Modern Management of Esophageal Cancer: Radio-Oncology in Neoadjuvancy, Adjuvancy and Palliation

The modern management of esophageal cancer is crucially based on a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach. Radiotherapy is involved in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings; moreover, it includes radical and palliative treatment intention (with a focus on the use of a stent and its potential integration with radiotherapy). In this review, the above-mentioned settings and approaches will be described. Referring to available international guidelines, the background evidence bases will be reviewed, and the ongoing, more relevant trials will be outlined. Target definitions and radiotherapy doses to administer will be mentioned. Peculiar applications such as brachytherapy (interventional radiation oncology), and data regarding innovative approaches including MRI-guided-RT and radiomic analysis will be reported. A focus on the avoidance of surgery for major clinical responses (particularly for SCC) is detailed.

Aggressive local treatment for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma—Stereotactic radiofrequency ablation as a valuable addition to hepatic resection

Background To evaluate the efficacy, safety and overall clinical outcome of local treatment for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection. Methods Between 2007 and 2019 72 consecutive patients underwent hepatic resection for primary intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. If amenable, recurrent tumors were aggressively treated by HR or stereotactic radiofrequency ablation with local curative intent. Endpoints consisted of morbidity and mortality, locoregional and de novo recurrence, disease free survival, and overall survival. Results After a median follow-up of 28 months, recurrence of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma was observed in 43 of 72 patients undergoing hepatic resection (60.3%). 16 patients were subsequently treated by hepatic resection (n = 5) and stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (n = 11) with local curative intention. The remaining 27 patients underwent palliative treatment for first recurrence. Overall survival of patients who underwent repeated aggressive liver-directed therapy was comparable to patients without recurrence (p = 0.938) and was better as compared to patients receiving palliative treatment (p = 0.018). The 5-year overall survival rates for patients without recurrence, the repeated liver-directed treatment group and the palliative treatment group were 54.3%, 47.7% and 12.3%, respectively. By adding stereotactic radiofrequency ablation as an alternative treatment option, the rate of curative re-treatment increased from 11.9% to 37.2%. Conclusion Repeated hepatic resection is often precluded due to patient morbidity or anatomical and functional limitations. Due to the application of stereotactic radiofrequency ablation in case of recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma, the number of patients treated with curative intent can be increased. This leads to favorable clinical outcome as compared to palliative treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma recurrence.

Influencing factors of depressive symptoms in patients with malignant tumour

Objective To assess the influencing factors of depressive symptoms in malignant tumour patients. Methods Participants were 2079 inpatients with malignant tumour (1291: depressive symptoms; 788 no depressive symptoms). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical factors influencing depressive symptoms. Results Risk factors were family income ≤5000 yuan (odds ratio [OR]: 4.966, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.938–8.395) and 5001–10,000 yuan (OR: 3.111, 95% CI: 1.840–5.260); Karnofsky Performance Status of 70 (OR: 2.783, 95% CI: 1.281–6.042) and 80 (OR: 1.834, 95% CI: 1.139–2.953); disease course ≤1 year; palliative treatment (OR: 2.288, 95% CI: 1.292–4.055); progressive disease (OR: 1.876, 95% CI: 1.284–2.739); pain (OR: 1.973, 95% CI: 1.555–2.505); cancer type: lung (OR: 3.199, 95% CI: 1.938–5.279), oesophagus (OR: 3.288, 95% CI: 1.673–6.464), cervix (OR: 1.542, 95% CI: 1.056–2.253) and partial knowledge of disease condition (OR: 2.366, 95% CI: 1.653–3.385). Return to work (OR: 0.503, 95% CI: 0.348–0.727) and physical exercise (OR: 0.437, 95% CI: 0.347–0.551) were protective against depressive symptoms. Conclusions Several factors affected depressive symptoms in malignant tumour patients, including income, disease type and course, palliative treatment, return to work and physical exercise.

PP126 Radiofrequency Ablation For Metastatic Spinal Lesions

IntroductionAbout 70 percent of metastatic breast, lung, and prostate cancers affect the bones. When this phase of the disease affects the spine, the mobility and quality of life of patients are severely impaired. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become a feasible option in the palliative treatment of vertebral metastases due to its minimal invasiveness and short procedure time. This health technology assessment report aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthesize evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of RFA for vertebral metastases.MethodsA systematic search was conducted to identify literature published from December 2016 to July 2019 in the following databases: Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Systematic reviews, randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, and case series studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of RFA in patients with vertebral metastases were included.ResultsSixteen studies were included: two systematic reviews, 13 case series studies, and one comparative study. None of the systematic reviews identified any randomized controlled trials. Of the 14 included primary studies, 10 evaluated RFA in combination with vertebroplasty, three evaluated RFA in combination with kyphoplasty, and one study evaluated a combination of RFA and radiation therapy. In all cases, the evaluated patients had different types of cancer (e.g., breast, lung, or liver). The follow-up periods varied between the studies from one day to 12 months. The most commonly used RFA devices were the STAR™ Tumour Ablation System (Merit Medical Systems) and the OsteoCool™ Radiofrequency Ablation System (Medtronic).ConclusionsRFA reduces pain, improves functional capacity, and provides greater local control of disease, potentially giving patients a higher quality of life, even in the context of metastatic disease. Although there is evidence on the safety and efficacy of this technology for the palliative treatment of vertebral metastases, more studies with higher methodological quality are needed. There were no studies available on the cost effectiveness of RFA for this indication.

Melanomas malignos do rebordo alveolar na maxila: apresentação de um caso

A case of primary malignant melanoma on the upper alveolar ridge is reported in a thirsty six year old white woman. A partiar prohthetic denture acted probably as an irritative agent producing prechange of color of alveolor mucosa. Radiumtherapy was done as a palliative treatment. The death due to general metastasis occurred in les e than one yeer. The surgical treatment should be done preferently.

Comparison of Staging Laparoscopy for Peritoneal Metastases with or without Pressurized Intra-Peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC)

Background Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) has been introduced for palliative treatment of peritoneal cancer (PC) and is currently tested also in the neoadjuvant and prophylactic setting. The aim was therefore to compare safety and tolerance of staging laparoscopy with or without PIPAC. Methods This retrospective analysis compared consecutive patients undergoing staging laparoscopy alone for oesogastric cancer with patients having PIPAC for suspected PC of various origins from January 2015 until January 2020. Safety was assessed by use of the Clavien classification for complications and CTCAE for capturing of adverse events. Pain and nausea were documented by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS: 0-10: maximal intensity). Results Overall, 25 PIPAC procedures were compared to 24 in the laparoscopy group. PIPAC procedures took a median of 35 min (IQR: 25-67) longer. Four patients experienced at least one complication in either (p=0.741). No differences were noted for postoperative nausea (p=0.961) and pain levels (p=0.156). Median hospital stay was 2 (IQR: 1-3) for PIPAC and 1 (IQR: 1-2) for the laparoscopy group (p=0.104). Conclusions The addition of PIPAC did not jeopardize safety and postoperative outcomes of staging laparoscopy alone. Further studies need to clarify its oncological benefits.