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The Phoenix definition for biochemical failure (BCF) after radiotherapy uses nadir PSA (nPSA) + 2 ng/mL to classify a BCF and was derived from conventionally fractionated radiotherapy, which produces significantly higher nPSAs than stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). We investigated whether an alternative nPSA-based threshold could be used to define post-SBRT BCFs.PSA kinetics data on 2038 patients from 9 institutions were retrospectively analyzed for low- and intermediate-risk PCa patients treated with SBRT without ADT. We evaluated the performance of various nPSA-based definitions. We also investigated the relationship of relative PSA decline (rPSA, PSAMedian follow-up was 71.9 months. BCF occurred in 6.9% of patients. Median nPSA was 0.16 ng/mL. False positivity of nPSA + 2 was 30.2%, compared to 40.9%, 57.8%, and 71.0% for nPSA + 1.5, nPSA + 1.0, and nPSA + 0.5, respectively. Among patients with BCF, the median lead time gained from an earlier nPSA + threshold definition over the Phoenix definition was minimal. Patients with BCF had significantly lower rates of early PSA decline (mean rPSA 1.19 vs. 0.39, p 0.0001) and were significantly more likely to reach nPSA + 2 ≥ 18 months (83.3% vs. 21.1%, p 0.0001). The proposed criterion (rPSA ≥ 2.6 or nPSA + 2 ≥ 18 months) had a sensitivity and specificity of 92.4% and 81.5%, respectively, for predicting BCF in patients meeting the Phoenix definition and decreased its false positivity to 6.4%.The Phoenix definition remains an excellent definition for BCF post-SBRT. Its high false positivity can be mitigated by applying additional criteria (rPSA ≥ 2.6 or time to nPSA + 2 ≥ 18 months).

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the results of stereotactic radiosurgery and hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT) for skull base chordomas. Materials and methods: Twenty-three patients aged 12–75 were treated with SRS/SRT due to skull base chordoma. In 19 patients SRS/SRT was a part of the primary therapy, while in 4, a part of the treatment of recurrence. In 4 patients SRS/SRT was used as a boost after conventional radiotherapy and in 19 cases it was the only irradiation method applied. Patients were irradiated to total dose of 6–35 Gy and median total equivalent dose of 52 Gy. Results: During median follow-up of 39 months, 4 patients died. One-, two- and five-year OS was 95%, 89% and 69%, respectively. In nine patients, progression of the disease was diagnosed during study period. One-, two- and five-year progression free survival (PFS) from the end of radiotherapy was 81%, 59% and 43%, respectively. Radiotherapy was well tolerated and only two patients in our group experienced moderate treatment-related toxicity. Conclusion: SRS/SRT alone or in combination with surgery is a safe and effective method of irradiation of patients with skull base chordomas. High EQD 2 is necessary to achieve satisfactory treatment results.

In 2018, Polish Society of Radiation Oncology formed a young section (yPTRO), dedicated to radiation oncologists under the age of 40. To evaluate their current situation, an anonymous, nationwide, online survey was carried out. Thirty-two-item-based questionnaire investigated young radiation oncologists’ perception of employment, workload, education, malpractice lawsuits, scientific research, and board exam. A total of 44 physicians responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 25%. Results of the survey identified the main problematic areas. In general, young radiation oncologists in Poland are overloaded with bureaucracy. They complain on spending too much time at work and lack work-life balance. The risk of being sued for medical error is threatening two-thirds of responders in everyday work. Compensation is not satisfying for nearly half of the survey participants. Nearly all young radiation oncologists continue education and participate in national and international educational events. Forty-eight percent of responders do scientific research alongside clinical work. However, the perception of young radiation oncologists on the board exam is alarming and requires further discussion. Fifty-five percent of the survey participants think that current form of the exam is not appropriate. Hopefully, 75% of physicians feel fairly evaluated. The presented report is the first of its kind in Poland. Issues mentioned in our questionnaire will help newly formed yPTRO to develop strategic priorities for the upcoming years.

Background and purposeThe optimal dose for prostate stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is still unknown. This study evaluated the dose-response relationships for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decay and biochemical recurrence (BCR) among 4 SBRT dose regimens.Materials and methodsIn 1908 men with low-risk (50.0%), favorable intermediate-risk (30.9%), and unfavorable intermediate-risk (19.1%) prostate cancer treated with prostate SBRT across 8 institutions from 2003 to 2018, we examined 4 regimens (35Gy/5 fractions [35/5, n=265, 13.4%], 36.25Gy/5 fractions [36.25/5, n=711, 37.3%], 40Gy/5 fractions [40/5, n=684, 35.8%], and 38Gy/4 fractions [38/4, n=257, 13.5%]). Between dose groups, we compared PSA decay slope, nadir PSA (nPSA), achievement of nPSA ≤0.2 and ≤0.5ng/mL, and BCR-free survival (BCRFS).ResultsMedian follow-up was 72.3months. Median nPSA was 0.01ng/mL for 38/4, and 0.17-0.20ng/mL for 5-fraction regimens (p&nbsp

Introduction. Psychoactive substances as opioids used by women during pregnancy can have a negative impact on the health of a newborn child. Case report. Based on a case report of a newborn delivered by an opioid-dependent mother, this article describes the therapeutic decision-making that occurred in caring for this patient. This included outlining the form of substitution therapy selected and the use of Finnegan’s scoring system to assess the degree of abstinence syndrome in the newborn. Conclusion. There is a need to monitor drug-dependent women and their children from the early stages of pregnancy through to birth to ensure positive health outcomes for both the mother and the newborn.

Purpose Understanding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics after radiation therapy plays a large role in the management of patients with prostate cancer (PCa). This is particularly true in establishing expectations regarding PSA nadir (nPSA) and PSA bounces, which can be disconcerting. As increasingly more patients are being treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for low- and intermediate-risk PCa, it is imperative to understand the PSA response to SBRT. Methods and Materials PSA data from 5 institutions were retrospectively analyzed for patients with localized PCa treated definitively with SBRT alone from 2004 to 2016. Patients received 35 to 40 Gy in 5 fractions, per institutional standards. Patients who had less than 12 months of PSA data or received androgen deprivation therapy were excluded from this study. Linear and logistic multivariable analysis were performed to identify predictors of nPSA, bounce, and biochemical recurrence, and joint latent class models were developed to identify significant predictors of time to biochemical failure. Results A total of 1062 patients were included in this study. Median follow-up was 66 months (interquartile range [IQR], 36.4-89.9 months). Biochemical failure per the Phoenix criteria occurred in 4% of patients. Median nPSA was 0.2 ng/mL, median time to nPSA was 40 months, 84% of patients had an nPSA ≤0.5 ng/mL, and 54% of patients had an nPSA ≤0.2 ng/mL. On multivariable analysis, nPSA was a significant predictor of biochemical failure. Benign PSA bounce was noted in 26% of patients. The median magnitude of PSA bounce was 0.52 ng/mL (IQR, 0.3-1.0 ng/mL). Median time to PSA bounce was 18.1 months (IQR, 12.0-31.1 months). On multivariable analysis, age and radiation dose were significantly associated with a lower incidence of bounce. Joint latent class models modeling found that nPSA and radiation dose were significantly associated with longer time to biochemical failure. Conclusions In this multi-institutional cohort of patients with long-term follow-up, we found that SBRT led to low nPSAs. In turn, lower nPSAs are associated with reduced incidence of, and longer time to, biochemical failure. Benign PSA bounces occurred in a quarter of patients, as late as several years after treatment. Further studies are needed to directly compare the PSA response of patients who receive SBRT versus other treatment modalities.

Aim. Evaluation of the occurrence of the early error (overestimation of perception of mirror reflections) and its size in the selected groups of individuals, as well as the analysis of the relationship between the size of the error and spatial orientation, evaluation of one’s own figure, time spent in front of the mirror and age. One hundred and ninety seven individuals were enrolled in the study, i.e. 46 school-going children, 30 hairdressers, 30 fine arts students, 30 medical students, 31 architecture students, and 30 individuals who were not related to any of the above activities aged 45–70 (Q group). An interview questionnaire was used with the early error evaluation test, a Standard Figural Stimuli Scale, and the WAIS-R block design subtest. The early error was made most frequently in the Q group. A significantly lower mean error was observed in the group of hairdressers, architecture students and individuals who declared themselves as having a scientific-oriented mind. The size of the error also sex-dependent – the error occurrence was significantly lower in males. A significant relationship was not found between the studied factors (age, error in the Standard Figural Stimuli Scale, subjective evaluation of one’s geometric imagination, time spent in front of the mirror, acceptance of one’s own body, and results of the WAIS-R block design subtest) and error size. The early error is made more frequently by middle-aged individuals and by females, regardless of their age. Its size was different for individual professional groups.

Background: Due to the rarity of osteosarcoma and limited indications for radiotherapy (RT), data on RT for this tumor are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of RT for osteosarcomas in the recent 20 years and to identify factors related to patients’ response to radiation. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients irradiated for osteosarcoma treatment. We planned to assess differences in the utilization of RT between the periods of 2000–2010 and 2011–2020, identify the risk factors associated with local progression (LP), determine whether RT-related parameters are associated with LP, and calculate patients’ survival. Results: A total of 126 patients with osteosarcoma who received 181 RT treatments were identified. We found a difference in RT techniques between RT performed in the years 2000–2010 and that performed in the years 2011–2020. LP was observed after 37 (20.4%) RT treatments. Intent of RT, distant metastases, and concomitant systemic treatment affected the risk of LP. Five-year overall survival was 33% (95% confidence interval (26%–43%)). Conclusions: RT for osteosarcoma treatment has evolved from simple two-dimensional palliative irradiation into more conformal RT applied for new indications including oligometastatic and oligoprogressive disease. RT may be a valuable treatment modality for selected patients with osteosarcoma.

Background In this exploratory study, the impact of local irradiation on systemic changes in stress and immune parameters was investigated in eight patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for prostate adenocarcinoma to gain deeper insights into how radiotherapy (RT) modulates the immune system. Patients and methods RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, metabolomics, and antibody arrays were used to monitor a panel of stress- and immune-related parameters before RT, after the first fraction (SABR) or the first week of treatment (IMRT), after the last fraction, and 3 weeks later in the blood of IMRT (N = 4) or SABR (N = 4) patients. Effect size analysis was used for comparison of results at different timepoints. Results Several parameters were found to be differentially modulated in IMRT and SABR patients: the expression of TGFB1, IL1B, and CCL3 genes; the expression of HLA-DR on circulating monocytes; the abundance and ratio of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine metabolites in plasma. More immune modulators in plasma were modulated during IMRT than SABR, with only two common proteins, namely GDF-15 and Tim‑3. Conclusion Locally delivered RT induces systemic modulation of the immune system in prostate adenocarcinoma patients. IMRT and SABR appear to specifically affect distinct immune components.

Metàstasis; Pediatria; Radioteràpia Metástasis; Pediatría; Radioterapia Metastases; Paediatrics; Radiotherapy Purpose/objective About 20% of children with solid tumours (ST) present with distant metastases (DM). Evidence regarding the use of radical radiotherapy of these DM is sparse and open for personal interpretation. The aim of this survey was to review European protocols and to map current practice regarding the irradiation of DM across SIOPE-affiliated countries. Materials/methods Radiotherapy guidelines for metastatic sites (bone, brain, distant lymph nodes, lung and liver) in eight European protocols for rhabdomyosarcoma, non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, neuroblastoma and renal tumours were reviewed. SIOPE centres irradiating ≥50 children annually were invited to participate in an online survey. Results Radiotherapy to at least one metastatic site was recommended in all protocols, except for high-risk neuroblastoma. Per protocol, dose prescription varied per site, and information on delineation and treatment planning/delivery was generally missing. Between July and September 2019, 20/27 centres completed the survey. Around 14% of patients were deemed to have DM from ST at diagnosis, of which half were treated with curative intent. A clear cut-off for a maximum number of DM was not used in half of the centres. Regardless of the tumour type and site, conventional radiotherapy regimens were most commonly used to treat DM. When stereotactic radiotherapy was used, a wide range of fractionation regimens were applied. Conclusion Current radiotherapy guidelines for DM do not allow a consistent approach in a multicentre setting. Prospective (randomised) trials are needed to define the role of radical irradiation of DM from paediatric ST. Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij [project no. 343]. KiKa (Children Cancer Free) foundation, grant number 343 and title: Towards optimization of radiotherapy techniques for metastatic lesions in children stage IV disease. The funding source had no role in the study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, writing of this manuscript or the decision to submit the article for publication.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), low dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) and high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) are ablative-intent radiotherapy options for prostate cancer (PCa). These vary considerably in dose delivery, which may impact post-treatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) patterns and biochemical control. We compared PSA kinetics between SBRT, HDR-BT, and LDR-BT, and assessed their relationships to biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS).Retrospective PSA data were analyzed for 3502 men with low-risk (n = 2223; 63.5%), favorable intermediate-risk (n = 869; 24.8%), and unfavorable intermediate-risk (n = 410; 11.7%) PCa treated with SBRT (n = 1716; 49.0%), HDR-BT (n = 512; 14.6%), or LDR-BT (n = 1274; 36.4%) without upfront androgen deprivation therapy at 10 institutions from 1990 to 2017. We compared nadir PSA (nPSA), time to nPSA, achievement of nPSA0.2 ng/mL and0.5 ng/mL, rates of nPSA0.4 ng/mL at 4 years, and BCRFS.Median follow-up was 72 months. Median nPSA and nPSA0.2 ng/mL were stratified by risk group (interaction p ≤ 0.001). Median nPSA and time to nPSA were 0.2 ng/mL at 44 months after SBRT, 0.1-0.2 ng/mL at 37 months after HDR-BT, and 0.01-0.2 ng/mL at 51 months after LDR-BT (mean log nPSA p ≤ 0.009 for LDR-BT vs. SBRT or HDR-BT for low/favorable intermediate-risk). There were no differences in nPSA0.4 ng/mL at 4 years (p ≥ 0.51). BCRFS was similar for all three modalities (p ≥ 0.27). Continued PSA decay beyond 4 years was predictive of durable biochemical control.LDR-BT led to lower nPSAs with longer continued decay compared to SBRT and HDR-BT, but no differences in BCRFS.

Purpose To assess the results and tolerance of radiosurgery/hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy performed after craniospinal irradiation for recurrent tumor. Methods Fourteen patients aged 3–46 years, diagnosed with medulloblastoma (10), anaplastic ependymoma (3), and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (1). All patients had craniospinal irradiation (CSI) with the total dose of 30.6–36 Gy and boost to 53.9–60 Gy either during primary or during second-line treatment. Twelve patients were irradiated with a single dose of 6–15 Gy (median 14.5 Gy). One received three fractions of 5 Gy and one six fractions of 5 Gy. In statistical analysis, the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used. The overall survival was calculated from the date of the end of stereotactic radiosurgery to the date of death or last contact. Results Recurrences were diagnosed after the median time of 16 months after the end of primary treatment. Eleven patients died during the follow-up. The follow-up for the 3 patients still alive was 6.7, 40.5, and 41.4 months, respectively. One- and 2-year overall survival (OS) was 70% and 39%. Patients who had ECOG performance status of 0 at the time of diagnosis of the disease trended to have better 2-year OS compared to those evaluated as ECOG 1 (p = 0.057). Treatment results were evaluable in 12 patients. Local control (stabilization or regression of the lesion) was achieved in 9 (75%). Overall disease progression was 67%. No patient developed radiation-induced necrosis. The treatment was well tolerated and no serious adverse effects were observed. Eleven patients were given steroids as a prevention of brain edema and four of them needed continuation of this treatment afterwards. In 7 patients, symptoms of brain edema were observed during the first weeks after reirradiation. Conclusions Stereotactic radiosurgery or hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy is an effective treatment method of the local recurrence after CSI and can be performed safely in heavily pre-treated patients.

Purpose/Objective(s) Since the seminal Phoenix definition (nadir PSA+2) of biochemical failure (BCF) was published in 2006, increasingly more patients with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa) are being treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Since SBRT leads to lower nadir PSA (nPSA) compared to conventionally fractionated RT, we investigated if an earlier nPSA+threshold can be used as an alternative definition of BCF. Materials/Methods PSA kinetics from 9 institutions were retrospectively analyzed for patients with localized PCa treated definitively with SBRT alone from 2003 to 2018. Patients received 35 to 40 Gy in 5 fractions, 38 Gy in 4 fractions or 26 Gy in 2 fractions (EQD23 Gy = 70-95 Gy) per institutional standards. Cox multivariable regression model was used to determine the adjusted association of relative change in PSA kinetics with biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS) and association of BCF with time to nadir+2. Results A total of 2061 patients were included. Median follow-up was 71.9 months (interquartile range [IQR], 41.2-96.0). BCF occurred in 140 (6.8%) of patients. Median nPSA was 0.16 ng/mL, median time to nPSA was 48 months. Sensitivity of Phoenix definition for BCF was 93%, compared to 96%, 100%, and 100% for nPSA+1.5, nPSA+1.0 and nPSA+0.5, respectively. False positive rate of Phoenix definition was 30%, compared to 41%, 58%, and 71% for nPSA+1.5, nPSA+1.0 and nPSA+0.5, respectively. In patients who developed BCF, lead time gained from an earlier nPSA+threshold definition compared to Phoenix definition was 6 (IQR 0-15.3), 0 (IQR 0-11.3), 0 (IQR 0-0) months for nPSA+0.5, nPSA+1.0 and nPSA+1.5, respectively. Relative change in PSA between 6 months and 18 months after treatment was significantly associated with BRFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-2.34, P 18 months. In patients who had BCF, 27 (19.3%) reached nPSA+2 in ≤18 months, and 113 (80.7%) in > 18 months. Median time to nPSA+2 was significantly longer in patients with BCF (41 vs. 12 months, P Conclusion A lower nadir-based threshold provides minimal increase in sensitivity at the cost of a higher false positive rate and does not provide a clinically relevant lead time benefit for a pending BCF in patients with low- to intermediate-risk PCa undergoing SBRT. A rate-of-change based metric in the first 18 months post-SBRT is significantly associated with BRFS. Patients who have an early PSA bounce after SBRT rarely develop a true BCF and true BCF tends to happen later (> 18 months). Phoenix definition remains a valuable tool in the SBRT era. BCF should not be prematurely called which runs the risk of high rates of false positivity.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) The debate of whether radiotherapy (RT) is essential part of primary treatment in patients (pts) with grade 2 ependymoma is still on and this study aims to evaluate its role. MATERIALS/METHODS Study inclusion criteria: histopathologically confirmed ependymoma grade II, at least 2 months of follow-up (FU) from the date of diagnosis. A retrospective analysis of all consecutive pts treated in years 1985 - 2019 was performed. In statistical analysis Kaplan - Meier method, log rank test and multivariate Cox regression model were used. A P value of ≤0.05 was regarded as being statistically significant. Inclusion criteria were met by 119 pts with median age of 35 (range 2-82), small predominance of woman (55% vs 45%) and brain location of the tumor (58% vs 42%). All had surgery as primary treatment with 47% R0 resection. RT was applied in 84 pts among whom 81 received radical treatment. In majority of cases (89%) pts received local irradiation. In case of pts with brain lesions total dose ranged from 30 to 60 Gy (median 54) and from 9 to 56 Gy (median 45) in case of spinal tumors. Recurrence of the disease was observed in 34 cases. Among them 18 had surgery combined with RT (7 pts), chemotherapy (2 pts) or both (4 pts). RT as sole treatment of recurrence was applied in 9 pts. RESULTS Median follow-up was 66.7 months and during that time 17 pts died. Two-, 5- and 10-years overall survival (OS) of the whole group was 96%, 87% and 83%. Radical surgery (R0 vs R1/2) improved OS (P = 0.004), but looking at the location of the tumor the difference was observed only in pts with brain lesions (P = 0.01). RT, applied in case of R1/2 pts, did not improved OS irrespective of primary tumor location. Two-, 5- and 10-years progression free survival (PFS) was 85%, 68% and 51%, respectively. Looking at the treatment of recurrence, those who received RT as part of the treatment of the recurrent tumor had better OS (P = 0.048) - 5- and 10- year OS of 85% and 78% vs 66% and 57%. In multivariate analysis radical surgery (R0 vs R1/2) and the use of radiotherapy in primary treatment improved PFS (P = 0.018 and 0.007). Based on the location of the tumor positive influence of RT on PFS was observed only in case of pts with brain tumors (P = 0.01) with no difference in case of spine lesions (P = 0.2). Also, comparing those who had R1/2 surgery with R0 resection - the benefit of radiotherapy was only observed in R1/2 group (0.02). CONCLUSION RT in case of pts with grade 2 ependymoma is valuable treatment of recurrent disease. Patients with brain lesions after non-radical surgery might benefit from local irradiation in terms of progression free survival. AUTHOR DISCLOSURE A.Napieralska: None. L.Miszczyk: None.

BackgroundTracheal cancers (TC) are rare and treatment results that are reported are typically not satisfactory. The purpose of this research was assessment of the results of treatment of TC patients, identification of potential additional surgery candidates, evaluation of prognostic factors, and assessment of the occurrence of other malignancies.Patients and methodsThe Regional Cancer Database and the Hospital Database were searched for patients with tracheal neoplasms. Fifty-eight of 418 patients identified initially, met the inclusion criteria (primary TC with confirmed histology and complete treatment records). Standard statistical tests were used.ResultsSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 63.8%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC; 15.5%) were the most commonly diagnosed histological types of TC. Radiotherapy was delivered in 48 cases, surgery or endoscopic resection in 20, and chemotherapy in 14. TC was diagnosed as a second cancer in 10 patients, in 1 patient it occurred prior to the lung cancer, and in 1 was diagnosed simultaneously. During the median follow-up of 12.7 months, 85.5% of the patients died because of the disease. Local recurrence occurred in 17% cases. In univariate analysis, patients with ACC had statistically better five-year overall survival (77.8%) than those diagnosed with SCC (8.4%, p = 0.0001). Radiotherapy, performance status and haemoptysis were factors significantly influencing overall survival (OS) in the multivariate analysis. Among patients who were not treated surgically, 15–26% were found to constitute additional surgery candidates, depending on the selection criteria.ConclusionsThe diagnostic workup should be focused on the identification of TC patients suitable for invasive treatment and radiotherapy. Respiratory system cancer survivors can be considered a risk group for tracheal cancer. Radiotherapy constitutes an important part of the treatment of patients with TC.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long term treatment results of patients with primary mediastinal seminoma. Methods: Sixteen patients aged 21–46 diagnosed with primary mediastinal seminoma between 1983 and 2014. Mean size of the tumor was 65 cm 2 . In all patients gonadal involvement was excluded. In 6 patients, metastases to regional lymph nodes were found and none of them presented with distant metastases. HCG was elevated in 6 patients (38%). Eight patients underwent surgery as first-line of the treatment: 7 partial and 1 complete resection of the tumor. Chemotherapy (CTH) and radiotherapy (RTH) were methods of treatment in 14 cases. Tumor was irradiated to total dose of 36.0–50.4 (median 42.5) Gy. In statistical analysis overall survival (OS) was calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: During median time of 11 years of the follow-up, complete or partial regression (PR) of the tumor was seen in all patients after primary treatment. Recurrence of the tumor was seen in 3 patients. The 5-, 10- and 15-year local control rates were 75%. One was treated with CTH, other two with RTH. All of them responded with complete regression (CR) of the tumor. Three patients died during the follow-up. All others are alive without disease. The 5-, 10- and 15-year OS was 100%, 91% and 91% respectively. Conclusions: Chemoradiotherapy of primary mediastinal seminoma gives satisfactory treatment results with good local control rate. The treatment outcome is comparable to primary testicular seminoma.

Background and purpose To compare the clinical outcome in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy using two forms of image guidance: bone-based (BB) or fiducial-based (FB). Material and methods This retrospective study consisted of 180 patients treated with kV-kV image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) between the years 2008 and 2011. A total of 89 patients were aligned to pelvic bone (Group BB) and 91 patients to the fiducial implanted into prostate for image guidance (Group FB). Patients were treated to a total dose of 76 Gy in 38 fractions. The Cox Regression Model was used to evaluate the influence of clinical and treatment-related parameters on overall survival, biochemical progression and progression-free survival. Acute and late toxicity were evaluated based on the RTOG/EORTC criteria. Sexual function was assessed with QLQ PR-25 (EORTC QLQ forms). An assessment of the differences in patient daily set-up from the time of simulation was performed. Results The incidence of acute G2/G3 genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was similar between groups. In the BB group, 34 patients had G2 and 5 had G3 GU acute toxicity - compared to 40 patients with G2 and 2 with G3 in the FB group. G2 and G3 GI acute toxicity was observed respectively in 24 patients and in 1 patient in the BB group compared to 18 patients with G2 and 1 patient with G3 toxicity in the FB group. The five-year incidence of late ≥G2 GU toxicity was 12% in both groups (p = 0.98) and ≥ G2 GI toxicity 19% (BB) vs 15% (FB, p = 0.55), respectively. The five-year progression-free survival rate was 87% in BB and 81% in the FB Group (p = 0.15). The 5-year Overall Survival rate (OS) was 80% (BB) vs 91% % (FB, p = 0.20), but the difference was most pronounced in the intermediate-risk group: 5-year OS of 93% (FB) and 75% (BB), respectively (p = 0.06). No significant changes were observed in sexual or erectile functioning as compared to that specified at the beginning of radiotherapy and between the FB and BB Groups. Conclusion When comparing bone-based to fiducial-based techniques, no differences in clinical outcomes or late toxicity were seen in this population. However, intermediate risk prostate cancer patients are those who might benefit most from implementation of fiducial-based IGRT.

Background and purpose: The optimal treatment for adults with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma (MB) has not been defined. We report a large series of cases from the Rare Cancer Network. Material and methods: Thirteen institutions enrolled 206 MB patients who underwent postoperative radiotherapy (RT) between 1976 and 2014. Log-rank univariate and Cox-modeled multivariate analyses were used to analyze data collected. Results: Median patient age was 29 years; follow-up was 31 months. All patients had the tumor resected; surgery was complete in 140 (68%) patients. Postoperative RT was given in 202 (98%) patients, and 94% received craniospinal irradiation (CSI) and, usually, a posterior fossa boost. Ninety-eight (48%) patients had chemotherapy, mostly cisplatin and vincristine-based. The 10-year local control, overall survival, and disease-free survival rates were 46%, 51%, and 38%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) >= 80 and CSI were significant for disease-free and overall survival (P = 80 correlated with better local-control rates. Conclusions: Patients with high KPS who received CSI had better rates of disease-free and overall survival. Chemotherapy was associated with better local control. These results may serve as a benchmark for future studies designed to improve outcomes for adults with medulloblastoma. (C) 2018 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved. Radiotherapy and Oncology 127 (2018) 96-102

To evaluate the quality of radiation oncology training in Poland and to identify difficulties and needs of radiation oncology trainees (ROTs), an anonymous online survey using Google Forms was conducted in November 2018. All ROTs from Poland (n = 154) were invited to complete the survey. The survey consisted of 30 questions and regarded aspects such as satisfaction from training, cooperation with the supervisor, and education. During the study period, 105 ROTs from 22 Polish cities responded (the response rate was 68%). Almost 85% were satisfied with the choice of specialty, 43% with training and 81% with the teaching place. Clinical cooperation with the supervisor was described as difficult by 25%. With education, 38% of responders experienced obstacles and another 25% stated that educational cooperation with their supervisor was none. “Good practice” understood as treatment according to the latest guidelines or internal protocols were reported by 71%. Obligatory traineeships were shorter than recommended according to 67% of the responders, usually due to shortage of medical staff. Almost two-thirds of ROTs work only in clinics, while 34% perform both clinical and scientific work. The responders suggested that the introduction of organ-specified courses is an appropriate modification of the current program. Noteworthy, current diagnostic imaging and physics courses are not sufficient for the majority of participants (81% and 80%, respectively). Radiation oncology training is conducted relatively well in Poland. Some hospitals need to improve clinical and educational cooperation between trainees and their supervisors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13187-020-01702-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This paper presents the recent research in DMCS. The medical and biometric research projects are presented. One of the key elements is image acquisition and processing. The paper presents research of diagnostic application of voice analysis for stroke patients with speech dysfunction, as well as the method for diagnosing and monitoring the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation of patients with dysfunction of the cervical spine. Then the method for sudden cardiac death risk stratification is elaborated.

Background Bony metastases from prostate cancer are often associated with severe pain. Standard palliative radiotherapy does not provide full analgesic effect in most patients. CyberKnife radiosurgery allows for the precise treatment of small lesions, such as prostate cancer metastases, located in bones or near critical organs. object. Pilot study of the effectiveness of CyberKnife radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with bony oligometastases from prostate cancer. Material and methods CyberKnife radiosurgery was used in 48 cases of prostate cancer bone metastases (32 patients). Patients were treated with fraction doses of 6 to 15 Gy, delivered in 1-3 fractions, to a total dose of 6 to 45 Gy. PSA before the treatment varied from 0.01 to 387 ng/ml (mean 28.67; median 3.12). Lesions were located in the spine (31), pelvis (8), ribs (5) and cranium (4). Statistical analysis was performed for 12-months of follow-up using hierarchical linear modeling. Results PSA concentration decreased to 0.0-22.4 ng/ml (mean 5.8; median 4.4) during the first month of follow-up. Linear correlations were found between total dose delivered and PSA concentration and pain relief. At the end of the follow-up period, an analgesic effect was observed, with complete pain relief in 28 patients and partial in 16. Conclusion CyberKnife radiosurgery may be an effective method for the local treatment of patients with prostate cancer bone oligometastases, leading to a reduction of pain, reduced PSA concentration and a high rate of locoregional control.

Objective: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is a very promising approach for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical tolerance, effectiveness, patterns of failure, and attempt to define predictive factors based on our experience. Methods: The cohort consists of 264 low-risk and 236 intermediate-risk consecutive patients treated at one institution. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), adverse effects, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) usage were noted. Results: Median follow-up was 31.3 months. Over 90% of the patients reported no gastrointestinal toxicity. There were 4 occurrences of G3+ sequelae. 75% patients had no genitourinary toxicity at first month, and up to 90% during the rest of follow-up, with only 1 case of G3 adverse event. The toxicity was more pronounced in patients with higher PSA concentrations. Prior to stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, the mean PSA was 7.59 and 277 patients used ADT. The PSA decreased for up to 20 months before reaching a plateau. The decline was slower, and PSA levels were higher in patients without ADT. A total of 15 treatment failures occured in a median time of 19.9 months. Higher PSA concentrations were connected with higher failure rates, even in the first month and prior to reaching Phoenix criterion. Conclusion: CyberKnife-based stereotactic ablative radiotherapy of low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients is an effective and well-tolerated modality of treatment. PSA is the most important predictive factor. The evolution of PSA concentration in a particular subgroup of patients suggests that ADT in intermediate-risk cases could improve long-term results.

Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare disease with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Abnormalities caused by mutations in the short arm of chromosome 6 affect the skeletal system, mainly the scull, teeth, and clavicles. Symptom variability, from isolated anomalies to full disease manifestation, occurs even among members of the same family. The present work describes a case of disease manifestation in a mother and a newborn, both burdened with cleidocranial dysplasia.

Introduction Prostrate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies and is frequently treated with an 8-week course of radiotherapy. CyberKnife (CK) based radioablation enables completion of therapy within 5-9 days. The aim of this study is an evaluation of the effectiveness and tolerance of CyberKnife-based radioablation in prostate cancer patients. Material and methods 200 PC patients (94 low risk [LR], 106 intermediate risk [IR]) underwent CK irradiation every other day (fraction dose [fd] 7.25 Gy, total dose [TD] 36.25 Gy, time 9 days). PSA varied from 1.1 to 19.5 (median 7.7) and T stage from T1c to T2c. The percentage of patients with Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), GI (gastrointestinal) and GU (genitourinary) toxicity (EORTC/RTOG scale), and PSA were checked at 1, 4 and 8 months, and thereafter every 6 months – up to a total of 26 months – post-treatment. Results The percentage of patients without ADT increased from 47.5% to 94.1% after 26 months. The maximum percentage of acute G3 adverse effects was 0.6% for GI, 1% for GU and G2 – 2.1% for GI and 8.5% for GU. No late G3 toxicity was observed. The maximum percentage of late G2 toxicity was 0.7% for GI and 3.4% for GU. Median PSA decreased from 7.7 to 0.1 ng/ml during FU. One patient relapsed and was treated with salvage brachytherapy. Conclusions We conclude that CK-based radioablation in low and intermediate risk PC patients is an effective treatment modality enabling OTT reduction and presents a very low percentage of adverse effects.

Background The growth of children is an indicator of health and society's wellbeing. Growth references are useful in monitoring a child's growth, which is a very important part of child care. Poland's growth references are not updated regularly. Although several growth reference ranges have been developed in Poland over recent years, sampling was restricted to urban populations of major cities. The aim of this study was to assess how well Polish children match with, or diverge from, regional charts and to compare them with international growth references. Methods Four Polish and two international (WHO 2007 and USCDC2000) growth references were used to calculate the height, weight and BMI z-scores in a recent, large, population-representative sample of school-aged children and adolescents in Poland. The distributions of z-scores were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results Mean height z-scores calculated with the use of the WHO 2007 and USCDC2000 references were positive and significantly different from zero over the entire age range. The mean height z-score was closest to zero in the Poznan reference for boys (0.05) and Warszawa reference for girls (0.01). Median weight z-scores were positive under all weight references over the entire age range with only the exception of 18-year-old girls' weight z-score calculated relative to USCDC2000. Median BMI z-scores were positive in males in early childhood, decreasing with age. In the case of girls, the median BMI z-score calculated using WHO 2007 and USCDC2000 was close to zero in early childhood, decreased in adolescents and reached minimum values at age 18 years. Median BMI z-scores calculated with the use of the Lodz reference fluctuated between 0.05 and 0.2 over the studied age range. Conclusions In this contemporary sample of Polish school-aged children, distributions of height, weight and BMI differed from those of children from the international growth references. These differences should be considered when using the references. There exist certain limitations to the analysis of height, weight, and BMI z-scores when Polish regional references are used.