Role of radiotherapy to bulky sites of advanced Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD: final results of FIL HD0801 trial.

The role of consolidation radiotherapy (RT) for bulky lesions is controversial in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma who achieve complete metabolic response (CMR) after doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (ABVD)-based chemotherapy. We present the final results of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi HD0801 trial, which investigated the potential benefit of RT in that setting. In this phase 3 randomized study, patients with a bulky lesion at baseline (a mass with largest diameter ≥5 cm) who have CMR after 2 and 6 ABVD cycles were randomly assigned 1:1 to RT vs observation (OBS) with a primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS) at 2 years.

Treatment Volume, Dose Prescription and Delivery Techniques for Dose-intensification in Rectal Cancer: A National Survey.

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to investigate boost volume definition, doses, and delivery techniques for rectal cancer dose intensification.

Patients And Methods: An online survey was made on 25 items (characteristics, simulation, imaging, volumes, doses, planning and treatment).

Results: Thirty-eight radiation oncologists joined the study.

Correction to: Standard (8 weeks) vs long (12 weeks) timing to minimally-invasive surgery after NeoAdjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer: a multicenter randomized controlled parallel group trial (TiMiSNAR).

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that the family name of the author, Ludovica Baldari, was misspelled.

Standard (8 weeks) vs long (12 weeks) timing to minimally-invasive surgery after NeoAdjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer: a multicenter randomized controlled parallel group trial (TiMiSNAR).

Background: The optimal timing of surgery in relation to chemoradiation is still controversial. Retrospective analysis has demonstrated in the recent decades that the regression of adenocarcinoma can be slow and not complete until after several months. More recently, increasing pathologic Complete Response rates have been demonstrated to be correlated with longer time interval.

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT): practical recommendations of Italian Association of Radiation Oncology (AIRO).

The use of imaging to maximize precision and accuracy throughout the entire process of radiation therapy (RT) delivery has been called "Image-guided RT" (IGRT). RT has long been image guided: in fact, historically, the portal films and later electronic megavoltage images represented an early form of IGRT. A broad range of IGRT modalities is now available and adopted.

Interobserver variability in clinical target volume delineation for primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate interobserver variability among radiation oncologists with experience in the field of lymphoma radiation therapy in the delineation of clinical target volume (CTV) in a challenging case of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma.

Methods And Materials: Ten experienced radiation oncologists were invited to a 1-day contouring session. The case of a 56-year-old man with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma with complete metabolic response after chemotherapy was chosen as the sample for the study.

Patterns of practice in the radiation therapy management of rectal cancer: survey of the Interregional Group Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and Liguria of the "Associazione Italiana di Radioterapia Oncologica (AIRO)".

Aims And Background: To report the survey about the main aspects on the use of radiotherapy for the treatment of rectal cancer in Piedmont and Liguria.

Methods And Study Design: Sixteen centers (11 from Piedmont and 5 from Liguria) received and answered by email a questionnaire data base about clinical and technical aspects of the treatment of rectal cancer. All data were incorporated in a single data base and analyzed.

Neoadjuvant therapy and mini-invasive total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: feasibility and outcome analysis from a single institution prospectively collected data base.

Aim And Background: Neoadjuvant treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma improves local control and represents the standard for locally advanced disease. Laparoscopic and robotic total mesorectal excision has been increasingly adopted. It provides magnified visualization of the pelvic cavity, thereby facilitating the mesorectal dissection.

Development of a set of nomograms to predict acute lower gastrointestinal toxicity for prostate cancer 3D-CRT.

Purpose: To predict acute Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Subjective Objective Signs Management and Analysis/Late Effect of Normal Tissue (SOMA/LENT) toxicities of the lower gastrointestinal (LGI) syndrome in patients with prostate cancer undergoing three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy using a tool (nomogram) that takes into account clinical and dosimetric variables that proved to be significant in the Italian Association for Radiation Oncology (AIRO) Group on Prostate Cancer (AIROPROS) 0102 trial.

Methods And Materials: Acute rectal toxicity was scored in 1,132 patients by using both the RTOG/EORTC scoring system and a 10-item self-assessed questionnaire. Correlation between clinical variables/dose-volume histogram constraints and rectal toxicity was investigated by means of multivariate logistic analyses.

Predictors for rectal and intestinal acute toxicities during prostate cancer high-dose 3D-CRT: results of a prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: To find predictors for rectal and intestinal acute toxicity in patients with prostate cancer treated with > or =70 Gy conformal radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Between July 2002 and March 2004, 1,132 patients were entered into a cooperative study (AIROPROS01-02). Toxicity was scored using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer scale and by considering the changes (before and after treatment) of the scores of a self-administered questionnaire on rectal/intestinal toxicity.

Does treatment of the pelvic nodes with IMRT increase late rectal toxicity over conformal prostate-only radiotherapy to 76 Gy?

Purpose: To compare late rectal toxicity rates after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy to the prostate alone (P-3D-CRT) and whole-pelvis intensity-modulated radiotherapy along with a prostate boost (WP-IMRT/PB) to the same nominal total dose to the prostate.

Patients And Methods: 68 patients treated with conformal radiotherapy to the prostate only to 76 Gy at the National Institute for Cancer Research, Genoa, Italy, represented the first group (P-3D-CRT). The second group consisted of 45 patients treated at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA, with IMRT covering the pelvic nodes and seminal vesicles to 54 Gy at 1.

Review of the role of radiotherapy in craniopharyngiomas: how does patient age influence management decisions?

Craniopharyngioma is a brain tumor that can affect children and adults. Although histologically benign, if untreated it can enlarge and lead to serious morbidity and even death, because of its close proximity to critical structures in the parasellar region, including the pituitary, hypothalamus, optic chiasm, carotid arteries and third ventricle. Surgically, two main approaches are currently pursued: macroscopic complete excision or a primarily conservative approach.

Italian survey in postoperative radiation therapy for prostate carcinoma by the AIRO National Working Group on Prostate Radiotherapy: definitive results.

Aims And Background: The National Working Group on Prostate Radiotherapy of AIRO (Associazione Italiana Radioterapia Oncologica, Italian Association of Radiotherapeutic Oncology) was established in March 2001. A retrospective multi-center survey was performed to analyze the patterns of care for prostate cancer patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy in Italy with regard to the year 2000.

Materials And Methods: A structured questionnaire was mailed to 47 Italian radiotherapy centers to assess patient accrual in the postoperative setting in the interval comprised between period January-December 2000.

Rectal and bladder motion during conformal radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy.

Background And Purpose: To investigate the extent and the impact of rectum and bladder motion during adjuvant conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials And Methods: Nine patients previously operated with RP and treated with early adjuvant 3DCRT were considered for this investigation. Weekly CT scans were collected during treatment (CT1-CTn, n=4-6) and were 3D matched using bony anatomy with the planning CT (CT0).

Anatomic variations due to radical prostatectomy. Impact on target volume definition and dose-volume parameters of rectum and bladder.

Background And Purpose: A quantitative estimate of the impact of prostatectomy on pelvic anatomy is unavailable, even if it would be an important prerequisite for a precise definition of clinical target volume (CTV) in post-prostatectomy radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of prostatectomy on the definition of CTV, on the position of bladder and rectum and their implications for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT).

Patients And Methods: Six patients eligible for radical retropubic prostatectomy were considered.

Is there a "curative" role of radiotherapy for clinically localized hormone refractory prostate cancer?

Whether definitive radiotherapy (RT) is still an option for patients with clinically prostate-confined prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation (AD) alone who develop a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is not clear. In this retrospective series, we report the outcome of 29 such patients treated with "curative" radiotherapy at our institution between 1991 and 2000. At initial diagnosis, all patients had evidence of prostate-confined disease and for several reasons underwent AD alone.

Considerations on early diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas.

Background/aims: Pancreas carcinoma is seldom recognized at an early stage. Through an attentive retrospective evaluation of the patient's history a frequent pattern of early presentation is sought.

Methodology: A series of 64 patients (36 males; 28 females) with histologically proven pancreas carcinoma seen in the Department of Surgery and the Oncology Department of the University of Milan (Ospedale "L.

Sucralfate versus mesalazine versus hydrocortisone in the prevention of acute radiation proctitis during conformal radiotherapy for prostate carcinoma. A randomized study.

Purpose: To assess whether the topical use of steroids or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is superior to sucralfate in preventing acute rectal toxicity during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) to 76 Gy.

Patients And Methods: Patients undergoing 3DCRT for prostate carcinoma at our institution were offered to be randomized to sucralfate 3 g in 15 ml suspension enema (Antepsin, mesalazine 4 g gel enema (Enterasyn, or hydrocortisone 100 mg foam enema (Colifoam. Randomization was blind to the treating physician but not to the patient.

Neoadjuvant androgen deprivation and prostate gland shrinkage during conformal radiotherapy.

Purpose: The shrinking effect of 3-month neoadjuvant androgen deprivation (NAD) on preradiotherapy prostate gland volume is well documented. However, recently, it has been shown that the cancerous prostate gland keeps shrinking up to 12 months after NAD start. Thus, if such a reduction is not taken into account, a larger than planned portion of the surrounding normal tissues might shift in the high-dose region during conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) course.

Radiotherapy after prostatectomy.

Aims And Background: The role of radiotherapy after prostatectomy is controversial. This paper tries to give some guidelines for everyday practice through an analysis of literature data.

Methods: The potential role of radiotherapy in the adjuvant and salvage setting is discussed.