Utility of 30-day mortality as a quality metric for palliative radiation treatment: A population-based analysis from Queensland, Australia.

Introduction: Palliative radiotherapy (PRT) is frequently used to treat symptoms of advanced cancer, however benefits are questionable when life expectancy is limited. The 30-day mortality rate after PRT is a potential quality indicator, and results from a recent meta-analysis suggest a benchmark of 16% as an upper limit. In this population-based study from Queensland, Australia, we examined 30-day mortality rates following PRT and factors associated with decreased life expectancy.

Longitudinal trajectory of quality of life for patients with melanoma brain metastases: A secondary analysis from a whole brain radiotherapy randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Brain metastases are common in patients with advanced melanoma. This study describes 12-month quality of life (QoL) trajectories following local management of 1-3 melanoma brain metastases.

Methods: This study assessed QoL data collected during a multi-center, prospective, open-label, phase III randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of adjuvant whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with observation after local treatment of 1-3 melanoma brain metastases.

Individual patient data meta-analysis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery versus upfront surgery for carcinoma of the oesophagus or the gastro-oesophageal junction.

Introduction: Which neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced thoracic oesophagus (TE) or gastro-oesophageal junction carcinoma is best remains an open question. Randomised controlled trials variously accrued patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, making strong conclusions hard to obtain. The primary objective of this individual participant data meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival (OS).

Adjuvant Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy Compared With Observation After Local Treatment of Melanoma Brain Metastases: A Multicenter, Randomized Phase III Trial.

Purpose: The brain is a common site of metastasis for patients with high-risk melanoma. Although surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery are highly effective local treatments for a small number of metastases, there is a high risk of developing additional brain metastases. The role of adjuvant whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in reducing new metastases is controversial, with a lack of high-level evidence specifically for melanoma.

Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) after local treatment of brain metastases in melanoma patients: Statistical Analysis Plan.

Background: The WBRTMel trial is a multinational, open-label, phase III randomised controlled trial comparing whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) to observation following local treatment of one to three melanoma brain metastases with surgery and/or stereotactic irradiation. The primary trial endpoint was to determine the effect of adding WBRT to local treatment on distant intracranial control, and the secondary endpoints were neurocognitive function, quality of life (QoL), performance status, overall survival, death from intracranial causes, death from melanoma and cost-effectiveness.

Objective: The objective of this update is to outline and publish the pre-determined statistical analysis plan (SAP) before the database lock and the start of analysis.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Background: The optimal treatment strategy for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remains undetermined. This study compared outcomes in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for EAC.

Methods: Patients who underwent nCT or nCRT followed by surgery for EAC were identified from a prospective database (2000-2017) and included.

Adjuvant lymph-node field radiotherapy versus observation only in patients with melanoma at high risk of further lymph-node field relapse after lymphadenectomy (ANZMTG 01.02/TROG 02.01): 6-year follow-up of a phase 3, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended for patients with melanoma after lymphadenectomy. We previously showed this treatment reduced risk of repeat lymph-node field cancer in patients with a high risk of recurrence but had no effect on overall survival. Here, we aim to update the relapse and survival data from that trial and assess quality of life and toxic effects.

Role of radiotherapy in the pre-operative management of carcinoma of the esophagus.

The use of radiotherapy in the management of carcinoma of the esophagus and gastro-esophageal junction has undergone much evolution over the past 2 decades. Advances to define its role have been slow with meta-analyses often providing the most useful data. In spite of this many institutions around the world are divided about the role of radiotherapy in this disease and attribute different roles to radiotherapy based on clinical stage, tumor site and histology.

Long-term results of positron emission tomography-directed management of the neck in node-positive head and neck cancer after organ preservation therapy.

Objectives: The current study presents the long-term results from a study designed to evaluate a restaging positron emission tomography (PET) directed policy whereby neck dissections were omitted in all node positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (N+HNSCC) patients with PET-negative lymph nodes after definitive radiotherapy (RT), with or without chemotherapy.

Methods: A post-therapy nodal response assessment with PET and computed tomography (CT) was performed in patients who achieved a complete response at the primary site after definitive radiotherapy. Patients with PET-negative lymph nodes were observed regardless of residual CT abnormalities.

Melanoma brain metastases: the impact of nodal disease.

Brain metastases (BMs) are a major source of mortality and morbidity in patients with melanoma. This study assesses prognostic nodal factors in patients with nodal metastatic melanoma with respect to the development of BMs. The aim was to identify a high risk subset that may benefit from brain directed management.

Stage III melanoma in the axilla: patterns of regional recurrence after surgery with and without adjuvant radiation therapy.

Purpose: To describe the anatomic distribution of regionally recurrent disease in patients with stage III melanoma in the axilla after curative-intent surgery with and without adjuvant radiation therapy.

Methods And Materials: A single-institution, retrospective analysis of a prospective database of 277 patients undergoing curative-intent treatment for stage III melanoma in the axilla between 1992 and 2012 was completed. For patients who received radiation therapy and those who did not, patterns of regional recurrence were analyzed, and univariate analyses were performed to assess for potential factors associated with location of recurrence.

The complex relationship between lung tumor volume and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated by definitive radiotherapy: a prospective, observational prognostic factor study of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG 99.05).

Background And Purpose: To investigate the hypothesis that primary tumor volume is prognostic independent of T and N stages in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by definitive radiotherapy.

Materials And Methods: Multicenter prospective observational study. Patient eligibility: pathologically proven stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer planned for definitive radiotherapy (minimum 50 Gy in 20 fractions) using CT-based contouring.

Economic analysis of FDG-PET-guided management of the neck after primary chemoradiotherapy for node-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The aim of this economic analysis was to model different strategies using pre-treatment nodal stage or nodal response assessment with CT or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT to determine the need for neck dissection.

Methods: A cost-minimization analysis was developed on the basis of probability data from a prospective study of PET-guided management of the neck in patients achieving a complete response at the primary site. Costs were derived from our institution's activity-based clinical costing system.

Adjuvant radiotherapy versus observation alone for patients at risk of lymph-node field relapse after therapeutic lymphadenectomy for melanoma: a randomised trial.

Background: The use of radiotherapy after therapeutic lymphadenectomy for patients with melanoma at high risk of further lymph-node field and distant recurrence is controversial. Decisions for radiotherapy in this setting are made on the basis of retrospective, non-randomised studies. We did this randomised trial to assess the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on lymph-node field control in patients who had undergone therapeutic lymphadenectomy for metastatic melanoma in regional lymph nodes.

Results of a prospective study of positron emission tomography-directed management of residual nodal abnormalities in node-positive head and neck cancer after definitive radiotherapy with or without systemic therapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to present our prospectively evaluated positron emission tomography (PET)-directed policy for managing the neck in node-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (N+HNSCC) after definitive radiotherapy (RT) with or without concurrent systemic therapy.

Methods: One hundred twelve consecutive patients who achieved a complete response at the primary site underwent a 12-week posttherapy nodal response assessment with PET and diagnostic CT. Patients with an equivocal PET underwent a repeat PET 4 to 6 weeks later.

A randomized phase II trial of two regimens of moderate dose chemoradiation therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer not suitable for curative therapy: Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Study TROG 03.07.

Background: There are patients with stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are not suitable for curative radical chemoradiation therapy. There are patients with an isolated solitary extracranial metastasis who have improved outcomes compared with those with cranial or multiple metastases. Patients of good performance status receiving moderate dose radiation therapy have improved survival.

Survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for resectable oesophageal carcinoma: an updated meta-analysis.

Background: In a previous meta-analysis, we identified a survival benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy before surgery in patients with resectable oesophageal carcinoma. We updated this meta-analysis with results from new or updated randomised trials presented in the past 3 years. We also compared the benefits of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

T1-2 anal carcinoma requires elective inguinal radiation treatment--the results of Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group study TROG 99.02.

Background And Purpose: Elective inguinal irradiation increases morbidity. We describe outcomes of moderate intensity chemoradiation treating anal canal and adjacent pelvic nodes only.

Material And Methods: Forty patients with T1-2, N0 anal carcinoma were enrolled between March 1999 and March 2003.

Is concurrent radiation therapy required in patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus? A randomised phase II trial.

Introduction: Preoperative chemotherapy (CT) and preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for resectable oesophageal cancer have been shown to improve overall survival in meta-analyses. There are limited data comparing these preoperative therapies. We report the outcomes of a randomised phase II trial comparing preoperative CT and CRT for resectable adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction.

A novel treatment for metastatic melanoma with intralesional rose bengal and radiotherapy: a case series.

Three patients with metastatic melanoma were treated with intralesional rose bengal followed by external beam radiotherapy. In all cases patients had an impressive response without significant increase in acute radiation reaction.

Role of functional imaging in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and beyond.

Positron emission tomography (PET) has emerged as an integral diagnostic tool in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This article reviews the usefulness and ongoing dilemmas of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18-F FDG) PET and FDG PET/CT in HNSCC. In addition, it examines the potential role of novel markers and biologic characterization of disease, which in the future may assist in targeted therapeutic strategies.

Enhanced toxicity with concurrent cetuximab and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer.

Purpose: To report toxicity data from the first 13 consecutive patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC), ineligible for cisplatin, treated with concurrent cetuximab and radiotherapy (RT) at our institution.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected prospectively between August 2007 and May 2008. Planned treatment consisted of a cetuximab loading dose (400mg/m(2)) via intravenous infusion 1 week prior and then weekly (250mg/m(2)) with 70Gy in 35 daily fractions over 7 weeks.

A phase II trial of chemoradiation therapy with weekly oxaliplatin and protracted infusion of 5-fluorouracil for esophageal cancer.

Background: Chemoradiation therapy using regimens containing cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil are most commonly used for inoperable cancer of the esophagus. Cisplatin is relatively toxic and is not suitable for many patients. Little data exists using platinum analogues together with protracted infusion 5-fluorouracil and radiation therapy in the curative setting.

Hypofractionated radiotherapy for the palliation of advanced head and neck cancer in patients unsuitable for curative treatment--"Hypo Trial".

Background And Purpose: The primary purpose of the trial was to assess rate of tumour response to a hypofractionated course of radiotherapy in patients with incurable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Secondary objectives included radiation toxicity, symptom control, quality of life (QoL) and progression-free and overall survival.

Patients And Methods: Patients were planned to receive 30 Gy in 5 fractions at 2/week, at least 3 days apart, with an additional boost of 6 Gy for small volume disease (< or =3 cm) in suitable patients.