Prospective Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contrast Enhancement and Health-Related Quality of Life After Proton Therapy for Central Nervous System and Skull Base Tumors.

Purpose: Intracerebral radiation-induced contrast enhancement (RICE) can occur after photon as well as proton beam therapy (PBT). This study evaluated the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of RICE after PBT delivered to, or in direct proximity to, the brain and its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods And Materials: Four hundred twenty-one patients treated with pencil beam scanning PBT between 2017 and 2021 were included.

Proton or Carbon Ion Therapy for Skull Base Chordoma: Rationale and First Analysis of a Mono-Institutional Experience.

Background: Skull base chordomas are radio-resistant tumors that require high-dose, high-precision radiotherapy, as can be delivered by particle therapy (protons and carbon ions). We performed a first clinical outcome analysis of particle therapy based on the initial 4-years of operation.

Methods: Between August 2017 and October 2021, 44 patients were treated with proton (89%) or carbon ion therapy (11%).

Meningioma WHO I with involvement of the optical structures-does proton therapy lead to changes in quality of life with regard to subjective visual performance?

Background: In addition to local tumor control, the aim of any curative radio-oncological treatment is to maintain quality of life. In the treatment of patients with meningioma with a close relationship to optical structures, the preservation of visual performance is a particular challenge. Use of proton therapy can reduce the dose burden to organs at risk immediately adjacent to the tumor.

Preservation of Neurocognition after Proton Beam Radiation Therapy for Intracranial Tumors: First Results from REGI-MA-002015.

Purpose: Proton beam radiation therapy reduces dose to healthy brain tissue and thereby decreases the risk of treatment-related decline in neurocognition. Considering the paucity of prospective data, this study aimed to evaluate neurocognitive performance in an adult patient population with intracranial tumors.

Methods And Materials: Between 2017 and 2021, patients enrolled in the MedAustron registry study and irradiated for intracranial tumors were eligible for neurocognitive assessment.

The trends and significance of SSTR PET/CT added to MRI in follow-up imaging of low-grade meningioma treated with fractionated proton therapy.

Purpose: Overexpression of the somatostatin receptor (SSTR) has led to adoption of SSTR PET/CT for diagnosis and radiotherapy planning in meningioma, but data on SSTR expression during follow-up remain scarce. We investigated PET/CT quantifiers of SSTR tracers in WHO grade I meningioma following fractionated proton beam therapy (PBT) compared to standard response assessment with MRI.

Methods: Twenty-two patients diagnosed with low-grade meningioma treated by PBT were included.

Normofractionated and moderately hypofractionated proton therapy: comparison of acute toxicity and early quality of life outcomes.

Aim: Data on the safety of moderately hypofractionated proton beam therapy (PBT) are limited. The aim of this study is to compare the acute toxicity and early quality of life (QoL) outcomes of normofractionated (nPBT) and hypofractionated PBT (hPBT).

Material And Methods: We prospectively compared acute toxicity and QoL between patients treated with nPBT (dose per fraction 1.

Are hypothyroidism and hypogonadism clinically relevant in patients with malignant gliomas? A longitudinal trial in patients with glioma.

Background: So far, the development and course of therapy-induced deficiencies in hypothalamic-pituitary hormones in adult patients with malignant gliomas has not received much attention. However, such deficiencies may impact patient's quality of life substantially.

Methods: In this monocentric longitudinal trial, we examined hormonal levels of TSH, T3, T4, fT3, fT4, FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol and prolactin in patients with malignant high grade gliomas before the start of radiochemotherapy (RCT), at the end of RCT and then every three months for newly diagnosed patients and every six months in patients diagnosed more than two years before study inclusion.

The course of quality of life and neurocognition in newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma.

Background: The importance of QoL and neurocognitive functions in patients with glioblastoma (GB) is above controversy by now. We followed newly diagnosed GB patients treated with radio-chemotherapy during their course of disease by continuously evaluating their quality of life (QoL) and cognitive functions.

Methods: We included consecutive patients with newly diagnosed GB from 2010 to 2013 at the Medical University of Vienna.

Response to imatinib as a function of target kinase expression in recurrent glioblastoma.

Background: Despite some progress in the treatment of glioblastoma, most patients experience tumor recurrence. Imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of platelet derived growth factor receptor-alpha and -beta, c-fms, c-kit, abl and arg kinase (imatinib targets), has been shown to prevent tumor progression in early studies of recurrent gliomas, but has shown weak activity in randomized controlled trials. We studied the response to oral imatinib in 24 patients with recurrent glioblastoma who showed immunohistochemical expression of these imatinib targets in the initially resected tumor tissue.

Thalidomide as palliative treatment in patients with advanced secondary glioblastoma.

Background: For its numerous abilities including sedation, we have been using thalidomide (TH) as the 'last therapeutic option' in patients with advanced gliomas. We noticed that a small subgroup, i.e.

Outcome evaluation in glioblastoma patients older than 65 years: Importance of individual assessment of treatment tolerance.

Background: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the outcome of patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), aged >= 65 years, treated in our institution from 2003 to 2009, and compared the outcome of patients admitted into the Nordic Glioma Study (NGS group) to the outcomes of elderly patients treated during the same time period outside of studies. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: The study population of 70 patients (32 females) aged 65 - 83, median 71 years, was divided into three groups: the NGS group consisted of 35 patients, 1 group of 12 patients estimated as frail was treated with back then standard radiotherapy of 60 Gy (RT arm), and 23 "fit elderly" were treated with standard radio-chemotherapy (RCT arm).

End of life care in high-grade glioma patients in three European countries: a comparative study.

Exploring cross-national differences is useful to evaluate whether different patterns of end of life (EOL) care meet patient's specific needs. This study aimed to (1) compare EOL care processes for high-grade glioma (HGG) patients in three European countries, (2) explore differences in perceived quality of care (QOC), and (3) identify aspects of good QOC in the EOL phase. We analyzed 207 questionnaires from relatives of deceased HGG patients, using a similar retrospective study design in three countries [The Netherlands (n = 83), Austria (n = 72) and the UK (n = 52)], and examined four subthemes: (1) organization of EOL care, (2) treatment preferences, (3) experiences with EOL care, (4) perceived QOC.

Assessment of improved organ at risk sparing for meningioma: light ion beam therapy as boost versus sole treatment option.

Purpose: To compare photons, protons and carbon ions and their combinations for treatment of atypical and anaplastical skull base meningioma.

Material And Methods: Two planning target volumes (PTVinitial/PTVboost) were delineated for 10 patients (prescribed doses 50 Gy(RBE) and 10 Gy(RBE)). Plans for intensity modulated photon (IMXT), proton (IMPT) and carbon ion therapy ((12)C) were generated assuming a non-gantry scenario for particles.

Sorafenib for patients with pretreated recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma: a retrospective, single-institution study.

Therapeutic options for patients with pretreated advanced high-grade glioma (HGG) are limited. Sorafenib, a small molecule with multiple potential beneficial actions, appears particularly promising. We reviewed the outcomes of 30 patients with recurrent or progressive HGG treated with sorafenib within a named patient program.

Case Report: Pregnancy in a patient with recurrent glioblastoma.

We report the case of a woman with relapsed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who recently gave birth. She announced her pregnancy shortly after the sixth cycle of a dense regimen of temozolomide, prescribed for treating the first recurrence of glioblastoma. Three years ago, in April 2008, she had undergone gross total resection of a glioblastoma multiforme in the postcentral region of the right hemisphere and had subsequently received treatment according to the actual standard therapy consisting of radiotherapy up to 60 Gy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide.

Outcome and molecular characteristics of adolescent and young adult patients with newly diagnosed primary glioblastoma: a study of the Society of Austrian Neurooncology (SANO).

Background: Young age is a favorable prognostic factor for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We reviewed the outcomes and molecular tumor characteristics of adolescent and young adult patients with GBM treated in 2 Austrian centers.

Patients And Methods: Data on patients with histologically proven primary GBM diagnosed from 18 through 40 years of age were retrospectively analyzed.

Strength of skeletal muscle and self-reported physical performance in Austrian glioblastoma-patients.

Background: Aim of this study was to describe longitudinal assessments of handgrip strength, strength of thigh muscles, and self-reported physical performance in patients with glioblastoma after neurosurgical intervention undergoing chemoradiation.

Methods: Strength testing was performed in 24 Austrian glioblastoma patients (m:f = 19:5, 52 ± 14a, BMI = 26 ± 3 kg/m²) at baseline and follow up after chemoradiation (interval between baseline and follow up = 14 ± 9 weeks). Isokinetic testing of knee extension/flexion was performed by using a Biodex 3 dynamometer.

Neurocognitive and sociodemographic functioning of glioblastoma long-term survivors.

An increasing number of patients with glioblastoma multiforme live longer than 3 years after diagnosis (long-term survivors). Even so, little is known about their everyday performance and quality of life. We studied 17 glioblastoma patients surviving for longer than 3 years.