Electron Beam Intraoperative Radiotherapy (ELIOT) in Pregnant Women with Breast Cancer: From in Vivo Dosimetry to Clinical Practice.

Background: The aim of this study was to confirm our preliminary results with in vivo dosimetry in non-pregnant breast cancer patients receiving electron beam intraoperative radiotherapy (ELIOT) and to report on the first treatment in a pregnant woman.

Patients And Methods: Following our previous experience, 5 non-pregnant patients receiving ELIOT to the tumor bed after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) were studied with thermoluminescent dosimeters positioned in the subdiaphragmatic region, within the uterus, and in the ovarian region. In December 2011, the first pregnant breast cancer patient underwent BCS and ELIOT (21 Gy at 90% isodose) during the 15th week of gestation.

Kinetic Models for Predicting Cervical Cancer Response to Radiation Therapy on Individual Basis Using Tumor Regression Measured In Vivo With Volumetric Imaging.

This article describes a macroscopic mathematical modeling approach to capture the interplay between solid tumor evolution and cell damage during radiotherapy. Volume regression profiles of 15 patients with uterine cervical cancer were reconstructed from serial cone-beam computed tomography data sets, acquired for image-guided radiotherapy, and used for model parameter learning by means of a genetic-based optimization. Patients, diagnosed with either squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, underwent different treatment modalities (image-guided radiotherapy and image-guided chemo-radiotherapy).

The role of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in oncological and non-oncological clinical settings: highlights from the 7th Meeting of AIRO--Young Members Working Group (AIRO Giovani).

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is a modern cancer treatment strategy able to deliver highly focused radiation in one or a few fractions with a radical intent in several clinical settings. Young radiation oncologists need a constant and tailored update in this context to improve patient care in daily clinical practice. A recent meeting of AIRO Giovani (AIRO--Young Members Working Group) was specifically addressed to this topic, presenting state-of-the-art knowledge, based on the latest evidence in this field.

Modeling the Interplay Between Tumor Volume Regression and Oxygenation in Uterine Cervical Cancer During Radiotherapy Treatment.

This paper describes a patient-specific mathematical model to predict the evolution of uterine cervical tumors at a macroscopic scale, during fractionated external radiotherapy. The model provides estimates of tumor regrowth and dead-cell reabsorption, incorporating the interplay between tumor regression rate and radiosensitivity, as a function of the tumor oxygenation level. Model parameters were estimated by minimizing the difference between predicted and measured tumor volumes, these latter being obtained from a set of 154 serial cone-beam computed tomography scans acquired on 16 patients along the course of the therapy.

Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer Patients With Pelvic Lymphocele After Surgery: Clinical and Dosimetric Data of 30 Patients.

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of irradiation after prostatectomy in the presence of asymptomatic pelvic lymphocele.

Patients And Methods: The inclusion criteria for this study were: (1) patients referred for postoperative (adjuvant or salvage) intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT; 66-69 Gy in 30 fractions); (2) detection of postoperative pelvic lymphocele at the simulation computed tomography [CT] scan; (3) no clinical symptoms; and (4) written informed consent. Radiotherapy toxicity and occurrence of symptoms or complications of lymphocele were analyzed.

The role of [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT in staging and treatment planning for volumetric modulated Rapidarc radiotherapy in cervical cancer: experience of the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.

Rationale: to evaluate the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([(18)F]FDG-PET) integrated with computer tomography (CT) scan [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT in the staging and target volume definition in Intensity Modulated RapidarcTM Delivery (RA-IMRT) in cervical cancer.

Methods: From June 2010 to December 2011, 66 patients affected by cervical cancer, candidates for definitive or adjuvant radiochemotherapy, underwent standard staging with CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients underwent [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT in order to exclude distant metastases and to define gross tumor volume (GTV).

Gynecologic tumors: how to communicate imaging results to the surgeon.

Gynecologic cancers are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for female patients, with an estimated 88,750 new cancer cases and 29,520 deaths in the United States in 2012. To offer the best treatment options to patients it is important that the radiologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist, and gynecologic oncologist work together with a multidisciplinary approach. Using the available diagnostic imaging modalities, the radiologist must give appropriate information to the surgeon in order to plan the best surgical approach and its timing.

Second malignancies following breast cancer treatment: a case-control study based on the Peridose methodology. Allegro project (task 5.4).

Aims And Background: To calculate peripheral radiation dose to the second primary site in patients who have developed a second malignancy after breast cancer radiotherapy (index cases) and to compare it with dose in the analogous anatomical site in radiotherapy-treated breast cancer patients who did not experience a second malignancy (controls). To evaluate the feasibility of Peridose-software peripheral dose calculation in retrospective case-control studies. MATERIAL AND STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study on 12,630 patients who underwent adjuvant breast radiotherapy was performed.

Combined 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging in radiotherapy target delineation for head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the use of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in radiotherapy target delineation for head-and-neck cancer compared with CT alone.

Methods And Materials: A total of 38 consecutive patients with head-and-neck cancer were included in this study. The primary tumor sites were as follow: 20 oropharyngeal tumors, 4 laryngeal tumors, 2 hypopharyngeal tumors, 2 paranasal sinuses tumors, 9 nasopharyngeal tumors, and 1 parotid gland tumor.