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Purpose: Temporal lobe (TL) parenchyma toxicity constitutes one of the most frequent late adverse event in high-dose proton therapy (PT) for tumors of the skull base. We analyzed clinical events with dosimetric parameters in our patients treated for skull base tumors with spot-scanning PT. Methods and Materials: Between 1998 and 2005, a total of 62 patients received PT to a median dose of 71.7 Gy (relative biologic effectiveness [RBE]) (range, 63–74 Gy). The dose–volume histogram of each TL and the entire brain parenchyma (BP) were analyzed according to maximum, mean, and minimum dose as well as doses to 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 cc of brain volume (D0.5, D1, D2, D3) and correlated with clinical events. Generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) values were calculated. Results: At a mean follow-up of 38 months (range, 14–92 months), 2 patients had developed symptomatic Grade 3 and 5 patients asymptomatic Grade 1 TL toxicity. Mean doses to a 2-cc volume of BP increased from 71 ± 5 Gy (RBE) for no toxicity to 74 ± 5 Gy (RBE) for Grade 1 and to 76 ± 2 Gy (RBE) for Grade 3 toxicity. TL events occurred in 6 of 7 patients (86%) at or above dose levels of ≥64 Gy (RBE) D3, ≥68 Gy (RBE) D2, ≥72 Gy (RBE) D1, and ≥73 Gy (RBE) D0.5, respectively (p = NS). No statistically significant dose/volume threshold was detected between patients experiencing no toxicity vs. Grade 1 or Grade 3. A strong trend for Grade 1 and 3 events was observed, when the gEUD was 60 Gy. Conclusions: A statistically significant normal tissue threshold dose for BP has not been successfully defined. However, our data suggest that tolerance of TL and BP to fractionated radiotherapy appears to be correlated with tissue volume included in high-dose regions. Additional follow-up time and patient accrual is likely needed to achieve clinical significance for these dose–volume parameters investigated. Our findings support the importance of establishing an organ-at-risk maximally permissible dose for BP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Metastases to the cervical lymph nodes from a occult primary (CUP) of head and neck squamous carcinomas has been increasing in presentation (HNSCC). Modern diagnostic workup, including clinical evaluation, conventional imaging, FDG-PET/CT and panendoscopy/tonsillectomy enables detection of the primary site in over half of all cases, and is associated with significantly improved survival rates. Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of novel molecular pathology and transoral surgical techniques in improving diagnosis and treatment. We present a new, evidence-based protocol incorporating these novel diagnostic modalities. It aims to identify the site of the primary tumor, and determine the stage of the disease, including extranodal extension. This information can personalise treatment recommendations, rationalise combinations of treatment modalities, and thereby potentially minimise toxicity and improving functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of single-dose 8-Gy palliative chest reirradiation (CRI) in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (M-NSCLC) patients with painful thoracic failures (TF) within the previous radiation portal. Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 78 M-NSCLC patients who received single-dose 8-Gy CRI for painful TF after concurrent chemoradiation therapy to a total radiation dose of 52 to 66 Gy between 2007 and 2012. Primary endpoints included significant pain relief (SPR) defined as a ≥2 point decrement in the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain inventory (VAS-P), time to pain relief, and duration of pain control. Secondary objectives were survival and prognostic factors. Results Treatment was well tolerated, with only 5.1% grade 3 pneumonitis and 1.3% grade 2 esophagitis. Pre-CRI median and post-CRI minimum VAS-P were 7 and 3 ( P <.001), respectively. SPR was noted in 67 (85.9%) patients, and only 3 (3.9%) scored progressive pain. Median time to lowest VAS-P and duration of pain control were 27 days and 6.1 months, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 7.7 months, and the 1-year OS rate was 26.5%. On multivariate analyses, lower Eastern Cooperative Oncology group score (1-2; P <.001), absence of anemia ( P =.001), and fewer metastatic sites (1-2; P <.001) were found to be associated with longer OS. Conclusions Single-dose 8-Gy CRI provides safe, effective, and durable pain palliation for TF in radically irradiated M-NSCLC patients. Because of its convenience, lower cost, and higher comfort, the present protocol can be considered an appropriate option for patients with limited life spans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To retrospectively assess the influence of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) timing on brain relapse rates in patients treated with two different chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimens for Stage IIIB non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials: A cohort of 134 patients, with Stage IIIB NSCLC in recursive partitioning analysis Group 1, was treated with PCI (30 Gy at 2 Gy/fr) following one of two CRT regimens. Regimen 1 (n = 58) consisted of three cycles of induction chemotherapy (ICT) followed by concurrent CRT (C-CRT). Regimen 2 (n = 76) consisted of immediate C-CRT during thoracic radiotherapy. Results: At a median follow-up of 27.6 months (range, 7.2–40.4), 65 patients were alive. Median, progression-free, and brain metastasis-free survival (BMFS) times for the whole study cohort were 23.4, 15.4, and 23.0 months, respectively. Median survival time and the 3-year survival rate for regimens 1 and 2 were 19.3 vs. 26.1 months (p = 0.001) and 14.4% vs. 34.4% (p < .001), respectively. Median time from the initiation of primary treatment to PCI was 123.2 (range, 97–161) and 63.4 (range, 55–74) days for regimens 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, 11 (8.2%) patients developed brain metastasis (BM) during the follow-up period: 8 (13.8%) in regimen 1 and 3 (3.9%) in regimen 2 (p = 0.03). Only 3 (2.2%) patients developed BM at the site of first failure, and for 2 of them, it was also the sole site of recurrence. Median BMFS for regimens 1 and 2 were 17.4 (13.5–21.3) vs. 26.0 (22.9–29.1 months), respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that in Stage IIIB NSCLC patients treated with PCI, lower BM incidence and longer survival rates result from immediate C-CRT rather than ITC-first regimens. This indicates the benefit of earlier PCI use without delay because of induction protocols. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To assess the outcome in patients with olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). Methods and Materials: Seventy-seven patients treated for nonmetastatic ONB between 1971 and 2004 were included. According to Kadish classification, there were 11 patients with Stage A, 29 with Stage B, and 37 with Stage C. T-classification included 9 patients with T1, 26 with T2, 16 with T3, 15 with T4a, and 11 with T4b tumors. Sixty-eight patients presented with N0 (88%) disease. Results: Most of the patients (n = 56, 73%) benefited from surgery (S), and total excision was possible in 44 patients (R0 in 32, R1 in 13, R2 in 11). All but five patients benefited from RT, and chemotherapy was given in 21 (27%). Median follow-up period was 72 months (range, 6–315). The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional control, and local control were 64%, 57%, 62%, and 70%, respectively. In univariate analyses, favorable factors were Kadish A or B disease, T1–T3 tumors, no nodal involvement, curative surgery, R0/R1 resection, and RT-dose 54 Gy or higher. Multivariate analysis revealed that the best independent factors predicting the outcome were T1–T3, N0, R0/R1 resection, and total RT dose (54 Gy or higher). Conclusion: In this multicenter retrospective study, patients with ONB treated with R0 or R1 surgical resection followed by at least 54-Gy postoperative RT had the best outcome. Novel strategies including concomitant chemotherapy and/or higher dose RT should be prospectively investigated in this rare disease for which local failure remains a problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]