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Huang K, Zhao X, Yu J, Cheng J, Wu L. Transcolonoscopic spraying formalin solution for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis: a retrospective analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 10:1241833. [PMID: 38249964 PMCID: PMC10797082 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1241833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Radiation proctitis is a common complication that occurs as a result of radiation therapy used to treat pelvic malignancies. The most common and bothersome symptom resulting from radiation proctitis is rectal bleeding, which can be persistent or recurrent. This study aimed to review our experience and evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcolonoscopic spraying of formalin solution in patients with hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. Methods A total of 37 patients with hemorrhagic radiation proctitis, aged between 48 and 79 years (mean age 62.56 ± 8.48 years), were divided into three cohorts based on the severity of radiation injury. Under direct endoscopic vision, a 4% formalin solution was applied directly to the rectal hemorrhagic mucosa. The patients were followed for a period of over 6 months after receiving treatment, during which the therapeutic effectiveness and occurrence of complications were observed. Results The study resulted in an overall response rate of 89.2% among all patients. The response rates for patients with grades 1-3 were 100, 100, and 66.7%, respectively. Notably, the rate of response among patients with grade 3 radiation injury was significantly lower compared to those with grades 1-2 (p = 0.009). Mild adverse reactions, such as anal pain and tenesmus, were reported in a small number of patients but could be alleviated without any intervention. Conclusion The endoscopic application of formalin solution for the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis has shown a significant effect, particularly in patients with grades 1-2 radiation injury. The observed effect is superior to that observed in patients with grade 3 radiation injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Civil Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Civil Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiufei Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Civil Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianping Cheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Civil Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Medical Center, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Ferini G, Pergolizzi S. Hypofractionation of radiation dose to the prostate does not necessarily imply a greater risk of acute radiation proctitis. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2023; 43:100679. [PMID: 37753460 PMCID: PMC10518448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2023.100679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Pergolizzi
- Radiation Oncology Unit – Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Ferini G, Zagardo V, Viola A, Aiello MM, Harikar MM, Venkataram T, Palmisciano P, Illari SI, Valenti V, Umana GE. Considerations on surgery invasiveness and response and toxicity patterns in classic palliative radiotherapy for acrometastases of the hand: a hint for a potential role of stereotactic body radiation therapy? A case report and literature review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1146041. [PMID: 37441424 PMCID: PMC10335800 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1146041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The rarity of hand acrometastases hampers the consensus-building for their optimal management among the involved oncology professionals. In the current literature, demolitive surgery overcomes the use of palliative radiotherapy, which proved to be ineffective in more than 30% of cases treated with classic palliative dose schemes, carrying also a not negligible radiation-related adverse event rate. Against this background, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) could emerge as a well-balanced therapeutic option. Case summary Here we describe the methods and outcomes of a SBRT treatment of a painful and function-limiting hand acrometastasis in a patient with a history of stage IIIB lung adenocarcinoma. We delivered a total dose of 30 Gy in five daily fractions to a soft-tissue metastasis abutting the fifth metacarpal bone through the SBRT protocol generally used for intracranial treatments. A few weeks later, the patient reported a clinical complete response with acrometastasis and pain disappearance, function recovery, and no significant toxicity. The acrometastasis was the first sign of an atypical cancer progression. Conclusions SBRT for hand acrometastases is feasible and might have the best therapeutic profile among the currently available treatment options for this rare clinical scenario. Larger investigations are needed to confirm the present single-case experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Ferini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, REM Radioterapia Srl, Viagrande, Italy
| | - Valentina Zagardo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, REM Radioterapia Srl, Viagrande, Italy
| | - Anna Viola
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo (IOM), Viagrande, Italy
| | - Marco Maria Aiello
- Medical Oncology, University Hospital Policlinico San Marco, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Tejas Venkataram
- Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma Center, Gamma Knife Center, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Palmisciano
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Salvatore Ivan Illari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo (IOM), Viagrande, Italy
| | - Vito Valenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, REM Radioterapia Srl, Viagrande, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Emmanuele Umana
- Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma Center, Gamma Knife Center, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
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Dose-Volume Constraints fOr oRganS At risk In Radiotherapy (CORSAIR): An "All-in-One" Multicenter-Multidisciplinary Practical Summary. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:7021-7050. [PMID: 36290829 PMCID: PMC9600677 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29100552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The safe use of radiotherapy (RT) requires compliance with dose/volume constraints (DVCs) for organs at risk (OaRs). However, the available recommendations are sometimes conflicting and scattered across a number of different documents. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide, in a single document, practical indications on DVCs for OaRs in external beam RT available in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS A multidisciplinary team collected bibliographic information on the anatomical definition of OaRs, on the imaging methods needed for their definition, and on DVCs in general and in specific settings (curative RT of Hodgkin's lymphomas, postoperative RT of breast tumors, curative RT of pediatric cancers, stereotactic ablative RT of ventricular arrythmia). The information provided in terms of DVCs was graded based on levels of evidence. RESULTS Over 650 papers/documents/websites were examined. The search results, together with the levels of evidence, are presented in tabular form. CONCLUSIONS A working tool, based on collected guidelines on DVCs in different settings, is provided to help in daily clinical practice of RT departments. This could be a first step for further optimizations.
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Ferini G. Comment on Ivanov et al. Ultra-Hypofractionated vs. Moderate Fractionated Whole Breast Three Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Medicina 2022, 58, 745. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:1306. [PMID: 36143983 PMCID: PMC9504136 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58091306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
I read the paper by Ivanov et al. [...].
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VMAT-Based Planning Allows Sparing of a Spatial Dose Pattern Associated with Radiation Pneumonitis in Patients Treated with Radiotherapy for a Locally Advanced Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153702. [PMID: 35954366 PMCID: PMC9367460 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: In patients treated with radiotherapy for locally advanced lung cancer, respect for dose constraints to organs at risk (OAR) insufficiently protects patients from acute pulmonary toxicity (APT), such toxicities being associated with a potential impact on the treatment’s completion and the patient’s quality of life. Dosimetric planning does not take into account regional lung functionality. An APT prediction model combining usual dosimetry features with the mean dose (DMeanPmap) received by a voxel-based volume (Pmap) localized in the posterior right lung has been previously developed. A DMeanPmap of ≥30.3 Gy or a predicted APT probability (ProbAPT) of ≥8% were associated with a higher risk of APT. In the present study, the authors aim to demonstrate the possibility of decreasing the DMeanPmap via a volumetric arctherapy (VMAT)-based adapted planning and evaluate the impact on the risk of APT. Methods: Among the 207 patients included in the initial study, only patients who presented with APT of ≥grade 2 and with a probability of APT ≥ 8% based on the prediction model were included. Dosimetry planning was optimized with a new constraint (DMeanPmap < 30.3 Gy) added to the usual constraints. The initial and optimized treatment plans were compared using the t-test for the independent variables and the non-parametric Mann−Whitney U test otherwise, regarding both doses to the OARs and PTV (Planning Target Volume) coverage. Conformity and heterogeneity indexes were also compared. The risk of APT was recalculated using the new dosimetric features and the APT prediction model. Results: Dosimetric optimization was considered successful for 27 out of the 44 included patients (61.4%), meaning the dosimetric constraint on the Pmap region was achieved without compromising the PTV coverage (p = 0.61). The optimization significantly decreased the median DMeanPmap from 28.8 Gy (CI95% 24.2−33.4) to 22.1 Gy (CI95% 18.3−26.0). When recomputing the risk of APT using the new dosimetric features, the optimization significantly reduced the risk of APT (p < 0.0001) by reclassifying 43.2% (19/44) of the patients. Conclusion: Our approach appears to be both easily implementable on a daily basis and efficient at reducing the risk of APT. Regional radiosensitivity should be considered in usual lung dose constraints, opening the possibility of new treatment strategies, such as dose escalation or innovative treatment associations.
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A Critical Overview of Predictors of Heart Sparing by Deep-Inspiration-Breath-Hold Irradiation in Left-Sided Breast Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143477. [PMID: 35884538 PMCID: PMC9319386 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Adjuvant radiotherapy could damage the heart in left-sided breast cancer patients. The deep-inspiration-breath-hold technique may limit the heart exposure to radiation. As non-beneficiaries exist, there is some need to do an upfront cost-effective selection. Some easy-to-use anatomical predictors may help insiders in the treatment decision. The awareness of such findings may improve the efficiency of practitioners’ workflows. Abstract Radiotherapy represents an essential part of the therapeutic algorithm for breast cancer patients after conservative surgery. The treatment of left-sided tumors has been associated with a non-negligible risk of developing late-onset cardiovascular disease. The cardiac risk perception has especially increased over the last years due to the prolongation of patients’ survival owing to the advent of new drugs and an ever earlier cancer detection through screening programs. Improvements in radiation delivery techniques could reduce the treatment-related heart toxicity. The deep-inspiration-breath-hold (DIBH) irradiation is one of the most advanced treatment approaches, which requires specific technical equipment and uses inspiration to displace the heart from the tangential radiation fields. However, not all patients benefit from its use. Moreover, DIBH irradiation needs patient compliance and accurate training. Therefore, such a technique may be unjustifiably cumbersome and time-consuming as well as unnecessarily expensive from a mere healthcare cost point of view. Hence the need to early select only the true beneficiaries while tailoring more effective heart-sparing techniques for the others and streamlining the workflow, especially in high-volume radiation oncology departments. In this literature overview, we collected some possible predictors of cardiac dose sparing in DIBH irradiation for left breast treatment in an effort to provide an easy-to-consult summary of simple instruments to insiders for identifying patients actually benefitting from this technique. We critically reviewed the reliability and weaknesses of each retrieved finding, aiming to inspire new insights and discussions on this much-debated topic.
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Kuo CY, Liu WH, Chou YC, Li MH, Tsai JT, Huang DYC, Lin JC. To Optimize Radiotherapeutic Plans for Superior Tumor Coverage Predicts Malignant Glioma Prognosis and Normal Tissue Complication Probability. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092413. [PMID: 35566538 PMCID: PMC9099532 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Radiotherapy (RT) provides a modern treatment to enhance the malignant glioma control rate. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of tumor coverage on disease prognosis and to predict optimal RT plans to achieve a lower normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). Methods: Ten malignant-glioma patients with tumors adjacent to organs at risk (OARs) were collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to adequate coverage or not, and prognosis was analyzed. Then, using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and helical tomotherapy (TOMO) to simulate new treatment plans for 10 patients, the advantages of these planning systems were revealed for subsequent prediction of NTCP. Results: The results of clinical analysis indicated that overall survival (p = 0.078) between the adequate and inadequate groups showed no differences, while the adequate group had better recurrence-free survival (p = 0.018) and progression-free survival (p = 0.009). TOMO had better CI (p < 0.001) and also predicted a lower total-irradiated dose to the normal brain (p = 0.001) and a lower NTCP (p = 0.027). Conclusions: The TOMO system provided optimal therapeutic planning, reducing NTCP and achieving better coverage. Combined with the clinical results, our findings suggest that TOMO can make malignant glioma patients close to OARs achieve better disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yuan Kuo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-Y.K.); (M.-H.L.); (J.-T.T.)
- School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsiu Liu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No.325, Sec. 2, Cheng-Kung Road, Taipei 11490, Taiwan;
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Chou
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan;
| | - Ming-Hsien Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-Y.K.); (M.-H.L.); (J.-T.T.)
| | - Jo-Ting Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-Y.K.); (M.-H.L.); (J.-T.T.)
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - David YC Huang
- Department of Medical Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
| | - Jang-Chun Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (C.-Y.K.); (M.-H.L.); (J.-T.T.)
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-22490088; Fax: +886-2-22484822
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The Palliative Care in the Metastatic Spinal Tumors. A Systematic Review on the Radiotherapy and Surgical Perspective. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12040571. [PMID: 35455062 PMCID: PMC9032747 DOI: 10.3390/life12040571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Abstract
Background: Paraneoplastic gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal syndrome that rarely precedes a tumor diagnosis. To increase awareness of this rare clinical entity, we present a case of severe gastroparesis, which was later proven to be associated with a thymoma. Case report: A 55-year old man had the sudden onset of severe abdominal cramps and abdominal distension, early satiety with postprandial nausea, acid regurgitation, belching, and flatulence. He lost about 20 pounds. The physical and imaging examination revealed stomach distension, gastroparesis, and the presence of a solid mass in the anterior mediastinum. Radical surgery was performed to remove the thymoma and, given the high value of Mib-1, the patient was submitted to postoperative chest radiation therapy. After thymectomy, a diagnosis of paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis with subacute autonomic failure was made. Conclusion: Autoimmune gastroparesis should be considered as a potential paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with thymoma, myasthenia gravis, and delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction.
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Radiotherapy in Current Neuro-Oncology: There Is Still Much to Reveal. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121412. [PMID: 34947942 PMCID: PMC8706956 DOI: 10.3390/life11121412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Ferini G, Molino L. Hypothesis of a decision-making algorithm for adjuvant radiotherapy in left-sided breast cancer patients. Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol 2021; 20:64-65. [PMID: 34988301 PMCID: PMC8710978 DOI: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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