Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip in Australian patients: definitive radiotherapy is an efficacious option to surgery in select patients

High dose interstitial brachytherapy for treatment of carcinoma of the lip as an alternative to surgery: a case report

Lip cancer (LC) is the most common cancer of the oral cavity and is the second most common in the head and neck. Brachytherapy (BT) is a good treatment option for this type of cancer because it administers high doses of radiation to the target. BT has similar cure and survival rates as surgery for the same type of cancer, but it often produces more favourable aesthetic results, especially when the tumour is treated in its early stages. We present a case of a patient diagnosed with stage II lower LC who refused surgical treatment. Instead, high-dose-rate interstitial BT was performed with ¹⁹²Ir. A 2-year post-treatment follow-up indicated there were neither serious complications nor recurrence of cancer during that period.

A Systematic Review of Primary, Adjuvant, and Salvage Radiation Therapy for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The gold standard of treatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is surgery radiation therapy (RT) is used selectively as definitive treatment for low-risk tumors or as adjuvant/salvage treatment for high-risk tumors. There is a lack of standardized studies evaluating the efficacy of RT in either clinical scenario.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of primary and adjuvant/salvage RT for the treatment of cSCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science was performed for studies that reported outcomes of cSCC treated with RT to the primary site alone. Outcomes included local control (LC), local recurrence (LR), nodal metastases (NM), distant metastases (DM), disease-specific death (DSD), and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

Forty-six studies with 4,141 tumors were included. Pooled LC and LR rates were 87.3% and 8.6%, respectively. The rates of NM, DM, DSD, and RFS were 4.8%, 3.5%, 5.3%, and 73.5%, respectively. Local recurrence was significantly higher for T3 and T4 tumors, with rates above 25.9%.

CONCLUSION

LR after RT to the primary site increased with increasing tumor stage, highlighting the importance of clear surgical margins for high-risk tumors. Prospective randomized studies characterizing outcomes by tumor stage for RT compared with surgery are needed to inform guidelines.

Distant metastasis from oral cavity-correlation between histopathology results and primary site

OBJECTIVES

Oral cancer is the eighth most common type of cancer worldwide and a significant contributor to the global burden caused by this disease. The principal parameters considered to influence prognosis, and thus treatment selection, are size and location of the primary tumor, as well as assessment of the presence and extent of lymph node and distant metastasis (DM). However, no known report regarding the relationship between the primary site and DM has been presented. For effective treatment selection and good prognosis, the correlation of DM with anatomic site and histopathology results of the primary malignancy is important. In the present study, we performed a systematic review of published reports in an effort to determine the relationship between the anatomic site of various types of oral cavity cancer and DM.

METHODS

A systematic review of articles published until the end of 2018 was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE.

RESULTS

A total of 150 studies were selected for this review. The percentage of all cases reported with DM was 6.3%, ranging from 0.6% to 33.1% in the individual studies. The rate of incidence of tongue occurrence was 9.3%. A frequent DM site was the lungs, with adenoid cystic carcinoma the most commonly involved histopathological factor. Malignant melanoma was most frequent (43.4%) in all histopathology findings, whereas there were no cases with an acinic cell carcinoma or cystadenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the occurrence of DM from the primary site as well as rate of incidence was dependent on histopathological factors.

High dose rate interstitial brachytherapy for early stage lip cancer using customized dental spacer

The present study aimed to report the efficacy and toxicity of our high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for early stage lip cancer (LC) using customized dental spacers. A retrospective analysis was performed among six patients with early stage LC treated with HDR interstitial brachytherapy between April 2015 and August 2019 using customized dental spacers. The total treatment dose was 49 Gy/7 fractions or 54 Gy/9 fractions. The median follow-up duration for the patients was 13 (range: 2-52) months. All patients completed the entire brachytherapy protocol safely and have experienced no local recurrence thus far. The CTV D100 and D90 values per fraction were median 100 (range: 98.3-100) % prescribed dose (PD) and median 133.4 (range: 129.3-138.9) % PD, respectively. The D2cc and D0.1cc values per fraction for the mandible were median 1.07 (range, 0.79-1.88) Gy and median 1.65 (range: 1.21-2.83) Gy, D2cc and D0.1cc values per fraction for oral cavity were median 1.48 (range, 1.31-1.72) Gy and median 2.73 (range: 1.79-2.88) Gy, respectively. Acute toxicities encountered were mucositis and lip edema limited to the irradiated area; none of them was beyond grade 2 and all were resolved within 1-2 months after treatment. We did not observe any late grade 2 adverse events or worse. This study shows that the adverse effects of HDR brachytherapy for early stage LC can be minimized using a dental spacer. Cooperation with the dentistry department is essential to make spacers that are individually customized for each patient.

Direct chairside fabrication of a two-piece brachytherapy appliance

This article reviews the prosthodontic steps in the direct chairside fabrication of a two-piece custom brachytherapy appliance consisting of an intraoral and extraoral component. This technique is described through the treatment of a 77-year-old patient with a T1N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip vermillion, referred for the most expeditious fabrication of a brachytherapy appliance because of the urgency of beginning brachytherapy. Fabrication of the appliance consisted of an expedited clinic visit in which both intraoral and extraoral components were fabricated chairside. A traditional indirect laboratory-based fabrication of such an appliance would have been more time-consuming, thereby delaying delivery of radiation treatment of the rapidly progressing malignancy.

Effectiveness of radiotherapy for head and neck skin cancers: a single-institution study

Purpose

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a useful option to treat head and neck skin cancer patients who are not indicated for surgery. In this study, we evaluated the treatment outcomes of EBRT in an Asian population.

Materials and Methods

The records from 19 head and neck skin cancer patients (10 with squamous cell carcinoma and 9 with basal cell carcinoma) who were treated with definitive or adjuvant EBRT from 2009 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The radiotherapy doses administered ranged from 50 to 66 Gy (median, 55 Gy) with 2.0–2.75 Gy per daily fraction (median, 2.5 Gy). The T stage at presentation was as follows: Tis (1 patient), T1 (11 patients), T2 (6 patients), and T3 (1 patient). None had regional lymph node disease or distant metastasis at presentation. The local failure-free survival (LFFS) rates, toxicity, and cosmetic results were analyzed.

Results

The median age was 75.5 years (range, 52.6 to 92.5 years). The median follow-up duration from the completion of radiotherapy was 44.9 months (range, 5.8 to 82.6 months). One local failure occurred in a patient with a 2.1-cm posterior neck squamous cell carcinoma at 32.5 months after radiotherapy (1/19, 5.3%). The 3-year LFFS rate was 91.7%. No patients died from skin cancer during follow-up, and no grade 3 complications occurred. The cosmetic outcomes were excellent for 16 (84.2%) and good for 3 (15.8%) of the 19 patients.

Conclusion

EBRT offers good local control and cosmetic outcomes in patients with head and neck skin cancer, with no grade 3 complications.

Current Role of Radiotherapy in Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) represents the most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide, most being cutaneous basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The global incidence of NMSC continues to increase as the global population ages. Numerous treatment options are available for NMSC patients, with radiotherapy an efficacious and tissue-preserving non-surgical option. External beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy are modalities with specific indications and advantages in treating NMSC. Where excision is not an option (medically/technically inoperable) or considered less ideal (e.g. cosmetic or functional outcome), radiotherapy offers an excellent alternative. Inoperable elderly and/or co-morbid patients of poor performance status can benefit from short-course hypofractionated radiotherapy, with very acceptable toxicity. Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with unfavourable pathology can decrease the risk of local and regional recurrence and associated morbidity and mortality. Radiotherapy has advantages and disadvantages and it is important for clinicians to understand these. Managing patients with NMSC is carried out by clinicians from multiple disciplines but it is imperative that they are all aware of the role of radiotherapy in their patients in various clinical settings. Here we aim to discuss the role and indications for recommending radiotherapy in patients with NMSC.

Long term effectiveness of electrochemotherapy for the treatment of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a therapeutic approach based on the local application of electrical pulses that permeabilize cell membranes to enhance the uptake of low-permeant chemotherapeutic agents, thus increasing their cytotoxic effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients with SCC of the lower lip were treated according to the European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy. Bleomycin (15,000 IU/m² body surface area) was administered intravenously over a 1-min period. Eight electrical pulses (amplitude, 1000 V/cm; duration, 100 μs) were generated and delivered at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz. Changes in tumor volume were used to assess treatment response.

RESULTS

Objective response (OR), complete response (CR), and partial response (PR) rates of 100%, 71.4%, and 28.6% respectively were demonstrated following a single session of ECT. ECT was well tolerated, and no adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous bleomycin-based ECT is a safe and effective therapy for SCC of the lower lip. ECT improves the quality-of-life of patients by preserving the function and the aesthetic appearance of the affected area. ECT provides a therapeutic option for elderly and frail patients who, due to their state of health, are not suitable for, or refuse surgical interventions.

Intraoral stents in preventing adverse radiotherapeutic effects in lip cancer patients

AIM

To fabricate and evaluate the efficacy of individualized intraoral stents to minimize the potential side effects of radiation on oral tissues in patients with early stages of lip cancer.

BACKGROUND

Lower lip cancer is a common tumor found almost exclusively in middle-aged and elderly males. Surgery is the most common treatment of choice, although for less extensive lesions, exclusive radiotherapy may be preferred. Some studies have found that the use of intraoral stents in patients with intraoral cancer (e.g., of the tongue or floor of the mouth) obtained favorable results in preventing unnecessary radiation doses to adjacent normal tissue and reducing oral complications. However, studies investigating the efficacy of individualized intraoral stents in patients with lip cancer have not been reported in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six patients with early stage lip cancer were eligible for curative radiotherapy and personalized intraoral stents. The stents were fabricated and all participants were evaluated for the occurrence of oral complications.

RESULTS

The regions of the oral mucosa protected from radiation by intraoral stents showed no mucositis. One patient complained of mild oral dryness but without interference in habits. At follow-up, none of the patients had late xerostomia or signs of dental caries by radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of individualized intraoral stents was shown to be promising in reducing the adverse effects of radiation therapy in lip cancer patients. These findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team during oncological therapy.

Impact of source position on high-dose-rate skin surface applicator dosimetry

PURPOSE

Skin surface dosimetric discrepancies between measured and treatment planning system predicted values were traced to source position sag inside the applicator and to source transit time. We quantified their dosimetric impact and propose corrections for clinical use.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We measured the dose profiles from the Varian Leipzig-style high-dose-rate (HDR) skin applicator, using EBT3 film, photon diode, and optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter for three different GammaMedplus HDR afterloaders. The measured dose profiles at several depths were compared with BrachyVision Acuros calculated profiles. To assess the impact of the source sag, two different applicator orientations were considered. The dose contribution during source transit was assessed by comparing diode measurements using an HDR timer and an electrometer timer.

RESULTS

Depth doses measured using the three dosimeters were in good agreement, but were consistently higher than the Acuros dose calculations. Measurements with the applicator face up were significantly (exceeding 10%) lower than those in the face down position, due to source sag inside the applicator. Based on the inverse square law, the effective source sag was evaluated to be about 0.5 mm from the planned position. The additional dose during source transit was evaluated to be about 2.8% for 30 seconds of treatment with a 40700 U (10 Ci) source.

CONCLUSION

With a very short source-to-surface distance, the small source sag inside the applicator has a significant dosimetric impact. This effect is unaccounted for in the vendor's treatment planning template and should be considered before the clinical use of the applicator. Further investigation of other applicators with large source lumen diameter may be warranted.

Clinical comparison of brachytherapy versus hypofractionated external beam radiation versus standard fractionation external beam radiation for non-melanomatous skin cancers

Purpose

Non-melanomatous skin cancer (NMSC) is the single most common cancer in the US. Radiation therapy is an excellent treatment alternative to surgery. High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) are commonly used radiation treatment modalities but little data is published comparing these modalities. We present our institution's experience and outcomes with these therapeutic options.

Material and methods

From June 2005 to March 2013, 61 patients were treated with HDR brachytherapy (n = 9), hypofractionated EBRT (n = 30), or standard fractionation EBRT (n = 22) for NMSC. The primary outcome measure was local control at most remote follow-up and secondary outcome measures were overall survival, cosmetic outcome, and toxicity. Univariate analysis was performed to compare outcomes between treatment modalities. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to compare overall survival.

Results

Median follow-up was 30 months. The most common histologies were BCC (47%) and SCC (44%); mean patient age was 83.3 years. Local control was 81% and 2-year actuarial overall survival was 89%. There was no statistical difference in local control or overall survival between treatment modalities. There was no statistical difference in cosmetic outcome or toxicity between treatment modalities, although five of six “poor” cosmetic outcomes and the only grade 3 toxic events were found in the standard fractionation EBRT group.

Conclusions

All modalities investigated represent effective treatments for NMSC and have good cosmetic outcomes and acceptable toxicity profiles. The finding of higher grade toxicity and a greater portion of patients experiencing toxicity among standard fractionation therapy is counter to expectations. There was no statistical significance to the finding and it is not likely to be meaningful.