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Dubey A, Agrawal S, Agrawal V, Dubey T, Jaiswal A. Breast Cancer and the Brain: A Comprehensive Review of Neurological Complications. Cureus 2023; 15:e48941. [PMID: 38111443 PMCID: PMC10726093 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, one of the most prevalent malignancies globally, poses a substantial health burden with its diverse neurological complications. This comprehensive review examines the intricate landscape of breast cancer's neurological effects, encompassing brain metastases, non-metastatic complications, and their profound influence on the quality of life, prognosis, and survival of affected individuals. The mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment modalities of brain metastasis and the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in their management are explored. Additionally, we address non-metastatic neurological complications, including paraneoplastic syndromes, treatment-related side effects, leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, and radiation-induced neurotoxicity, shedding light on the challenges they present and the importance of cognitive and emotional well-being. Prognostic factors and survival rates are discussed, emphasizing the complexity of variables impacting patient outcomes. Lastly, we underscore the vital role of collaborative care in addressing these multifaceted challenges, highlighting future research directions and the ongoing quest to enhance the quality of life for breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshat Dubey
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Suyash Agrawal
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Varun Agrawal
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Tanishq Dubey
- Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Arpita Jaiswal
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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Park JW, Yea JW, Park J, Oh SA. Setup uncertainties and appropriate setup margins in the head-tilted supine position of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271077. [PMID: 35925916 PMCID: PMC9352041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Various applications of head-tilting techniques in whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) have been introduced. However, a study on the setup uncertainties and margins in head-tilting techniques has not been reported. This study evaluated the setup uncertainties and determined the appropriate planning target volume (PTV) margins for patients treated in the head-tilted supine (ht-SP) and conventional supine position (c-SP) in WBRT. Thirty patients who received WBRT at our institution between October 2020 and May 2021 in the c-SP and ht-SP were investigated. The DUON head mask (60124, Orfit Industries, Wijnegem, Belgium) was used in the c-SP, and a thermoplastic U-Frame Mask (R420U, Klarity Medical & Equipment Co. Ltd., Lan Yu, China) was used in the ht-SP. Daily setup verification using planning computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam CT was corrected for translational (lateral, longitudinal, and vertical) and rotational (yaw) errors. In the c-SP, the means of systematic errors were -0.80, 0.79, and 0.37 mm and random errors were 0.27, 0.54, and 0.39 mm in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical translational dimensions, respectively. Whereas, for the ht-SP, the means of systematic errors were -0.07, 0.73, and -0.63 mm, and random errors were 0.75, 1.39, 1.02 mm in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical translational dimensions, respectively. The PTV margins were calculated using Stroom et al.’s [2Σ+0.7σ] and van Herk et al.’s recipe [2.5Σ+0.7σ]. Appropriate PTV margins with van Herk et al.’s recipe in WBRT were <2 mm and 1.5° in the c-SP and <3 mm and 2° in the ht-SP in the translational and rotational directions, respectively. Although the head tilt in the supine position requires more margin, it can be applied as a sufficiently stable and effective position in radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Won Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Ji Woon Yea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jaehyeon Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Se An Oh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- * E-mail:
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Hussain Z. The Holistic Approach to Cancer Pain Management. Ulster Med J 2022; 91:45-49. [PMID: 35169339 PMCID: PMC8835427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
James Alexander Logan, a second-year medical student at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, died in February 2001 after a distressing illness of three months duration. His family, friends and interested professionals subsequently set up the James Logan Trust to encourage doctors and others to have the confidence to recognise and treat cancer pain. The James Logan Trust has provided funds for an annual prize for the best essay on "The challenges of cancer pain assessment and management" to be submitted by a Queen's University of Belfast undergraduate medical student after the completion of their fourth-year palliative medicine teaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Chaput
- Assistant Professor at McGill University in Montreal, Que, an attending physician in the departments of family medicine and secondary care and oncology at the McGill University Health Centre, and Medical Director of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Care Residence
| | - Laura Regnier
- Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa in Ontario, and a general practitioner in oncology in the Radiation Oncology Department at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre
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Jablonska PA, Bosch-Barrera J, Serrano D, Valiente M, Calvo A, Aristu J. Challenges and Novel Opportunities of Radiation Therapy for Brain Metastases in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092141. [PMID: 33946751 PMCID: PMC8124815 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Lung cancer is the most common primary malignancy that tends to metastasize to the brain. Owing to improved survival of lung cancer patients, the prevalence of brain metastases is a matter of growing concern. Brain radiotherapy remains the mainstay in the management of metastatic CNS disease. However, new targeted therapies such as the tyrosine kinase or immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated intracranial activity and promising tumor response rates. Here, we review the current and emerging therapeutical strategies for brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer, both brain-directed and systemic, as well as the uncertainties that may arise from their combination. Abstract Approximately 20% patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present with CNS spread at the time of diagnosis and 25–50% are found to have brain metastases (BMs) during the course of the disease. The improvement in the diagnostic tools and screening, as well as the use of new systemic therapies have contributed to a more precise diagnosis and prolonged survival of lung cancer patients with more time for BMs development. In the past, most of the systemic therapies failed intracranially because of the inability to effectively cross the blood brain barrier. Some of the new targeted therapies, especially the group of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown durable CNS response. However, the use of ionizing radiation remains vital in the management of metastatic brain disease. Although a decrease in CNS-related deaths has been achieved over the past decade, many challenges arise from the need of multiple and repeated brain radiation treatments, which carry along not insignificant risks and toxicity. The combination of stereotactic radiotherapy and systemic treatments in terms of effectiveness and adverse effects, such as radionecrosis, remains a subject of ongoing investigation. This review discusses the challenges of the use of radiation therapy in NSCLC BMs in view of different systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, TKIs and immunotherapy. It also outlines the future perspectives and strategies for personalized BMs management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Anna Jablonska
- Brain Metastases and CNS Oncology Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-416-946-2000
| | - Joaquim Bosch-Barrera
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Doctor Josep Trueta University Hospital, 17007 Girona, Spain;
- Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Salt, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical School, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Diego Serrano
- IDISNA and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.S.); (A.C.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Alfonso Calvo
- IDISNA and Program in Solid Tumors, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (D.S.); (A.C.)
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- CIBERONC, ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Aristu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Protontherapy Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, 28027 Madrid, Spain;
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Wang J, Liu Z, Pang Q, Zhang T, Chen X, Er P, Wang Y, Wang P, Wang J. Prognostic analysis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer harboring exon 19 or 21 mutation in the epidermal growth factor gene and brain metastases. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:837. [PMID: 32883221 PMCID: PMC7469092 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07249-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In 1997, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) put forward the recursive partitioning analysis classification for the prognosis of brain metastases (BMs), but this system does not take into account the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. The aim of the study is to assess the prognosis of patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and BMs in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) availability. Methods This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with EGFR-mutated (exon 19 or 21) NSCLC diagnosed between 01/2011 and 12/2014 at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital and who were ultimately diagnosed with BMs. The patients were stage I-III at initial presentation and developed BMs as the first progression. Overall survival (OS), OS after BM diagnosis (mOS), intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS), response to treatment, and adverse reactions were analyzed. Results Median survival was 35 months, and the 1- and 2- year survival rates were 95.6% (108/113) and 74.3% (84/113). The 3-month CR + PR rates of radiotherapy(R), chemotherapy(C), targeted treatment(T), and targeted treatment + radiotherapy(T+R) after BMs were 63.0% (17/27), 26.7% (4/15), 50.0% (7/14), and 89.7% (35/39), respectively. The median survival of the four treatments was 20, 9, 12, and 25 months after BMs, respectively (P = 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that < 3 BMs (odds ratio (OR) = 3.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.89–5.91, P < 0.001) and treatment after BMs (OR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.54–0.85, P = 0.001) were independently associated with better prognosis. Conclusions The prognosis of patients with NSCLC and EGFR mutation in exon 19 or 21 after BM is associated with the number of brain metastasis and the treatment method. Targeted treatment combined with radiotherapy may have some advantages over other treatments, but further study is warranted to validate the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China
| | - Zhiyan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China
| | - Qingsong Pang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China
| | - Puchun Er
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China
| | - Yuwen Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center for Cance, Tianjin's Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Huan-Hu-Xi Road, Ti-Yuan-Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin, 300060, PR China.
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Abstract
Metastasis of cancer cells to the brain occurs frequently in patients with certain subtypes of breast cancer. In particular, patients with HER2-positive or triple-negative breast cancer are at high risk for the development of brain metastases. Despite recent advances in the treatment of primary breast tumors, the prognosis of breast cancer patients with brain metastases remains poor. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying brain metastasis might be expected to lead to improvements in the overall survival rate for these patients. Recent studies have revealed complex interactions between metastatic cancer cells and their microenvironment in the brain. Such interactions result in the activation of various signaling pathways related to metastasis in both cancer cells and cells of the microenvironment including astrocytes and microglia. In this review, we focus on such interactions and on their role both in the metastatic process and as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Hosonaga
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinano-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
- Breast Medical Oncology Department, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinano-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Arima
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinano-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
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Jablonska PA, Serrano Tejero D, Calvo González A, Gimeno Morales M, Arbea Moreno L, Moreno-Jiménez M, García-Consuegra A, Martín Pastor SM, Domínguez Echavarri PD, Gil-Bazo I, Ramos García LI, Aristu Mendioroz JJ. Repeated stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent brain metastases: An effective strategy to control intracranial oligometastatic disease. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 153:103028. [PMID: 32622322 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to improvements in systemic therapies and longer survivals, cancer patients frequently present with recurrent brain metastases (BM). The optimal therapeutic strategies for limited brain relapse remain undefined. We analyzed tumor control and survival in patients treated with salvage focal radiotherapy in our center. Thirty-three patients with 112 BM received salvage stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for local or regional recurrences. Local progression was observed in 11 BM (9.8 %). After 1 year, 72 % of patients were free of distant brain failure, and the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 37.7 %. No increase in toxicity or neurologically related deaths were observed. The 2- and 3-year whole brain radiation therapy free survival (WFS) rates were 92.9 % and 77.4 %, respectively. Hence, focal radiotherapy is a feasible salvage of recurrent BM in selected group of patients with limited brain disease, achieving a maintained intracranial control and less neurological toxicity.
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