OARs, especially the only remaining major salivary glands.

Burden of acute toxicities in head-and-neck radiation therapy: A single-institutional experience.

INTRODUCTION: Combined modality therapy is the standard of care in locally advanced head-and-neck cancer (HNC). The incidence of acute toxicities increases with additional therapy. The present study investigated the incidence and patterns of mucositis, dysphagia, aspiration, feeding tube use, admission for supportive care, and treatment compliance in patients with HNC treated curatively with radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A retrospective review of 164 consecutive HNC patients treated with RT at St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, from January 2013 to June 2017 was done. RESULTS: A total of 148 HNC patients were treated with a curative intent and 122 (82.4%) were locally advanced HNC. Combined Modality treatment was received by 119 (80.4%) patients. Eighty-four (56.7%) patients were treated by concurrent chemo-radiation. IMRT technique was used in 125 (84.5%) patients. The incidence of grade 3-4 mucositis, dysphagia and aspiration was 25%, 46%, and 10%, respectively. Nasogastric tube feeding was necessitated in 18.9% (n=28) and 27% (n = 40) required inpatient admission for supportive care. Twenty-nine (19.6%) patients did not complete planned RT dose and 46 (31%) patients had unscheduled RT break (>2days). Fifty-six (66.7%) patients did not receive planned chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Acute toxicity due to RT in HNC remains a challenge despite using modern techniques. A significant proportion of patients require supportive therapy for more than 12 weeks and did not complete the scheduled treatment.

Endovascular revascularisation of popliteal artery occlusions: two complex cases.

Peripheral vascular disease-related occlusions of the arteries are complex lesions that can be treated surgically or through endovascular means in symptomatic patients. In this case report, we describe two interesting cases of popliteal occlusion that were revascularised using advanced endovascular techniques to salvage the limb. The first case was a chronic popliteal artery occlusion that required atypical arterial access along with embolisation due to earlier attempted intervention to revascularise the artery. The second case was an acute embolic occlusion that was excluded from the circulation primarily rather than through the typical approach of thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy.

Endovascular aortic repair: the experience of two tertiary institutions in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has gained prominence as a means of treating aortic disease, with lower perioperative morbidity and mortality compared to open surgery. This article aimed to describe the experience of two tertiary hospitals in a Southeast Asian population. METHODS: A retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients undergoing EVAR in two hospitals in Singapore was conducted. This included patients undergoing elective as well as emergency repair. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 31.8 months. The mean aneurysm size was 6.3 cm and the mean length of stay was 12.1 days. 64 percent of the patients were of American Society of Anesthesiologists class III or above. The deployment success was 98 percent. Major complications (acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, cerebrovascular accidents, renal failure, colonic infarction and spinal cord infarction) occurred in 18 patients. Perioperative mortality occurred in six percent of cases. The endoleak rate was 28 percent. Both patients with colonic infarction had a single patent internal iliac artery post-procedure, and end-stage renal failure. CONCLUSION: Our results are comparable to published experiences in aortic stenting. Our population possibly had a higher incidence of short common iliac arteries. Revascularisation of internal iliac arteries should be considered for patients with end-stage renal failure and a single patent internal iliac artery.

Acute embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery: a case report and discussion of management.

INTRODUCTION: We present a case of acute embolus to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). CLINICAL PICTURE: A 70-year-old gentleman with atrial fibrillation complained of colicky abdominal pain with clinical signs of tenderness and mild guarding. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Laparotomy revealed extensive bowel ischaemia but no overt infarction. The SMA was occluded by an embolus at the root of the mesentery and balloon catheter embolectomy was carried out at once. Bowel resection was deferred in order to allow clear demarcation of gangrene to avoid sacrificing unnecessary length. At second look laparotomy, 1.2 m of bowel from mid-jejunum to mid-ileum was resected, salvaging about 1 m of previously dusky small and large bowel. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the importance of accurate history taking, the role of early intervention and the usefulness of a second look laparotomy in cases of mesenteric ischaemia to minimise the extent of bowel resection.