Cumulative Volumetric Analysis As A Key Criterion For The Treatment of Brain Metastases.

•Number of brain metastases alone as a CyberKnife treatment criteria is inadequate.•Total tumor volume of >7cc correlates with worse patient outcomes following CyberKnife radiosurgery.•WBRT has a role in improved survival for patients with increased tumor burden. Recent studies have demonstrated diminished cognitive function, worse quality of life, and no overall survival benefit from the addition of adjuvant whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the management of brain metastases. This study analyzes the treatment outcome of SRS, specifically CyberKnife Radiosurgery, based on the total tumor volume compared to the absolute number of lesions. A retrospective analysis of hospital records at Virginia Hospital Center for patients with brain metastases who underwent CyberKnife Radiosurgery between June 2008 and June 2014 was performed. Previous treatment history, metastatic tumor dimensions, and outcomes were recorded. Predictors of neurological defects, local tumor progression, and overall survival were assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis. We identified 130 adult patients with a median age of 61.5years and a median follow-up of 7.1months. Unfavorable outcomes such as death, tumor progression, or neurological defect showed correlation with cumulative tumor volume greater than the median volume of 7cc (p<0.05). Worsening neurological defects showed an association with an increased number of lesions (p<0.02) and age (p<0.05). For local tumor progression, patients who have received WBRT were less likely to progress (.74, 95% CI, .48, 1.10), while those who received chemotherapy (1.48 95% CI, .98, 2.26), or surgery (1.56 95%, CI .98, 2.47) without WBRT were more likely to progress. Our data suggest that a cumulative tumor volume greater than 7cc correlates with worse outcomes following CyberKnife Radiosurgery. In addition, WBRT appears to have a role in improved survival for patients with increased tumor burden. A prospective study is warranted to validate these findings

Effectiveness of PET-CT as a guide for palliative radiation therapy for spinal metastases.

OBJECTIVE: As back pain is the presenting symptom in 95% of patients with epidural spinal metastases, appropriately identifying and treating the most symptomatic levels can provide significant palliation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ability of combined positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to identify spinal metastases with high metabolic activity and guide radiotherapy. We sought to correlate improvement in back pain with reduction in standard uptake value (SUV) after treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of 72 patients with spinal metastases treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy at a single center between 2002 and 2014. PET/CT was used to calculate SUVs for spinal metastases, and treatment planning was based on PET/CT results. Preoperative and postoperative pain levels were assessed in all patients. RESULTS: Reduction in pain scores was found in 78% of treated patients. A significant reduction in pain was identified in patients with \u3e5 metastases compared with fewer lesions (P \u3c 0.05). Degree of change in SUV did not correlate significantly with pain relief. However, comparing pretreatment and posttreatment PET/CT, patients with improved pain consistently displayed decreased SUV. CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT was shown to be a useful adjunct in radiation treatment planning with change in SUV correlating with symptomatic improvement. This study paves the way for future prospective studies to further assess utility and cost-effectiveness of this imaging modality in radiation treatment planning for spinal metastases

Effectiveness of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography as a Guide for Palliative Radiation Therapy for Spinal Metastases.

OBJECTIVE: As back pain is the presenting symptom in 95% of patients with epidural spinal metastases, appropriately identifying and treating the most symptomatic levels can provide significant palliation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the ability of combined positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to identify spinal metastases with high metabolic activity and guide radiotherapy. We sought to correlate improvement in back pain with reduction in standard uptake value (SUV) after treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of 72 patients with spinal metastases treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy at a single center between 2002 and 2014. PET/CT was used to calculate SUVs for spinal metastases, and treatment planning was based on PET/CT results. Preoperative and postoperative pain levels were assessed in all patients. RESULTS: Reduction in pain scores was found in 78% of treated patients. A significant reduction in pain was identified in patients with \u3e5 metastases compared with fewer lesions (P \u3c 0.05). Degree of change in SUV did not correlate significantly with pain relief. However, comparing pretreatment and posttreatment PET/CT, patients with improved pain consistently displayed decreased SUV. CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT was shown to be a useful adjunct in radiation treatment planning with change in SUV correlating with symptomatic improvement. This study paves the way for future prospective studies to further assess utility and cost-effectiveness of this imaging modality in radiation treatment planning for spinal metastases