Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer develops in the mucosa of the esophagus and spreads toward the muscle layer. The nonsurgical treatment for localized, deeply invasive esophageal cancer has been external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and concurrent chemotherapy. Recently, intraluminal brachytherapy showed a strong potential for the improvement of the therapeutic ratio. It was found that the fractionated high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy offered beneficial palliation for a longer period of time with more durable symptom control. A similar was concluded for advanced unresectable esophageal cancer in previously irradiated patients. HDR brachytherapy may be a useful salvage treatment option for inoperable patients diagnosed with local esophageal cancer. Although better local control can be achieved with higher brachytherapy dose, this increases the risk of acute morbidity and late morbidity, especially in the setting of recurrence cancer. It was found that the moderate dose of EBRT and HDR brachytherapy could give a better local response than EBRT alone

Variability in MRI vs. ultrasound measures of prostate volume and its impact on treatment recommendations for favorable-risk prostate cancer patients: a case series

Background: Prostate volume can affect whether patients qualify for brachytherapy (desired size ≥20 mL and ≤60 mL) and/or active surveillance (desired PSA density ≤0.15 for very low risk disease). This study examines variability in prostate volume measurements depending on imaging modality used (ultrasound versus MRI) and volume calculation technique (contouring versus ellipsoid) and quantifies the impact of this variability on treatment recommendations for men with favorable-risk prostate cancer. Methods: We examined 70 patients who presented consecutively for consideration of brachytherapy for favorable-risk prostate cancer who had volume estimates by three methods: contoured axial ultrasound slices, ultrasound ellipsoid (height × width × length × 0.523) calculation, and endorectal coil MRI (erMRI) ellipsoid calculation. Results: Average gland size by the contoured ultrasound, ellipsoid ultrasound, and erMRI methods were 33.99, 37.16, and 39.62 mLs, respectively. All pairwise comparisons between methods were statistically significant (all p < 0.015). Of the 66 patients who volumetrically qualified for brachytherapy on ellipsoid ultrasound measures, 22 (33.33%) did not qualify on ellipsoid erMRI or contoured ultrasound measures. 38 patients (54.28%) had PSA density ≤0.15 ng/dl as calculated using ellipsoid ultrasound volumes, compared to 34 (48.57%) and 38 patients (54.28%) using contoured ultrasound and ellipsoid erMRI volumes, respectively. Conclusions: The ultrasound ellipsoid and erMRI ellipsoid methods appeared to overestimate ultrasound contoured volume by an average of 9.34% and 16.57% respectively. 33.33% of those who qualified for brachytherapy based on ellipsoid ultrasound volume would be disqualified based on ultrasound contoured and/or erMRI ellipsoid volume. As treatment recommendations increasingly rely on estimates of prostate size, clinicians must consider method of volume estimation

Combined interstitial and surface high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the hand

Purpose: We present a case report of treatment using interstitial and surface high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) involving the interspace of the third and fourth digits. The patient refused two-ray amputation and the lesion was not amenable for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). This is the first report detailing combined interstitial and surface HDR brachytherapy for a hand SCC. Material and methods: The patient received 4050 cGy in 9 fractions, twice daily using 6 interstitial catheters and 8 Freiburg flap catheters. The clinical target was defined by MRI and ultrasound as a dorsal mass to the interspace between the heads of the third and fourth metacarpals measuring approximately 7 mm transverse x 5 mm volar-dorsal x 16 mm proximal-distal. Results: The treatment resulted in radiographic and clinical tumor control. The patient retained functional use of her hand. However, there were both acute and late treatment-related side effects. Acutely, inpatient admission for pain control with a nerve block was needed. Long-term toxicity was notable for grade 2 skin necrosis treated with hyper-baric oxygen. Conclusions: The first interstitial and surface HDR brachytherapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of a finger interspace for hand function preservation is presented. The initial experience revealed that brachytherapy was tolerated but with notable acute and late side effects. Treatment did result in tumor shrinkage with organ preservation and function of two rays. A larger cohort of patients will be required for additional conclusions related to long-term clinical benefits in patients who refuse ray amputation