Search

A second intensification is an option at first relapse in multiple myeloma (MM) after more than 36 months of initial remission. Many conditioning regimens have been tested, with or without total body irradiation (TBI). Recently, it was found that TBI could be replaced by total marrow irradiation (TMI) using helical tomotherapy, with promising results.This study was a prospective multicenter phase 1 trial that aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of TMI administered in association with melphalan 140 mg/m², followed by autologous stem cell transplantation as consolidation at first relapse in MM. Four dose levels were explored: 8 Gy, 10 Gy, 12 Gy, and 14 Gy. The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as grade 4 neutropenia15 days, grade 4 thrombopenia28 days, and all other grade 4 nonhematologic toxic effects except nausea, vomiting, alopecia, mucositis, and reaction to autologous stem cell infusion.Thirteen patients were included; only 1 DLT at the third escalated dose level (12 Gy) was observed, whereas 1 patient was treated at 14 Gy with no adverse events. The MTD was not reached. The rate of acute toxicity was low: 38% of grade 3-4 diarrhea, mucositis, or unexplained fever. Regarding the lungs, the mean dose administered was systematically less than 8 Gy. After a median follow-up of 55 months, 70% of participants were alive. Of these 13 patients, 38.5% were in very good partial response and 30.8% were in complete response. Three of them were progression-free. Six patients were long survivors, still alive after 55 months of follow-up.Total marrow irradiation provides good results with a good tolerance profile at first relapse in MM and makes it possible to increase the dose delivered to the planning target volume while sparing organs at risk. This technique could be discussed for all regimens before auto- or allo-stem cell rescue when TBI is required.

The Radiation Induced Sarcoma (RIS) is a rare but serious adverse event following radiotherapy (RT). Current RT techniques are more precise, but irradiate a larger volume at a low dose. This study aimed to describe radiation characteristics in a large series of patients suffering from RIS.Patient-representative voxel-based anthropomorphic phantoms were used to reconstruct patient-specific RT fields for 125 patients diagnosed with RIS after primary breast cancer. For each patient, the location of the RIS onset site was determined and transferred onto the phantom as a contour. Using a treatment planning system (TPS), the dose distribution on the RIS in the phantom was calculated.The mean dose (Dmean) received in the area where RIS subsequently developed was 47.8 ± 11.6 Gy. The median dose in the zones where RIS later developed ranged from 11 Gy to 58.8 Gy. The median time from RT to RIS development was 8 years (range 2-32 years). Analysis for predictors of time to radiation-induced sarcoma development highlighted a significant impact of age of patient during the RT whereas in multivariable analysis chemotherapy and hormonotherapy for primary breast cancer were not associated with a significant difference in time to diagnosis of RIS.This study highlights that the dose received by the tissue in which the RIS developed was almost 47 Gy. These results are encouraging for the use of new RT techniques increasing volumes receiving low doses, without fear of an excess of RIS over the next 10 years.

Purpose The aim of this study is to correlate locoregional relapse with radiation therapy volumes in patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation in the ACCORD 12/0405-PRODIGE 02 trial. Patients and methods We identified patients who had a locoregional relapse included in ACCORD 12's database. We studied their clinical, radiological, and dosimetric data to analyze the dose received by the area of relapse. Results 39 patients (6.5%) presented 54 locoregional relapses. Most of the relapses were in-field (n = 21, 39%) or marginal (n = 13, 24%) with only six out-of-field (11%), 14 could not be evaluated. Most of them happened in the anastomosis, the perirectal space, and the usual lymphatic drainage areas (presacral and posterior lateral lymph nodes). Only patients treated for a lower rectum adenocarcinoma had a relapse outside of the treated volume. 2 patients with T4 tumors extending into anterior pelvic organs had relapses in anterior lateral and external iliac lymph nodes. Conclusions Lowering the upper limit of the treatment field for low rectal tumors increased the risk of out of the field recurrence. For very low tumors, including the inguinal lymph nodes in the treated volume should be considered. Recording locoregional involvement, treated volumes, and relapse areas in future prospective trials would be of paramount interest to refine delineation guidelines.

BackgroundIntensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has become the standard treatment for patients with high-risk prostate cancer. Two techniques of rotational IMRT are commonly used in this indication: Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and helical tomotherapy (HT). To the best of our knowledge, no study has compared their related costs and clinical effectiveness and/or toxicity in prostate cancer. We aimed to assess differences in costs and toxicity between VMAT and HT in patients with high-risk prostate cancer with pelvic irradiation.Material and MethodsWe used data from the “RCMI pelvis” prospective multicenter study (NCT01325961) including 155 patients. We used a micro-costing methodology to identify cost differences between VMAT and HT. To assess the effects of the two techniques on total actual costs per patient and on toxicity we used stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting.ResultsThe mean total cost for HT, €2019 3,069 (95% CI, 2,885–3,285) was significantly higher than the mean cost for VMAT €2019 2,544 (95% CI, 2,443–2,651) (p ConclusionUse of VMAT was associated with lower costs for IMRT planning and treatment than HT. Similar stabilized long-term toxicity was reported in both groups after higher acute GI and GU toxicity in VMAT. The estimates provided can benefit future modeling work like cost-effectiveness analysis.

Among over 100 proton therapy centres worldwide in operation or under construction, French proton therapy is coming to full maturity with the recent opening of the Nice (1991, upgrade in 2016) and Caen (2018) facilities next to the Orsay (1991, upgrade in 2010) centre. Proton therapy is a national priority for children and young adults in all three centres. The patient-related activity of the three French centres is coordinated via the Protonshare portal to optimise referral by type of indication and available expertise in coordination with the French society of radiation oncology SFRO and French radiotherapy centres. The centres are recognised by the French Health Care excellence initiative, promoted by the ministry of Foreign Affairs. The three centres collaborate structurally in terms of clinical research and are engaged at the international level in the participation to European databases and research initiatives. Concerted actions are now also promoted in preclinical research via the Radiotransnet network. Ongoing French developments in proton therapy are well presented in international hadron therapy meetings, including European Proton Therapy Network and Particle Therapy Cooperative Oncology Group. Proton therapy teaching in France is offered at several levels and is open to colleagues from all radiation oncology centres, so that they are fully informed, involved and trained to facility recognition of possible indications and thereby to contribute to appropriate patient referral. This close collaboration between all actors in French radiation oncology facilitates the work to demonstrate the required level of medical and scientific evidence for current and emerging indications for particle therapy. Based on that, the future might entail a possible creation of more proton therapy facilities in France.

Background The impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wave on cancer patient management was measured within the nationwide network of the Unicancer comprehensive cancer centers in France. Patients and methods The number of patients diagnosed and treated within 17 of the 18 Unicancer centers was collected in 2020 and compared with that during the same periods between 2016 and 2019. Unicancer centers treat close to 20% of cancer patients in France yearly. The reduction in the number of patients attending the Unicancer centers was analyzed per regions and cancer types. The impact of delayed care on cancer-related deaths was calculated based on different hypotheses. Results A 6.8% decrease in patients managed within Unicancer in the first 7 months of 2020 versus 2019 was observed. This reduction reached 21% during April and May, and was not compensated in June and July, nor later until November 2020. This reduction was observed only for newly diagnosed patients, while the clinical activity for previously diagnosed patients increased by 4% similar to previous years. The reduction was more pronounced in women, in breast and prostate cancers, and for patients without metastasis. Using an estimated hazard ratio of 1.06 per month of delay in diagnosis and treatment of new patients, we calculated that the delays observed in the 5-month period from March to July 2020 may result in an excess mortality due to cancer of 1000-6000 patients in coming years. Conclusions In this study, the delays in cancer patient management were observed only for newly diagnosed patients, more frequently in women, for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and nonmetastatic cancers. These delays may result is an excess risk of cancer-related deaths in the coming years., Highlights • A reduction of the number of cancer patients attending cancer centers was observed in France from January to July 2020. • This reduction was observed only for newly diagnosed patients. • The reduction of new diagnosis was more pronounced in women, for breast cancer, and prostate cancer, and nonmetastatic cancer. • No compensation was observed for the last months of 2020. The magnitude of delays may be larger in centers within the same country. • An estimation of the excess cancer death resulting from these delays is presented.

Introduction et but de l’etude La question ethique est une thematique emergente et peu exploree dans le monde de la radiotherapie. L’objectif de notre travail etait de preciser le questionnement ethique en radiotherapie dans une approche multiprofessionnelle. Materiel et methodes Une etude multicentrique a ete realisee dans 22 departements de radiotherapie francais, a partir d’un questionnaire Google Form (dix questions) soumis aux oncologues radiotherapeutes, manipulateurs d’electroradiologie, physiciens medicaux, assistantes medicales et cadres. Le questionnaire visait a mieux comprendre la frequence et la nature du questionnement ethique dans les departements de radiotherapie, ainsi que le besoin de formation. Resultats et analyse statistique Un total de 200 personnes a repondu aux questionnaires, se repartissant en : oncologues radiotherapeutes (37 %), manipulateurs d’electroradiologie (37 %), physiciens medicaux (12,5 %), assistantes medicales (10 %) et cadres (3,5 %). Le nombre moyen d’annees d’experience en radiotherapie etait de 12 ans (extremes : 6 mois - 40 ans). En termes de frequence dans la pratique de radiotherapie, la question ethique se posait : frequemment (plus d’une fois par mois ; 52,5 %), rarement (entre trois et dix fois par an ; 35,5 %), exceptionnellement (moins de deux fois par an ; 9,5 %) et jamais (2,5 %). En termes de nature, la question ethique concernait : la comprehension et/ou l’acceptation du traitement par les patients (71 %), les objectifs attendus du traitement (65 %), la lourdeur technique et organisationnelle du traitement (62 %) et le cout du traitement (13 %). Une specificite de la question ethique en radiotherapie etait reconnue pour 64 % des personnels. Les questions ethiques etaient effectivement discutees dans les departements de radiotherapie : jamais (18,5 %), parfois (47,5 %), souvent (10,5 %) et ne se prononce pas (18,5 %). Les questions d’ethique etaient considerees comme suffisamment discutees dans ces departements : non (47,5 %), oui (14 %) et ne se prononce pas (38,5 %). Seuls 17 % des personnels ont deja eu une formation en ethique medicale. Le besoin de formation specifique etait ressenti par 83,5 % des personnels n’ayant jamais eu de formation. Conclusion La question ethique se pose effectivement assez frequemment et specifiquement en radiotherapie, avec un sentiment d’insuffisance a la fois de discussion dans les departements et de formation. Les questions principales d’ethique concernent la comprehension du traitement par les patients, ses objectifs et la lourdeur de ceux-ci.

Background: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a recognized treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases. We postulated that local responses could be improved by SBRT with a concomitant radiosensitizing agent (irinotecan). Methods: RADIOSTEREO-CAMPTO was a prospective multi-center phase 2 trial investigating SBRT (40&ndash, 48 Gy in 4 fractions) for liver and/or lung inoperable CRC oligometastases (&le, 3), combined with two weekly intravenous infusions of 40 mg/m2 Irinotecan. Primary outcome was the objective local response rate as per RECIST. Secondary outcomes were early and late toxicities, EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life, local control and overall survival. Results: Forty-four patients with 51 lesions (liver = 39, lungs = 12) were included. Median age was 69 years (46&ndash, 84), 37 patients (84%) had received at least two prior chemotherapy treatments. Median follow-up was 48.9 months. One patient with two lung lesions was lost during follow-up. Assuming maximum bias hypothesis, the objective local response rate in ITT was 86.3% (44/51&mdash, 95% CI: [76.8&ndash, 95.7]) or 82.4% (42/51&mdash, 95% CI: [71.9&ndash, 92.8]). The observed local response rate was 85.7% (42/49&mdash, 95% CI: [75.9&ndash, 95.5]). The 1 and 2-year local (distant) progression-free survivals were 84.2% (38.4%) and 67.4% (21.3%), respectively. The 1 and 2-year overall survivals were 97.5% and 75.5%. There were no severe acute or late reactions. The EORTC questionnaire scores did not significantly worsen during or after treatment. Conclusions: SBRT with irinotecan was well tolerated with promising results despite heavily pretreated patients.

BackgroundIn unresectable metastatic rectal cancers, the surgery of the primitive tumor remains highly debated. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of the primitive could allow sufficient local control in order to avoid major and sometimes mutilating surgery. Dose escalation during CRT could increase this local control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and tolerance of a CRT with radiation dose escalation delivered in intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), in metastatic low and middle rectal cancers.MethodsThis multicenter phase I study included six patients treated for unresectable synchronous metastatic low and middle rectal adenocarcinoma in two dose levels. Radiotherapy was delivered using IMRT with SIB. The dose escalation was 52.5 Gy (level 1) and 56.25 Gy (level 2) in the primary tumor, in 25 fractions of 2.1 Gy and 2.25 Gy, respectively. High-risk clinical target volume (CTV) and low-risk CTV received respectively 50 Gy and 45 Gy in 25 fractions in the two levels. Concomitant chemotherapy was oral capecitabine and CRT was performed after four cycles of mFOLOX6 chemotherapy. The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined by a toxicity requiring the interruption of radiotherapy for more than five consecutive fractions.ResultsAll six patients received the full course of treatment at scheduled doses. No patients had acute toxicity requiring interruption of radiotherapy therefore no DLT has been reported. No patients had acute toxicity ≥ 3. Concerning late toxicity, three patients experienced grade 3. After CRT, four patients had a partial response and one patient had a complete clinical response. Two patients were considered in local progression at 9.4 months and 20.4 months of inclusion.ConclusionsDose escalation at 56.25 Gy in the tumor lesion was possible with good acute tolerance. It needs to be evaluated in a larger study. It could allow sufficient local control in order to avoid mutilating surgery in these metastatic patients.Trial registrationNCT03634202. Registered 16 August 2018 – retrospectively registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03634202

Objectives: This prospective, observational, non-randomized multicentric study was conducted to compare efficiency and toxicity using different modalities of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in early-stage peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: From 9 April to 11 December, 106 patients were treated according to the local equipment availability for peripheral NSCLC with SBRT: 68 by linear accelerator equipped for SBRT and 38 by Cyberknife®. Multivariate analysis and propensity score analysis using Inverse Probability Treatment Weighting (IPTW) were undertaken in an effort to adjust for potential bias due to non-randomization. Results: 2-year local control rates were 97.0% (95% CI: [90.6%; 99.4%]) with SBRT by Linac vs 100% (95% CI: ([100%; 100%]) with Cyberknife® (p = 0.2839). 2-year PFS and 2-year OS rates were 52.7% (95% CI [39.9%;64.0%]) versus 54.1% (95% CI [36.8; 68.6%]) (p = 0.8582) and 65.1% (95% CI: [51.9%; 75.5%] versus 83.9% (95% CI: [67.5%; 92.4%] (p = 0.0831) using Linac and Cyberknife® respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicates no significant effect of SBRT treatment type on PFS or OS. Local relapse could not be modeled due to the small number of events (n = 2). Acute and late toxicity rates were not significantly different. After IPTW adjustment, results were unchanged. Conclusions: No difference in efficiency or toxicity was shown after SBRT of peripheral NSCLC treatment using Linac or Cyberknife®. Advances in knowledge: This is the first large prospective non-randomized study focusing on peripheral localized NSCLC comparing SBRT using an appropriately equipped linac with Cyberknife®. No significant difference in efficiency or toxicity was shown in this situation.

Resume Objectif de l’etude Pour faciliter la formation a la delineation, la Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique (SFRO) et l’association de formation continue en oncologie radiotherapie (Afcor) ont cree en 2008 un site Internet de radioanatomie et d’aide a la delineation. Materiel et methodes Entre 2015 et 2017, une mise a jour du site a ete entreprise, necessitant la mise en place de deux parties : des cours theoriques d’une part, et des ateliers de delineation en ligne d’autre part. Resultats Un nouveau site exploitant l’ensemble des nouvelles technologies numeriques a ete mis en ligne. Les cours ont ete realises sous forme de videos commentees et consultables a tout moment. La partie pratique offre une interface de delineation en ligne qui genere a la fin de l’exercice un rapport permettant de quantifier la qualite de sa delineation. Conclusion Siriade 2.0 est un outil numerique innovant qui s’inscrit en complement des formations initiales et continues deja disponibles.

Chemo- and radiotherapy are treatments very helpful to cure cancers but are also well known for adverse effects such as secondary cancers. Breast cancers following Hodgkin lymphoma have been relatively well studied. Breast cancers after radiotherapy covering or nearby breasts or nipples are usually carcinomas or secondary sarcomas. Among the big cohort of patients treated for breast carcinomas, breast lymphomas developed in the same area are not usual. Nevertheless, published studies described a significant increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma after initial radiotherapy for a solid cancer. Here, we report a case of a secondary breast lymphoma observed in a 53-year-old woman treated 13 years before for a ductal carcinoma and analyse such second tumors with a review of the literature. This case report emphasizes the importance of the biopsy in case of recurrence in breast cancer to give the appropriate treatment.

Resume La radiotherapie en conditions stereotaxiques des tumeurs hepatiques primitives et secondaires peut etre realisee en complement et/ou comme une alternative a la chirurgie et aux techniques de thermoablation. De nombreuses variantes techniques sont actuellement disponibles, ce qui entraine une certaine heterogeneite dans les modalites de delineation, de prescription de la dose et de determination des doses de tolerance aux organes a risque. L’objectif de cet article est de permettre une homogeneisation des pratiques afin d’ameliorer la qualite et la securite de cette technique et de faciliter sa diffusion afin de repondre au principe d’egalite d’acces aux techniques innovantes pour le plus grand nombre de patients. Cette mise au point s’inscrit dans la continuite du guide Recorad, publie en 2016 par la Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique (SFRO), en le completant selon les donnees recentes de la litterature sur les tumeurs du foie.

Purpose Irradiation (>3 Gy) to the breast or axillae before 30 years of age increases the risk of secondary breast cancer (SBC). The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical characteristics of SBC and the way of diagnosis in young women (before the age of national screening) in France who had received previous radiotherapy for a childhood or a young adulthood cancer. Patients and methods This retrospective, multicentre study reviewed the medical records of women with SBC before the age of the national screening who had received irradiation (≥3 Gy) on part or all of the breast before 30 years of age, for any type of tumour except BC. Results A total of 121 SBC were detected in 104 women with previous radiotherapy. Twenty percent of SBC were detected during regular breast screening and 16% of the women had a regular radiological follow-up. Conclusion Our results points out that the main proportion of childhood cancer survivors did not benefit from the recommended breast cancer screening. This result is comparable to other previously published studies in other countries. A national screening programme is necessary and should take into account the patient’s age, family history, personal medical history and previous radiotherapy to reduce the number of SBC diagnosed at an advanced stage.

The aim of this retrospective multicentric study was to develop and evaluate a prognostic

International audience; Purpose: Radiation-induced sarcoma (RIS) is a rare but serious event. Its occurrence has been discussed during the implementation of new radiation techniques and justified appropriate radioprotection requirements. New approaches targeting intrinsic radio-sensitivity have been described, such as radiation-induced CD8 T-lymphocyte apoptosis (RILA) able to predict late radio-induced toxicities. We studied the role of RILA as a predisposing factor for RIS as a late adverse event following radiation therapy (RT).Patients and methods: In this prospective biological study, a total of 120 patients diagnosed with RIS were matched with 240 control patients with cancer other than sarcoma, for age, sex, primary tumor location and delay after radiation. RILA was prospectively assessed from blood samples using flow cytometry.Results: Three hundred and forty-seven patients were analyzed (118 RIS patients and 229 matched control patients). A majority (74%) were initially treated by RT for breast cancer. The mean RT dose was comparable with a similar mean (± standard deviation) for RIS (53.7 ± 16.0 Gy) and control patients (57.1 ± 15.1 Gy) (p = .053). Median RILA values were significantly lower in RIS than in control patients with respectively 18.5% [5.5–55.7] and 22.3% [3.8–52.2] (p = .0008). Thus, patients with a RILA >21.3% are less likely to develop RIS (p

Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disorder characterized by congenital malformations, progressive bone marrow failure and increased incidence of acute myeloid leukemia and squamous cell carcinomas. Treatment of these malignancies is challenging because the defective DNA repair characteristic of the disorder amplifies the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation. We report the case of a 25-year-old woman with Fanconi anemia who presented with an extensive perineal recurrence of a small squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina, who was treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy. This caused grade III radiodermatitis and grade II anemia, recovery from which delayed pelvic exenteration for two months. Despite this radical surgical intervention, the patient relapsed and died six months post-operatively. This case illustrates the challenge of planning treatment for locally advanced carcinomas associated with Fanconi anemia, in which the prospect of local control must be tempered by the apprehension of toxicity.

Resume Objectif de l’etude Analyser les protocoles de repositionnement de differents centres francais utilisant le systeme ExacTrac ® associe a un accelerateur lineaire dedie de type Novalis ® , pour le traitement en conditions stereotaxiques des metastases cerebrales. Materiels et methodes Un questionnaire comprenant trois questions sur la prescription de la radiotherapie et vingt-et-une questions sur les modalites d’utilisation du systeme ExacTrac ® a ete adresse aux responsables medicaux de neuf centres francais disposant d’un accelerateur dedie de type Novalis ® . Cinq centres ont accepte de participer a l’etude. Resultats Tous les centres realisaient une verification de positionnement avant chaque arc de traitement, avec des tolerances de decalage residuel de 0,5 a 0,7 mm pour les translations et de 0,5 a 1° pour les rotations. Tous sauf un realisaient egalement des images planaires orthogonales d’incidences classiques, table de traitement a 0°, afin d’aider les soignants a verifier le bon positionnement de l’isocentre. Les doses prescrites etaient de 20 Gy en une seance, 30 Gy ou 33 Gy en trois fractions ou 34 Gy en quatre fractions, le choix se faisant essentiellement en fonction de la taille de la lesion. Enfin, toutes les images de repositionnement etaient validees medicalement au poste de traitement avant de debuter l’irradiation. Conclusions Les pratiques des differents centres concernant les protocoles de recalages etaient globalement homogenes, en accord avec les donnees de la litterature concernant la precision du systeme ExacTrac ® ; il en etait de meme pour les fractionnements therapeutiques proposes. La validation medicale systematique au poste de traitement pourrait etre remise en question du fait du temps d’attente entre l’appel du medecin et la validation, et surtout de son utilite meme car les corrections medicales sont rares a inexistantes.

Treatment with monoclonal antibodies, especially rituximab, is more and more frequent and questions the interest of radiotherapy in limited stages of diffuse B-cell large cell and follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. From a review of literature, it appears that radiotherapy is of interest in bulky disease, patients with incomplete metabolic response, elderly patients receiving short chemotherapy and those with recurrence after exclusive chemotherapy. Finally, this article gives recommendations on available techniques of radiotherapy and doses to be delivered.

There are very few data on the expansion from the clinical target volume (CTV) to the planning target volume (PTV) in the anal cancer treatment. This article aims to collect the different elements needed for the construction of a PTV from scientific data based on a literature analysis. We reviewed the articles published in the medical literature from the last 20years. They concerned setup errors and internal organ mobility of the different volumes of patients treated by conformational radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (anal canal, meso-rectum, common, intern and extern, inguinal and pre-sacral lymph nodes). CTV to PTV margins admitted in the guidelines and atlas of consensus groups (SFRO, RTOG, AGITG) are from 0.7 to 1cm in all directions, based on expert's opinions but not on scientific data. There are no specific studies on the canal anal mobility. Most of the data are from other pelvis cancers (gynecologic, rectum and prostate). Setup errors can be reduced by daily imaging. Patient repositioning and immobilization modalities are mostly local habits rather than scientific consensus. A three-dimensional 1cm margin is generally admitted. Margins reduction must be careful and has to be assessed.

In 2007, a first edition was published with the objective to produce guidelines for optimization, harmonization and homogenization of practices in external radiation therapy in France. The second edition, including brachytherapy, has the same objective and takes into account recent technologic improvements (intensity modulation radiation therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and 3-dimension brachytherapy) and results of literature. The first part is about daily use of general principles (quality, security, image-guided radiation therapy) and the second is to describe each treatment step in main cancers.

The purpose of this article is to describe the regulatory framework of the radiotherapy practice in France, the external irradiation and brachytherapy process and the guidelines for patient follow-up.

Resume La radiotherapie guidee par l’image est decrite dans ses differents equipements et leurs mises en œuvre. Elle peut etre basee soit sur des rayonnements ionisants generant une imagerie bidimensionnelle de haute (MV) ou basse (kV) energie ou une imagerie tridimensionnelle (tomographie conique [CBCT] ou scanographie de haute energie [MV-CT]), soit sur des rayonnements non ionisants (echographie, imagerie optique, radiofrequence ou IRM). La radiotherapie adaptative est ensuite presentee dans ses principes de realisation. L’utilisation par les manipulateurs en electroradiologie medicale (MERM) des images de controle au poste de traitement est ensuite precisee, ainsi que la dose eventuellement delivree par l’imagerie embarquee et enfin le controle qualite des dispositifs de guidage par l’image.

Radiotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma has evolved over time but retains a dominant position in the treatment of early stage tumours. Its indications are more limited for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, but the techniques follow the same principles whatever the histological type. This review presents the French recommendations in terms of preparation and choice of irradiation techniques.

In breast cancer, radiotherapy is an essential component of the treatment. After conservative surgery for an infiltrating carcinoma, radiotherapy must be systematically performed, regardless of the characteristics of the disease, because it decreases the rate of local recurrence and by this way, specific mortality. Partial breast irradiation could not be proposed routinely but only in very selected and informed patients. For ductal carcinoma in situ, adjuvant radiotherapy must be also systematically performed after lumpectomy. After mastectomy, chest wall irradiation is required for pT3-T4 tumours and if there is an axillary nodal involvement, whatever the number of involved lymph nodes. After neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy, in case of pN0 disease, chest wall irradiation is recommended if there is a clinically or radiologically T3-T4 or node positive disease before chemotherapy. Axillary irradiation is recommended only if there is no axillary surgical dissection and a positive sentinel lymph node. Supra and infra-clavicular irradiation is advised in case of positive axillary nodes. Internal mammary irradiation must be discussed case by case, according to the benefit/risk ratio (cardiac toxicity). Dose to the chest wall or the breast must be between 45-50Gy with a conventional fractionation. A boost dose over the tumour bed is required if the patient is younger than 60 years old. Hypofractionation (42.5 Gy in 16 fractions, or 41.6 Gy en 13 or 40 Gy en 15) is possible after tumorectomy and if a nodal irradiation is not mandatory. Delineation of the breast, the chest wall and the nodal areas are based on clinical and radiological evaluations. 3D-conformal irradiation is the recommended technique, intensity-modulated radiotherapy must be proposed only in case of specific clinical situations. Respiratory gating could be useful to decrease the cardiac dose. Concomitant administration of chemotherapy in unadvised, but hormonal treatment could be start with radiotherapy.

The indications of radiotherapy for skin cancers are not clearly defined because of the lack of randomised trials or prospective studies. For basal cell carcinomas, radiotherapy frequently offers a good local control, but a randomized trial showed that surgery is more efficient and less toxic. Indications of radiotherapy are contra-indications of surgery for patients older than 60, non-sclerodermiform histology and occurring in non-sensitive areas. Adjuvant radiotherapy could be proposed to squamous cell carcinomas, in case of poor prognostic factors. Dose of 60 to 70Gy are usually required, and must be modulated to the size of the lesions. Adjuvant radiotherapy seems beneficial for desmoplastic melanomas but not for the other histological types. Prophylactic nodal irradiation (45 to 50Gy), for locally advanced tumours (massive nodal involvement), decreases the locoregional failure rate but do not increase survival. Adjuvant radiotherapy (50 to 56Gy) for Merckel cell carcinomas increases also the local control rate, as demonstrated by meta-analysis and a large epidemiological study. Nodal areas must be included, if there is no surgical exploration (sentinel lymph node dissection). Kaposi sarcomas are radiosensitive and could be treated with relatively low doses (24 to 30Gy). Also, cutaneous lymphomas are good indications for radiotherapy: B lymphomas are electively treated with limited fields. The role of total skin electron therapy for T-lymphomas is still discussed; but palliative radiotherapy is very efficient in case of cutaneous nodules.

Resume Objectif de l’etude La radiotherapie est en pediatrie une indication rare, avec 800 a 900 enfants pris en charge par an en France. Les cancers de l’enfant representent environ 1 % des cancers en France et pour la moitie, surviennent avant l’âge de 5 ans. La radiotherapie pediatrique necessite des moyens adaptes, des locaux, du temps et une formation specifique. En France, en 2015, 18 centres sont accredites par l’Institut national du cancer (INCa) pour cette activite. Materiel et methodes Enquete menee en fevrier 2015 sur la prise en charge des enfants (de 0 a 18 ans) dans les services de radiotherapie en France. L’enquete a ete adressee aux oncologues radiotherapeutes concernes des 17 centres. Les questions concernaient l’aspect qualitatif et quantitatif, les aspects medicaux et organisationnels, ainsi que la place des manipulateurs dans la gestion de cette activite. Resultats Dix-sept centres ont repondu. En 2014, 889 enfants de moins de 18 ans ont ete pris en charge Les services de radiotherapie sont en lien avec un a quatre services d’oncologie pediatrique. Pour ce qui concerne l’acces aux anesthesies generales, trois centres effectuent un a sept traitement(s) sous anesthesie par an, trois centres de huit a dix, trois de dix a 24 et neuf centres sur 17 pratiquent des techniques d’hypnose. Sur le plan des ressources humaines, en 2015, 29 oncologues radiotherapeutes avaient une activite de radiotherapie pediatrique. La place de manipulateurs investis est croissante et des formations specifiques sont souhaitees. Concernant la preparation du traitement et le traitement, 13 centres ont des contentions specifiques pediatriques, 14 centres sur 16 ont recours a la radiotherapie avec modulation d’intensite si la dosimetrie est plus satisfaisante, dont 11 regulierement pour les irradiations craniospinales. La radiotherapie des zones mobiles avec asservissement respiratoire ou en hypofractionnement est peu developpee. Conclusion La radiotherapie pediatrique est une activite specifique necessitant une gestion dediee, tant au plan humain qu’organisationnel et medicoscientifique.

A survey was conducted in 2015 in France on the care of children in radiotherapy services. We present the results for total body irradiation in children, a specific technique of radiation treatment, which needs dedicated controls for this particular population. Of the 17 centres interviewed, 16 responded, and 13 practiced total body irradiation. Patients are positioned in lateral decubitus in 11 centres and supine/prone in two centres. Doses used for total body irradiation in myeloablative bone marrow transplantation are the same in all centres (12Gy); treatments are always fractionated. Lung shielding is positioned to limit the dose at an average of 8Gy with extremes ranging from 6 to 10Gy. The shape of the shieldings varies depending on departments' protocol, with a smaller size in case of mediastinal mass. Four centres have experience of total body irradiation under general anaesthesia, despite twice-daily fractions. In total, practice is relatively homogeneous throughout France and is inspired by the knowledge obtained in adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is currently indicated to treat anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). Conformal dose delivery and steep dose gradients may cause marginal misses. We analyzed patterns of locoregional recurrences (LRR) and delineation quality to determine IMRT-specific predictive factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Lymph node area delineation was classified as "compliant" or "non-compliant" according to experts' workgroup recommendations. The recurrence volume (Vrecur) was delineated on initial planning-CT by recurrence imaging registration. The Vrecur was determined to be "in-field" (IF), "marginal" (ML), or "out-of-field" (OF) in regard to the 95% isodose coverage. RESULTS Out of 165 patients, 30 had LRR. Among the 27 local recurrences (LR), 20 (74%) were IF, 4 (15%) ML, and 2 (7%) OF. Fourteen patients had regional recurrence (RR), amounted to 33 separate recurrence sites (RS). RS were mostly localized in inguinal (n = 12;36,4%), external iliac (n = 7;21.1%), presacral (n = 4;12.1%) and common iliac (n = 3;9.1%) nodes. Eighteen (54.5%) RS were IF, 6 (18.2%) ML, and 9 (27.3%) OF. Performance status ≥2 (p = 0.007) and active smoking (p = 0.025) were predictors of LR. Immunodepression (p = 0.012), external iliac involvement (p

Introduction et but de l’etude Pour les cancers du rectum metastatiques non resecables, une chimioradiotherapie de la tumeur primitive avec escalade de dose pourrait permettre un taux de controle local suffisant afin d’eviter une chirurgie lourde et parfois mutilante. L’objectif de cette etude etait d’evaluer la faisabilite et la tolerance d’une escalade de dose d’irradiation au cours de la chimioradiotherapie du cancer primitif chez les patients atteints de cancer du rectum metastatique non resecable. Materiel et methodes Cette etude de phase I multicentrique a inclus six patients atteints d’un adenocarcinome du bas et du moyen rectum metastatique synchrone non resecable traite par irradiation avec deux paliers de dose. L’irradiation etait delivree en radiotherapie conformationnelle avec modulation d’intensite, avec boost integre simultane. L’escalade de dose consistait a delivrer respectivement 52,5 Gy (palier 1) et 56,25 Gy (palier 2) dans la tumeur primitive, en 25 fractions de 2,1 Gy et 2,25 Gy. Les volumes cible anatomocliniques a haut risque et a bas risque recevaient respectivement 50 Gy et 45 Gy en 25 fractions dans les deux paliers. La chimioradiotherapie, a base de capecitabine, etait realisee apres quatre cycles de chimiotherapie par l’association de 5-fluoro-uracile, d’acide folinique et d’oxaliplatine (protocole mFolox6). La toxicite limitant la dose etait definie par une toxicite necessitant l’arret de la radiotherapie plus de cinq seances consecutives. Resultats et analyse statistique Les six patients ont recu l’ensemble du traitement aux doses planifiees. Aucun patient n’a souffert de toxicite necessitant l’arret de la radiotherapie ou de toxicite aigue de grade 3 ou plus. Aucune toxicite limitant la dose n’a donc ete rapportee. Une toxicite tardive de grade 3 est survenue chez trois patients. Apres la chimioradiotherapie, quatre patients etaient en situation de reponse partielle et un de reponse clinique complete. Conclusion L’escalade de dose a 56,25 Gy dans la lesion tumorale a ete possible avec une bonne tolerance aigue. Elle necessite d’etre evaluee dans une etude a plus grand effectif. Elle pourrait permettre un taux de controle local suffisant dans l’objectif d’eviter une chirurgie mutilante chez ces patients atteints de cancer metastatique.

In August 2013, the French nuclear safety agency (ASN) requested the permanent group of experts in radiation protection in medicine (GPMED) to propose recommendations on the implementation of new technology and techniques in radiation oncology. These recommendations were finalized in February 2015 by the GPMED. In April 2015, the ASN sent a letter to the French ministry of health (DGS/DGOS), and its national health agencies (ANSM, INCa, HAS). In these letters, ASN proposed that, from the 12 recommendations made by the GPMED, an action plan should be established, whose control could be assigned to the French national cancer institute (INCa), as a pilot of the national committee for radiotherapy and that this proposal has to be considered at the next meeting of the national committee of radiotherapy.

Background During the ACCORD 12 randomized trial, an evaluation of the clinical tumor response was prospectively performed after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The correlations between clinical complete response and patient characteristics and treatment outcomes are reported. Material and methods Between 2005 and 2008 the Accord 12 trial accrued 598 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and compared two different neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapies (Capox 50: capecitabine+oxaliplatin+50Gy vs Cap 45: capecitabine+45Gy). An evaluation of the clinical tumor response with rectoscopy and digital rectal examination was planned before surgery. A score to classify tumor response was used adapted from the RECIST definition: complete response: no visible or palpable tumor; partial response, stable and progressive disease. Results The clinical tumor response was evaluable in 201 patients. Score was: complete response: 8% (16 patients); partial response: 68% (137 patients); stable: 21%; progression: 3%. There was a trend toward more complete response in the Capox 50 group (9.3% vs 6.7% with Cap 45). In the whole cohort of 201 pts complete response was significantly more frequent in T2 tumors (28%; p =0.025); tumors p =0.017), less than half rectal circumference and with a normal CEA level. Clinical complete response observed in 16 patients was associated with more conservative treatment ( p =0.008): 2 patients required an abdomino-perineal resection, 11 an anterior resection and 3 patients benefited from organ preservation (2 local excision, 1 "watch and wait". A complete response was associated with more ypT0 (73%; p Conclusion These data support the hypothesis that a clinical complete response assessed using rectoscopy and digital rectal examination after neoadjuvant therapy may increase the chance of a sphincter or organ preservation in selected rectal cancers.

International audience; See an invited perspective on this article on page 1043.This multicenter phase II study investigated a selective radiotherapy dose increase to tumor areas with significant (18)F-misonidazole ((18)F-FMISO) uptake in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Methods: Eligible patients had locally advanced NSCLC and no contraindication to concomitant chemoradiotherapy. The (18)F-FMISO uptake on PET/CT was assessed by trained experts. If there was no uptake, 66 Gy were delivered. In (18)F-FMISO-positive patients, the contours of the hypoxic area were transferred to the radiation oncologist. It was necessary for the radiotherapy dose to be as high as possible while fulfilling dose-limiting constraints for the spinal cord and lungs. The primary endpoint was tumor response (complete response plus partial response) at 3 mo. The secondary endpoints were toxicity, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival at 1 y. The target sample size was set to demonstrate a response rate of 40% or more (bilateral α = 0.05, power 1-β = 0.95). Results: Seventy-nine patients were preincluded, 54 were included, and 34 were (18)F-FMISO-positive, 24 of whom received escalated doses of up to 86 Gy. The response rate at 3 mo was 31 of 54 (57%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 43%-71%) using RECIST 1.1 (17/34 responders in the (18)F-FMISO-positive group). DFS and overall survival at 1 y were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.77-0.96) and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.49-0.74), respectively. DFS was longer in the (18)F-FMISO-negative patients (P = 0.004). The radiotherapy dose was not associated with DFS when adjusting for the (18)F-FMISO status. One toxic death (66 Gy) and 1 case of grade 4 pneumonitis (>66 Gy) were reported. Conclusion: Our approach results in a response rate of 40% or more, with acceptable toxicity. (18)F-FMISO uptake in NSCLC patients is strongly associated with poor prognosis features that could not be reversed by radiotherapy doses up to 86 Gy.

International audience; Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of helical tomotherapy (HT) in the management of spine chordomas when proton therapy is unavailable or non-feasible. Methods and materials: Between 2007 and 2013, 30 patients with biopsy-proven chordomas were treated by HT in five French institutions. Information regarding local control (LC), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) was collected. Clinical efficacy, toxicity and treatment quality were evaluated. Results: Two-year actuarial LC, OS, PFS and MFS were 69.9%, 96.7%, 61.2% and 76.4%, respectively. HT treatments were well tolerated and no Grade 4–5 toxicities were observed. HT permitted the delivery of a mean dose of 68 Gy while respecting organ at risk (OAR) dose constraints, in particular in the spinal cord and cauda equina. Conclusions: This multicentric, retrospective study demonstrated the feasibility of HT in the treatment of spine chordomas, in the absence of hadron therapy.

Survey about LTFU care and specific questions about second cancers. (DOCX 13 kb)

List of involved centers or hospitals. (DOCX 12 kb)

Background Brain metastases (BMs) are associated with a poor prognosis. Standard treatment comprises whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). As neo-angiogenesis is crucial in BM growth, combining angiogenesis inhibitors such as bevacizumab with radiotherapy is of interest. We aimed to identify the optimal regimen of bevacizumab combined with WBRT for BM for phase II evaluation and provide preliminary efficacy data. Patients and methods In this multicentre single-arm phase I study with a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design, patients with unresectable BM from solid tumours received three cycles of bevacizumab at escalating doses [5, 10 and 15 mg/kg every 2 weeks at dose levels (DL) 0, 1 and 2, respectively] and WBRT (30 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks) administered from day 15. DL3 consisted of bevacizumab 15 mg/kg with WBRT from day 15 in 30 Gy/10 fractions/2 weeks. Safety was evaluated using NCI-CTCAE version 3. BM response (RECIST 1.1) was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging at 6 weeks and 3 months after WBRT. Results Nineteen patients were treated, of whom 13 had breast cancer. There were no DLTs. Grade 1–2 in-field and out-field toxicities occurred for five and nine patients across all DLs, respectively, including three and six patients (including one patient with both, so eight patients overall) of nine patients in DL3. One patient experienced BM progression during treatment (DL0). At the 3-month post-treatment assessment, 10 patients showed a BM response: one of three treated at DL0, one of three at DL1, two of three at DL2 and six of seven at DL3, including one complete response. BM progression occurred in five patients, resulting in two deaths. The remaining patient died from extracranial disease progression. Conclusion Bevacizumab combined with WBRT appears to be a tolerable treatment of BM. DL3 warrants further efficacy evaluation based on the favourable safety/efficacy balance. Clinical trials.gov Identifier NCT01332929.

Resume Objectif de l’etude Evaluation prospective des fonctions sexuelles apres traitement d’un cancer rectal et determination de facteurs predictifs. Patients et methodes Trente-trois patients ont recu a visee curative une chimioradiotherapie avant la chirurgie pour un adenocarcinome rectal localise. La toxicite sexuelle a ete evaluee a quatre reprises (avant tout traitement puis a 2, 6 et 12 mois) au moyen de questionnaires valides : Quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) C30 et CR38 de l’European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) pour tous, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) simplifie pour les hommes et Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) pour les femmes. Une correlation a ete recherchee entre la toxicite et les parametres cliniques et dosimetriques par les tests de Fisher et de Mann-Whitney. Resultats Chez les hommes, les erections et la satisfaction sexuelle ont significativement diminue des la phase aigue puis se sont stabilisees (scores respectifs de 84,5 et 86/100 a la phase initiale, 66 et 70,4 en fin de radiotherapie, 70 et 70 a 6 mois et 68,5 et 70 a 12 mois). Chez les femmes, les modifications n’etaient pas significatives. Cette etude confirme certains facteurs de risque de toxicite sexuelle deja evoques (fonction initiale, âge, volume tumoral) et en met en evidence de nouveaux (dose aux vesicules seminales, et surtout, doses aux plexus sympathiques et pelviens lateraux). Conclusion Les sequelles sexuelles restent sous-evaluees et mal comprises. L’impact des doses aux plexus pelviens autonomes est une donnee totalement nouvelle qui confirme les donnees chirurgicales sur la preservation nerveuse autonome et qui pourrait etre approfondie avec le developpement de la radiotherapie avec modulation d’intensite.

Resume La premiere edition du guide des procedures de radiotherapie externe, parue en 2007, avait comme objectifs de produire des recommandations visant a optimiser, harmoniser et homogeneiser les pratiques. Cette seconde edition, incluant la curietherapie, garde les memes objectifs en tenant compte des developpements technologiques actuels (radiotherapie conformationnelle avec modulation d’intensite, radiotherapie stereotaxique, curietherapie en trois dimensions) et des resultats recents de la litterature. Dans la premiere partie sont abordes des principes generaux d’interet quotidien (qualite–securite, gestion des risques, partage des tâches, radiotherapie guidee par l’image) et dans la seconde, les etapes de prise en charge pour chaque localisation tumorale.

Evidence-based medicine is a paradigm founded on a hierarchy of research design, accepted as a dogma. Applied to radiation oncology, and specifically to radiotherapy technical comparisons, evidence-based medicine implies methodological and ethical problems. The concept of "incremental" evolution and the dosimetric evidence are proposed as an acceptable alternative to comparative clinical trials if total dose, time, fractionation, and target volumes are not modified. For other situations, either randomized comparative trials or observational studies are needed. When randomized comparative trials are not possible, observational studies, whose validity can be enhanced by appropriate methodology, must be considered as a valid method.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy is a rapidly growing advanced treatment technique that delivers high radiation dose with great precision. The implementation of stereotactic body radiation therapy should be associated with a specific initial training and continuing professional education for radiation oncologists and medical physicists. The creation of a French stereotactic body radiation therapy group gathering radiation oncologists (SFRO and AFCOR) and medical physicists (SFPM) is mandatory in order to create dedicated national guidelines, prospective databases and to promote clinical trials in this field.

Il s’agit d’une etude cas temoins retrospective monocentrique sur 62 patients repartis en deux tranches d’âge (80 ans et plus versus 65 ans et moins) traites par radiotherapie externe au cours d’une meme periode. L’objectif principal etait de rechercher des differences de prise en charge entre ces deux populations. Deux parametres apparaissent statistiquement differents entre les deux groupes : l’indication du poids du patient (renseigne pour 39 % des patients âges versus 71 % des patients plus jeunes, p = 0,039) et le fait d’hypofractionner la radiotherapie (pour 61 % et 23 % des patients respectivement, p = 0,002). Aucune difference significative n’a ete mise en evidence pour le but de cette radiotherapie (curative ou palliative), les modalites de ce traitement, le lieu de vie du patient et le suivi realise. L’oncogeriatrie est nee du partenariat entre oncologues medicaux et geriatres, il serait a present souhaitable de developper davantage la collaboration avec les radiotherapeutes.

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy can deliver high doses of bone metastases while sparing adjacent healthy tissue not only for a decompressive or analgesic purpose, but also to improve the local control of the irradiated region. Various phases I or II studies showed the feasibility of such an approach at the cost of limited toxicity, including during re-irradiation. Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to oligometastases may also improve the long-term control of metastatic disease.

Introduction et but de l’etude L’objectif de cette etude etait de developper et d’evaluer une signature radiomique en utilisant l’imagerie tomographique par emission de positons (TEP/TDM) chez des patients atteints d’un cancer du poumon non a petites cellules traites par irradiation stereotaxique. Materiel et methodes Il s’agit d’une etude retrospective multicentrique portant sur 87 patients atteints d’un atteints d’un cancer du poumon non a petites cellules de stade T1-T2 traite dans quatre centres du Grand Ouest. Les patients des trois premiers centres (n = 27, 29 et 8) constituaient le groupe d’apprentissage, et ceux du quatrieme (n = 23) le groupe de validation. Le critere d’evaluation principal etait le controle local. En tout, 184 parametres radiomiques ont ete extraits (92 de chaque modalite) et sept parametres cliniques, histologiques et therapeutiques ont ete consideres. En raison des differents scanographes et protocoles d’acquisition des institutions, nous avons utilise la methode ComBat pour harmoniser les parametres de texture. Resultats et analyse statistique En analyse unifactorielle, deux parametres issus de la TEP et deux de la scanographie etaient significativement predictifs du controle local, a l’inverse des variables cliniques. Le meilleur modele predictif du groupe d’apprentissage etait obtenu en associant deux parametres TEP (IC2 et strength), avec une sensibilite de 100 % et une specificite de 88 %, et un hazard ratio indefini (p Conclusion Notre etude a permis d’identifier deux parametres de textures derives de la TEP/scanographie comme facteurs predictifs independants associes a la recidive locale chez les patients atteints d’un cancer du poumon non a petites cellules traites par irradiation stereotaxique. Ce modele merite d’etre confirme sur une cohorte plus consequente et pourrait etre utilise en clinique pour guider une eventuelle escalade de dose.