Postoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin vs.capecitabine for pathological stage N2 rectal cancer

Objective:Several studies have been conducted on the effects and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracilbased or capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy(CRT)regimens as significantly increasing the toxic response without benefit to survival.In this study,we further explored the role of these two postoperative CRT regimens in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a subgroup analysis of a randomized clinical trial.A total of 180 patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer were eligible,85 received capecitabine with radiotherapy(RT),and 95 received capecitabine and oxaliplatin with RT.Patients in both groups received adjuvant chemotherapy[capecitabine and oxaliplatin(XELOX);or fluorouracil,leucovorin,and oxaliplatin(FOLFOX)]after CRT.Results:At a median follow-up of 59.2[interquartile range(IQR),34.0−96.8]months,the three-year diseasefree survival(DFS)was 53.3%and 64.9%in the control group and the experimental group,respectively[hazard ratio(HR),0.63;95%confidence interval(95%CI),0.41−0.98;P=0.04].There was no significant difference between the groups in overall survival(OS)(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.37−1.05;P=0.07),the incidence of locoregional recurrence(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.24−1.64;P=0.33),the incidence of distant metastasis(HR,0.67;95%CI,0.42−1.06;P=0.09)and grade 3−4 acute toxicities(P=0.78).For patients with survival longer than 3 years,the conditional overall survival(COS)was significantly better in the experimental group(HR,0.39;95%CI,0.16−0.96;P=0.03).Conclusions:Our results indicated that adding oxaliplatin to capecitabine-based postoperative CRT is safe and effective in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.

Effect of radical surgery combined with pre- or postoperative radiotherapy in treatment of resectable rectal cancer

Objective： This study was done to compare between the effect of preoperative radiotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy in treatment of resectable rectal carcinoma. The primary endpoints are local recurrence rate, overall survival （OS） and disease free survival （DFS）. The secondary endpoints are to evaluate down-staging, treatment toxicity, and ability to do sphincter preservation, aiming at choosing the optimal treatment modality. Methods： This study included 100 patients with resectable rectal carcinoma who presented to Surgical Gastro Entrology Center and Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Mansoura University during the period between January 2007 and September 2009. The included patients were randomized in two groups; group h 50 patients received preoperative radiotherapy and group Ih 50 patients received post- operative radiotherapy. Concurrent 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy was given to all patients. Two major types of surgery were done： abdomino-perineal resection with a permanent colostomy and low anterior resection with colorectal or coloanal anastomosis. Results： Preoperative radiotherapy resulted in pathologic complete response in 3 patients. T down-staging occurred in 18 out of 50 patients （36%） with statistically significant difference （P = 0.008）. N down-staging occurred in 10 out of 24 patients. Sphincter preservation was more in group I. Delayed wound healing was the most common postoperative complication in group I with no significant difference. After a median follow up of 18 months, local recurrence rate and distant metastasis were higher in group I1. The 2-year disease free survival was 72% and 60% in group I and II respectively with no statistically significant difference between both groups. Conclusion： This study concluded that preoperative radiotherapy is better than postoperative radiotherapy as regard local control, sphincter preservation with higher disease free survival and overall survival. No difference in treatment toxicity between both groups.

Effect of bilateral supraclavicular postoperative radiotherapy in middle and lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate whether postoperative radiotherapy is an alternative to neck lymph node surgery and if it provides a survival benefit for those receiving two-field, chest and abdomen, lymphadenectomy.

Postoperative radiotherapy in resected non-small cell lung cancer:The never-ending story

This manuscript collects in a joint and orderly manner the existing evidence at the present time about postoperative treatment with radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.It also systematically reviews the current evidence,the international recommendations in the most relevant guidelines,the most controversial aspects in clinical and pathological staging,the specific technical aspects of radiotherapy treatment,and also collects all the potential risk factors that have been postulated as significant in the prognosis of these patients,evaluating the possibility of segmenting a particularly sensitive subpopulation with a high risk of relapse on which an adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy could have an impact on their clinical evolution.Finally,currently active trials that aspire to provide more evidence on this topic are reviewed.

Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer with Postoperative After-Loading Radiotherapy and Gemcitabine

Objective： To evaluate the curative effectiveness of postoperative after-loading radiotherapy with the use of gemcitabine in 22 patients with primary liver cancer. Methods： From Oct. 1999 to Dec. 2001, 22 patients with primary liver cancer underwent postoperative after-loading radiotherapy 3-10 days after hepatectomy and chemotherapy using gemcitabine （1400 mg every week for 3 weeks, repeated after one week interval, total cycles were 6） and compared with 22 cases of sole hepatectomy. Three-six catheters were placed for irradiation after hepatectomy. The single-dose of after-loading radiotherapy was 10 Gy, 24 sessions per person. Results＇. The rate of AFP negative-reversion was 100% （17/17） in the treated group, higher than in control group （62.5%, 10/16, P〈0.05）. In the treated group, the 1-year relapse rate, metastasis rate and survival rate were 18.2% （4/22）, 0 and 100% （22/22） respectively, while in the control group they were 45.5% （10/22）, 13.6% （3/22） and 77.3% （17/22） respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in relapse rate, metastasis rate and survival rate within a year （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Postoperative after-loading radiotherapy with gemcitabine is an effective way for the treatment of primary liver cancer.

Postoperative radiotherapy for thymus salivary gland carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.It mostly occurs in the glands that have secretion functions,such as the parotid gland,sublingual gland and submandibular gland.This is very rare when it occurs in other nonsecreting glands.Here,we report one case of salivary gland carcinoma occurring in the thymus and discuss related diagnoses and treatment progress.CASE SUMMARY One 33-year-old middle-aged man presented with a thymus mass without any clinical symptoms when he underwent regular physical examination.Later,the patient was admitted to the hospital for further examination.Computed tomography(CT)showed that there was a mass of 3 cm×2.8 cm×1.5 cm in the thymus area.The patient had no symptom of discomfort or tumor-related medical history before.After completing the preoperative examinations,it was confirmed that the patient had indications for surgery.The surgeon performed a transthoracoscope"thymectomy+pleural mucostomy"for him.During the operation,the tumor tissue was quickly frozen,and the symptomatic section showed a malignant tumor.The final pathological result suggested thymus salivary gland carcinoma-mucoepidermoid carcinoma(MEC).In the second month after surgery,we performed local area radiotherapy for the patient,with a total radiation dose of 50.4 Gy/28Fx.After 12 mo of surgery,the patient underwent positron emission tomography-CT examination,which indicated that there was no sign of tumor recurrence or metastasis.After 16 mo of operation,CT scan re-examination showed that there was no sign of tumor recurrence or metastasis.As of the time of publication,the patient was followed up for one and a half years.He had no sign of tumor recurrence and continued to survive.CONCLUSION The incidence of MEC in the thymus is low,and its diagnosis needs to be combined with clinical features and imaging methods.Histopathological analysis plays a key role in the diagnosis of the disease.Patients with early-stage disease have a good prognosis and long survival period.In contrast,patients with advanced-stage disease have a poor prognosis and short survival period.Combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy in inoperable patients may prolong survival.

Bone marrow-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy for postoperative treatment of cervical cancer

Objective： The aim of this study was to compare bone marrow-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy （IMRT） with IMRT without entering pelvic bone marrow as a planning constraint in the treatment of cervical cancer after hysterectomy. Methods： For a cohort of 10 patients, bone marrow-sparing IMRT and routine IMRT planning were designed. The prescribed dose was 45 Gy/1.8 Gy/25f, 95% of the planning target volume received this dose. Doses were computed with a commercially available treatment planning system （TPS） using convolution/superimposition （CS） algorithm. Plans were compared according to dose-volume histogram （DVH） analysis in terms of planning target volume （PTV） homogeneity and conformity indices （HI and CI） as well as organs at risk （OARs） dose and volume parameters. Results： Bone marrow-sparing IMRT had an vantages over routine IMRT in terms of CI, but inferior to the latter for HI. Compared with routine IMRT, V5, Vl0, V20, V30, V40 of pelvic bone marrow of bone marrow-sparing IMRT reduced by 1.81%, 8.61%, 31.81%, 29.50%, 28.29%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between bone marrow-sparing IMRT and routine IMRT in terms of small bowel, bladder and rectum. Conclusion： For patients with cervical cancer after hysterectomy, bone marrowsparing IMRT reduced the pelvic bone marrow volume irradiated at all dose levels and might be conducive to preventing the occurrence of acute bone marrow toxicity.

Assessing radiation dose for postoperative radiotherapy in prostate cancer: Real world data

BACKGROUND Approximately 30%of patients with localized prostate cancer(PCa)who undergo radical prostatectomy will develop biochemical recurrence.In these patients,the only potentially curative treatment is postoperative radiotherapy(PORT)with or without hormone therapy.However,the optimal radiotherapy dose is unknown due to the limited data available.AIM To determine whether the postoperative radiotherapy dose influences biochemical failure-free survival(BFFS)in patients with PCa.METHODS Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for PCa followed by PORT-either adjuvant radiotherapy(ART)or salvage radiotherapy(SRT)-between April 2002 and July 2015.From 2002 to 2010,the prescribed radiation dose to the surgical bed was 66-70 Gy in fractions of 2 Gy;from 2010 until July 2015,the prescribed dose was 70-72 Gy.Patients were grouped into three categories according to the total dose administered:66-68 Gy,70 Gy,and 72 Gy.The primary endpoint was BFFS,defined as the post-radiotherapy prostatespecific antigen(PSA)nadir+0.2 ng/mL.Secondary endpoints were overall survival(OS),cancer-specific survival(CSS),and metastasis-free survival(MFS;based on conventional imaging tests).Treatment-related genitourinary(GU)and gastrointestinal(GI)toxicity was evaluated according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria.Finally,we aimed to identify potential prognostic factors.BFFS,OS,CSS,and MFS were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were performed to explore between-group differences in survival outcome measures.RESULTS A total of 301 consecutive patients were included.Of these,93(33.6%)received ART and 186(66.4%)SRT;22 patients were excluded due to residual macroscopic disease or local recurrence in the surgical bed.In this subgroup(n=93),43 patients(46.2%)were Gleason score(GS)≤6,44(47.3%)GS 7,and 6(6.5%)GS≥8;clinical stage was cT1 in 51(54.8%),cT2 in 35(39.3%),and cT3 in one patient(1.1%);PSA was<10 ng/mL in 58(63%)patients,10-20 ng/mL in 28(30.6%),and≥20 ng/mL in 6(6.4%)patients.No differences were found in BFFS in this patient subset versus the entire cohort of patients(P=0.66).At a median follow-up of 113 months(range,4-233),5-and 10-year BFFS rates were 78.8%and 73.7%,respectively,with OS rates of 93.3%and 81.4%.The 5-year BFFS rates in three groups were as follows:69.6%(66-68 Gy),80.5%(70 Gy)and 82.6%(72 Gy)(P=0.12):the corresponding 10-year rates were 63.9%,72.9%,and 82.6%(P=0.12),respectively.No significant between-group differences were observed in MFS,CSS,or OS.On the univariate analysis,the following variables were significantly associated with BFFS:PSA at diagnosis;clinical stage(cT1 vs cT2);GS at diagnosis;treatment indication(ART vs SRT);pre-RT PSA levels;and RT dose 66-68 Gy vs.72 Gy(HR:2.05;95%CI:1.02-4.02,P=0.04).On the multivariate analysis,the following variables remained significant:biopsy GS(HR:2.85;95%CI:1.83-4.43,P<0.001);clinical stage(HR:2.31;95%CI:1.47-4.43,P=0.01);and treatment indication(HR:4.11;95%CI:2.06-8.17,P<0.001).Acute grade(G)1 GU toxicity was observed in 11(20.4%),17(19.8%),and 3(8.3%)patients in each group(66-68 Gy,70 Gy and 72 Gy),respectively(P=0.295).Acute G2 toxicity was observed in 2(3.7%),4(4.7%)and 2(5.6%)patients,respectively(P=0.949).Acute G1 GI toxicity was observed in 16(29.6%),23(26.7%)and 2(5.6%)patients in each group,respectively(P=0.011).Acute G2 GI toxicity was observed in 2(3.7%),6(6.9%)and 1(2.8%)patients,respectively(P=0.278).No cases of acute G3 GI toxicity were observed.CONCLUSION The findings of this retrospective study suggest that postoperative radiotherapy dose intensification in PCa is not superior to conventional radiotherapy treatment.

Clinical observation in three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) with concurrent chemotherapy in treatment of postoperative cerebral gliomas

Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combined with Temozolomide (TMZ) concurrent chemotherapy in treatment of postoperative cerebral gliomas by prospective randomized controlled trials. Methods: Sixty-two patients with cerebral glioma who had residual tumor were divided into 3D-CRT group (radiotherapy group, n=31) and 3D-CRT with concurrent chemotherapy group (chemoradiotherapy group, n=31) prospectively. All patients received a dose of 50-60 Gy/25-30 F/5-6 weeks by 6 MV-X ray, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, 1 f/d, 5 times a week. Chemotherapy regimen was Temozolomide:75 mg/m2/d, concomitantly with radiotherapy, followed by 150-200 mg/m2/d, 5 days, 28 days per cycle, totally 3-6 cycles. Results: The total response rate was 35.3% (11/31) in radiotherapy group. The response rate was 61.3% (19/31) in chemoradiotherapy group. There was significant difference in curative effect (P=0.042). There was no significant difference in survival comparison of two groups (P=0.263). Stratified analysis showed the patients with grade Ⅲ gliomas of chemoradiotherapy group had better prognosis than ones of radiotherapy group (P=0.043). Conclusion: The 3D-CRT with concurrent chemotherapy can improve the survival of cerebral gliomas with pathological grade Ⅲ.

Advances in Clinical Application of Postoperative Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer

Objective:To explore the clinical value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of breast cancer.Methods:99 cases of breast cancer patients were selected as the research object,retrospective analysis of its clinical treatment data.Results:The group of 99 patients,97 confirmed cases,2 cases were misdiagnosed,the diagnostic accuracy rate was 97.98%.Conclusion:Color Doppler ultrasonography in patients with breast cancer has the advantages of high accuracy,simple operation and noninvasive.It is worthy of promotion.

Postoperative UFT-/Tegafur-based Chemotherapy Versus Postoperative Radiotherapy for Early-stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer:A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

Background:Both of UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy have made large progress in treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.While it is unclear that,whether UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy is superior to postoperative radiotherapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer with no direct evidence.Methods:Electronic databases(Pubmed,embase,cochrane library and clinicaltrials.gov)were searched to obtain relevant studies.This systematic review and meta-analysis is reported in accordance with the Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis(PRISMA)Statement and was registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews(number CRD42018095979).Sensitive analysis was conducted by excluding overweight studies.Funnel plot and egger’s test were performed to conduct publication bias.Results:Twenty-one randomized control trials were included.Our results suggested UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy could improve overall survival over postoperative radiotherapy[HR=0.69(0.59-0.80),p=0.000].But subgroup analysis about stage showed there was no significant difference between them,no matter of stage I,II and III.As to chemotherapy regime,both UFT-/Tegafur+platinum+vinca alkaloid[HR=0.68(0.56-0.82),p=0.000]and UFT-/Tegafur only[HR=0.66(0.54-0.79),p=0.000]were superior to radiotherapy.Subgroup analysis about radiotherapy delivery method and dose showed,significant improvement of chemotherapy over radiotherapy for Cobalt-60 only[HR=0.54(0.39-0.75),p=0.000],Cobalt-60 and linac[HR=0.69(0.59-0.81),p=0.000]and≥45 Gy[HR=0.64(0.54-0.75),p=0.000],but not for linac only[HR=0.78(0.60-1.03),p=0.081]and≥45 Gy[HR=0.86(0.67-1.11),p=0.241].Conclusion:UFT-/Tegafur-based postoperative chemotherapy was superior to postoperative radiotherapy for improving overall survival of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer,but it is not always so under certain circumstance,such as RT delivery method and radiation dose.Of course,it is imperative to further explore differences in specific stage,such as I A and I B.

Postoperative Radiotherapy and N2 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Prognosis: A Retrospective Study Based on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database

The purpose of this study is to clarify the significance of postoperative radiotherapy for N2 lung cancer.This study aimed to investigate the effect of postoperative radiotherapy on the survival and prognosis of patients with N2 lung cancer.Data from 12,000 patients with N2 lung cancer were extracted from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results database(2004-2012).Age at disease onset and 5-year survival rates were calculated.Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method.The univariate log-rank test was performed.Multivariate Cox regression were used to examine factors affecting survival.Patients’median age was 67 years(mean 66.46±10.03).The 5-year survival rate was 12.55%.Univariate analysis revealed age,sex,pathology,and treatment regimen as factors affecting prognosis.In multivariate analysis,when compared to postoperative chemotherapy,postoperative chemoradiotherapy was better associated with survival benefits(hazard ratio[HR]=0.85,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.813-0.898,P<0.001).Propensity score matching revealed that patients who had received postoperative chemoradiotherapy had a better prognosis than did patients who had received postoperative chemotherapy(HR=0.869,95%CI:0.817-0.925,P<0.001).Female patients and patients aged<65 years had a better prognosis than did their counterparts.Patients with adenocarcinoma had a better prognosis than did patients with squamous cell carcinoma.Moreover,prognosis worsened with increasing disease T stage.Patients who had received postoperative chemoradiotherapy had a better prognosis than did patients who had received postoperative chemotherapy.Postoperative radiotherapy was an independent prognostic factor in this patient group.

The impact of interval between surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in major salivary gland carcinoma

Background:Radiotherapy following primary operation is strongly recommended for salivary gland carcinomas(SGCs)with adverse features.The interval between surgery and the initiation of radiotherapy(SRT)varied and a prolonged SRT may cause failure of cancer treatment.However,the association of SRT with survival is unclear in major SGCs.Methods:This retrospective study included a total of 346 patients who underwent radiotherapy after the pri-mary operation from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from 2005 to 2020.The best cutoffvalue of the SRT was determined by the maximum log-rank statistic method.The primary endpoint of the study was over-all survival(OS).Correlations between variables and OS were conducted by the univariable analysis using the Log-rank method,and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify the indepen-dent prognostic factors associated with OS.The estimated survival rates were captured using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:With a median follow-up time of 70.31 months,the estimated 5-year OS,LRFS,and DMFS were 83.3%,80.1%,and 75.9%,respectively.The cutoffvalue for SRT was 8.5 weeks,while age,T stage,N stage,perineural invasion(PNI),pathological aggression,chemotherapy,and SRT were associated with OS in the univariable analysis.The Cox regression analysis demonstrated that older age(P<0.001),T3-4 tumors(P=0.007),positive N stage(P<0.001),pathological aggression(P=0.014),and longer SRT(P=0.009)were independent prognostic factors for major SGCs.Using the stratification model,we observed that delay in the SRT was associated with worse OS(P=0.006)in the high-risk group,whereas no significant difference was observed in the low-risk subgroup(P=0.61).Conclusions:The delay in the initiation of postoperative radiotherapy may be a prognostic factor for patients with major SGCs.It was suggested that radiotherapy should be delivered within 8.5 weeks following the operation,especially for patients with≥2 risk factors,including older age,high pathological aggression,T3-4 tumors,and positive N stage.

Effect of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapyon the prognosis of patients with ypT0-3N0 rectalcancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) on theprognosis of patients with ypT0-3N0 rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.Methods The study participants were 110 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Thirty-fourpatients did not receive postoperative AC treatment, and the other 76 patients received postoperative ACtreatment. The differences in the 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between thetwo groups were compared.Results Age was an important determinant of the patients’ decision to undergo postoperative treatment.Patients who did not receive AC treatment were significantly older than those who received AC treatment(P < 0.05). The tumor location (distance above anal margin) in the AC group was significantly larger thanthat in the non-AC group (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the 5-year DFS andOS between the two groups. Postoperative AC did not significantly improve the prognosis of patients withrectal cancer. Age, tumor differentiation, and the number of resected lymph nodes were independent factorsaffecting the OS of patients (P < 0.05). Older patients, patients with lower degree of tumor differentiation,and patients with <12 resected lymph nodes showed worse prognosis (P < 0.05).Conclusion Patients with rectal cancer whose ypT0-3N0 stage is reduced after neoadjuvantchemoradiotherapy, especially those without adverse prognostic factors, do not need AC after surgery.

Survival and prognostic factors of non-small cell lung cancer patients with postoperative locoregional recurrence treated with radical radiotherapy

Background: Locoregional recurrence remains the challenge for long-term survival of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients after radical surgery, and curative-intent radiotherapy could be a treatment choice. This study aimed to assess the survival and prognostic factors of patients with postoperative locoregionally recurrent NSCLC treated with radical radiotherapy.Methods: We reviewed medical records of 74 NSCLC patients with postoperative locoregional recurrence who received radical radiotherapy between April 2012 and February 2016 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center(Guangzhou, China). The efficacy and safety of radical radiotherapy were analyzed. The probability of survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify prognostic factors.Results: Grade 3/4 adverse events included neutropenia(8 cases, 10.8%), esophagitis(7 cases, 9.5%), pneumonitis(1 case, 1.4%), and vomiting(1 case, 1.4%).The 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival, local recurrencefree survival(LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS) rates of all patients were 84.2,42.5,70.0, and 50.9%,respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that a higher biological effective dose(BED) of radiation was associated with longer LRFS [hazard ratios(HR)=0.317,95% confidence interval(CI) = 0.112-0.899, P = 0.016] and that wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) was associated with longer DMFS compared with EGFR mutation(HR = 0.383,95% CI=0.171-0.855, P = 0.019).Conclusions: Radical radiotherapy is effective and well-tolerated in NSCLC patients with postoperative locoregional recurrence. High BED is a predictor for long LRFS, and the presence of wild-type EGFR is a predictor for long DMFS.

Phase Ⅰ study of postoperative radiotherapy combined with capecitabine for gastric cancer

AIM: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of capecitabine combined with postoperative radiotherapy for gastric cancer.

Postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in D2-dissected gastric cancer: Is radiotherapy necessary after D2-dissection?

Studies from the Far East have demonstrated that D2-dissection is superior to D0/1-dissection. The effect of postoperative chemoradiotherapy(CRT) after D2-dissection has not been accepted due to the lack of D2-dissection in Western countries, as well as the potential harmful effect of radiotherapy. In the current NCCN guideline, adjuvant chemotherapy alone is recommended in D2-dissected patients. However, three recent prospective randomized controlled trials in South Korea and China(ARTIST, NCC and Multicenter IMRT Trials) demonstrated that adjuvant CRT can be safely administered to D2-dissected patients with notable benefits. To identify the role of radiotherapy(RT) in the D2-dissected postoperative setting, clinical research attempts should include(1) identification of high-risk patients for loco-regional recurrence who might benefit from CRT;(2) modification of RT target volume based on the findings that failure patterns should be different after D1- and D2-dissection; and(3) integration of new RT techniques to decrease treatment-related toxicity. The present paper is a review of recent studies addressing these fields. Well-designed prospective randomized studies are needed to clearly define the role of adjuvant CRT in D2-dissected gastric cancer, however, future clinical studies should also focus on answering these questions.

Postoperative sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of postoperative sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods From January 2003 to December 2010, 146 gastric cancer patients at our institution(Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China) received postoperative sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy after radical surgery. Radiotherapy was administered as a dose of 4500 cGy in 25 fractions. For patients with positive margins, the dose was raised to 5040 cGy in 28 fractions. Three cycles of m FOLFOX or PF(cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) chemotherapy regimen were applied before and after radiotherapy. Three-and 5-year survival rates were analyzed; any adverse effects with respect to hematology, hepatic and renal function, or the gastrointestinal tract that occurred during the treatment were evaluated.Results This cohort consisted of non-metastatic patients: 104 men and 42 women with a median age of 51.0 years. The full course of sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy(4500–5040 cGy) was completed by 129 patients(88.4%). Seventeen regional relapses(9.8%) and 46 distant relapses(23.8%) were recorded. Fifty patients(34.2%) died during follow-up. The 3-and 5-year overall survival rates(OS) were 60% and 54%, and disease-free survival rates(DFS) were 53% and 47%, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival rate with respect to age, sex, histopathology, N stage, site of the tumor, or margin status. Multivariate analysis showed that only the depth of tumor invasion(T stage) was an independent prognostic factor for OS(P = 0.009) and DFS(P = 0.006). The rates of grades 3 and 4 neutropenia and vomiting were 9.6% and 3.4%, respectively, during the treatment.Conclusion Postoperative sequential chemotherapy with an m FOLFOX or PF regimen and radiotherapy were found to be an effective means of treating advanced gastric cancer patients with T3–T4 disease. The adverse effects of this treatment were tolerable.

Postoperative radiotherapy in locally advanced hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of radiotherapy (RT) in locally advanced hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: During March 1992 to December 1997, 47 patients who had positive microscopic surgical margins after surgery were treated by postoperative radiotherapy (S+RT, 28 patients, with a median dose of 50 Gy, 45–62 Gy) and surgery alone (S, 19 patients). The median follow-up was 30 months (4–113 months). Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was 28%, with a median survival length of 19.6 months while 5-year survival rates of S+RT group and S group were 34% and 14%, with median survival lengths of 29 and 10 months respectively (P=0.015). The occurrence rate of complications was 11% in either group. Conclusion: Postoperative radiotherapy significantly prolongs survival lengths in patients with hepatic hilar cholangio- carcinoma who had positive microscopic surgical margins. Radiation toxicities are tolerable.

Impact of Postoperative Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy on Survival for Patients with Node Positive Oral Cancer

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to compare between the use of post-operative concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone on survival for patients with high risk oral cavity tumors at the National cancer Institute of Egypt, undergoing surgery and receiving adjuvant treatment. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study, which was carried out at the National Cancer Institute (Cairo University) on patients with node positive oral cavity cancer diagnosed between the year 2000 and 2008. The study included 60 patients (45 males and 15 females) with median age 57 years old. The patients underwent surgery, followed by postoperative radiotherapy 60 Gy/6 weeks versus postoperative radiotherapy 60 Gy/6 weeks with concurrent cisplatin 100 mg/m2 at day 1, day 22 and day 43. Results: Regarding use of concurrent chemotherapy, there was a significant difference in overall survival rate and locoregional control favoring patients who received concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 3 years and 5 years overall survival rates respectively were 53.8% and 40.4% compared to 37.5% and 26.3% for patients who didn’t receive any chemotherapy with (p 0.038) for 5 years. Regarding age, there was a significant difference in overall survival rate favoring patients ≤57 years in both arm groups, 3 years and 5 years overall survival rates respectively were 51.6% and 38.9% compared to 28.3% and 18.9% for patients >57 years with (p 0.028) for 5 years. Conclusion: We recommend for oral cavity tumor patients at the NCI of Egypt who have positive neck nodes to be treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy rather than radiotherapy alone especially by using the new techniques as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image guided radiotherapy (IGRT).