{"title":"In Regard to Shaitelman et al.","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2023.12.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prro.2023.12.015","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142551866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Additive Value of Magnetic Resonance Simulation Before Chemoradiation in Evaluating Treatment Response and Pseudoprogression in High-Grade Gliomas","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.04.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.04.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>A dedicated magnetic resonance imaging simulation (MRsim) for radiation treatment (RT) planning in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) can detect early radiologic changes, including tumor progression after surgery and before standard of care chemoradiation. This study aimed to determine the effect of using postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus MRsim as the baseline for response assessment and reporting pseudoprogression on follow-up imaging at 1 month (FU1) after chemoradiation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>Histologically confirmed patients with HGG were planned for 6 weeks of RT in a prospective study for adaptive RT planning. All patients underwent postoperative MRI, MRsim, and follow-up MRI scans every 2 to 3 months. Tumor response was assessed by 3 independent blinded reviewers using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria when baseline was either postoperative MRI or MRsim. Interobserver agreement was calculated using Light's kappa.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirty patients (median age, 60.5 years; IQR, 54.5-66.3) were included. Median interval between surgery and RT was 34 days (IQR, 27-41). Response assessment at FU1 differed in 17 patients (57%) when the baseline was postoperative MRI versus MRsim, including true progression versus partial response or stable disease in 11 (37%) and stable disease versus partial response in 6 (20%) patients. True progression was reported in 19 patients (63.3%) on FU1 when the baseline was postoperative MRI versus 8 patients (26.7%) when the baseline was MRsim (<em>P</em> = .004). Pseudoprogression was observed at FU1 in 12 (40%) versus 4 (13%) patients, when the baseline was postoperative MRI versus MRsim (<em>P</em> = .019). Interobserver agreement between observers was moderate (κ = 0.579; <em>P</em> < .001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our study demonstrates the value of acquiring an updated MR closer to RT in patients with HGG to improve response assessment, and accuracy in evaluation of pseudoprogression even at the early time point of first follow-up after RT. Earlier identification of patients with true progression would enable more timely salvage treatments including potential clinical trial enrollment to improve patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140868705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Case-based Guide for World Health Organization (WHO) Grade 2 Meningioma Radiosurgery and Radiation Therapy from The Radiosurgery Society","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.02.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.02.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Meningiomas represent the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system. Current treatment options include surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiation therapy (RT), definitive RT, and observation. However, the radiation dose, fractionation, and margins used to treat patients with WHO grade 2 meningiomas, which account for approximately 20% of all meningiomas, are not clearly defined, and deciding on the optimal treatment modality can be challenging owing to the lack of randomized data.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>In this manuscript, 3 cases of patients with WHO grade 2 meningiomas are presented with descriptions of treatment options after gross total resection, subtotal resection, and previous irradiation. Treatment recommendations were compiled from 9 central nervous system radiation oncology<span> and neurosurgery<span> experts from The Radiosurgery Society, and the consensus of treatment recommendations is reported.</span></span></div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both conventional and stereotactic RT are treatment options for WHO grade 2 meningiomas. The majority of prospective data in the setting of WHO grade 2 meningiomas involve larger margins. Stereotactic radiosurgery/hypofractionated stereotactic RT are less appropriate in this setting. Conventionally fractionated RT to at least 59.4 Gy is considered standard of care with utilization of preoperative and postoperative imaging to evaluate the extent of disease and possible osseous involvement. After careful discussion, stereotactic radiosurgery/hypofractionated stereotactic RT may play a role for the subset of patients who are unable to tolerate the standard lengthy conventionally fractionated treatment course, for those with prior RT, or for small residual tumors. However, more studies are needed to determine the optimal approach.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This case-based evaluation of the current literature seeks to provide examples for the management of grade 2 meningiomas and give examples of both conventional and stereotactic RT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141545537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"SBRT for Pancreatic Cancer: A Radiosurgery Society Case-Based Practical Guidelines to Challenging Cases","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of radiation therapy (RT) for pancreatic cancer continues to be controversial, despite recent technical advances. Improvements in systemic control have created an evolving role for RT and the need for improved local tumor control, but currently, no standardized approach exists. Advances in stereotactic body RT, motion management, real-time image guidance, and adaptive therapy have renewed hopes of improved outcomes in this devastating disease with one of the lowest survival rates. This case-based guide provides a practical framework for delivering stereotactic body RT for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. In conjunction with multidisciplinary care, an intradisciplinary approach should guide treatment of the high-risk cases outlined within these guidelines for prospective peer review and treatment safety discussions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141581508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quantifying the Risk of Technology-Driven Health Disparities in Radiation Oncology","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.06.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.06.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>New technologies are continuously emerging in radiation oncology. Inherent technological limitations can result in health care disparities in vulnerable patient populations. These limitations must be considered for existing and new technologies in the clinic to provide equitable care.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>We created a health disparity risk assessment metric inspired by failure mode and effects analysis. We provide sample patient populations and their potential associated disparities, guidelines for clinics and vendors, and example applications of the methodology.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A disparity risk priority number can be calculated from the product of 3 quantifiable metrics: the percentage of patients impacted, the severity of the impact of dosimetric uncertainty or quality of the radiation plan, and the clinical dependence on the evaluated technology. The disparity risk priority number can be used to rank the risk of suboptimal care due to technical limitations when comparing technologies and to plan interventions when technology is shown to have inequitable performance in the patient population of a clinic.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The proposed methodology may simplify the evaluation of how new technology impacts vulnerable populations, help clinics quantify the limitations of their technological resources, and plan appropriate interventions to improve equity in radiation treatments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141592069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"In Reply to Kaidar-Person et al.","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142551867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hanis Hanafi, Carolyn R Freeman, James Tsui, Paul Ramia, Robert Turcotte, Ahmed Aoude, Anthony Bozzo, Fabio L Cury
{"title":"A retrospective study on the comparision of pathological tumour necrosis of conventional versus ultrahypofractionated preoperative radiotherapy in localised extremity soft tissue sarcoma and its correlation with clinical outcomes: A retrospective study on the comparision of pathological tumour necrosis of CONV-RT versus UHYPO-RT preoperative radiotherapy in localised extremity soft tissue sarcoma and its correlation with clinical outcomes.","authors":"Hanis Hanafi, Carolyn R Freeman, James Tsui, Paul Ramia, Robert Turcotte, Ahmed Aoude, Anthony Bozzo, Fabio L Cury","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.10.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2024.10.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>We aimed to determine if ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy (UHYPO-RT) delivering 6Gy x 5 fractions yields similar tumour necrosis compared to conventional radiotherapy (CONV-RT) with 2Gy x 25 fractions in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The clinical significance of tumor necrosis on loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Patients with localised STS treated with CONV-RT or UHYPO-RT followed by surgery were included. Good response was defined as tumour necrosis ≥ 90%, and poor response as < 90%. Mann-Whitney U-test compared median tumour necrosis. Chi-squared analysis was used for categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier function estimated LRFS, DDFS, and OS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 64 patients received CONV-RT, and 45 received UHYPO-RT. The median tumour size was 7.0 cm, with the lower extremity being the most common site (55%). Myxofibrosarcoma (39%) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (16%) were the most frequent histologies. The median time from radiotherapy to surgery was 35 days. There was a significant difference in median tumour necrosis between CONV-RT and UHYPO-RT, with rates of 40% and 60%, respectively (p = 0.022). Patients receiving UHYPO-RT had a higher percentage of tumour necrosis at the 90% cutoff, achieving 27% compared to 6% for CONV-RT (p = 0.003). In a median follow-up of 32 months, 12 patients (9%) experienced loco-regional recurrence, 24 patients (19%) faced distant failure, and 19 patients (15%) died from metastatic disease. Patients with < 90% necrosis had higher rates of loco-regional (13% vs. 0%, p = 0.207) and distant failure (25% vs. 0%, p = 0.021). Three-year LRFS was 86% for < 90% necrosis and 100% for ≥ 90% necrosis (p = 0.160). DDFS was 75% for < 90% necrosis versus 100% for ≥ 90% (p = 0.036). OS rates were 79% and 93%, respectively (p = 0.290).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Preoperative RT with UHYPO-RT was associated with a higher rate of tumour necrosis ≥ 90% than CONV-RT. Our data suggest that more extensive necrosis is associated with better clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142559466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrea Lancia, Anna Rita Alitto, Giovanni Pappagallo, Elisa Ciurlia, Giulio Francolini, Rolando D'Angelillo, Sergio Fersino, Niccolò Giaj Levra, Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa, Alessandro Magli, Francesco Pasqualetti, Alessia Reali, Corrado Spatola, Luca Triggiani
{"title":"Management of de novo Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC) and the role of Radiotherapy: A Consensus by the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO).","authors":"Andrea Lancia, Anna Rita Alitto, Giovanni Pappagallo, Elisa Ciurlia, Giulio Francolini, Rolando D'Angelillo, Sergio Fersino, Niccolò Giaj Levra, Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa, Alessandro Magli, Francesco Pasqualetti, Alessia Reali, Corrado Spatola, Luca Triggiani","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.10.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2024.10.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Prostate cancer treatments paradigms are in continuous evolution, especially in metastatic setting. In this context, the Genito-Urinary (GU) Group of Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) aimed to create a Consensus on radiotherapy indication in de novo metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer both on primary tumour and metastatic sites.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A panel of experts, involved in clinical management of prostate cancer, through the estimate-talk-estimate (ETE) method, developed a list of items and correspondent statements on the identified topic.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>Seven conclusive items were identified with 12 statements about the chosen topic, radiotherapy in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer on primary tumour and metastatic sites.</p><p><strong>Conclusions and clinical implications: </strong>This consensus might help clinicians in prostate cancer managing in daily clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142570220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Megan Anna Carroll, Ryan Sommerville, Karen Hay, Abigail Walker, Sarah Grigg, Lizbeth Kenny, Benjamin Chua, Jason Papacostas, Hamish Alexander, Charles Lin
{"title":"Survival and Patterns of Relapse of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Large Nerve Perineural Spread After Skull Base Surgery and/or Radiation Therapy.","authors":"Megan Anna Carroll, Ryan Sommerville, Karen Hay, Abigail Walker, Sarah Grigg, Lizbeth Kenny, Benjamin Chua, Jason Papacostas, Hamish Alexander, Charles Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.09.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2024.09.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of our study was to evaluate survival and patterns of relapse for patients with perineural spread (PNS) of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), who have undergone curative intent skull base surgery and/or radiation therapy. In addition, we modified the classification of zone 2 disease into 2a and 2b and reported the respective outcome.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>A review of a prospective database of patients who received diagnoses of PNS of cSCC and were treated with curative intent skull base surgery and/or radiation therapy between the years of 2013 and 2020 was conducted. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate relapse-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazard modeling was performed to test associations between patient factors and survival outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty patients with a median follow-up of 36 months were included in the study. The 5-year RFS was 61% (95% CI, 48%-71%), the DSS was 77% (95% CI, 63%-86%), and OS was 67% (95% CI, 53%-78%). In multivariable modeling, involvement of 2 or more nerves was strongly associated with worse 5-year RFS (HR, 4.0; P ≤ .001), DSS (HR, 4.5; P = .004), and OS (HR, 4.3; P = .002). Age group (≥65 years) (HR, 5.1; P = .010) and immune compromise (HR, 10.7; P = .001) were strongly associated with worse OS but not DSS or RFS. The majority of relapses (60%) occurred at the local skin sites.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study demonstrated surgery followed by radiation therapy was safe and effective in the management of cSCC with PNS. We did not detect a difference in outcome between zones 2a and 2b though further study is required. The most common mode of relapse was at the skin epidermis and/or adjacent dermis highlighting the importance of adequate local skin dose delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142512856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maxwell Tran, Bhisham Chera, Kevin Shrake, Bradley Depaoli, Edward Duffy Iii, Michael Hall, Justin Steinman, Stephanie Myers, Osagie Igiebor, Jay Callahan, Daniel McDonald, Jennifer Harper, Samuel Lewis Cooper
{"title":"Reducing Patient Care Delays in Radiation Oncology Via Optimization of Insurance Pre-Authorization: Reducing Delays via Optimization of Pre-Auth.","authors":"Maxwell Tran, Bhisham Chera, Kevin Shrake, Bradley Depaoli, Edward Duffy Iii, Michael Hall, Justin Steinman, Stephanie Myers, Osagie Igiebor, Jay Callahan, Daniel McDonald, Jennifer Harper, Samuel Lewis Cooper","doi":"10.1016/j.prro.2024.10.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2024.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose/objectives: </strong>Difficulties and delays in insurance pre-authorization (pre-auth) can negatively impact patient care, resulting in postponing, modifying, or even cancelling radiation therapy for patients. We aimed to perform a root cause analysis for pre-auth delays in our department and implement solutions to optimize our workflow. Our primary objectives were to decrease mean time for clinical treatment plan (CTP) completion, and for number of cases delayed/denied, by 50% each.</p><p><strong>Materials/methods: </strong>We performed a root cause analysis for pre-auth delays, and used the PDSA & A3 quality improvement methods. We sampled ∼2 cases per disease site (19 cases from July - Aug 2022) to determine the baseline. Countermeasures included: 1) optimizing our CTP templates per disease site to contain the specific clinical information required for pre-auth, 2) formalizing earlier completion of CTPs in our Care Path®, and 3) formalizing the pre auth workflow in our Care Path®. We tracked various metrics, including mean time for CTP completion, % usage of our Care Path®, % usage of revised CTP templates, mean time until pre-auth initiated & completed, and % of cases delayed/denied. Two-tailed T-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to generate p-values comparing mean values and percentages, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>495 patients completed CT simulation in our department between October 2022 and February 2023. Mean time for CTP completion (Day 0 = day of CT simulation scheduling) improved from 16 days at baseline to 4 days (p<0.001). Care Path® usage improved from 16% to 97% (p<0.001), as did usage of our revised CTP templates, from 0% to 97% (p<0.001). The mean time from insurance pre-auth initiation to completion improved from 5 days to 1 day. The percent of cases that were delayed/denied was reduced significantly from 32% to 8% (p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Improving timeliness and details of CTP documentation and pre-auth by using our Care Path® and optimizing CTP templates improved efficiency of insurance pre-auth completion and reduced the number of cases delayed/denied.</p>","PeriodicalId":54245,"journal":{"name":"Practical Radiation Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142570230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}