Spinal intradural extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma (EES) involving the central nervous system is rare, but can be diagnosed and distinguished from other primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) by identification of the chromosomal translocation (11;22)(q24;q12). We report EES arising from the spinal intradural extramedullary space, based on imaging, histopathological, and molecular data in two men, ages 50 and 60 years old and a review of the literature using PubMed (1970–2009). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) identified the fusion product FL1-EWS. Multimodal therapy, including radiation and alternating chemotherapy including vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and ifosfamide and etoposide led to local tumor control and an initial, favorable therapeutic response. No systemic involvement was seen from the time of diagnosis to the time of last follow-up (26 months) or death (4 years). This report confirms that EES is not confined to the earliest decades of life, and like its rare occurrence as an extra-axial meningeal based mass intracranially, can occasionally present as an intradural mass in the spinal canal without evidence of systemic tumor. Gross total resection followed by multimodal therapy may provide for extended progression free and overall survival

A prospective study evaluating surgery and chemo radiation in muscle invasive bladder cancer

Aim : The aim of our study was to compare the two standard treatment approaches in muscle invasive carcinoma of urinary bladder - radical cystectomy and chemo radiation. Materials and Methods : Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder of stages, T2 to T4, N0/N1/N2 and MO were included in the study. Patients were allotted to two arms of the study. Arm A consisted of radical cystectomy. Adjuvant CMV chemotherapy was given for T3/T4 or Node positive disease only. Arm B received 2 cycles of neoadjuvant CMV chemo therapy followed by concurrent chemo radiation Results : Forty-four patients were recruited into the study. Thirty patients in the surgical arm and 13 patients in the chemo radiation arm. The actuarial two-year survival rate in surgical arm is 56% while in chemo radiation arm it is 54%. There was no statistically significant difference in disease-free survival also between the two groups. Conclusion : Chemo radiation yielded equivalent survival results with radical cystectomy. So it is worth giving preference to chemo radiation that will give a better quality of life for the patient

A prospective study evaluating surgery and chemo radiation in muscle invasive bladder cancer

Aim : The aim of our study was to compare the two standard treatment approaches in muscle invasive carcinoma of urinary bladder - radical cystectomy and chemo radiation. Materials and Methods : Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder of stages, T2 to T4, N0/N1/N2 and MO were included in the study. Patients were allotted to two arms of the study. Arm A consisted of radical cystectomy. Adjuvant CMV chemotherapy was given for T3/T4 or Node positive disease only. Arm B received 2 cycles of neoadjuvant CMV chemo therapy followed by concurrent chemo radiation Results : Forty-four patients were recruited into the study. Thirty patients in the surgical arm and 13 patients in the chemo radiation arm. The actuarial two-year survival rate in surgical arm is 56% while in chemo radiation arm it is 54%. There was no statistically significant difference in disease-free survival also between the two groups. Conclusion : Chemo radiation yielded equivalent survival results with radical cystectomy. So it is worth giving preference to chemo radiation that will give a better quality of life for the patient

Brief Report - Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance based target volume in brain tumors

Purpose : This study was mainly framed to study the difference in tumor volumes as seen on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) and their significance in planning. Materials and Methods : Twenty-five patients with brain tumor of different diagnoses who underwent stereotactic radiotherapy were included in this study. CT and MR imaging was done for all the patients with 2.5 mm slice thickness. The CT tumor volume and MR tumor volume were measured and compared with each other. The center of mass (CM) of the tumor volume delineated on CT and MR were computed and the shift between the two CMs was determined. Results : The mean and median volume of the tumor as measured from MR scans was 19.67 cc \ub1 13.73 and 16.13 cc (range: 3.25 cc - 50.37 cc). Similarly, the mean and median volume of the tumor as measured from CT scans was 15.05 cc \ub1 10.13 and 11.63 cc (range: 3.0 cc - 36.25 cc) respectively. The mean and median CM shift between CT and MR was 5.47 mm and 5.21 mm respectively. Conclusion : The study demonstrates that MR is an indispensable imaging modality in radiotherapy for planning brain tumors

Field-in-field technique for upper abdominal malignancies in clinical radiotherapy

Background: In upper abdominal malignancies (UAM), due to the presence of multiple inhomogeneous tissues, a wedge-based conformal treatment planning results in high-dose regions inside the target volume. Aim: This study was designed to explore the feasibility of using a field-in-field (FIF) technique in different UAM and its efficacy in reducing the high-dose regions. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients of UAM (which included malignancies of the gastroesophageal junction, stomach, gall bladder, and pancreas) were selected for this study. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed and three-dimensional conformal wedge plans were generated for all the cases. The same plan was copied with the wedges removed and a FIF plan was generated. The two plans were compared for mean, maximum, and median doses; dose received by 2% (D2) and 98% (D98) of the target volume; volume receiving> 107% (V > 107%) and < 95% (V < 95%) of the prescribed dose; conformality index (CI); and total monitor units. The doses to critical structures such as liver, kidneys, and spinal cord were also compared. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS, version 10.0. Results: For all the cases, the FIF technique was better than wedge-based planning in terms of maximum dose, D2, V > 107%, and CI; there was a statistically significant reduction in monitor units. With regard to doses to critical structures, there was marginal dose reduction for the kidneys and spinal cord with FIF as compared to wedge-based planning. Conclusion: The FIF technique can be employed for UAM in place of wedge-based conformal treatment plans

Brief Report - Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance based target volume in brain tumors

Purpose : This study was mainly framed to study the difference in tumor volumes as seen on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) and their significance in planning. Materials and Methods : Twenty-five patients with brain tumor of different diagnoses who underwent stereotactic radiotherapy were included in this study. CT and MR imaging was done for all the patients with 2.5 mm slice thickness. The CT tumor volume and MR tumor volume were measured and compared with each other. The center of mass (CM) of the tumor volume delineated on CT and MR were computed and the shift between the two CMs was determined. Results : The mean and median volume of the tumor as measured from MR scans was 19.67 cc ± 13.73 and 16.13 cc (range: 3.25 cc - 50.37 cc). Similarly, the mean and median volume of the tumor as measured from CT scans was 15.05 cc ± 10.13 and 11.63 cc (range: 3.0 cc - 36.25 cc) respectively. The mean and median CM shift between CT and MR was 5.47 mm and 5.21 mm respectively. Conclusion : The study demonstrates that MR is an indispensable imaging modality in radiotherapy for planning brain tumors

A prospective study evaluating surgery and chemo radiation in muscle invasive bladder cancer

Aim : The aim of our study was to compare the two standard treatment approaches in muscle invasive carcinoma of urinary bladder - radical cystectomy and chemo radiation. Materials and Methods : Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder of stages, T2 to T4, N0/N1/N2 and MO were included in the study. Patients were allotted to two arms of the study. Arm A consisted of radical cystectomy. Adjuvant CMV chemotherapy was given for T3/T4 or Node positive disease only. Arm B received 2 cycles of neoadjuvant CMV chemo therapy followed by concurrent chemo radiation Results : Forty-four patients were recruited into the study. Thirty patients in the surgical arm and 13 patients in the chemo radiation arm. The actuarial two-year survival rate in surgical arm is 56% while in chemo radiation arm it is 54%. There was no statistically significant difference in disease-free survival also between the two groups. Conclusion : Chemo radiation yielded equivalent survival results with radical cystectomy. So it is worth giving preference to chemo radiation that will give a better quality of life for the patient

A simple technique for cranio-spinal irradiation in pediatric patients

Purpose: Field matching poses challenges in craniospinal irradiation (CSI) as it leads either to underdosage or overdosage in the junctional area. A simple technique for CSI in pediatric patients is proposed. Materials and Methods: Computed tomography scans were performed in the prone position. Two lateral cranial fields and a direct posterior spinal field were planned with a common central axis. Half-beam-blocked cranial fields with zero collimator rotation were used for treating the cranium. A half-beam-blocked field defined with jaws was used to treat the spinal column at an extended source-to-surface distance. Before treating the patient, matching of the cranial and spinal field junction along the central axis was verified with an extended dose range film. Results and Conclusion: The technique described is simple and easy to implement and can be applied to pediatric patients undergoing CSI. This method has the potential to reduce daily setup time and setup errors. This technique is ideally suitable for patients with spinal fields less than 30 cm