scholarly journals Long-term tumour control in sacral chordoma following high-dose palliative image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT)

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 20160145
Author(s):  
Amy Jackson ◽  
Sarah Scott ◽  
Marina Romanchikova ◽  
David J Noble ◽  
Neil G Burnet
Neurosurgery ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiya Yamada ◽  
D. Michael Lovelock ◽  
Mark H. Bilsky

Abstract OBJECTIVE A new paradigm for the radiotherapeutic management of paraspinal tumors has emerged. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has gained wide acceptance as a way of delivering highly conformal radiation to tumors. IMRT is capable of sparing sensitive structures such as the spinal cord of high-dose radiation even if only several millimeters away from the tumor. Image-guided treatment tools such as cone beam computed tomography coupled with IMRT have reduced treatment errors associated with traditional radiotherapy, making highly accurate and conformal treatment feasible. METHODS This review discusses the physics of image-guided radiotherapy, including immobilization, the radiobiological implications of hypofractionation, as well as outcomes. Image-guided technology has improved the accuracy of IMRT to within 2 mm of error. Thus, the marriage of image guidance with IMRT (IG IMRT) has allowed the safe treatment of spinal tumors to a high dose without increasing the risk of radiation-related toxicity. With the use of near real-time image-guided verification, very-high-dose radiation has been given for tumors in standard fractionation, hypofractionated, and single fraction schedules to doses beyond levels traditionally believed safe in terms of spinal cord tolerance. RESULTS Clinical results, in terms of treatment-related toxicity and tumor control, have been very favorable. With follow-up periods extending beyond 30 months, tumor control rates with single fraction IG IMRT (1800–2400 cGy) are in excess of 90%, regardless of histology, and without serious sequelae such as radiation myelopathy. Patients also report correspondingly high rates of palliation. Excellent results, both in terms of tumor control and minimal toxicity, have been consistently reported in the literature. CONCLUSION IG IMRT represents a significant technological advance. Paraspinal IG IMRT is proof of principle, making it possible to give very-high-dose radiation within close proximity to the spinal cord. By reducing treatment-related uncertainties, margins around tumors can be shortened, thereby reducing the volume of normal tissue that must be irradiated to tumoricidal doses, reducing the likelihood of toxicity. Similarly, higher doses of radiation can be administered safely, improving the likelihood of eradication. Dose escalation can be done to increase the likelihood of tumor cell kill without increasing the dose given to nearby sensitive structures.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 151-151
Author(s):  
Aurore Goineau ◽  
Virginie Marchand ◽  
Sylvain Bourdin ◽  
Emmanuel Rio ◽  
Loic Campion ◽  
...  

151 Background: To determine prospectively long-term toxicity and quality of life (QoL) of prostate cancer patients after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods: 55 patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma were treated by IMRT (76 Gy) between February and November 2006. Physicians scored acute and late toxicity using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Patients assessed general and prostate-specific QoL before IMRT (baseline) and at 2, 18 and 54 months using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25. Results: Median age was 73 years (range 54-80 years). Risk categories were 18% low risk, 60% intermediate risk, and 32% high risk. The incidence of urinary and bowel toxicity immediately after IMRT (n=55) was, respectively, 36.8% and 23.7% (grade 1), 5.3% and 5.3% (grade 2), 2.6% and none (grade 3). At 18 months (n=55), it was 23.7% and 10.3% (grade 1), 26.3% and 13.2% (grade 2) and none and 2.6% (grade 3). At 54 months (n=38), it was, 34.2 and 23.7% (grade 1), 5.3% and 15.8% (grade 2) and 5.3% and none (grade 3). After 54 months, there was a statistically significant worsening of QoL with regards to 11 items among the 19 studied. However, the scores were clinically relevant (decrease > 10 points) only for physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, fatigue, pain, dyspnea and constipation. No statistical differences were shown between 54 months and baseline for general health, bowel symptom, treatment related symptoms and sexual activity. Concerning urinary symptoms, there was a statistically significant deterioration but not clinically relevant (difference < 10 points). Conclusions: High-dose IMRT to the prostate with accurate positioning does not induce any clinically relevant deterioration in long-term urinary and gastrointestinal QoL. Deterioration in functioning items may also be related to age and comorbidities. To our knowledge, our study is the only prospective study regarding quality of life following prostate IMRT with a very long follow-up of 54 months.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document