Objective: Breast cancer and breast cancer-directed radiation therapy (RT) may increase the risk of late effects, such as hypothyroidism. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to... Show moreObjective: Breast cancer and breast cancer-directed radiation therapy (RT) may increase the risk of late effects, such as hypothyroidism. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between breast cancer, RT, and risk of hypothyroidism in breast cancer survivors.Methods: Through February 2022, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and references of relevant articles, to identify papers on breast cancer and breast cancer-directed RT and subsequent risk of hypothyroidism. Articles were screened by title and abstract and reviewed for eligibility. We used a pre-formed data extraction sheet and identified key design elements that could potentially introduce bias. The main outcome was the confounderadjusted relative risk (RR) of hypothyroidism in breast cancer survivors versus women without breast cancer, and in breast cancer survivors according to the receipt of RT to the supraclavicular lymph nodes. We used a random-effects model to calculate pooled RRs and associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).Results: From 951 papers screened by title and abstract, 34 full-text papers were reviewed for eligibility. We included 20 studies published between 1985 and 2021-19 were cohort studies. Compared with women without breast cancer, the pooled RR of hypothyroidism in breast cancer survivors was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.87), with highest risk associated with RT to the supraclavicular region (RR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.46). The most important limitations of the studies were small sample size yielding estimates with low precision, and lack of data on potential confounders. Conclusion: Breast cancer and radiation therapy to the supraclavicular lymph nodes is associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism. Show less
Vaz, S.C.; Adam, J.A.; Bolton, R.C.D.; Vera, P.; Elmpt, W. van; Herrmann, K.; ... ; Geus-Oei, L.F. de 2022
Purpose 2-[F-18]FDG PET/CT is of utmost importance for radiation treatment (RT) planning and response monitoring in lung cancer patients, in both non-small and small cell lung cancer (NSCLC and... Show morePurpose 2-[F-18]FDG PET/CT is of utmost importance for radiation treatment (RT) planning and response monitoring in lung cancer patients, in both non-small and small cell lung cancer (NSCLC and SCLC). This topic has been addressed in guidelines composed by experts within the field of radiation oncology. However, up to present, there is no procedural guideline on this subject, with involvement of the nuclear medicine societies. Methods A literature review was performed, followed by a discussion between a multidisciplinary team of experts in the different fields involved in the RT planning of lung cancer, in order to guide clinical management. The project was led by experts of the two nuclear medicine societies (EANM and SNMMI) and radiation oncology (ESTRO). Results and conclusion This guideline results from a joint and dynamic collaboration between the relevant disciplines for this topic. It provides a worldwide, state of the art, and multidisciplinary guide to 2-[F-18]FDG PET/CT RT planning in NSCLC and SCLC. These practical recommendations describe applicable updates for existing clinical practices, highlight potential flaws, and provide solutions to overcome these as well. Finally, the recent developments considered for future application are also reviewed. Show less
Opinion statement Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare, aggressive, and heterogenous tumors, comprising approximately 1% of adult cancers with over 50 different subtypes. The mainstay of treatment... Show moreOpinion statement Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare, aggressive, and heterogenous tumors, comprising approximately 1% of adult cancers with over 50 different subtypes. The mainstay of treatment for retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) includes surgical resection. The addition of radiation therapy (RT), either preoperatively or postoperatively, has been used to potentially decrease the risk of local recurrence. The recently published results from STRASS (EORTC-STBSG 62092-22092), which randomized patients to receive or not receive preoperative radiation, indicate no abdominal recurrence-free survival benefit (primary endpoint) nor overall survival benefit to date from the addition of preoperative RT prior to surgical resection in patients with RPS. Keeping in mind caveats of subgroup analyses, the data show a significant reduction in local recurrence with radiation therapy in resected patients and non-significant trends toward improved abdominal recurrence-free survival in all patients and improved local control and abdominal recurrence-free survival in patients with liposarcoma and low-grade sarcoma. Given the high rate of local failure with surgery alone, it is possible that higher RT dose and/or selective RT dose painting may improve outcomes. Prior to treatment, the authors encourage multidisciplinary review and discussion of management options at a sarcoma center for patients with RPS. Selective use of RT may be considered for patients at high risk of local recurrence. Show less
Background Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may have increased risk of hypothyroidism, but risk according to treatment modality is unclear. We estimated the incidence of hypothyroidism in women with... Show moreBackground Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may have increased risk of hypothyroidism, but risk according to treatment modality is unclear. We estimated the incidence of hypothyroidism in women with breast cancer, and according to cancer treatment. Methods Using nationwide registries, we identified all Danish women aged >= 35 years diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer (1996-2009). We matched up to five cancer-free women (controls) for each BCS. We excluded women with prevalent thyroid disease. Cancer treatment was chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy (RT) targeting the breast/chest wall only, or also the lymph nodes (RTn). We identified hypothyroidism using diagnostic codes, and/or levothyroxine prescriptions. We calculated the cumulative incidence, incidence rates (IR) per 1000 person-years, and used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of hypothyroidism, adjusting for comorbidities. Results We included 44,574 BCS and 203,306 matched controls with 2,631,488 person-years of follow-up. BCS had a slightly higher incidence of hypothyroidism than controls [5-year cumulative incidence, 1.8% (95%CI = 1.7-1.9) and 1.6% (95%CI = 1.5-1.6), respectively]. The overall IR was 4.45 (95%CI = 4.25-4.67) and 3.81 (95%CI = 3.73-3.90), corresponding to an adjusted HR = 1.17 (95%CI = 1.11-1.24). BCS who received RTn with chemotherapy (HR = 1.74, 95%CI = 1.50-2.02) or without chemotherapy (HR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.14-1.51) had an elevated risk of hypothyroidism compared with matched controls and compared with BCS who underwent surgery alone [HR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.45-2.01 and HR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.17-1.58, respectively]. Conclusions BCS have an excess risk of hypothyroidism compared with age-matched controls. BCS and those working in cancer survivorship settings ought to be aware that this risk is highest in women treated with radiation therapy to the lymph nodes and chemotherapy. Show less
Objective: Aim of the manuscript is to discuss how to improve margins in sacral chordoma.Background: Chordoma is a rare neoplasm, arising in half cases from the sacrum, with reported local failure... Show moreObjective: Aim of the manuscript is to discuss how to improve margins in sacral chordoma.Background: Chordoma is a rare neoplasm, arising in half cases from the sacrum, with reported local failure in >50% after surgery.Methods: A multidisciplinary meeting of the "Chordoma Global Consensus Group" was held in Milan in 2017, focusing on challenges in defining and achieving optimal margins in chordoma with respect to surgery, definitive particle radiation therapy (RT) and medical therapies. This review aims to report on the outcome of the consensus meeting and to provide a summary of the most recent evidence in this field. Possible new ways forward, including on-going international clinical studies, are discussed.Results: En-bloc tumor-sacrum resection is the cornerstone of treatment of primary sacral chordoma, aiming to achieve negative microscopic margins. Radical definitive particle therapy seems to offer a similar outcome compared to surgery, although confirmation in comparative trials is lacking; besides there is still a certain degree of technical variability across institutions, corresponding to different fields of treatment and different tumor coverage. To address some of these questions, a prospective, randomized international study comparing surgery versus definitive high-dose RT is ongoing. Available data do not support the routine use of any medical therapy as (neo)adjuvant/cytoreductive treatment.Conclusion: Given the significant influence of margins status on local control in patients with primary localized sacral chordoma, the clear definition of adequate margins and a standard local approach across institutions for both surgery and particle RT is vital for improving the management of these patients. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd, BASO similar to The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved. Show less
Objective: To investigate the ovarian survival (OS) after ovarian transposition (OT) and pelvic radiation.Design: Systematic review.Electronic databases were searched to identify studies on OT... Show moreObjective: To investigate the ovarian survival (OS) after ovarian transposition (OT) and pelvic radiation.Design: Systematic review.Electronic databases were searched to identify studies on OT prior to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT, to the pelvic). Primary outcome was the ovarian function after radiotherapy and ovarian transposition. Secondary outcomes were complication-rate. Only studies in English, German or French were included.Setting: Not applicable.Patients: Fertile women undergoing ovarian transposition prior to pelvic radiation therapy.Interventions: We included all studies, containing >5 patients, treated with OT prior to radiation therapy.Main outcome measure: Ovarian function.Results: Our search yielded a total of 1130 studies of which 38 were eligible with a total of 765 patients. All studies were cohort studies or case-series. Heterogeneity among studies could not be rejected hence meta-analysis could not be performed.OS after OT and EBRT ranged from 20% to 100%. The median follow-up ranged from 7 to 102 months. OS was higher after OT and brachytherapy (OS 63.6-100%) when compared to OT and EBRT (20-100%) and OT concomitant chemoradiotherapy (0-69.2%).Only 22 studies (with 112 patients) reported on complications: among these studies the complication-rate was 0%-28.6%.Conclusion: From our systematic review of literature we conclude that the preservation of ovarian function after OT prior to EBRT is successful in 20-100% of patients. Most favorable outcome with regard to preservation of ovarian function is seen in patients after OT and BT, followed by OT and EBRT and OT and RT combined with chemotherapy. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd, BASO similar to The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved. Show less
