18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT-guided pelvic chemoradiation therapy using helical tomotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma cervix without para-aortic nodal disease: Clinical and patient-reported outcomes from a prospective phase 2 study.

Introduction: Locally advanced carcinoma cervix (LACC) is a heterogeneous disease with variable combinations of primary tumour extensions with or without nodal involvement. Metabolic information from 18 fluro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (FDG PET-CT) may potentially augment treatment decision-making for LACC. This study ascertained FDG-PET CT influence on chemoradiation therapy (CTRT) decisions in LACC.

A re-look at the modified Ryan regression scoring system in esophageal cancer-validation of prognostic significance and comparison with other less commonly used systems.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) using CROSS protocol is currently the treatment of choice for esophageal cancer (EC). Tumor response grade (TRG) is a mandatory reporting criterion in most guidelines. One of the most commonly used TRG systems is the modified Ryan system.

Are oral cancers effectively palliated with radiotherapy? Outcomes of treatment with a modified QUAD SHOT regimen.

Background: This study assessed a palliative radiotherapy regimen using daily radiation over 4 days for three courses in inoperable head and neck cancers, emphasizing oral primary cancers.

Methods: Retrospective data of 116 patients treated with a daily dose of 3.6-3.

Enhancing quality assurance in radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers: implementation of an on-demand peer review process.

Objectives: Ensuring high-quality radiotherapy requires peer-reviewing target volumes. The Royal College of Radiologists recommends peer review specifically for individual target volumes in cases of gynaecological cancers. This study presents the outcomes of implementing an on-demand peer review system for gynaecological cancers within our institute.

Comparison of dosimetries of carbon-ion pencil beam scanning, proton pencil beam scanning and volumetric modulated arc therapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer.

We compared the dose distributions of carbon-ion pencil beam scanning (C-PBS), proton pencil beam scanning (P-PBS) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) for locally recurrent rectal cancer. The C-PBS treatment planning computed tomography (CT) data sets of 10 locally recurrent rectal cancer cases were randomly selected. Three treatment plans were created using identical prescribed doses.

Emerging Role of Carbon Ion Radiotherapy in Reirradiation of Recurrent Head and Neck Cancers: What Have We Achieved So Far?

Administering reirradiation for the treatment of recurrent head and neck cancers is extremely challenging. These tumors are hypoxic and radioresistant and require escalated radiation doses for adequate control. The obstacle to delivering this escalated dose of radiation to the target is its proximity to critical organs at risk (OARs) and possible development of consequent severe late toxicities.

Long-term outcomes of octogenarian pancreatic cancer patients treated with carbon ion radiotherapy.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a disease of the elderly; patients >65 years are 60% of the cases. Due to multiple comorbidities, treating these patients is challenging. We report the efficacy and safety of carbon ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) in octogenarians.

Evaluating Quality Indicators of Glioblastoma Care: Audit Results From an Indian Tertiary Care Cancer Center.

Purpose: There are limited reports of quality metrics in glioblastoma. We audited our adherence to quality indicators as proposed in the PRIME Quality Improvement study.

Methods: This is a retrospective audit of patients treated between 2017 and 2020.

Accurate Delineation of Mucosal Lesions in Treatment-Planning Computed Tomography Using Iodine Paste Markers for Oral Mucosal Melanoma.

This technical report introduces the utility of iodine paste markers using endodontic materials for the accurate contouring of mucosal lesions of oral mucosal melanoma, which are difficult to delineate on imaging during the planning of carbon-ion radiation therapy (CIRT). The patient had a primary oral mucosal melanoma located in the palatal mucosa without palatal or maxillary bone invasion. A dental root canal filling material, which is a calcium hydroxide/iodoform nonhardenable paste, was used as a marker.

Can the CROSS protocol be safely implemented in real world scenario with broader eligibility criteria? Experience from a tertiary care centre in India.

Background: The Chemoradiotherapy for Oesophageal Cancer Followed by Surgery Study (CROSS) trial established a new benchmark in the management of oesophageal cancer with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery with a marked benefit for squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). We evaluate if the CROSS protocol can be safely implemented with a broader eligibility criteria in a real-world setting.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 80 patients of SCC oesophagus was performed, who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation with radiation therapy (RT) to 41.

Stopping-power ratio of mouthpiece materials for charged-particle therapy in head and neck cancer.

In this study, the stopping-power ratios (SPRs) of mouthpiece materials were measured and the errors in the predicted SPRs based on conversion table values were further investigated. The SPRs of the five mouthpiece materials were predicted from their computed tomography (CT) numbers using a calibrated conversion table. Independently, the SPRs of the materials were measured from the Bragg peak shift of a carbon-ion beam passing through the materials.

Real-world results of definitive chemoradiation in carcinoma oesophagus: can SCOPE1 results be replicated outside trial setting?

Background: Definite concurrent chemoradiation is the standard of care for locally advanced unresectable oesophageal cancers. However, heterogeneity exists in the practice of concurrent chemoradiation approaches. Here we describe the efficacy and toxicities of the standard arm of SCOPE1 protocol implemented at our institute.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy in anal canal squamous cell carcinoma: Implementation and outcomes.

Objective: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard curative treatment option for nonmetastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) can reduce doses delivered to bowel and skin and reduce toxicities associated with conventional fields. Here, we present our institutional data on dosimetry, toxicity, and clinical outcomes with IMRT for anal cancer.

Research Goal-Driven Data Model and Harmonization for De-Identifying Patient Data in Radiomics.

There are various efforts in de-identifying patient's radiation oncology data for their uses in the advancement of research in medicine. Though the task of de-identification needs to be defined in the context of research goals and objectives, existing systems lack the flexibility of modeling data and normalization of names of attributes for accomplishing them. In this work, we describe a de-identification process of radiation and clinical oncology data, which is guided by a data model and a schema of dynamically capturing domain ontology and normalization of terminologies, defined in tune with the research goals in this area.

Aberrant origin of right vertebral artery from the arch of aorta.

We present a rare case of an aberrant right vertebral artery originating from the arch of aorta distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. The incidence of this particular variant of aberrant origin of the right vertebral artery is extremely uncommon with only seventeen cases reported in literature to date. This case was incidentally detected on a staging positron emission tomography-computerized tomography (PET-CT) scan for lung cancer.

Geographic disparities in access to cancer clinical trials in India.

Introduction: The current study was aimed at quantifying the disparity in geographic access to cancer clinical trials in India.

Methods: We collated data of cancer clinical trials from the Clinical Trial Registry of India and data on state-wise cancer incidence from the Global Burden of Disease Study. The total sample size for each clinical trial was divided by the trial duration to get the sample size per year.

Prioritizing Delivery of Cancer Treatment During a COVID-19 Lockdown: The Experience of a Clinical Oncology Service in India.

Purpose: A COVID-19 lockdown in India posed significant challenges to the continuation of radiotherapy (RT) and systemic therapy services. Although several COVID-19 service guidelines have been promulgated, implementation data are yet unavailable. We performed a comprehensive audit of the implementation of services in a clinical oncology department.

Efficacy and feasibility of re-irradiation using carbon ions for pancreatic cancer that recurs after carbon-ion radiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: Patients who receive carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for primary pancreatic cancer may experience locoregional recurrence; however, the treatment options for such patients are limited. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of carbon-ion re-irradiation for patients with pancreatic cancer who experienced recurrence after initial C-ion RT.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer who underwent repeat C-ion RT between December 2010 and November 2016 at our institute were retrospectively evaluated.

Heavy charged particles for gastrointestinal cancers.

Carbon ion beams constitute the primary delivery method of heavy ion radiotherapy. It offers improved dose distribution, and enables concentration of dose within target volumes with minimal extraneous exposure of normal tissue, while delivering superior biological effect in comparison with photon and proton technologies. Here, we review the application of this technology to various gastrointestinal cancers.

Influence of dose-averaged linear energy transfer on tumour control after carbon-ion radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Background And Purpose: High linear energy transfer (LET) radiation carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) is one of the most promising modalities for treating unresectable primary pancreatic cancers. However, how LET contributes to a therapeutic effect is not clear. To assess whether there is an enhanced effect of high LET radiation on tumour control, we aimed to determine the impact of dose-averaged LET on local control (LC) of primary pancreatic tumours.

Assessment of risk factors associated with development of oronasal fistula as a late complication after carbon-ion radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Background: Oronasal fistulae (ONF) are one of the rare but serious complications of conventional photon radiotherapy. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for the development of ONF after carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT).

Materials And Methods: The data of 62 cases of sinonasal and oral cavity cancers treated with C-ion RT and followed-up in excess of 5 years were retrospectively reviewed.

Long-term outcomes and toxicities of carbon-ion radiotherapy in malignant tumors of the sphenoid sinus.

Background: Most of the primary sphenoid sinus tumors present with locally advanced stages with involvement of adjacent critical structures and are not amenable to radical resection. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for sphenoid sinus malignancies.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 22 patients of primary sphenoid carcinomas treated with definitive C-ion RT.

First prospective feasibility study of carbon-ion radiotherapy using compact superconducting rotating gantry.

Objective: We had developed compact rotating gantry for carbon ion using superconducting magnets in 2015 which became clinically operational in 2017. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical feasibility and safety of using compact rotating gantry with three-dimensional active scanning in delivery of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for relatively stationary tumours.

Methods: A prospective feasibility study was conducted with 10 patients who had been treated with C-ion RT using compact rotating gantry between April 2017 and April 2018 at Hospital of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) for head and neck and prostate cancers.

Development and validation of a decision support tool to select IMRT as radiotherapy treatment planning modality for patients with locoregionally advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

Objective:: Radiation planning for locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be time-consuming and iterative. Many cases cannot be planned satisfactorily using multisegment three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). We sought to develop and validate a predictive model which could estimate the probability that acceptable target volume coverage would need intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Current Role of Chemotherapy in Nonmetastatic Nasopharyngeal Cancer.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly radio- and chemosensitive tumor with its unique clinical and biological behavior. Treatment of stage I disease is radical radiotherapy alone. For stage II disease treatment is radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.