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Radiation Oncology (London, England) Mar 2021Due to improved imaging sensitivity, the term "oligometastatic" prostate cancer disease is diagnosed more often, leading to an increasing interest in metastasis-directed...
BACKGROUND
Due to improved imaging sensitivity, the term "oligometastatic" prostate cancer disease is diagnosed more often, leading to an increasing interest in metastasis-directed therapy (MDT). There are two types of radiation based MDT applied when treating oligometastatic disease: (1) stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) generally used for bone metastases; or (2) SBRT for isolated nodal oligometastases combined with prophylactic elective nodal radiotherapy. This review aims to summarize current evidence data, which may shed light on the optimal management of this heterogeneous group of patients.
METHODS
A systematic review of the Medline database through PubMed was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. All relevant studies published up to November 2020 were identified and screened. Fifty-six titles were included. Besides outcome parameters, different prognostic and predictive factors were assessed, including site of metastases, time between primary treatment and MDT, use of systemic therapies, hormone sensitivity, as well as pattern of recurrence.
FINDINGS
Evidence consists largely of retrospective case series and no consistent precise definition of oligometastasis exists, however, most investigators seem to acknowledge the need to distinguish between patients presenting with what is frequently called "synchronous" versus "metachronous" oligometastatic disease. Available data on radiotherapy as MDT demonstrate high local control rates and a small but relevant proportion of patients without progressive disease after 2 years. This holds true for both hormone sensitive and castration resistant prostate cancer diseases. The use of Ga-PSMA PET/CT for staging increased dramatically. Radiation doses and field sizes varied considerably among the studies. The search for relevant prognostic and predictive factors is ongoing.
CONCLUSIONS
To our best knowledge this review on oligometastatic prostate cancer included the largest number of original articles. It demonstrates the therapeutic potential and challenges of MDT for oligometastatic prostate cancer. Prospective studies are under way and will provide further high-level evidence.
Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiosurgery; Radiotherapy Dosage
PubMed: 33750437
DOI: 10.1186/s13014-021-01776-8 -
Thyroid : Official Journal of the... Mar 2021Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly lethal form of thyroid cancer. Since the guidelines for the management of ATC by the American Thyroid Association...
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly lethal form of thyroid cancer. Since the guidelines for the management of ATC by the American Thyroid Association were first published in 2012, significant clinical and scientific advances have occurred in the field. The aim of these guidelines is to inform clinicians, patients, and researchers on published evidence relating to the diagnosis and management of ATC. The specific clinical questions and topics addressed in these guidelines were based on prior versions of the guidelines, stakeholder input, and input of the Task Force members (authors of the guideline). Relevant literature was reviewed, including serial PubMed searches supplemented with additional articles. The American College of Physicians Guideline Grading System was used for critical appraisal of evidence and grading strength of recommendations. The guidelines include the diagnosis, initial evaluation, establishment of treatment goals, approaches to locoregional disease (surgery, radiotherapy, targeted/systemic therapy, supportive care during active therapy), approaches to advanced/metastatic disease, palliative care options, surveillance and long-term monitoring, and ethical issues, including end of life. The guidelines include 31 recommendations and 16 good practice statements. We have developed evidence-based recommendations to inform clinical decision-making in the management of ATC. While all care must be individualized, such recommendations provide, in our opinion, optimal care paradigms for patients with ATC.
Topics: Consensus; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Medical Oncology; Prognosis; Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic; Thyroid Neoplasms
PubMed: 33728999
DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0944 -
Surgical Neurology International 2021Stereotactic brain biopsy techniques have been a focus of rapid technological innovation. The recent advent of frameless stereotaxy has invited the question of whether...
BACKGROUND
Stereotactic brain biopsy techniques have been a focus of rapid technological innovation. The recent advent of frameless stereotaxy has invited the question of whether it can provide the same diagnostic yield as frame-based techniques, without increasing risk of harm to patients. The goal of this meta-analysis was to compare each of these techniques in terms of yield and safety.
METHODS
We independently searched four databases for English studies comparing frameless and frame-based stereotactic brain biopsies. Our primary outcome was biopsy diagnostic yield. Our secondary outcomes included mortality, morbidity (e.g., symptomatic postbiopsy intracranial hemorrhage, asymptomatic postbiopsy intracranial hemorrhage, new postbiopsy neurological deficit, and postbiopsy seizure), and frequency of repeat biopsy. We calculated pooled estimates and relative risks for dichotomous outcomes using Review Manager 5.3, with corresponding 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
A total of 3256 stereotactic brain biopsies (2050 frame based and 1206 frameless), from 20 studies, were included in our final analysis. The results did not demonstrate any significant difference between the two stereotactic systems in terms of diagnostic yield (risk ratio [RR] 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99-1.02, = 0.64, I = 0%). The only significant difference was the increased frequency of asymptomatic hemorrhages in the frameless group (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.06-1.75, = 0.01, I = 0%). Application of Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to the results yielded very low quality of all outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Based on very low-quality evidence, both frame-based and frameless stereotaxy are safe and effective for biopsy of intracranial tumors. Further study of patient preference and cost comparing analysis is required to identify if either modality should be preferred.
PubMed: 33654555
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_824_2020 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Apr 2021To analyze the rate of potentially avoidable needle biopsies in mammographically suspicious calcifications if supplementary Contrast-Enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) is negative. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
To analyze the rate of potentially avoidable needle biopsies in mammographically suspicious calcifications if supplementary Contrast-Enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) is negative.
METHODS
Using predefined criteria, a systematic review was performed. Studies investigating the use of supplemental CE-MRI in the setting of mammographically suspicious calcifications undergoing stereotactic biopsy and published between 2000 and 2020 were eligible. Two reviewers extracted study characteristics and true positives (TP), false positives, true negatives and false negatives (FN). Specificity, in this setting equaling the number of avoidable biopsies and FN rates were calculated. The maximum pre-test probability at which post-test probabilities of a negative CE-MRI met with BI-RADS benchmarks was determined by a Fagan nomogram. Random-effects models, I-statistics, Deek's funnel plot testing and meta-regression were employed. P-values <0.05 were considered significant.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies investigating 1414 lesions with a cancer prevalence of 43.6% (range: 22.7-66.9%) were included. No publication bias was found (P = 0.91). CE-MRI performed better in pure microcalcification studies compared to those also including associate findings (P < 0.001). In the first group, the pooled rate of avoidable biopsies was 80.6% (95%-CI: 64.6-90.5%) while the overall and invasive cancer FN rates were 3.7% (95%-CI: 1.2-6.2%) and 1.6% (95%-CI 0-3.6%), respectively. Up to a pre-test probability of 22%, the post-test probability did not exceed 2%.
CONCLUSION
A negative supplementary CE-MRI could potentially avoid 80.6% of unnecessary stereotactic biopsies in BI-RADS 4 microcalcifications at a cost of 3.7% missed breast cancers, 1.6% invasive. BI-RADS benchmarks for downgrading mammographic calcifications would be met up to a pretest probability of 22%.
Topics: Biopsy, Needle; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Calcinosis; Contrast Media; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mammography; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 33618160
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.02.002 -
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Aug 2022The United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend that patients and professionals make shared decisions between surgery and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend that patients and professionals make shared decisions between surgery and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) when treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Variation by center suggests treatment decisions may be disproportionately influenced by clinician judgment and treatment availability rather than by patient preference. This systematic review critically evaluates studies of patient and clinician preferences for treatment of early-stage NSCLC.
METHODS
Primary empirical research up to April 30, 2020, was identified from searches of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and Web of Science databases. Data extracted included study characteristics and methods, preferences for NSCLC treatment, and involvement in decision making and risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesized using descriptive data and narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
Included in the review were 23 studies, of which 18 measured patient preferences, 4 clinician preferences, and 1 both clinician and patient preferences. Patients and clinicians were both most likely to prefer a collaborative role in treatment decisions. Most patients did not recall there being a choice between surgery or SABR options and thus experienced minimal decisional conflict.
CONCLUSIONS
For professionals to support patients in making informed, value-based decisions about NSCLC treatments, better quality evidence is needed of the clinical and quality of life trade-offs for both surgery and SABR.
Topics: Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Decision Making; Decision Making, Shared; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Quality of Life; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
PubMed: 33581150
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.01.046 -
Cancer Medicine Feb 2021A combination of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors and radiotherapy (RT) is increasingly being used to treat... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A combination of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors and radiotherapy (RT) is increasingly being used to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the safety and efficacy of this approach remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the related research.
METHODS
We searched the China Biology Medicine, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PubMed databases for all the relevant studies. The Stata software, version 12.0 was used for the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
The study included 20 clinical trials that enrolled 2027 patients with NSCLC. Compared with non-combination therapy, combination therapy using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and RT was associated with prolonged overall survival (OS) (1-year OS: odds ratio [OR] 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-2.33, p = 0.000; 2-year OS: OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.35-2.33, p = 0.000) and progression-free survival (PFS) (0.5-year PFS: OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.13-2.98, p = 0.014; 1-year PFS: OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.29-3.38, p = 0.003; 2-year PFS: OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.13-5.37, p = 0.023). Combination therapy also improved the objective response rate (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.06-7.19, p = 0.038) and disease control rate (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.21-2.68, p = 0.004). This meta-analysis showed that compared with non-combination therapy, combination therapy using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and RT did not increase the serious adverse event rates (≥grade 3); however, this approach increased the rate of grade 1-2 immune-related or radiation pneumonitis. Subgroup analyses revealed that the sequence of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors followed RT outperformed in which concurrent PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and RT followed PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor. Combination of stereotactic body RT or stereotactic radiosurgery with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors may be more effective than a combination of conventional RT with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with advanced NSCLC.
CONCLUSION
Combination therapy using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and RT may improve OS, PFS, and tumor response rates without an increase in serious adverse events in patients with advanced NSCLC. However, combination therapy was shown to increase the incidence of mild pneumonitis.
Topics: B7-H1 Antigen; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Chemoradiotherapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Lung Neoplasms; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Radiosurgery; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Survival Rate
PubMed: 33465302
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3718 -
European Journal of Endocrinology Mar 2021Corticotroph tumor progression (CTP) leading to Nelson's syndrome (NS) is a severe and difficult-to-treat complication subsequent to bilateral adrenalectomy (BADX) for...
BACKGROUND
Corticotroph tumor progression (CTP) leading to Nelson's syndrome (NS) is a severe and difficult-to-treat complication subsequent to bilateral adrenalectomy (BADX) for Cushing's disease. Its characteristics are not well described, and consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment are missing.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed focusing on clinical studies and case series (≥5 patients). Definition, cumulative incidence, treatment and long-term outcomes of CTP/NS after BADX were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results were presented and discussed at an interdisciplinary consensus workshop attended by international pituitary experts in Munich on October 28, 2018.
RESULTS
Data covered definition and cumulative incidence (34 studies, 1275 patients), surgical outcome (12 studies, 187 patients), outcome of radiation therapy (21 studies, 273 patients), and medical therapy (15 studies, 72 patients).
CONCLUSIONS
We endorse the definition of CTP-BADX/NS as radiological progression or new detection of a pituitary tumor on thin-section MRI. We recommend surveillance by MRI after 3 months and every 12 months for the first 3 years after BADX. Subsequently, we suggest clinical evaluation every 12 months and MRI at increasing intervals every 2-4 years (depending on ACTH and clinical parameters). We recommend pituitary surgery as first-line therapy in patients with CTP-BADX/NS. Surgery should be performed before extrasellar expansion of the tumor to obtain complete and long-term remission. Conventional radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery should be utilized as second-line treatment for remnant tumor tissue showing extrasellar extension.
Topics: ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma; Adenoma; Adrenalectomy; Disease Progression; Humans; Nelson Syndrome
PubMed: 33444221
DOI: 10.1530/EJE-20-1088 -
International Journal of Radiation... May 2021Ultrahypofractionationed radiation therapy for prostate cancer is increasingly studied and adopted. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine Working Group on...
PURPOSE
Ultrahypofractionationed radiation therapy for prostate cancer is increasingly studied and adopted. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine Working Group on Biological Effects of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy therefore aimed to review studies examining toxicity and quality of life after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer and model its effect.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
We performed a systematic PubMed search of prostate SBRT studies published between 2001 and 2018. Those that analyzed factors associated with late urinary, bowel, or sexual toxicity and/or quality of life were included and reviewed. Normal tissue complication probability modelling was performed on studies that contained detailed dose/volume and outcome data.
RESULTS
We found 13 studies that examined urinary effects, 6 that examined bowel effects, and 4 that examined sexual effects. Most studies included patients with low-intermediate risk prostate cancer treated to 35-40 Gy. Most patients were treated with 5 fractions, with several centers using 4 fractions. Endpoints were heterogeneous and included both physician-scored toxicity and patient-reported quality of life. Most toxicities were mild-moderate (eg, grade 1-2) with a very low overall incidence of severe toxicity (eg, grade 3 or higher, usually <3%). Side effects were associated with both dosimetric and non-dosimetric factors.
CONCLUSIONS
Prostate SBRT appears to be overall well tolerated, with determinants of toxicity that include dosimetric factors and patient factors. Suggested dose constraints include bladder V(Rx Dose)Gy <5-10 cc, urethra Dmax <38-42 Gy, and rectum Dmax <35-38 Gy, though current data do not offer firm guidance on tolerance doses. Several areas for future research are suggested.
Topics: Humans; Male; Models, Biological; Models, Theoretical; Organs at Risk; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Penis; Prostatic Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Radiation Dose Hypofractionation; Radiosurgery; Rectum; Urethra; Urinary Bladder
PubMed: 33358229
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.09.054 -
Neuro-oncology Advances 2020The incidence and clinical features of the malignant transformation of benign meningiomas are poorly understood. This study examined the risk of the malignant...
BACKGROUND
The incidence and clinical features of the malignant transformation of benign meningiomas are poorly understood. This study examined the risk of the malignant transformation of benign meningiomas after surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed studies published between 1979 and 2019 using PubMed, Scopus, and other sources. We analyzed pooled data according to the PRISMA guideline to clarify the incidence rate of malignant transformation (IMT) and factors affecting malignant transformation in surgically or radiosurgically treated benign meningiomas.
RESULTS
IMT was 2.98/1000 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9-4.3) in 13 studies in a single-arm meta-analysis. Although the evidence level of the included studies was low, the heterogeneity of the incidence was mostly explained by the tumor location. In meta-regression analysis, skull base tumors had a significantly lower IMT than non-skull base tumors, but no gender association was observed. IMT after radiosurgery in 9 studies was 0.50/1000 person-years (95% CI = 0.02-1.38). However, a higher proportion of skull base tumors, lower proportion of males, and lower salvage surgery rate were observed in the radiosurgery group than in the surgery group. The median time to malignant change was 5 years (interquartile range = 2.5-8.2), and the median survival after malignant transformation was 4.7 years (95% CI = 3.7-8) in individual case data.
CONCLUSION
IMT of benign meningioma was significantly affected by the tumor location. Radiosurgery did not appear to increase IMT, but exact comparisons were difficult because of differences in study populations.
PubMed: 33305267
DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa129 -
JAMA Oncology Jan 2021The oligometastatic paradigm postulates that patients with a limited number of metastases can be treated with ablative local therapy to each site of disease with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
The oligometastatic paradigm postulates that patients with a limited number of metastases can be treated with ablative local therapy to each site of disease with curative intent. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a radiation technique that has become widely used in this setting. However, prospective data are limited and are mainly from single institutional studies.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a meta-analysis to characterize the safety and clinical benefit of SABR in oligometastatic cancer.
DATA SOURCES
A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature on December 23, 2019, that included prospective clinical trials and review articles that were published within the past 15 years.
STUDY SELECTION
Inclusion criteria were single-arm or multiarm prospective trials including patients with oligometastatic cancer (ie, ≤5 sites of extracranial disease), and SABR was administered in less than or equal to 8 fractions with greater than or equal to 5 Gy/fraction.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
The Population, Intervention, Control, Outcomes and Study Design; Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses; and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology methods were used to identify eligible studies. Study eligibility and data extraction were reviewed by 3 authors independently. Random-effects meta-analyses using the Knapp-Hartung correction, arcsine transformation, and restricted maximum likelihood method were conducted.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Safety (acute and late grade 3-5 toxic effects) and clinical benefit (1-year local control, 1-year overall survival, and 1-year progression-free survival).
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies comprising 943 patients and 1290 oligometastases were included. Median age was 63.8 years (interquartile range, 59.6-66.1 years) and median follow-up was 16.9 months (interquartile range, 13.7-24.5 months). The most common primary sites were prostate (22.9%), colorectal (16.6%), breast (13.1%), and lung (12.8%). The estimate for acute grade 3 to 5 toxic effect rates under the random-effects models was 1.2% (95% CI, 0%-3.8%; I2 = 50%; 95% CI, 3%-74%; and τ = 0.20%; 95% CI, 0.00%-1.43%), and the estimate for late grade 3 to 5 toxic effects was 1.7% (95% CI, 0.2%-4.6%; I2 = 54%; 95% CI, 11%-76%; and τ = 0.25%; 0.01%-1.00%). The random-effects estimate for 1-year local control was 94.7% (95% CI, 88.6%-98.6%; I2 = 90%; 95% CI, 86%-94%; and τ = 0.81%; 95% CI, 0.36%-2.38%]). The estimate for 1-year overall survival was 85.4% (95% CI, 77.1%-92.0%; I2 = 82%; 95% CI, 71%-88%; and τ = 0.72%; 95% CI, 0.30%-2.09%) and 51.4% (95% CI, 42.7%-60.1%; I2 = 58%; 95% CI, 17%-78%; and τ = 0.20%; 95% CI, 0.02%-1.21%) for 1-year progression-free survival.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this meta-analysis, SABR appears to be relatively safe in patients with oligometastatic cancer with clinically acceptable rates of acute and late grade 3 to 5 toxic effects less than 13% and with clinically acceptable rates of 1-year local control overall survival, and progression-free survival. These findings are hypothesis generating and require validation by ongoing and planned prospective clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Progression-Free Survival; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiosurgery; Survival Rate
PubMed: 33237270
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.6146