Surgical De-Escalation for Re-Excision in Patients with a Margin Less Than 2 mm and a Diagnosis of DCIS

The current surgical guidelines recommend an optimal margin width of 2 mm for the management of patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). However, there are still many controversies regarding re-excision when the optimal margin criteria are not met in the first resection. The purpose of this study is to understand the importance of surgical margin width, re-excision, and treatments to avoid additional surgery on locoregional recurrence (LRR). The study is retrospective and analyzed surgical margins, adjuvant treatments, re-excision, and LRR in patients with DCIS who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS). A total of 197 patients were enrolled. Re-operation for a close margin rate was 13.5%, and the 3-year recurrence was 7.6%. No difference in the LRR was reported among the patients subjected to BCS regardless of the margin width (p = 0.295). The recurrence rate according to margin status was not significant (p = 0.484). Approximately 36.9% (n: 79) patients had resection margins < 2 mm. A sub-analysis of patients with margins < 2 mm showed no difference in the recurrence between the patients treated with a second surgery and those treated with radiation (p = 0.091). The recurrence rate according to margin status in patients with margins < 2 mm was not significant (p = 0.161). The margin was not a predictive factor of LRR p = 0.999. Surgical re-excision should be avoided in patients with a focally positive margin and no evidence of the disease at post-surgical imaging.

Patterns of Care for Breast Radiotherapy in Italy: Breast IRRadiATA (Italian Repository of Radiotherapy dATA) Feasibility Study

Simple Summary

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with a high prevalence and incidence, configuring an important issue in cancer epidemiology. Over the years, the combination of primary and secondary prevention programs and multidisciplinary treatment approaches has improved the overall survival (OS) and quality of life (QoL) of patients. However, although treatment pathways should be standardized in evidence-based medicine, clinical practice (real-world evidence) may differ from expected. To improve OS and QoL, having a clear picture of the Patterns of Care actually applied is essential. To this aim, Breast IRRADIATA (Italian Repository of RADIotherapy dATA), a collaborative nationwide project, was developed as a simple tool to probe the current pattern of radiotherapy care in Italy and tested in a feasibility study. This pilot feasibility of IRRADIATA encourages a larger application of this tool nationwide and opens the way to the assessment of pattern of care radiotherapy directed to other cancers.

Abstract

Aim. Breast IRRADIATA (Italian Repository of RADIotherapy dATA) is a collaborative nationwide project supported by the Italian Society of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) and the Italian League Against Cancer (LILT). It focuses on breast cancer (BC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) and was developed to create a national registry and define the patterns of care in Italy. A dedicated tool for data collection was created and pilot tested. The results of this feasibility study are reported here. Methods. To validate the applicability of a user-friendly data collection tool, a feasibility study involving 17 Italian Radiation Oncology Centers was conducted from July to October 2021, generating a data repository of 335 BC patients treated between January and March 2020, with a minimum follow-up time of 6 months. A snapshot of the clinical presentation, treatment modalities and radiotherapy toxicity in these patients was obtained. A Data Entry Survey and a Satisfaction Questionnaire were also sent to all participants. Results. All institutions completed the pilot study. Regarding the Data Entry survey, all questions achieved 100% of responses and no participant reported spending more than 10 min time for either the first data entry or for the updating of follow-up. Results from the Satisfaction Questionnaire revealed that the project was described as excellent by 14 centers (82.3%) and good by 3 (17.7%). Conclusion. Current knowledge for the treatment of high-prevalence diseases, such as BC, has evolved toward patient-centered medicine, evidence-based care and real-world evidence (RWE), which means evidence obtained from real-world data (RWD). To this aim, Breast IRRADIATA was developed as a simple tool to probe the current pattern of RT care in Italy. The pilot feasibility of IRRADIATA encourages a larger application of this tool nationwide and opens the way to the assessment of the pattern of care radiotherapy directed to other cancers.

AIRO Breast Cancer Group Best Clinical Practice 2022 Update

Introduction:

Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women and represents the leading cause of cancer death. Radiation therapy plays a key-role in the treatment of all breast cancer stages. Therefore, the adoption of evidence-based treatments is warranted, to ensure equity of access and standardization of care in clinical practice.

Method:

This national document on the highest evidence-based available data was developed and endorsed by the Italian Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) Breast Cancer Group. We analyzed literature data regarding breast radiation therapy, using the SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) methodology ( www.sign.ac.uk ). Updated findings from the literature were examined, including the highest levels of evidence (meta-analyses, randomized trials, and international guidelines) with a significant impact on clinical practice. The document deals with the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of primary breast cancer, local relapse, and metastatic disease, with focus on diagnosis, staging, local and systemic therapies, and follow up. Information is given on indications, techniques, total doses, and fractionations.

Results:

An extensive literature review from 2013 to 2021 was performed. The work was organized according to a general index of different topics and most chapters included individual questions and, when possible, synoptic and summary tables. Indications for radiation therapy in breast cancer were examined and integrated with other oncological treatments. A total of 50 questions were analyzed and answered. Four large areas of interest were investigated: (1) general strategy (multidisciplinary approach, contraindications, preliminary assessments, staging and management of patients with electronic devices); (2) systemic therapy (primary, adjuvant, in metastatic setting); (3) clinical aspects (invasive, non-invasive and micro-invasive carcinoma; particular situations such as young and elderly patients, breast cancer in males and cancer during pregnancy; follow up with possible acute and late toxicities; loco-regional relapse and metastatic disease); (4) technical aspects (radiation after conservative surgery or mastectomy, indications for boost, lymph node radiotherapy and partial breast irradiation). Appendixes about tumor bed boost and breast and lymph nodes contouring were implemented, including a dedicated web application. The scientific work was reviewed and validated by an expert group of breast cancer key-opinion leaders.

Conclusions:

Optimal breast cancer management requires a multidisciplinary approach sharing therapeutic strategies with the other involved specialists and the patient, within a coordinated and dedicated clinical path. In recent years, the high-level quality radiation therapy has shown a significant impact on local control and survival of breast cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to offer and guarantee accurate treatments according to the best standards of evidence-based medicine.

Does Age Matter? Estimating Risks of Locoregional Recurrence After Breast-conservative Surgery

BACKGROUND/AIM

In 2016, in the United States, more than 50% of breast cancer (BC) cases were diagnosed in patients older than 60 years of age. Our study aimed to estimate the risk of locoregional recurrence (LR) in patients who underwent breast-conservative treatment (BCT), according to age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective monocentric study analyzed 613 cases of patients who underwent BCT between 2003 and 2014. Patients were divided into groups according to age: Under70 (under 70 years old) and Over70 (above 70 years old). Margins width, histology results, prognostic and predictive factors were compared. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients who experienced LR.

RESULTS

LR Incidence among Under70 and Over70 was 5.4% and 1.7%, respectively (p<0.01). Group Over70 is characterized by larger tumors and a lower Ki67 index (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Operation time reduction, better aesthetic results and reduced LR risk support BCT. The Over70 group exhibited better outcomes in terms of LR despite larger tumor dimensions.

The Effect of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Breast Cancer Teamwork: A Multicentric Survey

BACKGROUND/AIM

Despite the large amount of clinical data available of Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), not many studies have been conducted about the psychological toll on Health Care Workers (HCWs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this multicentric descriptive study, surveys were distributed among 4 different Breast Cancer Centers (BCC). BCCs were distinguished according to COVID-19 tertiary care hospital (COVID/No-COVID) and district prevalence (DP) (High vs. Low). DASS-21 score, PSS score and demographic data (age, sex, work) were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 51 HCWs were analyzed in the study. Age, work and sex did not demonstrate statistically significant values. Statistically significant distribution was found between DASS-21-stress score and COVID/No-COVID (p=0.043). No difference was found in the remaining DASS-21 and PSS scores, dividing the HCWs according to COVID-19-hospital and DP.

CONCLUSION

Working in a COVID-19-hospital represents a factor that negatively affects psychosocial well-being. However, DP seems not to affect the psychosocial well-being of BCC HCWs. During the outbreak, psychological support for low risk HCWs should be provided regardless DP.

Standard or hypofractionated radiotherapy in the postoperative treatment of breast cancer: a retrospective analysis of acute skin toxicity and dose inhomogeneities

BACKGROUND

To identify predictive factors of radiation-induced skin toxicity in breast cancer patients by the analysis of dosimetric and clinical factors.

METHODS

339 patients treated between January 2007 and December 2010 are included in the present analysis. Whole breast irradiation was delivered with Conventional Fractionation (CF) (50 Gy, 2.0/day, 25 fractions) and moderate Hypofractionated Schedule (HS) (44 Gy, 2.75 Gy/day, 16 fractions) followed by tumour bed boost. The impact of patient clinical features, systemic treatments and, in particular, dose inhomogeneities on the occurrence of different levels of skin reaction has been retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

G2 and G3 acute skin toxicity were 42% and 13% in CF patients and 30% and 7.5% in HS patients respectively. The retrieval and revaluation of 200 treatment plans showed a strong correlation between areas close to the skin surface, with inhomogeneities >107% of the prescribed dose, and the desquamation areas as described in the clinical records.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience dose inhomogeneity underneath G2 - G3 skin reactions seems to be the most important predictor for acute skin damage and in these patients more complex treatment techniques should be considered to avoid skin damage. Genetic polymorphisms too have to be investigated as possible promising candidates for predicting acute skin reactions.

Fatigue in patients undergoing radiation therapy: an observational study

AIM

Fatigue can be defined as an unpleasant feeling of tiredness, weakness and lack of energy. It is found in about 80% of the patients receiving radiation therapy and has a significant impact on quality of life. The aim of this paper was to assess the frequency, severity and changes of fatigue before, during and after administration of a nutraceutical (mixture of whey protein with an high biological value, with an high content in native cysteine, albumin and lactoferrin in patients undergoing treatment for breast and prostate cancer.

METHODS

Thirty patients (20 breast and 10 prostate ones) were enrolled in our test and they received a questionnaire about Fatigue developed by the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1999. The patients who achieved a score between 4 and 6 were administered the nutraceutical (Prother) at a dose of 20 g / day for the first 10 days of radiation treatment and then 10 g/day for the following 20 days without considering the terms of the radiation oncology treatment [corrected]. Each patient was reassessed using the same Fatigue test after 10 and 30 days from the start of the administration of nutraceutical. We enrolled 30 control patients who did not receive Prother.

RESULTS

The results showed the effectiveness of Prother in all patients with moderate-to-mild fatigue.

CONCLUSION

The administration of Prother has therefore been effective in terms of both improving the compliance of the radiation treatment and the quality of life.

Update on oncoplastic breast surgery

Oncoplastic surgery of the breast (OPS) has generated great excitement over the past years and has become an integrated component of the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgical procedures associate the best surgical oncologic principles to achieve wide tumor-free margins with the best principles of plastic surgery to optimize cosmetic outcomes. Thanks to oncoplastic techniques, the role of breast conserving surgery (BCS) has been extended to include a group of patients who would otherwise require mastectomy to achieve adequate tumor clearance. As OPS continues to gain acceptance and diffusion, an optimal and systematic approach to these techniques is becoming increasingly necessary. This article has the aim to review the essential principles and techniques associated with oncoplastic surgery, based on the data acquired through an extensive search of the PUBMED and MEDLINE database for articles published using the key words "breast cancer oncoplastic surgery". This review analyzes possible the advantages", classifications, indications, and the criteria for a proper selection of oncoplastic techniques to facilitate one's ability to master these procedures and make OPS a safe and an effective procedure.

Model for end-stage liver disease dynamic stratification of survival benefit

Only patients with Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores ≥18 or ≥17 experience a survival benefit (SB) at 12 and 36 months after liver transplantation (OLT). The SB calculation estimates the difference after stratification for risk categories between the survival rate of transplanted versus waiting list patients. The aim of this study was to perform a short- and long-term (60 months) SB analyses of a Italian OLT program. One-hundred seventy-one patients were stratified into four MELD classes (6-14, 15-18, 19-25, 26-40), and two groups: namely, waiting list (WL) and transplanted groups (TX). The median waiting time for transplanted patients was 4.4 months (range, 0-35). SB was expressed as mortality hazard ratio (MHR) as obtained through a Cox regression analysis using as a covariate the status of each patient in the waiting list (WL = 0, reference group) or the TX group (TX = 1). Values over 1 indicated the MHR in favor of the WL with the values below 1 indicating MHR in favor of Tx. In the MELD class 6 to 14, the MHR was above 1 at 3 and 6 months, indicating an SB in favor of WL; subsequently, the MHR dropped below 1, indicating an SB in favor of TX (P < .05). In the MELD class 15 to 18 the MHR was above 1 at 3 months, but below 1 subsequently (P < .05). For MELD classes 19 to 25 and 26 to 40, the MHR was always below 1 (P < .01). According to the SB approach, patients in the MELD class 6 to 14 could safely wait for at least 36 months; patients in the MELD class 15 to 18 should likely remain no longer than 12 months on the waiting list, and all the remaining patients with MELD > 18 should be transplanted as soon as possible. OLT should not be precluded but only postponed for MELD < 19 patients.

Is the in vivo dosimetry with the OneDosePlusTM system able to detect intra-fraction motion? A retrospective analysis of in vivo data from breast and prostate patients

Background

The OneDosePlus^TM system, based on MOSFET solid-state radiation detectors and a handheld dosimetry reader, has been used to evaluate intra-fraction movements of patients with breast and prostate cancer.

Methods

An Action Threshold (AT), defined as the maximum acceptable discrepancy between measured dose and dose calculated with the Treatment Planning System (TPS) (for each field) has been determined from phantom data. To investigate the sensitivity of the system to direction of the patient movements, fixed displacements have been simulated in phantom. The AT has been used as an indicator to establish if patients move during a treatment session, after having verified the set-up with 2D and/or 3D images. Phantom tests have been performed matching different linear accelerators and two TPSs (TPS1 and TPS2).

Results

The ATs have been found to be very similar (5.0% for TPS1 and 4.5% for TPS2). From statistical data analysis, the system has been found not sensitive enough to reveal displacements smaller than 1 cm (within two standard deviations). The ATs applied to in vivo treatments showed that among the twenty five patients treated for breast cancer, only four of them moved during each measurement session. Splitting data into medial and lateral field, two patients have been found to move during all these sessions; the others, instead, moved only in the second part of the treatment. Patients with prostate cancer have behaved better than patients with breast cancer. Only two out of twenty five moved in each measurement session.

Conclusions

The method described in the paper, easily implemented in the clinical practice, combines all the advantages of in vivo procedures using the OneDosePlus^TM system with the possibility of detecting intra-fraction patient movements.

Cone-beam computed tomography in hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases

Background

To assess interfraction translational and rotational setup errors, in patients treated with image-guded hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, immobilized by a thermoplastic mask and a bite-block and positioned using stereotactic coordinates.

Methods

37 patients with 47 brain metastases were treated with hypofractionated stererotactic radiotherapy. All patients were immobilized with a combination of a thermoplastic mask and a bite-block fixed to a stereotactic frame support. Daily cone-beam CT scans were acquired for every patient before the treatment session and were matched online with planning CT images, for 3D image registration. The mean value and standard deviation of all translational (X, Y, Z) and rotational errors (θ_x, θy, θ_z) were calculated for the matching results of bone matching algorithm.

Results

A total of 194 CBCT scans were analyzed. Mean +/- standard deviation of translational errors (X, Y, Z) were respectively 0.5 +/- 1.6 mm (range -5.7 and 5.9 mm) in X; 0.4 +/- 2.7 mm (range -8.2 and 12.1 mm) in Y; 0.4 +/- 1.9 mm (range -7.0 and 14 mm) in Z; median and 90th percentile were respectively within 0.5 mm and 2.4 mm in X, 0.3 mm and 3.2 mm in Y, 0.3 mm and 2.2 mm in Z. Mean +/- standard deviation of rotational errors (θ_x, θy, θ_z) were respectively 0.0 degrees+/- 1.3 degrees (θ_x) (range -6.0 degrees and 3.1 degrees); -0.1 degrees +/- 1.1 degrees (θy) (range -3.0 degrees and 2.4 degrees); -0.6 degrees +/- 1.4 degrees (θ_z) (range -5.0 degrees and 3.3 degrees). Median and 90th percentile of rotational errors were respectively within 0.1 degrees and 1.4 degrees (θ_x), 0.0 degrees and 1.2 degrees (θy), 0.0 degrees and 0.9 degrees (θ_z). Mean +/- SD of 3D vector was 3.1 +/- 2.1 mm (range 0.3 and 14.9 mm); median and 90th percentile of 3D vector was within 2.7 mm and 5.1 mm.

Conclusions

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy have the significant limitation of uncertainty in interfraction repeatability of the patient setup; image-guided radiotherapy using cone-beam computed tomography improves the accuracy of the treatment delivery reducing set-up uncertainty, giving the possibility of 3-dimensional anatomic informations in the treatment position.

Preliminary experience of a predictive model to define rectal volume and rectal dose during the treatment of prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to define a method to evaluate the total dose delivered to the rectum during the whole treatment course in six patients undergoing irradiation for prostate cancer using an offline definition of organ motion with images from a cone beam CT (CBCT) scanner available on a commercial linear accelerator.

METHODS

Patient set-up was verified using a volumetric three-dimensional CBCT scanner; 9-14 CBCT scans were obtained for each patient. Images were transferred to a commercial treatment planning system for offline organ motion analysis. The shape of the rectums were used to obtain a mean dose-volume histogram (<DVH>), which was the average of the DVHs of the rectums as they appeared in each verification CBCT. A geometric model of an average rectum (AR) was produced using the rectal contours delineated on the CBCT scans (DVH(AR)). To check whether the first week of treatment was representative of the whole treatment course, we evaluated the DVHs related to only the first five CBCT scans (<DVH5> and DVH(AR5)). Finally, the influence of a dietary protocol on the goodness of our results was considered.

RESULTS

In all six patients the original rectal DVH for the planning CT scan showed higher values than all DVHs.

CONCLUSION

Although the application of the model to a larger set of patients is necessary to confirm this trend, reconstruction of a representative volume of the rectum throughout the entire treatment course seems feasible.

Donor risk index and organ patient index as predictors of graft survival after liver transplantation

In liver transplantation the identification of risk factors and the risk quantification for each single case represent a field of great interest. There are donor-related and recipient-related risk factors. Donor risk index (DRI) was retrospectively calculated in 223 liver transplant cases. We did not include patients with preoperative diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma and retransplants. The cases were stratified into two classes according to the DRI (low risk, DRI<1.7, and high risk, DRI >or= 1.7). A new index, namely the organ patient index (OPI) was calculated adding the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score to the DRI. Patients were stratified into two classes according to the OPI (low risk, OPI <or= 2.85, and high risk, OPI>2.85). The cases with low DRI (n=144) showed better survival than the cases with high DRI (n=82; P< .02). The cases with low OPI (n=173) showed better survival than cases with high OPI (n=50; P< .01). The OPI predicted outcomes better than DRI, increasing the gap in the long-term graft survival between the low- and the high-risk class. The inclusion of the MELD in the new index allowed better prediction of graft survival.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Liver Transplantation: Analysis of Early and Late Cases in a 255 Patient Series

We reviewed the incidence and the impact of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) on patient survival among a consecutive series of 255 patients. Five cases of PTLD were observed in adults: two cases were early (less than 1 year) and three cases, late lymphomas. The EBV positivity and the degree of immunosuppression were the main risk factors. We labeled cases as early or late according to whether the time elapsed from the transplant to the first clinical evidence of PTLD was less than 12 months. The median time from transplant to diagnosis of PTLD was 8 (early) and 108 (late) months. All cases were treated by reduction in immunosuppressive therapy with conventional chemotherapy and rituximab. The early cases with lymphoma located at the hepatic hilum died due to local complications (biliary sepsis and hemobilia), after an initial partial response to chemotherapy. The three patients with late cases are in remission after a mean follow-up of 23 months.

Allocation of nonstandard livers to transplant candidates with high MELD scores: Should this practice be continued?

MELD and PELD scores of 255 consecutive grafts were calculated (236 adult cases and 19 pediatric cases). No correction for the etiology of liver disease was performed. Retransplants were excluded. Three categories of patients were identified: low MELD (scores <12, n = 61); intermediate MELD (scores between 12-24, n = 159); high MELD (scores > or =25, n = 35). Grafts were categorized according to donor quality: standard livers (n = 199), vs nonstandard livers (n = 56). Nonstandard livers were identified by age > or =60, or at least by two of the following conditions: severe hemodynamic instability, ultrasound evidence of steatosis, natriemia > or =155 mEq/L, ICU stay >7 days, liver trauma, protracted anoxia as cause of brain death, transaminases levels x 4. In standard livers, the 12-month graft survival (GS) for low, intermediate, and high MELD classes were 88%, 74%, and 77%, respectively. In nonstandard livers, the 12-month GS for the low, intermediate, and high MELD classes were 84%, 55%, and 44%, respectively; differences between low MELD class and both intermediate and high MELD classes were significant (P < .05). Cox regression analysis of all cases identified the following parameters as independent predictors of GS: donor status; donor age; and recipient creatinine. The highest correlation with GS was found using donor age and recipient creatinine as covariates. In standard livers no variable was able to predict GS. In nonstandard livers the MELD-PELD score was the unique variable able to predict GS. We suggest avoiding the use of nonstandard livers for patients with high MELD scores.

Comparative evaluation of two perfusion solutions for liver preservation and transplantation

The University of Wisconsin solution (UW) and the Bretschneider solution (HTK) were used in 39 adult cadaveric donors: 22 perfused with UW (group 1) and 17 with HTK (group II). Donors were flushed through the aorta (UW, 5 to 6 L; HTK, 8 to 10 L) and through the portal vein (UW or HTK, 1 L). Grafts perfused with HTK showed lower levels of SGOT at postoperative day 7 than those transplanted with UW (38 +/- 19 vs 58 +/- 31, P < .05). No difference was observed in other functional and outcome parameters. No cases of primary dysfunction were observed. Six-month graft survival was 85.7% in HTK group and 80.9% in UW group (P = NS). Six unrelated deaths were observed. Five biliary complications were observed in five patients: three in the UW group and two in the HTK group. In conclusion, data fail to show major differences between the two solutions used.