Patient Reported Urinary Incontinence and Sexual Impotency Following Multimodality Radical Therapy for Prostate Cancer: An Untold Story of Compound Toxicity?

Purpose: To evaluate urinary continence and sexual potency following radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy.Materials/Methods: Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) surveys of patients with localized prostate cancer treated with surgery followed by adjuvant/salvage pelvic radiotherapy (S+RT) were analyzed. A control cohort was primary radiotherapy (RT). Reverse "bifecta" was defined as a score less than 60 in both incontinence and sexual domains. Superior urinary function was defined as a score above 90. The clinically important difference was calculated using a distribution approach.Results: Surveys at least 1 year after treatment were available for 130 S+RT and 374 RT patients. For S+RT vs. RT, the mean urinary incontinence score was 68 [6.25 -100] versus 86.4 [CI-95 39.5-100] (p<0.001), confirming 6.5 points of clinically significant difference. The adjusted odds ratio for superior urinary function was 2.67 (1.7-4.1, p<0.001) for primary radiotherapy. The odds ratio of having both poor urinary and sexual performance (reverse " bifecta") was 0.29 in RT arm (0.14-0.58, p<0.001) when adjusted for age and Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) , group risk stratification, comorbidities and smoking status.Conclusion: In this cross sectional study, Surgery with adjuvant/salvage RT was associated with significantly worse patient reported urinary continence outcomes at 1-year post treatment, lower odds of achieving perfect urinary continence and a threefold risk of reverse ‘bifecta’ with inferior urinary continence and sexual performance. Longitudinal studies of evolving toxicity are required to validate these findings. Patients referred for surgery with a high probability of requiring adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy should be informed regarding the potential composite toxicity of both surgery and radiotherapy.

Population-based comparative survival analysis of surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and non-operative primary radiotherapy in patients with early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose Although recent clinical guidelines do allow primary radiotherapy for selected patients with early-stage oral tongue cancer, there has been little knowledge on the treatment outcomes of non-operative radiotherapy using modern treatment techniques. This study evaluated recent prognostic differences between primary radiotherapy and surgical resection in T1‒2N0 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Patients diagnosed with T1‒2N0 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. After propensity score matching, the disease-specific survival of primary radiotherapy and surgery was compared. Results From a total of 8,458 patients initially identified, we defined matched cohorts: cohort A, comparing surgery alone vs. primary radiotherapy (n = 230 vs. 230), and cohort B, comparing surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy vs. primary radiotherapy (n = 230 vs. 230). The 7-year disease-specific survival rates were 77% vs. 35% (cohort A) and 65% vs. 35% (cohort B) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Primary radiotherapy was independently associated with worse disease-specific survival in both cohorts A (hazard ratio 4.06; 95% confidence interval 2.53‒6.52) and B (hazard ratio 2.81; 95% confidence interval 1.96‒4.04). Time-course hazard rate function plots showed a distinct short-term risk increment in disease-specific mortality in the primary radiotherapy group. Conclusion In the contemporary treatment era, the use of radiotherapy as a definitive treatment resulted in an inferior prognosis in patients with T1‒2N0 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. The present population-based data suggest that primary radiotherapy cannot be used as an alternative to surgical management and it needs to be avoided as much as possible in early-stage tumors.

Long-Term Outcome and Comparison of Treatment Modalities of Temporal Bone Paragangliomas

Introduction: Temporal bone paragangliomas are rare tumors with high vascularization and usually benign entity. A variety of modalities, including gross total resection, subtotal resection, conventional or stereotactic radiotherapy including gamma-knife, embolization, and wait-and-scan strategy can be considered. The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes of different primary treatment modalities in temporal bone paragangliomas. Materials and Methods: Patients with temporal bone paragangliomas treated between 1976 and 2018 at a tertiary referral center were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Collected patient data of 42 years were analyzed and long-term results including interdisciplinary management were assessed. Patient outcomes were compared within the different therapy modalities according to tumor control rate and complications. Clinical characteristics, radiological imaging, tumor extent and location (according to Fisch classification), symptoms, and follow-up were evaluated and a descriptive analysis for each treatment modality was performed. Tumor recurrence or growth progression and respective cranial nerve function before and after therapy were described. Results: A total of 59 patients were treated with a single or combined treatment modality and clinical follow-up was 7 (13) years (median, interquartile range). Of the included patients 45 (76%) were female and 14 (24%) male (ratio 3:1) with a patient age range from 18 to 83 years. Total resection was performed on 31 patients, while 14 patients underwent subtotal resection. Eleven patients were treated with conventional primary radiotherapy or gamma-knife radiosurgery. Pulsatile tinnitus (n = 17, 29%) and hearing impairment (n = 16, 27%) were the most common symptoms in our patient group. Permanent lower cranial nerve deficits were observed only in patients with large tumors (Fisch C and D, n = 14, 24%). Among the 45 patients who were treated surgically, 88% of patients with Fisch A and B paragangliomas had no recurrent disease, while no tumor growth was perceived in 83% of patients with Fisch C and D paragangliomas. Conclusion: In conclusion, we propose surgery as a treatment option for patients with small tumors, due to a high control rate and less cranial nerve deficits compared to larger tumors. Although patients with Fisch C and D temporal bone paraganglioma can be treated surgically, only subtotal resections are possible in many cases. Additionally, frequent occurrence of cranial nerve deficits in those patients and tumor growth progression in long-term follow-up examinations make a combination of the therapy modalities or a primary radiotherapy more suitable in larger tumors.

Multimodal Evaluation of Voice Outcome in Early Glottic Cancers Treated With Definitive Radiotherapy

Background/Aim: We employed a multimodal evaluation of voice outcome (MEVO) model to assess long-term voice outcome in early glottic cancer (EGC) patients treated with primary radiotherapy (RT). The model consisted of objective and subjective vocal evaluation during follow-up, by a dedicated Speech Pathologist and Speech Therapist. Patients and Methods: MEVO methodology includes Self-perception Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), evaluation of parameters Grade (G), Roughness (R), Breathiness (B), Asthenia (A) and Strain (S) according to GRBAS scale, objective analysis and aerodynamics using the PRAAT software and laryngeal evaluation with videostroboscope (VS). Results: The MEVO methodology was described and tested on a sample of 10 EGCs submitted to definitive RT (total dose 66-70 Gy). Mean follow-up was 48.9 months (range=9-115). VHI was mild-moderate in 90% of patients; overall voice function (GRBAS) was normal-mildly impaired in 70% of patients; VS evaluation showed normal vocal cord motion in 90% of patients, but complete glottic closure in 60%. PRAAT scores confirmed these findings. Conclusion: A multidimensional voice evaluation is time consuming, but useful to objectify vocal impact of radiotherapy. The MEVO model allowed to quantify vocal dysfunction, showing a good objective vocal outcome.

Patient Reported Urinary Incontinence and Sexual Impotency Following Multimodality Radical Therapy for Prostate Cancer: An Untold Story of Compound Toxicity?

Purpose: To evaluate urinary continence and sexual potency following radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Materials/Methods: Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) surveys of patients with localized prostate cancer treated with surgery followed by adjuvant/salvage pelvic radiotherapy (S+RT) were analyzed. A control cohort was primary radiotherapy (RT). Results: Surveys at least 1 year after treatment were available for 130 S+RT and 374 RT patients. For S+RT vs. RT, the mean urinary incontinence score was 68 [6.25 -100] versus 86.4 [CI-95 39.5-100] (p<0.001), confirming 6.5 points of clinically significant difference. The adjusted odds ratio for superior urinary function was 2.67 (1.7-4.1, p<0.001) for primary radiotherapy. The odds ratio of having both poor urinary and sexual performance was 0.29 in RT arm (0.14-0.58, p<0.001) when adjusted to age and ADT use, group risk stratification, co morbidities and smoking status. Conclusion: In this cross sectional study, Surgery with adjuvant/salvage RT was associated with significantly worse patient reported urinary continence outcomes at 1-year post treatment, lower odds of achieving perfect urinary continence and a threefold risk of reverse ‘bifecta’ with inferior urinary continence and sexual performance. Longitudinal studies of evolving toxicity are required to validate these findings.

Optimal use of radiotherapy in the definitive treatment of non-bulky IB–IIA cervical cancer: A population-based long-term survival analysis

Purpose Although current clinical guidelines recommend surgery or radiotherapy for non-bulky IB-IIA cervical cancer, clinical data supporting the curative role of radiotherapy in the early-stage disease are insufficient. We evaluated the prognostic implications of definitive radiotherapy and determined its optimal use in clinical practice. Methods Patients with non-bulky (<4 cm) IB-IIA cervical cancer who underwent hysterectomy or primary radiotherapy between 1988 and 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Based on the use of brachytherapy and/or chemotherapy, the primary radiotherapy group was classified into three cohorts: hysterectomy vs. radiotherapy overall, with/without brachytherapy and/or chemotherapy (cohort A); radiotherapy and brachytherapy with/without chemotherapy (patients with external beam radiation alone were excluded, cohort B); radiotherapy with brachytherapy and chemotherapy (patients who did not receive chemotherapy were additionally excluded, cohort C). Disease-specific survival (DSS) after hysterectomy was compared to that after primary radiotherapy in each cohort. Results Among the 9,391 initially identified patients, 1,762, 1,244, and 750 patients were classified into cohorts A, B, and C, respectively, after propensity score matching. In cohort A, DSS after primary radiotherapy was inferior to that after hysterectomy (P = 0.001). In cohort B, a trend toward differential survival in favor of hysterectomy was observed with marginal significance (P = 0.061). However, in cohort C, DSS after primary radiotherapy was not significantly different to that after hysterectomy (P = 0.127). According to hazard rate function plots, patients receiving external beam radiation alone had an increased short-term risk of disease-specific mortality, whereas patients without evidence of chemotherapy had a distinct late risk surge at approximately 15 years of follow-up. Conclusion Optimizing radiotherapy methods with brachytherapy and the use of chemotherapy should be considered for the long-term curative efficacy of primary radiotherapy for non-bulky IB-IIA cervical cancer. Further studies are warranted to corroborate our results.