The study will provide information on patients' quality of life and its variations over time in relation to the treatments received for the prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE:\ud Low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) in localized prostate cancer is available since 15 years in Italy. We realized the first national multicentre and multidisciplinary data collection to evaluate LDR-BT practice, given as monotherapy, and outcome in terms of biochemical failure.\ud METHODS:\ud Between May 1998 and December 2011, 2237 patients with early-stage prostate cancer from 11 Italian community and academic hospitals were treated with iodine-125 ((125)I) or palladium-103 LDR-BT as monotherapy and followed up for at least 2 years. (125)I seeds were implanted in 97.7% of the patients: the mean dose received by 90% of target volume was 145 Gy; the mean target volume receiving 100% of prescribed dose (V100) was 91.1%. Biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test and multivariable Cox regression were used to evaluate the relationship of covariates with outcomes.\ud RESULTS:\ud Median follow-up time was 65 months. 5- and 7-year DSS, OS and BFFS were 99 and 98%, 94 and 89%, and 92 and 88%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network score (p < 0.0001) and V100 (p = 0.09) were correlated with BFFS, with V100 effect significantly different between patients at low risk and those at intermediate/high risk (p = 0.04). Short follow-up and lack of toxicity data represent the main limitations for a global evaluation of LDR-BT.\ud CONCLUSION:\ud This first multicentre Italian report confirms LDR-BT as an excellent curative modality for low-/intermediate-risk prostate cancer.\ud ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:\ud Multidisciplinary teams may help to select adequately patients to be treated with brachytherapy, with a direct impact on the implant quality and, possibly, on outcome

No abstract

In Italy, daily practice differs in some ways from the evidence supported by the results of meta-analyses/clinical trials as regards concurrent chemoradiation approaches. It could be postulated that there is an urgent need for groups that collaborate with the other societies involved in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in order to offer the best therapy to our patients.

Background and purposeTo investigate the hypothesis on low-dose bath exposure related to radiation-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV) in adjuvant breast volumetric modulated arch therapy (VMAT).Methods and materialsA total of 106 consecutive breast cancer patients (pts) treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) with VMAT from January 2013 to May 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. For each pt, a planning CT was reimported and the coeliac plexus and gastroesophageal junction with gastric mouth (GEJCPs) were contoured as a new organ at risk (OAR) in the upper abdominal area. RINV was associated with Dmax and Dmean to GEJCPs. Univariate analysis with χ2, t-test, and Pearson’s covariance was used for statistical analysis.ResultsOf 106 pts, 64% complained of acute RINV according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.03. RINV was related to Dmax > 10 Gy and Dmean > 3 Gy to GEJCPs (P < 0.005). The radiation breast side and planning target volume (PTV) correlated with RINV.ConclusionsRINV in VMAT breast radiotherapy could be a new emerging acute side effect due to a low dose bath to upper abdominal structures such as the GEJCPs. A Dmax < 10 Gy and Dmean < 3 Gy to GEJCPs should be constrained in VMAT planning to minimize RINV risk in breast radiotherapy.

AimTo evaluate the possible role of dosimetric parameters according Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) model as predictive of late toxicity and cosmesis in hypofractionated whole-breast three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy.Patients and methodsA retrospective analysis on 215 consecutive early breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery and adjuvant hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy (according the Ontario Canadian trial), with a 6 years median follow-up was conducted. To assess the impact of 10%–20% dose hotspots on different percent values of planning target volume (PTV) of the breast, we retrospectively employed the NTCP model of Lyman. PTV breast (PTVbr), V110 were identified. For statistical analysis the χ2 and paired t-test were used to find a correlation between late skin and subcutaneous toxicity and cosmetic outcome with dosimetrical parameters Multivariate analysis was performed with the aim to assess independently the impact of dosimetric and clinical parameters on late toxicity and cosmesis using Pearson’s covariance.ResultsLate skin toxicity was recorded in 47/215 (22%); and G3 toxicity occurred in 11 patients (5%). Cosmesis with excellent–good score was found in 172 patients (80%) while fair–poor score was found in 43 patients (20%). In univariate χ2 analysis the V110 >10% of the PTV breast significantly correlated with higher toxicity (P<0.005, OR 9.60 [CI 3.89–23.72]). Cosmesis related to V110 >10% and PTV breast volume over 1,300 cc was significant at multivariate analysis (P<0.005, OR 6.07 [CI 2.36–15.59]).ConclusionTo safely use one of the most important whole-breast hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules, we found some predictive paramaters on the basis of NTCP model by Lyman. These parameters may be useful in selection of elegible patients.

BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 and ATM gene mutations are the most studied tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) influencing the loco-regional approach to breast cancer (BC). Due to altered radio sensitivity of mutated cancer cells, mastectomy has always been advised in most patients with BC linked to TSGs mutations in order to avoid or minimize the use of adjuvant radiotherapy (ART). Whether ART is safe or not in these carriers is still debated. As a result, this issue has been widely discussed in the recent ASTRO and ASCO papers, yielding important and useful recommendations on the use of ART according to the mutational status. In this review, we have highlighted the impact of these mutations on local control, toxicities, second tumors, and contralateral breast cancers (CBCs) after ART to solve remaining doubts and encourage the safe use of ART when indicated.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard approach for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Despite its undisputed advantages, CCRT is associated with acute and late toxicities, leading to unfavorable implications (eg, unplanned interruptions and noncancer-related mortality). The former prolongs the overall treatment time leading to a detrimental effect on tumor control. The latter consists of several noncancer morbidities arising from treatment-related toxicities, identifying a new pathway in cancer fate. This pathway has been termed noncancer mortality or competing mortality and consists of a series of treatment-competing morbidities, which nullify all therapeutic efforts aimed at curing these patients. The management of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who experience treatment-related toxicities is complex and requires expertise in oncological treatment as well as supportive care. The optimal management of these patients should start with knowledge regarding the most important competing morbidities developing during all phases of the disease (ie, from diagnosis to follow-up) to minimize treatment interruptions, ensure appropriate psychological support, and achieve the best oncological result. The purpose of the present review is to analyze the most important competing morbidities due to patient’s condition at baseline and CCRT, which could result in noncancer mortality. A multidisciplinary team approach is strongly required in the management of this disease.