Apparent diffusion coefficient values predict response to brachytherapy in bulky cervical cancer.

Background: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) provides a measurement of tumor cellularity. We evaluated the potential of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained from post-external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) DWI and prior to brachytherapy (BT) to predict for complete metabolic response (CMR) in bulky cervical cancer.

Methods: Clinical and DWI (b value = 500 s/mm) data were obtained from patients undergoing interstitial BT with high-risk clinical target volumes (HR-CTVs) > 30 cc.

A pooled long-term follow-up after radiotherapy for prostate cancer with and without a rectal hydrogel spacer: impact of hydrogel on decline in sexual quality of life.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of prostate rectal spacers on sexual quality of life (QOL) following external beam radiation therapy (RT).

Methods And Materials: Patient- reported QOL was evaluated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC). Patients were pooled from two sources: a randomized controlled trial and a non-randomized cohort of patients from a single institution.

Testicular Dysfunction in Male Childhood Cancer Survivors Treated With Radiation Therapy: A PENTEC Comprehensive Review.

Purpose: The male reproductive task force of the Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (PENTEC) initiative performed a comprehensive review that included a meta-analysis of publications reporting radiation dose-volume effects for risk of impaired fertility and hormonal function after radiation therapy for pediatric malignancies.

Methods And Materials: The PENTEC task force conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify published data evaluating the effect of testicular radiation dose on reproductive complications in male childhood cancer survivors. Thirty-one studies were analyzed, of which 4 had testicular dose data to generate descriptive scatter plots.

Hormonal status effects on the electrophysiological correlates of performance monitoring in women.

Fluctuations in ovarian hormones are thought to play a role in the increased prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in women. Error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe) are two putative electrophysiological biomarkers for these internalizing disorders. We investigated whether female hormonal status, specifically menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive (OC) use, impact ERN and Pe.

Validation of the Combination Gleason Score as an Independent Favorable Prognostic Factor in Prostate Cancer Treated With Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Prognostic factors for prostate cancer include tumor, node, metastases stage, pretreatment prostate-specific antigen, and pathology (via Gleason score [GS] or grade group). Of these, GS yields the largest effect on prostate cancer specific mortality. It was previously determined that those with cores with a mix of higher and lower GS at biopsy (which was termed a "ComboGS") had decreased risk for prostate cancer specific mortality after either surgical or radiation treatment.

Predictors of follow-up non-compliance after definitive radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer at a community cancer center.

Introduction: Non-compliance to post-treatment cancer surveillance can lead to late detection of recurrence. This study aims to identify patients at high risk for loss of follow-up after radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer.

Methods: Consecutive patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (2013-2020) at a community cancer center were retrospectively reviewed.

Patient reported outcomes for quality of life (QOL) by Expanded Prostate Cancer Index (EPIC) on average 15 years post treatment.

Objective/purpose: Previously patient reported quality of life (QOL) was reported in men with prostate cancer a mean 2 and 6 years post treatment with open radical prostatectomy (RP), 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT), or I low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy (BT). Herein we update the results 15 years post-treatment QOL.

Materials/methods: The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index (EPIC) domains were scored with differences evaluated at a median 15.

Two Specialists, Two Recommendations: Discordance Between Urologists' & Radiation Oncologists' Prostate Cancer Treatment Recommendations.

Objective: To examine the treatment recommendation patterns among urologists and radiation oncologists, the level of concordance or discordance between physician recommendations, and the association between physician recommendations and the treatment that patients received.

Method: The study was a secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial conducted November 2010 to April 2014 (NCT02053389). Eligible participants were patients from the trial who saw both specialists.

Co-Inhibition of Androgen Receptor and PARP as a Novel Treatment Paradigm in Prostate Cancer-Where Are We Now?

Metastatic prostate cancer remains lethal with a 5-year survival rate of about 30%, indicating the need for better treatment options. Novel antiandrogens (NAA)-enzalutamide and abiraterone-have been the mainstay of treatment for advanced disease since 2011. In patients who progress on the first NAA, responses to the second NAA are infrequent (25-30%) and short-lasting (median PFS ~3 months).

Oral D-methionine protects against cisplatin-induced hearing loss in humans: phase 2 randomized clinical trial in India.

This exploratory Phase 2 clinical trial is the first determining safety and efficacy of oral D-methionine (D-met) in reducing cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Randomised parallel double-blind placebo-controlled exploratory Phase 2 study. Fifty adult cancer patients received oral D-met or placebo before each cisplatin dose.

Preparing Patients with Early Stage Prostate Cancer to Participate in Clinical Appointments Using a Shared Decision Making Training Video.

Background: Rates of shared decision making (SDM) are relatively low in early stage prostate cancer decisions, as patients' values are not well integrated into a preference-sensitive treatment decision. The study objectives were to develop a SDM training video, measure usability and satisfaction, and determine the effect of the intervention on preparing patients to participate in clinical appointments.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare a plain-language decision aid (DA) to the DA plus a patient SDM training video.

Ethical Allocation of Proton Therapy and the Insurance Review Process.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to delineate a scoring system to maximize the ethical allocation of proton beam therapy (PBT) and determine what factors are associated with receipt of PBT, including the role of specific insurance providers.

Methods And Materials: Our scoring system was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary panel of experts. Patients submitted for PBT consideration were assigned a score by committee at a weekly peer-reviewed session at a time when our center was operating at capacity.

Long-term follow-up after radiotherapy for prostate cancer with and without rectal hydrogel spacer: a pooled prospective evaluation of bowel-associated quality of life.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term bowel-associated quality of life (QOL) in men after radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer with and without the use of rectal hydrogel spacer.

Patients And Methods: The patients' QOL was examined using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) and mean changes from baseline in EPIC domains were evaluated. A total of 215 patients from a randomised multi-institutional trial of RT, with or without hydrogel spacer, with a QOL endpoint were pooled with 165 non-randomised patients from a single institution with prospective QOL collection in patients with or without hydrogel spacer.

VA-Radiation Oncology Quality Surveillance Program.

Purpose: We sought to develop a quality surveillance program for approximately 15,000 US veterans treated at the 40 radiation oncology facilities at the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals each year.

Methods And Materials: State-of-the-art technologies were used with the goal to improve clinical outcomes while providing the best possible care to veterans. To measure quality of care and service rendered to veterans, the Veterans Health Administration established the VA Radiation Oncology Quality Surveillance program.

Who Benefits From a Prostate Rectal Spacer? Secondary Analysis of a Phase III Trial.

Purpose: Previously a phase III trial of a hydrogel rectal spacer during prostate radiation therapy found decreased toxicity and a clinically significant improvement in bowel quality of life (QOL) at 3 years by the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index. We performed a secondary analysis to identify men less likely to benefit.

Methods And Materials: Clinical and dosimetric data for the 222 patients enrolled on the SpaceOAR phase III trial were analyzed.

Gleason pattern 5 is associated with an increased risk for metastasis following androgen deprivation therapy and radiation: An analysis of RTOG 9202 and 9902.

Background/purpose: Stratification of Gleason score (GS) into three categories (2-6, 7, and 8-10) may not fully utilize its prognostic discrimination, with Gleason pattern 5 (GP5) previously identified as an independent adverse factor.

Materials/methods: Patients treated on RTOG 9202 (n = 1292) or RTOG 9902 (n = 378) were pooled and assessed for association of GS and GP5 on biochemical failure (BF), local failure (LF), distant metastasis (DM), and overall survival (OS). Fine and Gray's regression and cumulative incidence methods were used for univariate and multivariate analyses.

Trimodality therapy for atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor is associated with improved overall survival: A surveillance, epidemiology, and end results analysis.

Background: Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are rare aggressive central nervous system tumors. The use of radiation therapy (RT) remains controversial, especially for patients younger than three years of age. The purpose of the current investigation is to robustly analyze the impact of RT among pediatric AT/RT patients using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Application of a Prognostic Stratification System for High-risk Prostate Cancer to Patients Treated With Radiotherapy: Implications for Treatment Optimization.

Objectives: We applied an established prognostic model to high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) and evaluated the influence of clinical and treatment variables on treatment outcomes.

Methods: In total, 1075 HRPC patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT) between 1995 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Median follow-up was 62.

Time Interval to Biochemical Failure as a Surrogate End Point in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer: Analysis of Randomized Trial NRG/RTOG 9202.

Background: In prostate cancer, end points that reliably portend prognosis and treatment benefit (surrogate end points) can accelerate therapy development. Although surrogate end point candidates have been evaluated in the context of radiotherapy and short-term androgen deprivation (AD), potential surrogates under long-term (24 month) AD, a proven therapy in high-risk localized disease, have not been investigated.

Materials And Methods: In the NRG/RTOG 9202 randomized trial (N = 1,520) of short-term AD (4 months) versus long-term AD (LTAD; 28 months), the time interval free of biochemical failure (IBF) was evaluated in relation to clinical end points of prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) and overall survival (OS).