Predictors of Extracapsular Extension in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck and Outcome Analysis.

Introduction Extracapsular extension (ECE) in the lymph nodes for patients with head and neck cancer has been found to be a poor prognostic factor in multiple studies. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the predictive factors for ECE on computer tomography (CT) imaging for patients undergoing surgery and to analyze outcomes. Methods We conducted an Institutional Review Board-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant retrospective review of 82 patients with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck who underwent definitive surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Factors Affecting Outcomes in Patients With Stage III & IV Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Oropharynx: The Importance of p16 Status, BMI, and Race.

Objective To identify racial disparities in survival outcomes among Stage III & IV patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SCCa) of the oropharynx treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT), with concurrent chemotherapy. Method This is a retrospective analysis of patients with stage III & IV SCCa of oropharynx treated with definitive RT at the State Academic Medical Center. All patients were treated to 70 Gy utilizing intensity-modulated radiation treatment (IMRT), and received concurrent chemotherapy with weekly cisplatin or cetuximab.

Quality-Adjusted Life Years and Disability-Adjusted Life Years Are Better With Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy Than Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoradiation Therapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Introduction As traditional measures such as overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) alone do not give a holistic view of the outcomes of a treatment paradigm, we determine to add the evidence of quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) to the outcomes of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (NCP) treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy (chemoRT) with or without induction chemotherapy (induction chemo). Methods This is a retrospective analysis of 85 NCPs treated at an academic state institution. The OS estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the multivariate Cox regression model determined the co-variables associated with the OS.

Oligometastatic head and neck cancer: Comprehensive review.

There are limited data available regarding the management of oligometastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) patients, and no consensus guidelines are available. The objective is to review the available literature for the management of oligometastatic SCCHN. Articles were selected from English Medline literature between 1995 and 2018, searched by using the keywords: oligometastatic SCCHN/metastasectomy/stereotactic body radiation treatment (SBRT).

Considering inhomogeneities in Gamma Knife treatment planning: Factors affecting the loss of prescription dose coverage.

Object: To compare the consistency of the agreement between the Convolution and TMR10 algorithms using a homogeneous phantom and to identify target characteristics that lead to large changes in target isodose coverage when the Convolution algorithm is used in GammaPlan as opposed to the TMR10 algorithm.

Methods: The IROC phantom end-to-end test was performed and RTDose for both the TMR10 and Convolution algorithm were submitted for comparison to the measurement. Treatment plans for 16 patients and 26 different targets were retrospectively re-calculated with the Convolution algorithm when originally planned with the TMR10 algorithm.

Evaluating the accuracy of geometrical distortion correction of magnetic resonance images for use in intracranial brain tumor radiotherapy.

Aim: Determine the 1) effectiveness of correction for gradient-non-linearity and susceptibility effects on both QUASAR GRID and CIRS phantoms; and 2) the magnitude and location of regions of residual distortion before and after correction.

Background: Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a primary dataset for radiotherapy planning requires correction for geometrical distortion and non-uniform intensity.

Materials And Methods: MRI, computed tomography (CT) and cone beam CT images of QUASAR GRID and CIRS head phantoms were acquired.

Gamma Knife icon CBCT offers improved localization workflow for frame-based treatment.

Object: The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of stereotactic localization in Gamma Knife treatment planning: cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) or fiducial. While the fiducial method is the traditional method of localization, CBCT is now available for use with the Gamma Knife Icon. This study seeks to determine whether a difference exists between the two methods and then whether one is better than the other regarding accuracy and workflow optimization.

Evaluation of the Geometric and Dosimetric Accuracy of Synthetic Computed Tomography Images for Magnetic Resonance Imaging-only Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Introduction Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plans created using synthetic computed tomography (CT) images derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data may offer the advantage of inhomogeneity correction by convolution algorithms, as is done for CT-based plans. We sought to determine and validate the clinical significance and accuracy of synthetic CT images for inhomogeneity correction in MRI-only stereotactic radiosurgery plans for treatment of brain tumors. Methods In this retrospective study, data from two patients with brain metastases and one with meningioma who underwent imaging with multiple modalities and received frameless SRS treatment were analyzed.

Analysis of a real time group consensus peer review process in radiation oncology: an evaluation of effectiveness and feasibility.

Background: Peer review systems within radiation oncology are important to ensure quality radiation care. Several individualized methods for radiation oncology peer review have been described. However, despite the importance of peer review in radiation oncology barriers may exist to its effective implementation in practice.

Optimizing MRI sequences and images for MRI-based stereotactic radiosurgery treatment planning.

Aim: Development of MRI sequences and processing methods for the production of images appropriate for direct use in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment planning.

Background: MRI is useful in SRS treatment planning, especially for patients with brain lesions or anatomical targets that are poorly distinguished by CT, but its use requires further refinement. This methodology seeks to optimize MRI sequences to generate distortion-free and clinically relevant MR images for MRI-only SRS treatment planning.

Adjuvant treatment of meningioma with stereotactic radiation surgery and hypofractionated stereotactic radiation surgery: Patterns of care and survival in a large, hospital database.

Objectives: Stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) and hypofractionated stereotactic radiation surgery (HF-SRS) have become an alternative to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in the adjuvant treatment of meningiomas. The purpose of this study was to identify national treatment patterns and survival outcomes for meningiomas on the basis of radiation treatment modality in the adjuvant setting.

Methods And Materials: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with meningioma diagnosed between 2010 and 2012.

Racial disparities in tumor features and outcomes of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil.

Objective: To identify differences in 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) based on race in patients with tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 80 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil treated between 2006 and 2015. Overall survival and DFS curves comparing white and black patients were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Outcomes utilizing intensity-modulated radiotherapy in oropharyngeal cancers: Tonsils versus base of tongue.

Background: The purpose of this study was to present the outcomes of oropharyngeal cancers treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) especially the differences between tonsillar and base of tongue (BOT) primaries.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 124 patients with biopsy proven squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, treated with IMRT.

Results: Human papillomavirus (HPV) association correlated with improvement in survivals in both tonsillar and BOT primaries.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study of 55 Patients.

Unlabelled: Purpose/Objective(s): Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an effective treatment for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are not surgical candidates or who refuse surgical management. In this study, we report on our clinical outcomes and toxicity in the treatment of early-stage NSCLC with SBRT.

Methods And Materials: Fifty-five patients with 59 T1-2N0M0 NSCLC lesions were treated at our institution between December 2009 and August 2014.

Computerized tomography-based radiotherapy improves heterotopic ossification outcomes.

Purpose: To report the impact of computerized tomography (CT) based radiotherapy (RT) on heterotopic ossification (HO) outcomes.

Methods: This is a single institution, retrospective study of 532 patients who were treated for traumatic acetabular fractures (TAF). All patients underwent open-reduction internal-fixation (ORIF) of the TAF followed by RT for HO prophylaxis.

Late temporal lobe necrosis after conventional radiotherapy for carcinoma of maxillary sinus.

Cerebral radiation necrosis is a serious late complication after conventional radiotherapy that can present with focal neurologic deficits or with more generalized signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, depending on the location. The incidence and severity of radionecrosis are dose-volume dependent. We report a case of cerebral radiation necrosis 5 years after radiotherapy for a maxillary sinus carcinoma.

Lack of Cetuximab induced skin toxicity in a previously irradiated field: case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Mutation, amplification or dysregulation of the EGFR family leads to uncontrolled division and predisposes to cancer. Inhibiting the EGFR represents a form of targeted cancer therapy.

Case Report: We report the case of 79 year old gentleman with a history of skin cancer involving the left ear who had radiation and surgical excision.