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Background: The target volume increases when the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) are combined, and the fiducial markers (FMs) are placed at the edge of the irradiation field. Thus, the position of FMs may be changed by the rotational errors (REs) of “whole pelvis”. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of REs of “whole pelvis” on the dose of FMs-based image-guided radiotherapy to the PLNs and the small bowel in prostate cancer including the PLNs. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 10 patients who underwent prostate cancer radiotherapy involving the PLNs. The position of FMs was calculated from the radiographs obtained before and after the 6D correction of pelvic REs. We simulated the delivery dose considering the daily pelvic REs and calculated the difference from the planned dose in the D 98% of the PLN clinical target volume and the D 2cc , and V 45Gy of the small bowel. Result: The position of FMs strongly correlated with the pelvic REs in the pitch direction (r = 0.7788). However, the mean delivered doses to PLNs for 10 patients were not significantly different from the planned doses (p = 0.625). Although the D 2cc and V 45Gy of the small bowel strongly correlated with the pitch rotation of the pelvis, there was no significant difference between the delivered and planned doses (p = 0.922 and p = 0.232, respectively). Conclusion: The dosimetric effect of pelvic REs on the dose to PLNs and the small bowel was negligible during the treatment course.

Purpose Prostate cancer with nodular bladder invasion (stage T4 prostate cancer) is an extremely difficult clinical entity to achieve complete cure. So far, there has been no clear report demonstrating complete cure of prostate cancer with nodular bladder invasion, stage T4 prostate cancer. Case presentation In this case report, the author presents a 55-year-old man with a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer invading into the bladder wall with pelvic lymph node metastasis (T4N1M0 disease). The patient was treated with biologically effective dose (BED) ≥ 220 Gy of high-dose radiotherapy, using low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy in combination with whole pelvis (WP) external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and short-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT): neo-adjuvant six months plus adjuvant six months ADT. There was no grade 2 genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity during follow-up. There was no evidence of hematuria, nor rectal bleeding in the follow-up. The patient stays healthy without biochemical failure and without bowel and urinary troubles at six years. Conclusions Along with previous outstanding data of BED ≥ 220 Gy LDR-based radiotherapy for high-risk and very high-risk prostate cancer patents, including pelvic lymph node metastasis, the present report, in which the patient was treated with BED ≥ 220 Gy of high-dose radiotherapy, LDR brachytherapy in combination with WP EBRT may be an optimal treatment for prostate cancer with nodular bladder invasion with lymph node metastasis (T4N1disease).

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the dosimetry and acute toxicities of bone marrow sparing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (BMS-IMRT) and three-dimensional conformal radiation techniques (3DCRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital-based prospective randomized study and histologically proven locally advanced cervical carcinoma patients were selected for the analysis. A total of thirty patients were equally allocated in the two treatment arms: BMS-IMRT and 3DCRT. External beam radiation therapy was delivered to a dose of 50 Gy/25# followed by high dose rate brachytherapy along with concurrent chemotherapy. The target volumes and the organs at risks were delineated. The BM comprised pelvic BM (PBM); lumbosacral BM (LSBM); ilium BM (IBM) and Ischium, Pubis and Pelvic femora together constituting lower PBM (LPBM). Results: BMS-IMRT was superior to the 3DCRT arm in reducing the dose to the PBM, small bowel, rectum, and bladder. On comparison of the BM dose volume histogram, the P value was significant (BMS IMRT vs. 3DCRT) in the higher dose range (30 and 40 Gy) for the IBM, LPBM, and whole pelvis BM. However, the difference in the low-dose irradiation (10 and 20 Gy) region was not significant. Furthermore, in the LSBM region, BMS IMRT was superior at all dose levels with no significant P value. Acute toxicities were higher in the 3DCRT arm. Conclusion: Thus, BMS-IMRT resulted in significant reduction of dose to the PBM. This can help in reducing the hematologic toxicities associated with pelvic radiation.

Purpose There is increasing use of radical prostatectomy to treat patients with high-risk prostate cancer. This has contributed toward a pathologic stage migration, and a greater number of patients are subsequently being diagnosed with biochemical failure. There is increasing use of advanced imaging techniques in the setting of biochemical failure, including positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). Methods and Materials This critical literature review highlights the evidence for PET-CT in postprostatectomy biochemical failure and identifies sites of pelvic lymph node relapse in the setting of biochemical failure and the potential implications that the locations of these relapses may have for salvage therapies. Potential future directions are then considered. Results The optimal PET-CT tracer remains uncertain but there is increasing use of prostate-specific membrane antigen PET-CT for investigating sites of nodal metastasis at low prostate-specific antigen levels, and this is leading to a blurring of the biochemical and radiologic recurrence phases. The optimal therapeutic approach remains undefined, with current trials investigating postoperative radiation therapy to the whole pelvis in addition to the prostatic fossa, the use of PET-CT in the setting of biochemical recurrence to guide delivery of salvage radiation therapy, and, for patients with node-only relapsed prostate cancer, the addition of whole pelvis radiation therapy to metastasis-directed therapies such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. Conclusions The most appropriate target volume for salvage radiation therapy remains uncertain, and the findings of studies using PET-CT to map nodal recurrences suggest that there could be a role for extending whole pelvis radiation therapy volumes to increase coverage of superior nodal regions. The emerging fields of radiomics and radiogenomics could provide important prognostic information and aid decision making for patients with relapsed prostate cancer.

Background:The standard treatment modalities for prostate cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy or any combination depending on the stage of the tumour. Radiation therapy is a common and effective treatment modality for low-intermediate-risk patients with localised prostate cancer, to treat the intact prostate and seminal vesicles or prostate bed post prostatectomy. However, for high-risk patients with lymph node involvement, treatment with radiation will usually include treatment of the whole pelvis to cover the prostate and seminal vesicles or prostate bed and the pelvic lymph nodes followed by a boost delivery dose to the prostate and seminal vesicles or prostate bed.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively analysed the treatment plans for 179 prostate cancer patients treated at the cancer centre with the volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique via RapidArc using 6 MV photon beam. Patients were either treated with a total prescription dose of 78 Gy in 39 fractions for patients with intact prostate or 66 Gy in 33 fractions for post prostatectomy patients.Results:There were 114 (64%) patients treated with 78 Gy/39 and 65 (36%) treated with 66 Gy/34. The mean homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI) and uniformity index (UI) for the PTV-primary of patients treated with 78 Gy are 0.06 ± 0.01, 1.04 ± 0.01 and 0.99 ± 0.01, respectively, and the corresponding mean values for patients treated with 66 Gy are 0.06 ± 0.02, 1.05 ± 0.01 and 0.99 ± 0.01, respectively. The mean PTV-primary V95%, V100% and V105% are 99.5 ± 0.5%, 78.8 ± 12.2% and 0.1 ± 0.5%, respectively, for patients treated with 78 Gy and 99.3 ± 0.9%, 78.1 ± 10.6% and 0.1 ± 0.4%, respectively, for patients treated with 66 Gy. The rectal V50Gy, V65Gy, V66.6Gy, V70Gy, V75Gy and V80Gy are 26.8 ± 9.1%, 14.2 ± 5.3%, 13.1 ± 5.0%, 10.8 ± 4.3%, 6.9 ± 3.1% and 0.1 ± 0.1%, respectively, for patients treated with 78 Gy and 33.7 ± 8.4%, 14.1 ± 4.5%, 6.7 ± 4.5%, 0.0 ± 0.2%, 0.0% and 0.0%, respectively, for patients treated with 66 Gy.Conclusion:The use of VMAT technique for radiation therapy of high-risk prostate cancer patients is an efficient and reliable method for achieving superior dose conformity, uniformity and homogeneity to the PTV and minimal doses to the organs at risk. Results from this study provide the basis for the development and implementation of consistent treatment criteria in radiotherapy programs, have the potential to establish an evaluation process to define a consistent, standardised and transparent treatment path for all patients that reduces significant variations in the acceptability of treatment plans and potentially improve patient standard of care.

Background PET/MRI has a high potential in oncology imaging, especially for tumor indications where high soft tissue contrast is crucial such as genitourinary tumors. One of the challenges for PET/MRI acquisition is handling of metal implants. In addition to conventional methods, more innovative techniques have been developed to reduce artifacts caused by those implants such as the selective multiacquisition variable-image combination (MAVRIC-SL). The aim of this study is to perform a quantitative and qualitative assessment of metal artifact reduction in 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI for prostate cancer patients with hip joint replacement using a selective MAVRIC-SL sequence for the whole pelvis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data of 20 men with 37 metal hip implants diagnosed with PCA, staged or restaged by 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI from June 2016 to December 2017. Each signal cancellation per side or metal implant was analyzed on the reference sequence LAVA-FLEX, as well as T1-weighted fast spin echo (T1w-FSE) sequence and MAVRIC-SL. Two independent reviewers reported on a four-point scale whether abnormal pelvic 68Ga-PSMA-11 uptake could be assigned to an anatomical structure in the tested sequences. Results The smallest averaged signal void was observed on MAVRIC-SL sequences with a mean artifact size of 26.17 cm2 (range 12.63 to 42.93 cm2, p < 0.001). The best image quality regarding anatomical assignment of pathological PSMA uptakes in the pelvis by two independent readers was noted for MAVRIC-SL sequences, followed by T1w-FSE with excellent interreader agreement. Conclusions MAVRIC-SL sequence allows better image quality in the surrounding of hip implants by reducing MR signal voids and increasing so the accuracy of anatomical assignment of pathological 68Ga-PSMA-11 uptake in the pelvis over LAVA-FLEX and T1w-FSE sequences.

Aim To report toxicity and quality of life (QOL) outcomes from a randomised trial of prostate only versus whole pelvic radiotherapy in high risk, node negative prostate cancer. Materials/methods Patients with localised prostate adenocarcinoma and nodal involvement risk > 20%, were randomised to prostate only (PORT, 68 Gy/25# to prostate) and whole pelvis (WPRT, 68 Gy/25# to prostate and 50 Gy/25# to pelvis) arms with stratification for TURP, Gleason score, baseline PSA, and type of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Image guided intensity modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT) and two years of ADT were mandatory. Acute and late genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were graded using RTOG grading. QOL was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 and PR-25 questionnaire pre-treatment and every 3–6 months post RT. Results Total 224 patients were randomised (PORT 114, WPRT 110) from November 2011 to August 2017. Median follow up was 44.5 months. No RTOG grade IV toxicity was observed. Acute GI and GU toxicities were similar between both the arms. Cumulative ≥ grade II late GI toxicity was similar for WPRT and PORT (6.5% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.39) but GU toxicity was higher (17.7% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.03). Dosimetric analysis showed higher bladder volume receiving 30–40 Gy in the WPRT arm (V30, 60% vs. 36%, p Conclusion Pelvic irradiation using hypofractionated IG-IMRT resulted in increased grade II or higher late genitourinary toxicity as compared to prostate only RT, but the difference was not reflected in patient reported QOL. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02302105 Prostate Only or Whole Pelvic Radiation Therapy in High Risk Prostate Cancer (POP-RT).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Previous randomized data failed to show a clear oncological benefit of whole-pelvis (WP-RT) compared to bladder-only radiation (BO-RT) in highly selected patients with no...

We present a case of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor incidentally detected on 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT. A 68-year-old man with history of intermediate-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score 4 + 3 = 7; pT2cN0M0) previously treated with retropubic radical prostatectomy, adjuvant whole pelvis radiation, and androgen deprivation therapy (leuprolide) presented with slowly rising serum prostate-specific antigen over 3 years, concerning for recurrent prostate cancer. To identify potential sites of recurrent disease, an 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT was obtained. Multiple tracer-avid mesenteric masses and enlarged lymph nodes were found throughout the abdomen and pelvis, later biopsy-proven to reflect metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Purpose To present an alternative method for summing biologically effective doses of intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT) as teletherapy (TT), with interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) boost in prostate cancer. Total doses using IMAT boost was compared with BT boost using our method. Material and methods Initially, 25 IMAT TT plus interstitial HDR-BT plans were included, and additional plans using IMAT TT boost were created. The prescribed dose was 2/44 Gy to the whole pelvis, 2/60 Gy to the prostate and seminal vesicles, and 1 × 10 Gy BT or 2/18 Gy IMAT TT to the prostate. Teletherapy computed tomography (CT) was registered with ultrasound (US) of BT, and the most exposed volume of critical organs in BT were identified on these CT images. The minimal dose of these from IMAT TT was summed with their BT dose, and these EQD2 doses were compared using BT vs. IMAT TT boost. This method was compared with uniform dose conception (UDC). Results D90 of the prostate was significantly higher with BT than with IMAT TT boost: 99.3 Gy vs. 77.9 Gy, p = 0.0034. The D2 to rectum, bladder, and hips were 50.3 Gy vs. 76.8 Gy (p = 0.0117), 64.7 Gy vs. 78.3 Gy (p = 0.0117), and 41.9 Gy vs. 50.6 Gy (p = 0.0044), while D0.1 to urethra was 96.1 Gy vs. 79.3 Gy (p = 0.0180), respectively. UDC overestimated D2 (rectum) by 37% (p = 0.0117), D2 (bladder) by 5% (p = 0.0214), and underestimated D0.1 (urethra) by 1% (p = 0.0277). Conclusions Based on our biological dose summation method, the total dose of prostate is higher using BT boost than the IMAT. BT boost yields lower rectum, bladder, and hips doses, but higher dose to urethra. UDC overestimates rectum and bladder dose and underestimates the dose to urethra.

Purpose: Whole pelvis radiation therapy (WPRT) in premenopausal women with cervical cancer can cause permanent ovarian damage, resulting in premature menopause. Oophoropexy, often considered as an initial step, demonstrates safety of sparing 1 ovary at the cost of delay in initiating WPRT. Therefore, we dosimetrically compared volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) techniques to allow for ovarian-sparing WPRT. Materials and Methods: Ten patients previously treated for cervical cancer at our institution were included in this institutional review board–approved analysis. A modified clinical treatment volume (CTV) was designed, sparing 1 ovary (left or right), as determined by the physician (ovarian-sparing CTV) and disease extent, including physical exam, positron emission tomography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. An ovarian-sparing planning target volume was determined as the ovarian-sparing CTV+5 mm for patients who were supine and 7 mm for those who were prone. All plans were calculated to a dose of 45 Gy with specific optimization goals for target volumes, while attempting to maintain a mean ovary dose (Dmean) < 15 Gy. Dosimetric goals were compared across the 2 modalities using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Both treatment modalities were able to achieve primary clinical goal coverage to the uterus/cervix (P = .529, comparing VMAT versus IMPT), ovarian-sparing CTV (P = .796) and ovarian-sparing planning target volume (P = .004). All 10 IMPT plans were able to accomplish the ovary objective (14.0 ± 1.66 Gy). However, only 4 of the 10 VMAT plans were able to achieve a Dmean Conclusion: Sparing an ovary in women undergoing WPRT for cervical cancer is dosimetrically feasible with IMPT without sacrificing coverage to important clinical targets. Future work will incorporate the brachytherapy dose to the ovarian-sparing CTV and assess the clinical response of this technique as a means to preserve ovarian endocrine function.

Asbtract To evaluate the acute and late toxicity using moderately hypofractionated, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) to prostate for patients with intermediate and high risk prostate cancer. From 2015 to 2017, 162 patients were treated with IMRT with SIB to the prostate. IMRT plans were designed to deliver 50.4Gy in 28 fractions (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the pelvic lymph nodes (whole pelvis radiotherapy, WPRT) while simultaneously delivering 57.4 Gy in 28 fractions (2.05 Gy/fraction) to the seminal vesicles and 70 Gy in 28 fractions (2.5 Gy/fraction) to the prostate for high risk patients. For intermediate risk patients the same technique was applied, without WPRT. Acute and cumulative late genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were scored according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scoring system. Of the 162 patients enrolled, 156 (96%) completed the treatment as planned. The median follow-up time was 30 months. Seventy-eight patients (48.2%) were treated with WPRT. The rate of acute grade ≥ 2 GI and GU toxicities in all patients were 22% and 58%, respectively. The rate of cumulative late grade ≥ 2 GI and GU toxicities were 11% and 17%, respectively. Acute grade 3 GI and GU toxicities occurred in 1% and 1%. Late grade 3 GI and GU side effects occurred in 5% and 4%, respectively. None of the patients developed grade ≥ 4 toxicity. IMRT with SIB technique using moderate hypofractionation to the prostate is feasible treatment option for intermediate and high risk patients, associated with low rate of severe GU and GI toxicities.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Limited data exist regarding the dosimetric techniques and potential advantages of modern scanning beam proton therapy relative to conventional photon therapy modalities for prostate cancer patients in the post-operative setting. Our purpose was to evaluate the dosimetric differences in IMPT versus IMRT for the post-operative treatment of prostate cancer. MATERIALS/METHODS The 3DCT data of 7 consecutive, post-prostatectomy patients treated at our institution with adjuvant or salvage IMPT in 2020 were used to generate VMAT and IMPT plans using 3 different beam arrangements: 2-field (opposed laterals), 3-field (opposed laterals inferiorly matched to posterior beam superiorly), and 4-field (opposed laterals inferiorly matched superiorly to 2 posterior oblique beams). Prescription was 50 Gy in 2 Gy fractions delivered to elective pelvic nodal regions (i.e., whole pelvis) and 20 Gy in 2 Gy fractions delivered to the prostate bed for a total dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions. PT doses are reported in Gy (RBE) = 1.1 Gy. Dose goals for target and relevant organs at risk (OAR), as well as dose-volume histogram parameters were assessed. The paired 2-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the 4-field IMPT versus VMAT plans, with P < .05 indicating statistical significance. RESULTS CTV coverage met pre-specified dose goals for all plans with 99% of CTVs receiving ≥ 100% of the prescription doses. The 2-, 3-, and 4-field IMPT plans showed similar doses to the bladder and bladder minus CTV (bladderless-CTV), while the 4-field IMPT plan showed the lowest mean and low to intermediate doses to the bowel cavity and rectum. For example, mean bowel cavity V15 and V45 for the 2-, 3-, and 4-field IMPT plans were respectively 549.2 ± 282.6 cc and 110.7 ± 39.8 cc, 303.0 ± 102.0 cc and 92.7 ± 32.6 cc, and 263.4 ± 97.3 cc and 90.6 ± 40.6 cc. Mean rectum V50 and V60 for the 2-, 3-, and 4-field IMPT plans were 26.8 ± 8.9% and 18.7 ± 7.4%, 28.9 ± 10.5% and 19.5 ± 8.0%, 24.3 ± 4.8% and 16.7 ± 4.1% respectively. When comparing the 4-field IMPT and VMAT plans, the rectal, bowel, and bladder parameters in Table 1 differed significantly. CONCLUSION The 4-field IMPT beam arrangement showed the greatest reductions in dose to the bowel cavity and rectum compared to VMAT and the 2- and 3-field IMPT arrangements. These data can inform the future clinical management and delivery of proton therapy for prostate cancer in the post-prostatectomy setting.

In patients with prostate cancer who have a high risk of pelvic nodal disease, the use of elective whole pelvis radiotherapy is still controversial. Two large, randomised, controlled trials (RTOG 9413 and GETUG-01) did not show a benefit of elective whole pelvis radiotherapy over prostate-only radiotherapy. In 2020, the POP-RT trial established the role of elective whole pelvis radiotherapy in patients who have more than a 35% risk of lymph node invasion (known as the Roach formula). POP-RT stressed the importance of patient selection. In patients with cN1 (clinically node positive) disease or pN1 (pathologically node positive) disease, the addition of whole pelvis radiotherapy to androgen deprivation therapy significantly improved survival compared with androgen deprivation therapy alone, as shown in large, retrospective studies. This patient population might increase in the future because use of the more sensitive prostate-specific membrane antigen PET-CT will become the standard staging procedure. Additionally, the SPORTT trial suggested a benefit of whole pelvis radiotherapy in biochemical recurrence-free survival in the salvage setting. A correct definition of the upper field border, which should include the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta, is key in the use of pelvic radiotherapy. As a result of using modern radiotherapy technology, severe late urinary and intestinal toxic effects are rare and do not seem to increase compared with prostate-only radiotherapy.

The rapid development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a poor prognostic sign for loco-regionally advanced prostate cancer. Non-metastatic CRPC (nmCRPC) with bulky regional lymph node metastases is extremely rare and difficult to treat clinically without reported case. We present a case of a 72-year-old man with locally advanced prostate cancer with bulky lymph node metastases (53 mm × 77 mm × 67 mm), developing nmCRPC after 9-month ADT treatment. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) tests found partially positive MUC1 and negative BRCA1 expression in the initial biopsy specimens. Next-generation sequence analysis on the blood specimen after CRPC predicted a good tolerance to docetaxel. According to the multidisciplinary team recommendations, he was administrated docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) on day 1 every 21 days for 6 cycles, and subsequently radiotherapy, with the delivery of a total dose of 67.5, 60–65 and 47.5 Gy in 25 fractions to the prostate, the enlarged lymph nodes and the whole pelvis respectively. Over a follow-up of 50 months, his disease has achieved good local control and he is alive without evidence of distant metastases or late adverse events. This case highlights individualized and multimodal therapy of intensification of systemic therapy and timely application of radiotherapy in such rare condition.

Whole-pelvis pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy is utilized in both the intact and post-operative settings in patients with prostate cancer. As whole pelvis prostate radiotherapy has traditionally been delivered with standard photon beams, limited evidence and technical descriptions have been reported regarding the use of proton therapy. Here we present two robust three-field treatment planning approaches utilized to maximize target coverage in the presence of anatomic and delivery uncertainties. Both techniques, conventional optimization (CO) and robust optimization (RO), create treatment plans with acceptable target coverage and sparing of organs at risk (OAR). While the RO method is less time intensive and may theoretically allow for superior OAR sparing and improved robustness, the CO method can be implemented by institutions who do not have RO capabilities.

Highlights • A split target method was proposed in prostate with pelvic lymph nodes irradiation. • Pencil beam scanning (PBS) plans were able to achieve optimal target coverage. • Low to intermediate dose to the organs at risk were reduced in PBS plans. • PBS plans remained robust in simulated setup and range errors analysis., Purpose To evaluate the dosimetric impact and plan robustness of using Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) in patients that requires prophylactic pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs) irradiation for prostate cancer. Material and methods Five intermediate to high-risk prostate patients previously treated using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), were selected for this study. Comparative proton radiotherapy plans were generated, where a three-field intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plan was for the phase 1 planning target volume (PTV1) with PLNs. A technique with two posterior oblique fields using single field uniform dose (SFUD) was used for phase 2 (PTV2) volume, that comprises of the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles (Pro + proxSVs). Plan evaluation was performed on PTV coverage and dose to the organs at risk (OARs) using VMAT plans as a baseline (BL). Robust analysis on clinical target volume (CTV) coverage for the PBS plans was simulated with a 3 and 5 mm setup errors and a 3.5% range uncertainty. Results For target coverage, PTV1 and PTV2 showed negligible differences with a comparable homogeneity index (HI) values for both modalities. Proton plans produced a statistically significant lower mean dose to the bladder (32.5 Gy(RBE) vs. 46.5 Gy) and rectum (33.6 Gy(RBE) vs. 42.7 Gy). Dose to the bladder and rectum was equivalent at the high dose region. For the bowel cavity, the mean dose for proton plans were 45% lower compared to VMAT plans. Similarly, proton plans were able to achieve an overall reduction in integral dose for both treatment phase. CTV coverage remained high with all the simulated setup and range errors. Conclusions Proposed beam geometries for PTV1 and PTV2 proton plans presented good treatment accuracy with similar target coverage as the VMAT plans. Better sparing of OARs was achieved at the low-medium dose region for the proton plans.

Purpose/Objective(s) It is accepted that radiation therapy can have some effect on hemoglobin/hematocrit, but it is not very well documented. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of radiation monotherapy on hematocrit levels. Materials/Methods Given that intensity modulated radiation therapy treats a large volume of normal tissue, we were concerned about the unrecognized effects of pelvic radiation therapy on blood counts. We prospectively obtained complete blood counts (CBCs) pretreatment, the end of treatment and 3 months post-RT from 2014-2016. With IRB approval we conducted a retrospective analysis of 221 patients treated with pelvic radiation for prostate adenocarcinoma. Given that the lifespan of RBCs is 120 days, we used the 3-month counts (approximately 130 days after 20 Gy is delivered). Dose volume histograms (DVHs) corresponding to 8 different contoured structures in the pelvis that were deemed significant in order to look for a correlation between pelvic structures and values of the CBC. These patients received either primary prostate radiation to 78 Gy total dose, or post-prostatectomy radiation for recurrence to 70 Gy total dose. Additionally, most of these patients had pelvic lymphatic irradiation (common iliac, external iliac, and internal iliac) to 54 Gy. Some patients received concomitant androgen ablation. Results Upon analysis, affected values were the RBC count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Hematocrit demonstrated the strongest correlation. Overall, the mean hematocrit dropped from 42.01% to 38.41% (8.57% decrease). Irradiated pelvic structures that correlated with significant decreases in hematocrit were the following: the bone volume of os coxae bilaterally superior to the acetabulum (OCUB), the entire os coxae bilaterally (OCTB), and the whole pelvis (BVWP). The OCUB showed the highest correlation, with a maximum AUC of 0.74 at V20 Gy with a volume threshold of 30%; odds ratio (OR) 9.8; confidence interval (CI) 2.9-32.9. Dose to the OCUB, showed an AUC of 0.73 with a dose of 23 Gy (OR 2.7, CI 1.3-5.6). For OCTB, maximum AUC of 0.69 was observed at V20 Gy where the volume threshold was 50%, (OR 9.3, CI 2.7-31.8). Mean dose analysis showed an AUC of 0.69 where the dose threshold was 28 Gy, odds ratio was 1.4 and CI 0.5-3.9 (not statistically significant). For BVWP a maximum AUC of 0.71 was seen at V20 Gy where the volume threshold was 40%, (OR 7.5, CI 2.2-25.4). Mean dose analysis showed an AUC of 0.72 where the dose threshold was 24 Gy, odds ratio was 2.6 and CI 1.1-6.1. Conclusion These findings confirm the most radiosensitive sites of bone marrow in the pelvis. The doses to OCUB, OCTB and BVWP were found to correlate with a significant drop of hematocrit. A threshold of V20 Gy

International audience; As new radiotherapy treatment systems using MRI (rather than traditional CT) are being developed, the accurate calculation of dose maps from MR imaging has become an increasing concern. MRI provides good soft-tissue but, unlike CT, lacks the electron density information necessary for dose calculation. In this paper, we proposed a generative adversarial network (GAN) using a perceptual loss to generate pseudo-CTs for prostate MRI dose calculation. This network was evaluated and compared to a U-Net network, a patch-based (PBM) and an atlas-based methods (ARM). Influence of the perceptual loss was assessed by comparing this network to a GAN using a L2 loss. GANs and U-Nets are rather similar with slightly better results for GANs. The proposed GAN outperformed the PBM by 9% and the ARM by 13% in term of MAE in whole pelvis. This method could be used for online dose calculation in MRI-only radiotherapy.

Background and purpose To quantify intra-treatment vaginal motion in women treated with daily endorectal balloon (ERB) placement and external beam radiotherapy for gynecologic cancers. Materials and methods Eighteen post-hysterectomy women with gynecologic cancers underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation scans and daily treatment with ERB. Fiducial markers were placed at the vaginal apex prior to simulation and patients were counseled on a pre-treatment bladder filling protocol. Weekly to biweekly verification CT scans were used to calculate the intra-treatment change in bladder volumes, rectal volumes, and fiducial coordinates along all axes. The planning target volume (PTV) margins required to encompass 95% of intra-treatment fiducial movement were calculated using the van Herk margin recipe. Results The median bladder volume was 223 (range, 29–879)cc for verification CT scans. Mean intra-treatment fiducial displacements were 1.7 (range, 0–9.1)mm, 2.9 (range, 0–15.5)mm, and 2.5 (range, 0–11.8)mm along the left–right (L/R), superior–inferior (S/I), and anterior–posterior (A/P) axes, respectively. The van Herk PTV margins were 3mm (L/R), 10mm (S/I) and 7mm (A/P). Conclusion When compared to existing studies, the use of daily ERB with post-hysterectomy radiotherapy reduces vaginal motion along the A/P axis. The impact of variable bladder filling on vaginal motion is most evident along the S/I axis.

Aim Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. However, prostate specific antigen (PSA) kinetics after SBRT has not been well characterized. The objective of the current study is to analyze the rate of PSA decline and PSA nadir following SBRT boost after whole pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT) in intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer. Methods From March 2008 to July 2014, 42 patients newly diagnosed, intermediate- and high-risk (NCCN definition) localized prostate cancer were treated with SBRT boost using Cyberknife after WPRT. The whole pelvis dose was 45 Gy (25 fractions of 1.8 Gy) and the SBRT boost dose was 21 Gy (3 fractions of 7 Gy). No one received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) before biochemical relapse. PSA nadir and rate of change in PSA (slope) were calculated and compared. Results With a median follow-up of 53.6 months (range, 14–74), the median rates of decline of PSA were –0.605, –0.229 and –0.166 ng/mL/month, respectively, for durations of 1, 2 and 3 years postradiotherapy, respectively. The median PSA nadir was 0.32 ng/mL after a median 36 months. 4-year biochemical failure (BCF) free survival was 100 percent for intermediate-risk and 71.4 percent for high-risk patients (P = 0.002). Conclusions In this report of intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer, continuously greater rates of decline PSA for duration 1, 2 and 3 year following SBRT boost after WPRT resulted in lower PSA nadir. Also, SBRT boost after WBPT leads to favorable BCF-free survival.

Purpose Limited pelvic nodal relapse of prostatic cancer is a paramount challenge for locoregional salvage treatments. Salvage whole pelvis radiation therapy as considered in the BLINDED trial is an attractive option, but there are concerns about its toxicity. This article describes early toxicity with the technique. Methods and Materials BLINDED was a prospective multicenter phase 2 trial investigating high-dose salvage pelvic irradiation with an additional dose to the fluorocholine-based positron emission tomography–positive pelvic lymph nodes, combined with 6-month androgen blockade. The prescribed dose was 54 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions with up to 66 Gy in 2.2 Gy fractions to the pathologic pelvic lymph nodes. Early toxicity was defined as toxicity until 1 year after radiation therapy. Patients quality of life was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25). Results Seventy-four patients were recruited in 15 French radiation oncology departments between August 2014 and July 2016. Seven were excluded before treatment because of violation of the inclusion criteria. The intention-to-treat analysis therefore included 67 patients. Half had received prior prostatic irradiation. Median age was 67.7 ± 6.5 years. Grade 2 acute urinary toxicity was observed in 9 of 67 patients (13.4%), and grade 2 1-year toxicity occurred in 4 of 67 patients (6%). Three patients (4.4%) had grade 3 urinary toxicity. Grade 2 acute digestive toxicity was observed in 10 of 67 patients (14.9%), and grade 2 1-year toxicity occurred in 4 of 67 patients (6%). Patients with prior prostate bed irradiation did not exhibit increased urinary or digestive toxicity. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire scores at 1 year did not worsen significantly. Conclusions The acute and 1-year toxicity of the BLINDED protocol was satisfactory, even in patients with a history of prostatic irradiation.

Purpose: To compare the utility of RapidArc® technique with mono or dual isocentre using high-definition 120 multileaf collimator (HD120™MLC) for irradiation of whole pelvis and lower para-aortic lymph node (PALN) in cervical carcinoma.Methods: Ten patients having more than 22-cm treatment target length were delivered 45 Gy in 25 fractions by RapidArc® technique using mono or dual isocenter. Dose distribution characteristics were monitored using various indices. Doses to critical organs were also compared for the sparing effects.Results: Conformity and dose-gradient indices for mono or dual isocenter plans were comparable. However, mono-isocentric plan decreased the heterogeneity index (0.07±0.01) as compared to dual-isocentric plan (0.08±0.01; p

Aim To report outcomes for patients with para-aortic lymph node positive cervical cancer treated with a dynamic field-matching technique. Background PET staging of cervical cancer has increased identification of patients with para-aortic lymph node metastasis. IMRT enables dose escalation in this area, but matching IMRT fields with traditional whole pelvis fields presents a challenge. Materials and methods From 2003 to 2012, 20 patients with cervical cancer and para-aortic lymph node metastasis were treated utilizing the dynamic field-matching technique. As opposed to single-isocenter half-beam junction techniques, this technique employs wedge-shaped dose junctions for the abutment of fields. We reviewed the records of all patients who completed treatment with the technique and abstracted treatment, toxicity, and disease-related outcome data for analysis. Results Median prescribed dose to the whole pelvis field was 45 Gy and para-aortic IMRT field 50.4 Gy. All but 3 patients underwent HDR (13 pts) or LDR (4 pts) brachytherapy. All patients developed lower GI toxicity; 10 grade 1, 9 grade 2, and 1 grade 4 (enterovaginal fistula). Median DFS was 12.4 months with 1 and 2-year DFS 60.0% and 38.1%. One-year OS was 83.7% and 2-year OS, 64.4%. A total of 10 patients developed recurrence; none occurred at the matched junction. Conclusions The dynamic field-matching technique provides a means for joining conventional whole pelvis fields and para-aortic IMRT fields that substantially reduces dose deviations at the junction due to field mismatch. Treatment with the dynamic matching technique is simple, effective, and tolerated with no apparent increase in toxicity.

Purpose To prospectively identify clinical/dosimetric predictors of acute/late hematologic toxicity (HT) in chemo-naÏve patients treated with whole-pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT) for prostate cancer. Material and methods Data of 121 patients treated with adjuvant/salvage WPRT were analyzed (static-field IMRT n = 19; VMAT/Rapidarc n = 57; Tomotherapy n = 45). Pelvic bone marrow (BM) was delineated as ilium (IL), lumbosacral, lower and whole pelvis (WP), and the relative DVHs were calculated. HT was graded both according to CTCAE v4.03 and as variation in percentage relative to baseline. Logistic regression was used to analyze association between HT and clinical/DVHs factors. Results Significant differences (p < 0.005) in the DVH of BM volumes between different techniques were found: Tomotherapy was associated with larger volumes receiving low doses (3-20 Gy) and smaller receiving 40-50 Gy. Lower baseline absolute values of WBC, neutrophils and lymphocytes (ALC) predicted acute/late HT (p ≤ 0.001). Higher BM V40 was associated with higher risk of acute Grade3 (OR = 1.018) or late Grade2 lymphopenia (OR = 1.005). Two models predicting lymphopenia were developed, both including baseline ALC, and BM WP-V40 (AUC = 0.73) and IL-V40+smoking (AUC = 0.904) for acute/late respectively. Conclusions Specific regions of pelvic BM predicting acute/late lymphopenia, a risk factor for viral infections, were identified. The 2-variable models including specific constraints to BM may help reduce HT.

The aim of this study was to compare the dosimetric parameters of whole-pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT) for cervical cancer between step-and-shoot IMRT (SaS-IMRT) and Helical Tomotherapy™ (HT). Retrospective analysis was performed on 20 cervical cancer patients who received WPRT in our center between January 2011 and January 2014. SaS-IMRT and HT treatment plans were generated for each patient. The dosimetric values for target coverage and organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing were compared according to the criteria of the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements 83 (ICRU 83) guidelines. Differences in beam-on time (BOT) were also compared. All the PTV dosimetric parameters (D5%, D50% and D95%) for the HT plan were (statistically significantly) of better quality than those for the SaS-IMRT plan (P-value < 0.001 in all respects). HT was also significantly more accurate than SaS-IMRT with respect to the D98% and Dmean of the CTV (P-values of 0.008 and

The current standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer is whole pelvis and para-aortic radiation when indicated, delivered concomitantly with chemotherapy and brachytherapy. Para-aortic node involvement is a predictor of survival in locally advanced disease but presence of metastases is difficult to determine because the currently available imaging methods lack enough sensitivity to be able to detect accurately para-aortic metastases when surgical staging is not feasible. The objective of this review is to describe the current status of para-aortic lymph node irradiation in locally advanced cervical cancer. It includes analysis of the diagnostic imaging and surgical approaches for assessment of para-aortic lymph node dissemination, together with indications for radiotherapy and radiotherapeutic techniques.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the dose delivered to lymph nodes (LNs) by brachytherapy (BT) and the effect of BT image-guided optimization on the LN dose.METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-five patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were retrospectively analyzed, 16 patients of them had LN involvement. The patients received whole pelvis intensity-modulated radiation therapy (45-50 Gy/25-30 fx) to whole pelvis and two fractions of MRI pulsed-dose-rate BT. The delineated LN groups were para-aortic, inguinal, common iliac (CI), external iliac, internal iliac, obturator, and presacral. For each LN group, D98%, D50%, and D2% (the dose that covers 98%, 50%, and 2% of the volume, respectively) were evaluated for optimized and standard BT plans. The correlation between total reference air kerma (TRAK) and D50% of the LN groups was evaluated.RESULTS: BT contributed considerable dose (mean D50% was 3.8-6.2 Gy equivalent total dose in 2-Gy fractions) to the pelvic LN (external iliac, internal iliac, obturator, and presacral) in optimized plans, whereas less-dose contribution to CI, para-aortic, and inguinal (mean D50% was 0.5-1.9 Gy equivalent total dose in 2-Gy fractions) was observed. Optimized plans delivered less dose to the LNs as compared with standard plans, although differences only amounted to a mean of 0.2-0.9 Gy (D50%). TRAK showed a significant correlation with LN D50% for all LN groups except CI, although only 19-38% of the dose variation could be explained by the TRAK.CONCLUSIONS: BT contributes considerable dose to pelvic LNs and should be considered in the evaluation of total LN doses.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate long-term survival and feasibility in patients with bulky squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix who underwent surgery after concurrent chemoradiotherapy.MethodsA review of patients with locally advanced bulky squamous cell cervical cancer who underwent chemoradiation followed by surgery with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Chemoradiotherapy included 2 monthly doses of intra-arterial chemotherapy with cisplatin (50 mg/m2) and mitomycin C (10 mg/body) and external irradiation to the whole pelvis and high-dose-rate brachytherapy. From 2000 to 2006, 23 patients were enrolled in a single institution. Patient distribution according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was as follows: 9 stage IB2, 10 stage IIB, and 4 stage IIIB. Radiological lymph node involvement was present in 69.6% (16/23), including 2 cases of para-aortic lymph node swelling. The radiological response, pathological response, overall and disease-free survival, and late complications were assessed.ResultsAmong the patients, 12 (52.2%) showed pathological complete response, and 11 (47.8%) showed a pathological partial response for cervical lesions. Among the cases of radiological pelvic lymph node swelling, the response rate was 93.3% (14/15). Only 1 case showed viable cancer cells in the resected pelvic lymph nodes among radiological complete response cases. In the median follow-up duration (121 months; range, 17–180 months), the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 95.7% and 86.7%, respectively. Seven events in 4 patients led to the development of postoperative fistula formation requiring a rescue surgery.ConclusionsChemoradiotherapy followed by surgery was effective for patients with bulky squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Further investigation to select suitable patients for this multimodal treatment will be required.

Purpose To compare the efficacy of intensity-modulated radiotherapy, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, and conventional radiotherapy for cervical cancer treatment. Materials and methods Whole pelvis intensity-modulated radiotherapy, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, and conventional radiotherapy plans were designed for 16 patients with stage IIB cervical cancer, each using the prescribed dose of 50.4 Gy/28 fractions. Dose–volume histograms of the target volume and organs at risk were evaluated. Results Compared to the 3D conformal and conventional radiotherapy plans, the intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan demonstrated superior conformal treatment. The mean planning target volume dose of all three plans reached the target effective therapeutic dose. The planning target volume dose of the intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan was significantly higher than that of either the three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy or conventional radiotherapy plan ( P 0.05). When more than 30 Gy was administered in intensity-modulated radiotherapy, organs at risk including the small intestine, rectum, bladder, and bone marrow received a significantly reduced volume of radiation. In comparison of the average planning target volume doses, significant volume reductions in irradiation of organs at risk were obtained with full bladders. Conclusions An intensity-modulated radiotherapy plan with appropriate margins encompassing the primary tumour and potential microscopic pelvic disease reduces the dose to organs at risk without compromising target coverage. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy is an appropriate definitive treatment for patients with cervical cancer.

Objectives: Radical radiotherapy or chemoirradiation is the standard of care for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage Ib-IVa cervical cancer. However, patients with pelvic or para-aortic nodal metastases have increased chance of recurrence and poor survival compared with those patients with no lymph node involvement. Their optimal management remains unclear. This study aimed at retrospectively evaluating the treatment outcomes of these patients in our unit to identify potential ways of improvement. Methods: From May 2007 to December 2012, 137 consecutive patients with FIGO stage Ib-IVa cervical cancers were treated with radical radiotherapy or chemoirradiation. Radical radiotherapy consisted of whole-pelvic external radiotherapy (ERT) with a median dose of 50 Gy in 2 Gy per fraction (median shield after 40 Gy), highdose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (6.5 Gy/application for four or 7.7 Gy/application for three at Manchester point A, 2 applications/week) followed by additional external beam parametrial boost of 6 to 8 Gy, if indicated. Involved pelvic lymph nodes were boosted with a total dose of 60 to 64 Gy. Para-aortic nodal metastases were treated upfront by extended anteroposterior-posteroanterior field ERT covering both the para-aortic regions and the whole pelvis with a dose of 30 Gy in 2 Gy per fraction, followed by split-field 3-dimensional conformal boost of 20 Gy. Routine intracavitary brachytherapy, parametrial boost, and pelvic nodal boost were then given, when appropriate. Concurrent chemotherapy, when given, consisted of weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m 2 ). Treatment outcome parameters including overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and patterns of failure were evaluated in all patients. Survival data were compared with the log-rank test and prognostic factors were analysed with the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: Of the 137 patients, 99 (72%) received chemoirradiation; 37 (27%) had either pelvic and / or paraaortic nodal metastases on radiological or pathological examination. After a median follow-up of 31 (range, 2-72) months, a significantly higher proportion of patients in group A (those with lymph node metastasis, 35%) had disease recurrence than in group B (those without lymph node metastasis, 19%; p = 0.047). Patients in group A had poorer 3-year OS (60%) and CSS (64%) compared with those in group B (OS, 75%, p = 0.08; CSS, 81%, p = 0.051) but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Patients in group A had significantly poorer 3-year RFS (50%) compared with those in group B (RFS, 73%; p = 0.009). FIGO stage III-IVa, presence of nodal metastases, and overall treatment time of more than 56 days were significant poor prognostic factors for both OS and RFS in multivariate analysis. Among patients with relapse, the majority (77% in group A and 84% in group B) developed first recurrence at distant sites with or without local relapse at a median time of 9.6 (range, 1.339.6) months. Only four (11%) patients in group A and five (5%) patients in group B developed first recurrence within the pelvis (pelvic control, 89% and 95%, respectively). Both radical radiotherapy and chemoirradiation were well-tolerated with no grade 3-4 acute toxicities. Only 4% (6/137) of patients developed grade 3-4 chronic toxicities (enterovaginal fistula, n=3; proctitis requiring surgery, n=2; cystitis with frequent haematuria, n=1). All four patients with para-aortic nodal metastases received extended-field chemoirradiation. Half died from distant metastases and the other half remained alive without recurrence. None of them developed grade 3 or 4 acute or chronic toxicities.

Uterine fibroids are the most common uterine neoplasm of uterus and the female pelvis and the most common indication for hysterectomy worldwide. When the fibroid is large and fills the whole pelvis or is pedunculated, it becomes difficult to differentiate from ovarian mass clinically. Cervical fibroids pose enormous surgical difficulty by virtue of their relative inaccessibility and proximity to the anterior bladder, posterior rectum, and distorting the normal anatomical relationship of pelvic structures. A cervical fibroid especially with degenerative changes mimics an ovarian tumor and poses a clinical dilemma. This case is also exemplified for its rarity and diagnostic difficulty.

Small cell carcinoma (SCCB) of the bladder is rare and has a poor prognosis. Because of its rarity, gold standard care has not been established. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility of a bladder-sparing approach. Data for treatments and outcomes in patients with a diagnosis of SCCB who received bladder-sparing treatment in our facility in the period from February 2007 to August 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Six eligible patients received definitive radiotherapy in the cancer network of Tohoku region. Mean age of the patients was 69.5 years (range: 44 - 83 years), and median follow-up period was 29.2 months (range: 4.1 - 54.5 months). The mean dose was 60 Gy (range: 60 to 63 Gy), and 1.2 - 2.0 Gy was given per fraction. The initial CTV was the whole pelvis or the small pelvis, and it was shrunk to the bladder or tumor as a boost. The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 83.3% and 55.6%, respectively. The 1-year and 3-year local control rates were both 80.0%. Only one patient had local failure. Recurrence or metastasis in sites other than the brain occurred in three (50%) of the patients after primary treatment. Two of those patients did not receive any chemotherapy. None of the patients had serious toxicities, and the bladder could be preserved in all patients. In this study, radiotherapy was effective for patients with SCCB. There was no recurrence in the bladder, and it was possible to preserve the bladder in all patients. Distant metastases were observed frequently, and chemotherapy was considered to be essential. Local treatment with radiotherapy has an important role from the point of view of the patient’s QOL.

Concurrent radiotherapy to the pelvis plus a prostate boost with long-term androgen deprivation is a standard of care for locally advanced prostate cancer. IMRT has the ability to deliver highly conformal dose to the target while lowering irradiation of critical organs around the prostate. Volumetric-modulated arc therapy is able to reduce treatment time, but its impact on organ sparing is still controversial when compared to static gantry IMRT. We compared the two techniques in simultaneous integrated boost plans. Ten patients with locally advanced prostate cancer were included. The planning target volume (PTV) 1 was defined as the pelvic lymph nodes, the prostate, and the seminal vesicles plus setup margins. The PTV2 consisted of the prostate with setup margins. The prescribed doses to PTV1 and PTV2 were 54 Gy in 37 fractions and 74 Gy in 37 fractions, respectively. We compared simultaneous integrated boost plans by means of either a seven coplanar static split fields IMRT, or a one-arc (RA1) and a two-arc (RA2) RapidArc planning. All three techniques allowed acceptable homogeneity and PTV coverage. Static IMRT enabled a better homogeneity for PTV2 than RapidArc techniques. Sliding window IMRT and VMAT permitted to maintain doses to OAR within acceptable levels with a low risk of side effects for each organ. VMAT plans resulted in a clinically and statistically significant reduction in doses to bladder (mean dose IMRT: 50.1 ± 4.6Gy vs. mean dose RA2: 47.1 ± 3.9 Gy, p = 0.037), rectum (mean dose IMRT: 44± 4.5 vs. mean dose RA2: 41.6 ± 5.5 Gy, p = 0.006), and small bowel (V30 IMRT: 76.47 ± 14.91% vs. V30 RA2: 47.49 ± 16.91%, p = 0.002). Doses to femoral heads were higher with VMAT but within accepted constraints. Our findings suggest that simultaneous integrated boost plans using VMAT and sliding window IMRT allow good OAR sparing while maintaining PTV coverage within acceptable levels.

Item does not contain fulltext Controversy surrounds the benefit of whole pelvis radiotherapy (WPRT) over prostate-only radiotherapy (PORT) for intermediate-risk and high-risk patients with prostate cancer. In the PSA screening era, two large randomized trials as well as multiple retrospective studies comparing WPRT with PORT have been performed, albeit with contradictory results. Data regarding the use of WPRT in patients with biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy are scarce. As a consequence, the practice of WPRT varies worldwide. Advanced highly accurate imaging methods for the detection of lymph node metastases in patients with prostate cancer have been developed, such as PET, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), diffusion-weighted MRI and magnetic resonance lymphography (MRL). The use of these new imaging methods might improve nodal irradiation, as they can be used not only for selection of patients, but also for accurately determining the target volume to reduce geographical miss. Furthermore, these new techniques can enable dose escalation to involved lymph nodes.

Whole pelvic radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy is the standard of care for locally advanced cervical carcinoma. Published literature reports that the pelvic bone marrow (BM) dosimetric parameters of V10 > 90% and V20 > 80% are associated with higher rates of hematologic toxicities using this approach. Here, we investigate the ability of Tomotherapy based intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to reduce dose to pelvic BM while evaluating dose distribution to critical structures and planning target volume (PTV) coverage. Ten patients were selected for analysis. Normal structures, whole pelvic BM, PTV contours, and IMRT objects were standardized. Two whole pelvis Tomotherapy plans were created for each patient, one standard plan, and one with the addition of a BM sparing (BMS) constraint (V10

The optimal treatment for unfavourable intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer is still debated. In the present study, the pattern of toxicity and early clinical outcome of patients with localized prostate cancer was analyzed. A cohort of 90 patients treated on pelvic lymph nodes from 2010 to 2015 was selected. All patients were treated with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), and Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in 28 fractions; the prostate, the seminal vesicle and the pelvic lymph node received total doses of 74.2, 65.5, and 51.8 Gy, respectively. End points were the detection of acute and late toxicities graded according to the Common Toxicity Criteria CTCAE version 3, evaluating the rectal, genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal toxicity. Correlation of OARs dose parameters and related toxicities was explored. Preliminary overall survival and Progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. With a median follow-up of 25 months, no interruptions for treatment-related toxicity were recorded. Univariate analysis among dosimetric data and acute toxicities showed no correlations. Regarding late toxicity: the dose received by a rectal volume of 90 cm3 was found to be significant for toxicity prediction (p = 0.024). PFS was 90.6% and 60.2% at 2 and 4 years, respectively. PFS correlates with age (p = 0.011) and Gleason score (p = 0.011). Stratifying the PSA nadir in quartiles, its value was significant (p = 0.016) in predicting PFS, showing a reduction of PFS of 2 months for each PSA-nadir increase of 0.1 ng/ml. HRT with VMAT and SIB on the whole pelvis in unfavourable prostate cancer patients is effective with a mild pattern of toxicity.

Background and purpose Intestinal toxicity is commonly experienced during whole-pelvis intensity-modulated radiotherapy (WPRT) for prostate cancer. The aim of the current study was to assess bowel dose–volume relationships for acute patient-reported intestinal symptoms of patients treated with WPRT for prostate cancer. Materials and methods Complete data of 206 patients were available; the median dose to pelvic nodes was 51.8 Gy (range 50.4–54.4, 1.7–2 Gy/fr). Intestinal symptoms were assessed as changes in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire scores relative to the Bowel Domain (IBDQ-B) between baseline and radiotherapy mid-point/end. The 25th percentiles of the most severe worsening from baseline (ΔIBDQ-B) were set as end-points. The impact of bowel loops and sigmoid colon dose–volume/surface parameters as well as selected clinical parameters were investigated using multivariate logistic regression. Results Analyses were focused on the four questions showing a median ΔIBDQ-B > 0. No dose volume/surface parameters were predictive, other than ΔIBDQ5 ≥ 3 (loose stools): when grouping patients according to bowel DVHs (high risk: V20 > 470 cc, V30 > 245 cc, V42 > 110 cc; low risk: all the remaining patients), a two-variable model including high-risk DVH-shape (OR: 9.3) and age (protective, OR: 0.94) was assessed. The model showed good calibration (slope: 1.003, R 2 = 0.92) and was found to be robust after bootstrap-based internal validation. Conclusions Constraining the bowel loops may reduce the risk of loose stools. The risk is higher for younger patients.

Background: Cervical carcinoma is the second most common neoplasm in women worldwide and is the most frequent cancer among women in Bangladesh. In recent years, High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy in combination with External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) has been popular in the management of cancers of uterine cervix.Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and acute toxicity of four fractions high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy following pelvic external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical carcinoma. Methods: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medi­cal University & NICRH chosen as a research place for EBRT and HOR brachytherapy. A typical radiotherapy treatment involves daily inadiation for several weeks. Whole pelvis was treated with total dose of SO Gy in 5 weeks. Patients were treated once a day, 5 days a week with a daily fraction size of 2.0 Gy. EBRT: Pelvic radiotherapy dose is 50 Gy in 25 fractions (2.0 Gy per fraction) over 5 weeks. HDR brachytberapy dose is 7 Gy per fraction, total 4 fractions, each in a week over 4 weeks. Results: Ninety-eight patients were entered in the study. Three patients were excluded due to active non-malignant diseases. One patient had active tuberculosis, two patients had severe skin reactions and two patients withdrew following the first HDR application. The remaining Ninety patients were analyzed. Ninety patients completed the prescribed treatment and were evaluated. Eighty had complete response with relief of symptoms, negative Pap-smear and no clinical signs of persistence disease at 3 months. Ten patients had a positive Pap-smear with clinical signs of persis­tence disease. Patients were evaluated before statting treatment with EBRT and before starting treatment with HDR ICBT. Conclusion: It can be easily concluded that 4 fractions of HDR ICBT, 7 Gy each weekly and pelvic EBRT can effectively and safely control locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. So that EBRT and HDR ICBT is an acceptable treatment for locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Careful attention to normal tissue doses such as the rectum, bladder, and small bowel is important in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify prognostic factors for para-aortic lymph node (PALN) recurrence and their effect on survival outcomes in patients with pelvic node–positive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).Materials and MethodsOf the 116 patients with biopsy-proven SCC of the uterine cervix who underwent primary CCRT from 2007 to 2012, 48 patients with pelvic LN metastasis detected by [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with evidence of para-aortic lymphadenopathy were excluded. The whole pelvis was the standard irradiation field for all patients. The associations of age, stage, serum SCC antigen (SCC-Ag) level, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), hemoglobin level, overall treatment time, adjuvant chemotherapy, and pelvic LN status with PALN recurrence and survival outcomes were evaluated.ResultsAt a median follow-up of 34.0 months (range, 8–73 months), 10 (20.8%) patients had developed PALN recurrences. The relationship between pelvic LN FDG uptake and PALN recurrence was evaluated by the cutoff value (SUVmax = 3.85) determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The independent risk factors for PALN recurrence were FDG-avid pelvic LN (SUVPLN) greater than 3.85 (hazard ratio, 13.12; P = 0.025) and posttreatment SCC-Ag level greater than 2.0 (ng/mL) (hazard ratio, 20.69; P = 0.019). Patients with an SUVPLN greater than 3.85 were found to have significantly worse 5-year distant metastasis-free (51.0% vs 79.0%, P = 0.016) and progression-free survival (38.7% vs 67.3%, P = 0.011) than those with an SUVPLN less than or equal to 3.85.ConclusionsSUVPLN is a statistically significant prognostic factor of PALN recurrence and survival after definitive CCRT for pelvic node–positive SCC of the uterine cervix.

External radiotherapy is a standard treatment procedure for localized prostate cancer. Given the relatively high long term survival treatment complications have been brought in center of attention. In this planning study, between 2012 and 2014, CT simulation data of 90 consecutive high-risk prostate cancer patients were collected. In the first phase, all were planned for whole pelvis irradiation up to 46Gy in 23 daily fractions. In the second phase, only the prostate gland was the target of radiation. Next, the subjects were divided randomly into three groups and each received a unique 5field conformal radiation plan including Plan A (Gantry angle: 0, 60, 120, 240, and 300), Plan B (Gantry angles: 0, 90, 120, 240, and 270) and Plan C (Gantry angles: 0, 60, 90, 270, and 300). The total dose was 70Gy. For each patient, the rectum, bladder, and both femoral heads were contoured as the at risk organs (OAR). From dose volume histograms, the proportional dose of PTV V100, the bladder and rectum V80 and V90 and femoral head V50 and V100 were calculated in all subjects and compared across plans. A statistically significant difference in the femoral head V50 and V100 was found between our studied 5field plans so that in Plan A (beam angles: 0, 60, 120, 240 and 300) less dose was received by both heads of femur. This study suggests that 5 field treatment planning including an anterior, two anterior oblique and two posterior oblique portals to be more proper for 3D conformal radiotherapy in order to spare femoral head with acceptable PTV coverage, and bladder and rectal doses.

Aims To compare the dosimetric advantages of pelvic intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT) in small bowel dose reduction and dosimetrically correlate the clinical benefit, if any. Methods This retrospective study included 60 patients with gynecological cancers treated postoperatively with radiotherapy to the whole pelvis. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) contouring guidelines were used for contouring the pelvic nodal stations. All plans were generated using Plato Sunrise treatment planning system. The RTOG acute morbidity scoring criteria were used to define acute small bowel toxicity in our patients. Treatment was delivered using the Elekta Precise system. Patients were followed up twice weekly while on treatment. Statistical analyses (Spearman's rho and Kruskal–Wallis test) were performed using SPSS software (vers. 15). Results In all, 65% were postoperative endometrium carcinoma and 35% were postoperative cervix carcinoma patients; 34 patients were treated with IMRT and 26 patients underwent 3D CRT. In all, 28 patients experienced ≥ grade 2 small bowel toxicity (eight in the IMRT group). IMRT was able to significantly reduce the dose to bowel for doses above 30 Gy. Small bowel toxicity showed no correlation with doses below 30 Gy. The volume of the small bowel receiving more than 35 Gy of radiation was a significant predictor of the need for medication to control diarrhea during radiotherapy. Conclusion Use of IMRT resulted in lower doses to the small bowel, resulting in lesser toxicity, and translated to the better tolerability of pelvic radiotherapy.

Aim: To analyze the influence of computed tomography (CT)-guided 3D conformal interstitial brachytherapy (3D-IBT) boost for better coverage of target volumes and study the diametric impact to organ at risk in patients with post-surgery recurrent and residual cervical cancer. Material and Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients with recurrent or residual cervical cancer who were treated with interstitial brachytherapy as a boost were included in the study. All patients received 50.4 Gy external radiation (EBRT) to whole pelvis with conformal technique to reduce the dose to bowel. The clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk were contoured on CT scan with gold seeds being a surrogate marker of initial tumor extent implanted before commencing treatment. The median dose of prescription was 10.5–12 Gy in 3 fractions. Dose volume histogram was calculated to evaluate the dose that covers 100% and 90% of the target volume and dose to the bladder, rectum and bowel (2 mL, 1 mL volume). Results: The median follow-up was 12 months (range 6–18). The doses to CTV (D90, D100) ranged from 1141 to 2014 cGy, and 585 to 969 cGy, respectively. The mean cumulative 2-mL rectal, bladder and bowel doses were 66.70, 73.15 and 61.01 Gy, respectively. Rectal toxicity of grade 2 or more had a strong correlation with the dose delivered (Spearman's correlation, 0.950). The local control rate at one year was 92% with failure seen in one patient only. Conclusion: Conformal EBRT supplemented with 3D-IBT seems to be a practical and appropriate approach to give the most optimal therapeutic benefit with the least side-effects in postoperative recurrent and residual cervical cancer patients.