Palliative radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases at diagnosis: A hospital-based analysis of patterns of care, RT fractionation scheme, and overall survival

Diplopia and Ptosis: An Unusual Case of Prostate Cancer Metastasis to the Sphenoid Bone Treated With Palliative Radiotherapy

We report a case of a 72-year-old male who presented to the hospital with a chief complaint of diplopia in the setting of a recent onset of urinary incontinence and right-sided back pain. He was subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer, notably metastasizing to the right sphenoid bone, causing impingement of the oculomotor nerve. Our case is unique in that the patient's initial presentation of prostate cancer was oculomotor nerve palsy with subsequent histologic analysis of the primary tumor showing both small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma along with adenocarcinoma. Also, the initial routine stroke protocol MRI and computed tomography angiography (CTA) missed the lesion, while gadolinium-enhanced targeted MRI revealed lesions in both the spine and the orbit. This case emphasizes the need for enhanced contrast as well as focused imaging in patients presenting with diplopia with a negative initial workup for stroke. Ptosis can be a sign of metastasis from other cancers and it is important to have a broad differential including metastatic disease in patients' presenting with similar symptoms and negative initial workup who may otherwise be at risk of cancer.

Utilization Patterns of Single-Fraction and Short-Course Radiotherapeutic Schedules in the Management of Bone Metastases

Purpose

Bone metastases are common, occurring in 60% to 70% of patients with advanced malignancies. Historically, bone-directed radiation therapy regimens of 30 Gy over 10 fractions were used. However, prospective randomized data suggest equivalent pain relief with shorter-course regimens. The American Society for Radiation Oncology Choosing Wisely Campaign encourages clinicians to consider shorter-course palliative regimens in patients with limited prognosis. A retrospective analysis was performed to assess patterns of short-course and single-fraction radiation therapy during the past 5 years.

Methods and Materials

We queried our electronic medical record (MOSAIQ) from 2016 to 2020 for patients with bone metastases who received palliative radiation therapy. Patients receiving >10 fractions or Medicare-approved palliative courses of radiation (30 Gy/10 fractions, 24 Gy/6 fractions, 20 Gy/5 fractions, 8 Gy/1 fraction) were included. Treatment department was defined as academic (n = 2) versus community (n = 12). Short-course treatment was defined as <6 fractions, whereas long-course included patients receiving >10 fractions. Patients were subdivided based on age and disease site. Physicians were grouped according to their year of residency completion. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified predictors of short-course and single-fraction treatment.

Results

We identified 1004 patients with 1768 bony metastases meeting inclusion criteria. The spine was the most common site, followed by pelvis/hip, extremity, and other site. Use of short-course treatment increased from 40% in 2016 to 50% in 2020. Single-fraction treatment increased from 7% in 2016 to 11% in 2020. Predictors of shorter courses included treatment at academic centers, more recent treatment, patient age >76 years, and nonspine anatomic site. Predictors of single-fraction treatment included treatment at academic centers, treating physician residency completion after 2010, patient age >76 years, and treatment to extremity or other site.

Conclusions

Rates of short-course and single-fraction bone-directed radiation therapy increased within our health system over time. Treatment receipt at academic centers was associated with both short-course and single-fraction regimens. Physicians completing residency after 2010 were more likely to deliver single-fraction therapy.

The Palliative Care in the Metastatic Spinal Tumors. A Systematic Review on the Radiotherapy and Surgical Perspective

Spine represents the most common site for metastatic disease involvement. Due to the close relationship between the spinal cord and critical structures, therapeutical management of metastatic spinal cord disease remains challenging. Spinal localization can lead to neurological sequelae, which can significantly affect the quality of life in patients with a limited life expectancy. The authors conducted a systematic literature review according to PRISMA guidelines in order to determine the impact of the most updated palliative care on spinal metastases. The initial literature search retrieved 2526 articles, manually screened based on detailed exclusion criteria. Finally, 65 studies met the inclusion criteria and were finally included in the systematic review. In the wide scenario of palliative care, nowadays, recent medical or surgical treatments represent valuable options for ameliorating pain and improving patients QoL in such this condition.

Geographical distance and reduced access to palliative radiotherapy: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Palliative radiotherapy (PRT) is an effective way of reducing symptoms caused by advanced incurable cancer. Several studies have investigated factors that contribute to inequalities in access to PRT; distance to a radiotherapy centre has been identified as one potential barrier.

AIM

To assess whether there is an association between distance to a radiotherapy centre and utilisation rates of PRT in adults with cancer.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020190772). MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and APA-PsycINFO were searched for relevant papers up to 28 February 2021.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies were included. Twelve studies focused on whether patients with incurable cancer received PRT, as part of their treatment package. Pooled results reported that living ≥50 km vs <50 km from the radiotherapy centre was associated with a reduced likelihood of receiving PRT (OR 0.84 (95%CI 0.80, 0.88)). Nine focused on distance from the radiotherapy centre and compared single-fraction (SF) versus multiple-fraction PRT, indicating that patients living further away were more likely to receive SF. Pooled results comparing ≥50 km versus <50 km showed increased odds of receiving SF for those living ≥50 km (OR 1.48 (95%CI 1.26,1.75)).

CONCLUSION

Patients living further away from radiotherapy centres were less likely to receive PRT and those who received PRT were more likely to receive SF PRT, providing some evidence of inequalities in access to PRT treatment based on proximity to centres providing radiotherapy. Further research is needed to understand whether these inequalities are influenced by clinical referral patterns or by patients unwilling or unable to travel longer distances.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020190772.

Emergency department visits for radiation cystitis among patients with a prostate cancer history

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the national burden of emergency department (ED) visits for radiation cystitis (RC), a known complication of radiation therapy (RT) to the pelvic area, among patients with a prostate cancer history, and identify those who are at increased risk of requiring invasive measures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study queried the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample for all ED visits from January 2006 to December 2015 with a primary diagnosis of RC and secondary diagnosis of prostate cancer. ED visits were characterised by demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, and hospital characteristics. Weighted frequencies were used to create national estimates for all data analysis.

RESULTS

A weighted total of 17 382 ED visits occurred for RC among patients with a prostate cancer history, of which 9655 (55.5%) were treated with an invasive procedure. Notable factors associated with undergoing an invasive procedure included having a prior prostatectomy (odds ratio [OR] 5.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.62-11.46), urinary retention (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.12-1.64), haematuria (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.42), and undergoing a blood transfusion (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.72-2.62). ED visits that were associated with invasive procedures had a higher median total charge ($34 707.53 vs $15 632.53) and an increased median length of stay (5 vs 3 days) compared to visits without an invasive procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ED visits for RC in prostate cancer, approximately one half required an invasive procedure for treatment. While RT remains an effective modality for patients with prostate cancer, providers should be mindful of RC as a potential complication.

Replacing 30 Gy in 10 fractions with stereotactic body radiation therapy for bone metastases: A large multi-site single institution experience 2016-2018

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Contemporary trends in radiation technique and fractionation for bone metastases at a large academic center with a specialized metastatic program.

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Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is replacing long-course conventional RT for bone metastases.

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Complexity of RT is increasing, particularly in the community-based regional clinic setting.

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Single-fraction conventional RT is preferentially employed at the end of life, but prognostic algorithms are needed to further optimize use.

Background

Bone metastases cause significant morbidity in patients with cancer, and radiation therapy (RT) is an effective treatment approach. Indications for more complex ablative techniques are emerging. We sought to evaluate RT trends at a large multi-site tertiary cancer center.

Methods

Patients who received RT for bone metastases at a single institution (including regional outpatient clinics) from 2016 to 2018 were identified. Patients were grouped by RT regimen: single-fraction conventional RT (8 Gy × 1), 30 Gy in 10 fractions, SBRT, and “other”. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to assess trends in regimens over time. Binary logistic regression was performed to evaluate factors associated with receipt of SBRT.

Results

Between 2016 and 2018, 5,952 RT episodes were received by 2,969 patients with bone metastases. Overall, 76% of episodes were ≤ 5 fractions. The median number of fractions planned for SBRT and non-SBRT episodes was 3 (IQR 3–3) and 5 (IQR 5–10), respectively. Use of SBRT increased from 2016 to 2018 (39% to 53%, p < 0.01) while use of 30 Gy in 10 fractions decreased (26% to 12%, p < 0.01), and 8 Gy × 1 was stable (5.3% to 6.9%, p = 0.28). SBRT was associated with higher performance status (p < 0.01) and non-radiosensitive histology (p < 0.01). Use of SBRT increased in the regional network (19% to 48%, p < 0.01) and at the main center (52% to 59%, p = 0.02), but did not increase within 30 days of death. More patients treated with 8 Gy × 1 than SBRT died within 30 days of treatment (24% vs 3.8%, respectively, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

SBRT is replacing 30 Gy in 10 fractions for bone metastases, especially among patients with high performance status and non-radiosensitive histologies. Better prognostic algorithms could further improve patient-centered treatment selection at the end of life.

Frequency of Complicated Symptomatic Bone Metastasis Over a Breadth of Operational Definitions

PURPOSE

Numerous randomized trials have demonstrated noninferiority of single- versus multiple-fraction palliative radiation therapy (RT) in the management of uncomplicated bone metastases; yet there is neither a clear definition of what constitutes a complicated lesion, nor substantial data regarding the prevalence of such complicating features in clinical practice. Thus, we identify a range of evidence-based operational definitions of complicated symptomatic bone metastases and characterize the frequency of such complicating features at a high-volume, tertiary care center.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective review of patients seen in consultation for symptomatic bone metastases between March 1, 2007, and July 31, 2013, at Johns Hopkins Hospital identified patient and disease characteristics. Descriptive statistics characterized the frequency of the following complicating features: prior RT, prior surgery, neuraxis compromise, pathologic fracture, and soft tissue component at the symptomatic site. A range of definitions for complicated bone metastases was evaluated based on combinations of these features. Uni- and multivariable logistic regressions evaluated the odds of complicated bone metastases as a function of site of primary cancer and of the symptomatic target lesion.

RESULTS

A total of 686 symptomatic bone metastases in 401 patients were evaluated. Percent of target sites complicated by prior RT was 4.4%, prior surgery was 8.9%, pathologic fracture was 20.6%, neuraxis compromise was 52.0% among spine and medial pelvis sites, and soft tissue component was 38.6%. More than 96 possible definitions of complicated bone metastases were identified. The presence of such complicated lesions ranged from 2.3% to 67.3%, depending on the operational definition used. Odds of a complicated lesion were significantly higher for spine sites and select nonbreast histologies.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective study, we found complicated symptomatic bone metastases may be present in up to two-thirds of patients. Literature review also demonstrates no clear standard definition of complicated bone metastases, potentially explaining underutilization of single-fraction palliative RT in this setting.

Personalized Radiation Therapy in Cancer Pain Management

The majority of advanced cancer patients suffer from pain, which severely deteriorates their quality of life. Apart from analgesics, bisphosphonates, and invasive methods of analgesic treatment (e.g., intraspinal and epidural analgesics or neurolytic blockades), radiation therapy plays an important role in pain alleviation. It is delivered to a growing primary tumour, lymph nodes, or distant metastatic sites, producing pain of various intensity. Currently, different regiments of radiation therapy methods and techniques and various radiation dose fractionations are incorporated into the clinical practice. These include palliative radiation therapy, conventional external beam radiation therapy, as well as modern techniques of intensity modulated radiation therapy, volumetrically modulated arch therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic body radiation therapy, and brachytherapy or radionuclide treatment (e.g., radium-223, strontium-89 for multiple painful osseous metastases). The review describes the possibilities and effectiveness of individual patient-tailored conventional and innovative radiation therapy approaches aiming at pain relief in cancer patients.

Palliative radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases at diagnosis: A hospital-based analysis of patterns of care, RT fractionation scheme, and overall survival

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies associated with bone metastases, and palliative radiation therapy (RT) is an effective treatment option. A total of 2641 patients were identified with PCa and bone metastases at diagnosis from 2010 to 2014 in the NCDB. Fractionation scheme was designated as short course ([SC‐RT]: 8 Gy in 1 fraction and 20 Gy in 5 fractions) vs long course ([LC‐RT]: 30 Gy in 10 fractions and 37.5 Gy in 15 fractions). Patient characteristics were correlated with fractionation scheme using logistic regression. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method, log‐rank test, Cox proportional hazards models, and propensity score‐matched analyses. A total of 2255 (85.4%) patients were included in the LC‐RT group and 386 (14.6%) patients in the SC‐RT group. SC‐RT was more common in patients over 75 years age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32‐2.20), treatment at an academic center (OR: 1.76, 1.20‐2.57), living greater than 15 miles distance to treatment facility (OR: 1.38, 1.05‐1.83), treatment to the rib (OR: 2.99, 1.36‐6.60), and in 2014 (OR: 1.73, 1.19‐2.51). RT to the spine was more commonly long course (P < .0001). In the propensity‐matched cohort, LC‐RT was associated with improved OS (P < .0001), but no OS difference was observed between 37.5 Gy and either 8 Gy in one fraction or 20 Gy in 5 fractions (P > .5). LC‐RT remains the most common treatment fractionation scheme for palliative bone metastases in PCa patients. Use of palliative SC‐RT is increasing, particularly in more recent years, for older patients, treatment at academic centers, and with increasing distance from a treatment center.