A comparative study of planning and dosimetry in locally advanced head-and-neck cancer: sequential versus simultaneous integrated boost methods in intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Objective: A head-and-neck cancer (HNC) comprises one-third load of India's cancer burden. We aim to compare the target coverage and the normal tissue sparing between sequential intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and simultaneously integrated boost (SIB)-IMRT plan for patients of locally advanced HNCs. We evaluate dosimetric parameters of two plans for a single patient and compare target coverage and conformity index (C. I.) and also assess the differences in dose received by organs at risk (OAR) by two plans. Materials and Methods: After recording the detailed history, performing a thorough clinical examination and the relevant investigations, the patients who were staged as locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx, hypopharynx, and supraglottic regions were chosen for the study. An informed consent was taken before enrolling them in study. Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the study. Three patients were female, whereas the remaining 27 were male. Of the 30 patients 19 patients (63.34%) had oropharyngeal disease and 11 had hypopharyngeal disease (36.66%). The present study reported that 24 patients had moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, two patients had well differentiated tumor, and in four patients, it was poorly differentiated carcinoma. The minimum dose, maximum dose, and the mean dose volumes of planning target volume (PTV) 1 and PTV2 which were designated as D100, Dmax and Dmean, respectively, were analyzed by both SIB and SEQ-B IMRT plans. The C. I. was derived by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 90-05 (34). The C. I. for PTV1 and PTV2 by SEQ-B and SIB IMRT plans was 0.96 versus 0.95 and 0.97 versus 0.95, respectively. The mean maximum dose to brain stem was 4230.02 cGy with SEQ-B and 4305.52 cGy with SIB plan. On analyzing the mean maximum dose received by mandible, a statistically significant sparing was seen with SIB technique. Conclusion: In the present study, as no significant difference was observed in OAR sparing except mandible in both the plans. Hence, in view of the results and comparative studies, both the plans are clinically acceptable, although taking into account the tumor coverage, the sequential boost IMRT plan arm gave better results

Palliation of brain metastases: Analysis of prognostic factors affecting overall survival

Context: Brain metastasis is one of the most feared complications of cancer that poses significant mortality and morbidity in patients with advanced cancer. The incidence is rising because of greater use of magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy; and increased survival from recent advances in immunotherapy and modern radiotherapy techniques. Despite all, the prognosis remains poor. Aims: This study aimed to analyze prognostic factors and overall survival in patients with brain metastases. Subjects and Methods: A total of 145 patients were analyzed from July 2014 to June 2015 for various prognostic factors prospectively. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan–Meier curve. Results: The median overall survival was 6 months, while 1- and 2-year survival rates were 8.3% and 1.4%, respectively. Median survival was highest with surgery followed by radiotherapy (11 months). Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) significantly improved the survival (P = 0.006). The most common primary was lung cancer (58%) and the most common histology was adenocarcinoma (36%). Most patients (38%) were diagnosed upfront with brain metastases. Most of the lesions were multiple (80%) and located in cerebrum (58%). Survival was significantly improved with female gender (P = 0.003), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) 0–2 (P = 0.006), breast primary (P = 0.004), time lag of> 6 months (P 6 months between diagnosis of the primary tumor and development of brain metastases, solitary lesion, and controlled primary tumor