Cardiac markers in left-sided breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between radiotherapy (RT) and cardiac biomarkers in women with left-sided breast cancer. METHODS: This prospective observational study recruited patients with stage I-III left-sided breast cancer without coronary heart disease who required adjuvant RT. High-sensitivity troponin I(hsTnI), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP) levels were measured pre-RT, immediately after RT, and 3 months post-RT. Cardiac-sparing RT techniques were utilized (Field-in-Field IMRT/VMAT ± voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold). Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric tests and multivariable quantile regression (QR). RESULTS: One hundred five patients completed the study, with 63 evaluable at three months post-RT. Pre- and post-RT biomarkers showed no significant differences. Median pre-RT and post-RT values were: hsTnI (0.012ng/mL; 0.012ng/mL), hsCRP (3.1 mg/L; 2.8 mg/L), and NT-proBNP (59pg/mL; 45pg/mL). Three months post-RT, hsTnI, hsCRP and NT-proBNP levels also showed no significant differences. Multivariable QR revealed no association between heart Dmean [median(IQR): 2.87 Gy (2.05-3.94)] and post-RT biomarkers. Age and BMI were associated with hsCRP and NT-proBNP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: hsTnI, NT-proBNP, and hsCRP are not correlated with contemporary low cardiac exposure in left-sided breast cancer patients treated with contemporary RT techniques.

Is it too early to recommend local treatment in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a plea for equipoise.

Oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (OMD NSCLC) has been proposed to bridge the spectrum between non-metastatic and widely metastatic states and is perceived as an opportunity for potential cure if removed. Twelve clinical trials on local treatment have been reported, yet none are conclusive. These trials informed the development of a joint clinical practice guideline by the American & European Societies for Radiation Oncology, which endorses local treatment for OMD NSCLC. However, the heterogeneity between prognostic factors within these trials likely influenced outcomes and can only support guidance at this time. Caution against an uncritical acceptance of the guideline is discussed, as strong recommendations are offered based on expert opinion and inconclusive evidence. The guideline is also examined by a patient's caregiver, who emphasizes that uncertain evidence impedes shared decision making.

Risk-Adapted Target Delineation for Breast Cancer: Controversies and Considerations.

The advent of computed tomography-based planning coupled with modern tools for target delineation and hypofractionated treatment schedules has increased efficiency and throughput for patients with breast cancer. While the benefit of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in reducing locoregional recurrences is established, disentangling local versus regional recurrence risks with modern treatment protocols has become an area of active research to de-escalate treatment. Delineation guidelines for nodal regions either attempt to replicate results of conventional RT techniques by translating bony landmarks to clinical target volumes or use landmarks based on the fact that lymphatic channels run along the vasculature. Because direct comparisons of both approaches are implausible, mapping studies of nodal recurrences have reported on the proportion of nodes included in these delineation guidelines, and larger, bony, landmark-based guidelines appear intuitively appealing for patients with unfavorable risk factors. A pooled analysis of these studies is reported here, along with literature supporting the exclusion of the true chest wall from postmastectomy/breast-conserving surgery clinical target volumes and the selective (versus routine) use of bolus during postmastectomy RT. The risk-adapted approach suggested here accounts for the risk of recurrence as well as toxicity and endorses nuanced target volume delineation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Tri-modality therapy in advanced esophageal carcinoma: long-term results and insights from a developing world, institutional cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients from a low-middle income country (LMIC) with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT/S). METHODS: Between 2010 and 2020, 254 patients (median follow-up: 53 months) met our inclusion criteria. Out-of-field nodal regions were determined by reviewing individual radiotherapy plans. Cox regression modelling was performed to analyze overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), while pathological complete response (pCR) prediction utilized Poisson regression. RESULTS: The median OS was 71.4 months (interquartile range: 19.6-∞), RFS did not reach the median and pCR rate was 46%. On multivariable Cox regression, BMI [0.93 (0.89-0.98); 0.94 (0.89-0.99)] and absence of out-of-field node with extranodal extension (ENE)[0.22 (0.09-0.53); 0.30 (0.12-0.75)] influenced OS and RFS, respectively. Age [1.03 (1.01-1.06)], nodal stage [cN2-3 vs cN0: 2.67 (1.08-6.57)] and adventitial involvement [2.54 (1.36-4.72)] also influenced OS, while involved margins [3.12 (1.24-7.81)] influenced RFS. On multivariable Poisson regression, non-CROSS-chemotherapy regimens [0.65 (0.44-0.95)] and residual primary disease on pre-surgical imaging [0.73 (0.57-0.93)] were significantly associated with pCR. The most frequently involved in-field and out-of-field nodal regions were the periesophageal and perigastric (greater and lesser curvature) regions, respectively. CONCLUSION: NACRT/S is feasible and effective in patients from LMIC. Out-of-field ENE merits further investigation as a prognostic factor since it significantly influenced both OS and RFS. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The results of clinical trials are replicable in LMICs. Out-of-field ENE is an independent prognostic factor for OS and RFS.

Depth of Invasion as an Independent Predictor of Survival in Patients of Stage III Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue.

OBJECTIVE: Depth of invasion (DOI) has been incorporated in the new AJCC 8th classification. However, even with this new AJCC classification stage III oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) remains a heterogenous group. The study aims at finding a discreet group within stage III using DOI as a cut-off of 10 mm. METHODS: The institutional database was reviewed from 2012 to 2018 for postoperative stage III OTSCC patients who subsequently received postoperative radiotherapy. Ninety-six patients matched the inclusion criteria. Two groups were created using a DOI cut-off of 10 mm (superficial and deep groups). The groups were analyzed for overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: The baseline and treatment characteristics were comparable between the groups except for the higher number of extensive surgeries, endophytic configuration, pT3 and, DOI in the deep group. For a median follow-up of 40.5 (range: 4-139) months, the median OS and RFS for the superficial group were not reached. The median OS and RFS for the deep group were 101 (range: 73.7-128.3) and 60 (range: 46.6-73.4) months, respectively. The difference was statistically significant for median RFS (P = .008) and trended toward significance for median OS (P = .066) for the superficial group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed DOI cut-off as a significant predictor for RFS but not for OS. CONCLUSION: DOI significantly predicts poor RFS. However, showed a trend toward poor OS. This study hints toward a possibility of sub-dividing stage III OTSCC based on DOI cut-off. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 (Retrospective cohort study) Laryngoscope, 132:1594-1599, 2022.

Management of cervical cancer during the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) era.

COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on the society, economy and heath-care system all over the globe with virus showing no signs of losing potency. As the situation appears to worsen, extra burden on other specialities like oncology seems to increase. Specific recommendations are necessary for management of cervical cancer in the current context. All concerned specialities must work together in the best interest of the patient. Attempts should be made at managing cervical cancer while limiting the viral spread among the patients and health-care workers without the loss of opportunity. Surgical intervention for early cervical cancer should be postponed or alternative modalities be considered. In a locally advanced disease, concurrent chemoradiation is the treatment of choice. In addition, the following under mentioned suggestions aim to discuss ways of minimizing infection spread, workload rationalization and providing guidance for management of cervical cancer in the presence of COVID-19 infection.