Brain Metastasis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Central nervous system metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are uncommon. The patient presented was diagnosed with aggressive advanced NPC resistant to treatment and complicated by a solitary brain metastasis. A PubMed database search was conducted to review the existing literature regarding brain metastases of NPC, using the search terms “nasopharyngeal neoplasia,” “nasopharyngeal carcinoma,” “nasopharynx,” “radiotherapy,” “central nervous system,” and “brain” in section of “Title/Abstract.” The articles were first evaluated by title and then by abstract, and thereafter appropriate manuscripts were evaluated by full text. References of the published papers were also reviewed

Low Dose-Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy in Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of Ir-192 interstitial brachytherapy as an adjunct to wide local excision as a functionsaving strategy for soft tissue sarcomas

Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Salivary Gland: Is Radiotherapy Alone Adequate?

Introduction. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the salivary gland is a rare tumor. Currently, surgery with or without radiotherapy is the recommended treatment for all salivary gland carcinomas. However, in contrast to other high-grade salivary gland carcinomas, LELCs are considered radiosensitive. There are only a few published reports of radiotherapy alone for the treatment of salivary gland LELC. Case. We present two cases of LELC of the salivary gland. One was treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, and the other was given a single cycle of chemotherapy and then radiotherapy. Currently, both patients have no evidence of disease. Conclusion. Radiotherapy as a single modality should be reevaluated. The role of systemic chemotherapy to gain systemic control should be addressed due to noteworthy metastatic disease

Current technological clinical practice in breast radiotherapy; results of a survey in EORTC-Radiation Oncology Group affiliated institutions

PURPOSE: To evaluate the current technological clinical practice of radiation therapy of the breast in institutions participating in the EORTC-Radiation Oncology Group (EORTC-ROG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted between August 2008 and January 2009 on behalf of the Breast Working Party within the EORTC-ROG. The questionnaire comprised 32 questions on 4 main topics: fractionation schedules, treatment planning methods, volume definitions and position verification procedures. RESULTS: Sixty-eight institutions out of 16 countries responded (a response rate of 47%). The standard fraction dose was generally 2Gy for both breast and boost treatment, although a 2.67 Gy boost fraction dose is routinely given in British institutions. The main boost modality was electrons in 55%, photons in 47% and brachytherapy in 3% of the institutions (equal use of photon and electron irradiation in 5% of the institutions). All institutions used CT-based treatment planning. Wide variations are seen in the definition of the breast and boost target volumes, with margins around the resection cavity, ranging from 0 to 30 mm. Inverse planned IMRT is available in 27% and breath-hold techniques in 19% of the institutions. The number of patients treated with IMRT and breath-hold varied per institution. Electronic portal imaging for patient set-up is used by 92% of the institutions. CONCLUSIONS: This survey provides insight in the current practice of radiation technology used in the treatment of breast cancer among institutions participating in EORTC-ROG clinical trials