Irradiation of lung and esophagus tumors: A comparison of dose distributions calculated by anisotropic analytical algorithm and pencil beam convolution algorithm, a retrospective dosimetric study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate dosimetric differences between pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm and anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) calculations in patients with lung and esophageal cancers. Methods: The existing plans calculated with PBC for 60 patients treated in 2012 were recalculated with AAA maintaining the same beam geometry and dose monitor units.  For these plans, dose prescription ranges were 41.4 Gy to 56.0 Gy for esophageal cancers and 50.0 Gy to 64.0 Gy for lung cancers. Dosimetric variables were the 95% PTV coverage, mean PTV dose, maximum spinal cord dose, lung V5Gy, and lung V20Gy. Results: The 95% PTV coverage’s for both lung and esophageal tumors were reduced when recalculated with AAA. Maximum spinal cord doses for lung cancer patients were reduced by 0.7 Gy and by 0.3 Gy for esophageal cancer patients on AAA. On the other hand, lung V5Gy had 3.5% increase for both lung and esophageal cancer patients on AAA, whereas lung V20Gy increased by 1.5% also on AAA for esophageal cancer patients.Conclusion: These clinical results confirm the differences between AAA and PBC algorithms as observed in phantom dosimetric studies, and give an indication of the clinical implications of changing from one calculation algorithm to another.---------------------------------------Cite this article as: Amankwaa-Frempong E, Vernimmen F, Blay S, Ezhilalan R. Irradiation of lung and esophagus tumors: A comparison of dose distributions calculated by anisotropic analytical algorithm and pencil beam convolution algorithm, a retrospective dosimetric study. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020210. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.1

Response to chemotherapy and association with three tumour markers in breast cancer patients in Ghana

Purpose: Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2/neu) expression in breast cancer patients predict response to chemotherapy though recorded extent vary. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between ER, PR and HER2/neu expression and response of breast cancer to chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods: Records of all breast cancer cases seen from 2009 through 2011 were reviewed. Their receptor status, first line treatment [4 cycles of Adriamycin (60mg/m2) + Cyclophosphamide (600mg/m2)], second line treatment [Capecitabine (1g/m2) + Paclitaxel (170mg/m2)] and clinical response were extracted.Results: Complete remission after first and second line treatments were observed in 36 (38.3%, 95% CI: 28.5 to 48.9) and 34 (58.6%, 95% CI: .44.9 to 71.4) respectively. After both first and second line treatment 70 (74.5%, 95% CI: 64.4 - 82.9) had gone into remission. Prevalence of ER, PR, HER2/neu and Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) were 34.0% (95% CI: 24.6 to 44.5), 20.2% (95% CI: 12.6 to 29.7), 8.5% (95% CI: 3.7 to 16.1) and 59.6% (95%CI: 48.9 to 69.6) respectively. ER and PR positivity were independently associated with complete remission after first line treatment while TNBC was associated with non-remission. Conversely ER was independently associated with non-remission after second line treatment while TNBC was associated with complete remission. Conclusion: ER and TNBC status are significant predictors of complete remission and non-remission respectively after chemotherapy for breast cancer patient in Ghana.................................................................Cite this article as:Amankwaa-Frempong E, Yeboah FA, Nguah SB, Afriyie OO. Response to chemotherapy and association with three tumour markers in breast cancer patients in Ghana. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(3):02034. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0203.

Irradiation of lung and esophagus tumors: A comparison of dose distributions calculated by anisotropic analytical algorithm and pencil beam convolution algorithm, a retrospective dosimetric study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate dosimetric differences between pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm and anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) calculations in patients with lung and esophageal cancers. Methods: The existing plans calculated with PBC for 60 patients treated in 2012 were recalculated with AAA maintaining the same beam geometry and dose monitor units.  For these plans, dose prescription ranges were 41.4 Gy to 56.0 Gy for esophageal cancers and 50.0 Gy to 64.0 Gy for lung cancers. Dosimetric variables were the 95% PTV coverage, mean PTV dose, maximum spinal cord dose, lung V5Gy, and lung V20Gy. Results: The 95% PTV coverage’s for both lung and esophageal tumors were reduced when recalculated with AAA. Maximum spinal cord doses for lung cancer patients were reduced by 0.7 Gy and by 0.3 Gy for esophageal cancer patients on AAA. On the other hand, lung V5Gy had 3.5% increase for both lung and esophageal cancer patients on AAA, whereas lung V20Gy increased by 1.5% also on AAA for esophageal cancer patients.Conclusion: These clinical results confirm the differences between AAA and PBC algorithms as observed in phantom dosimetric studies, and give an indication of the clinical implications of changing from one calculation algorithm to another.---------------------------------------Cite this article as: Amankwaa-Frempong E, Vernimmen F, Blay S, Ezhilalan R. Irradiation of lung and esophagus tumors: A comparison of dose distributions calculated by anisotropic analytical algorithm and pencil beam convolution algorithm, a retrospective dosimetric study. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020210. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.10</p

Patterns and presentations of colorectal cancer at Komfo-Anokye teaching hospital Kumasi, Ghana

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally and its incidence is increasing in developing countries. This study determined the incidence, clinical features and the histopathological patterns of colorectal cancer at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. Methods: A retrospective review of all colorectal cancer cases over a six year period from (2009-2015) presented to the Surgical and Oncological Department of KATH. Patients' records were retrieved and information on their demographics, clinical and pathological presentations recorded. Results: In all, 221 cases of colorectal cancer were identified over the study period. The mean age was 54 ± 16.8 and ranged from 16 to 90 years. Sixteen (7.24%) had family history of cancer and the prevalence of comorbidities was (24.89%). The commonest clinical symptoms presented were weight loss (44.80%), bleeding per rectum (39.82%) and abdominal pain (38.91%) Majority of the patients presented with rectal cancers (48.87%). Microscopically, adenocarcinoma (68.33%) was the most common histopathological type. According to Tumour Node Metastasis (TNM) staging of cancer, majority of the patients 89(40.27%) were identified as being in late stage (TNM Stage III). The overall crude annual incidence was 4.62 per 100000 populations. The age specific standardized incidence rate was 7.93 per 100,000 population Conclusion: This study has clearly showed a high incidence in colorectal cancer at KATH, with similar trends in clinico-pathological patterns comparable to that of most African countries. These include predominance of rectal cancers, high incidence among younger people and delayed presentation of the disease at advanced stage

Response to chemotherapy and association with three tumour markers in breast cancer patients in Ghana

Purpose: Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2/neu) expression in breast cancer patients predict response to chemotherapy though recorded extent vary. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between ER, PR and HER2/neu expression and response of breast cancer to chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods: Records of all breast cancer cases seen from 2009 through 2011 were reviewed. Their receptor status, first line treatment [4 cycles of Adriamycin (60mg/m2) + Cyclophosphamide (600mg/m2)], second line treatment [Capecitabine (1g/m2) + Paclitaxel (170mg/m2)] and clinical response were extracted.Results: Complete remission after first and second line treatments were observed in 36 (38.3%, 95% CI: 28.5 to 48.9) and 34 (58.6%, 95% CI: .44.9 to 71.4) respectively. After both first and second line treatment 70 (74.5%, 95% CI: 64.4 - 82.9) had gone into remission. Prevalence of ER, PR, HER2/neu and Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) were 34.0% (95% CI: 24.6 to 44.5), 20.2% (95% CI: 12.6 to 29.7), 8.5% (95% CI: 3.7 to 16.1) and 59.6% (95%CI: 48.9 to 69.6) respectively. ER and PR positivity were independently associated with complete remission after first line treatment while TNBC was associated with non-remission. Conversely ER was independently associated with non-remission after second line treatment while TNBC was associated with complete remission. Conclusion: ER and TNBC status are significant predictors of complete remission and non-remission respectively after chemotherapy for breast cancer patient in Ghana.................................................................Cite this article as:Amankwaa-Frempong E, Yeboah FA, Nguah SB, Afriyie OO. Response to chemotherapy and association with three tumour markers in breast cancer patients in Ghana. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(3):02034. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0203.4</p