Stereotactic body radiation therapy to postpone systemic therapy escalation for castration-resistant prostate cancer: A multicenter retrospective analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the oncological outcome after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for oligoprogressive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (omCRPC) patients.

Materials-Methods

In this retrospective, observational, multi-institutional study, omCRPC patients (≤5 metastases) underwent SBRT. Primary endpoint was systemic therapy escalation-free survival (STE-FS) after SBRT. Local relapse (LR), distant (DP) and isolated biochemical (iBP) progressions were reported with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Prognostic factors for STE-FS were investigated. Toxicity was reported.

Results

From 01/07 to 09/19, 50 pts with omCRPC underwent SBRT. With a MFU of 23 months [3---100], median STE-FS was 13.1 months (95 %CI 10.8 - 36.4). Median OS was not reached and PFS was 13 months (CI95% 10.1 - 20.8). Post-SBRT PSA remained stable or decreased in 19 pts (38 %). Progression events (LR, DP, iBP) were observed in 34 pts (68 %), among whom 6 relapsed in the irradiated area (local control rate: 88 %). DP and iBP were observed in 28 pts (56 %) and 4 pts (8 %) respectively. In multivariate analysis, post-SBRT biochemical response was an independent prognostic factor for STE-FS. Grade ≥ 3 toxicity occurred in 2 pts.

Conclusion

With excellent local control and tolerance, SBRT for omCRPC patients represents an acceptable approach to defer systemic therapeutic escalation and prevent its side effects. Accurate patient selection for SBRT requires more data with longer follow-up and higher numbers of patients pending the results of upcoming randomized trials.

Systemic therapy escalation after stereotactic body radiation therapy for oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer

Purpose

To evaluate the oncological outcome after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (omHSPC) patients.

Materials-Methods

In this retrospective, observational, multi-institutional study, omHSPC patients (≤5 metastases) underwent SBRT. Primary endpoint was systemic therapy escalation-free survival (STE-FS) after SBRT. Local (LR), distant (DR), prostatic (PR) and isolated biochemical (iBR) relapses were reported with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Prognostic factors for STE-FS were investigated. Toxicity was reported.

Results

From 01/07 to 09/19, 119 pts with omHSPC underwent SBRT. With a MFU of 34 months [12-97], median STE-FS was 33.4 months (95%CI 26.6---40.1). Median OS was not reached and PFS was 22.7 months (CI95% 18.6---32.3). Post-SBRT-PSA remained stable or decreased in 87 pts (73.1%). Progression events (LR, MR, PR, iBR) were observed in 72 pts (60.5%), among whom 6 relapsed in the irradiated area (local control rate: 95%). DR, BR, PR were observed in 44 pts (37%), 21pts (17.7%) and 2 pts (1.7%) respectively. In multivariate analysis, post-SBRT biochemical response was an independent prognostic factor for STE-FS. Grade ≥ 3 toxicity occurred in 1pt.

Conclusion

With excellent local control and tolerance, SBRT for omHSPC patients represents an attractive approach to defer systemic therapeutic escalation and prevent its side effects. Accurate patient selection for SBRT requires more data with longer follow-up and higher numbers of patients pending the results of upcoming randomized trials.

[The role of radiotherapy to the primary tumor and metastases in patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer]

Oligometastatic prostate cancer is among the most studied oligometastatic cancers in the literature. However few prospective studies have assessed stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer oligometastases. Two randomised phase II trials show a progression-free survival benefit compared with observation. Prospective registry data show very good local control and low toxicity too. Inclusion in ongoing trials should be strongly encouraged to define the role of SBRT in addition to systemic therapy. Radiation therapy to the primary tumour has been studied in randomised trials and provides an overall survival benefit in patients with low metastatic burden. The benefit is inversely correlated with the number of bone lesions using conventional imaging, up to three metastases. Radiotherapy to the primary tumour is recommended by the learned societies for patients with low metastatic burden. Its role in combination with second generation anti androgen therapy needs to be clarified.

Psychological and physical impact in women treated for breast cancer: Need for multidisciplinary surveillance and care provision

PURPOSE

Cancer survivors often experience adverse physical and psychosocial effects. Fear of recurrence is a difficulty very commonly reported in post-cancer life. The primary objective of this study was to describe post-cancer supportive care needs in patients treated for breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this monocentric observational study, cancer survivors aged≥18years, diagnosed with breast cancer and treated in 2017 (cohort A) and in 2015 (cohort B) were administered a post-cancer needs questionnaire, and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (severity subscale).

RESULTS

The study included 139 patients. Pain (51.9%), fatigue (51.9%), weight gain during treatment (35.1%), psychological difficulties (20.5%), and difficulties in marriage and sexual life (13.1%) were the complaints in the post-cancer period. There were no differences between the two cohorts. The severity subscale of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory showed 35.8% patients with a score>13. The fear of recurrence was a source of social difficulties, psychological disorders, and difficulties in marriage and sexual life.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only FCR, but also issues such as fatigue, pain, psychological difficulties, and difficulties in marriage and sexual life all call for a psycho-oncological follow-up. Clinical and radio-senological surveillance is essential, but it absolutely must be accompanied by a multidisciplinary follow-up, with central importance to psychological care.

Factors influencing the process of medication (non-)adherence and (non-)persistence in breast cancer patients with adjuvant antihormonal therapy: a qualitative study

Non-adherence and non-persistence in breast cancer patients taking antihormonal therapy (AHT) is common. However, the complex patterns and dynamics of adherence and persistence are still not fully understood. This study aims to give insight into the process of (non-)adherence and (non-)persistence by researching influencing factors and their interrelatedness in breast cancer patients taking AHT by means of a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of 31 breast cancer patients treated with AHT. Purposive and theoretical sampling and the constant comparison method based on a grounded theory approach were used. Expectations regarding the impact of AHT, social support from family and friends, and recognition from healthcare professionals were found to influence the process of non-adherence and non-persistence. The results of this study can help healthcare professionals understand why breast cancer patients taking AHT do not always adhere to or persist in taking the therapy and may facilitate patient-tailored interventions.