How radical prostatectomy procedures have changed over the last 10 years in Italy: a comparative analysis based on more than 1500 patients participating in the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA and the Pros-IT CNR study.

Purpose: Therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer (PCa) have been evolving dramatically worldwide. The current article reports on the evolution of surgical management strategies for PCa in Italy.

Methods: The data from two independent Italian multicenter projects, the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA (started in 2007, holding data of 890 patients) and the Pros-IT-CNR project (started in 2014, with data of 692 patients), were compared.

Impact of treatment expertise on the outcome of patients with head and neck cancer treated within 6 randomized trials.

Background: We evaluated the impact of center expertise, in terms of number of patients treated, on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: We performed a pooled analysis including data from 6 randomized trials in head and neck SCC conducted in Italy. We evaluated the association between OS or PFS and the number of patients recruited by the center.

Activation of immune responses in patients with relapsed-metastatic head and neck cancer (CONFRONT phase I-II trial): Multimodality immunotherapy with avelumab, short-course radiotherapy, and cyclophosphamide.

Introduction And Background: Second-line treatment of platinum-resistant relapsed/metastatic (R/M) head and neck cancer (HNC) is a currently unmet clinical need. Clinical trials showed improvement in overall survival and quality of life of R/M-HNC patients treated with anti-PD-1 regardless of the number of prior chemotherapy lines; however, the percentage of long-term survivors remains limited.This study aims to test the hypothesis that attacking the tumor microenvironment at multiple levels can increase immunogenicity of R/M-HNC without worsening the safety profile of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

GUROPA survey: genito-urinary radiation oncology prescription attitudes.

Aims: To investigate the role of Radiation Oncology in the management of genito-urinary (GU) cancer excluding prostate and penile cancer.

Methods: The questionnaire was focused on the evaluation of the degree of involvement of radiation oncologists in the work-up of bladder, renal cell carcinoma and testicular cancer (TC).

Results: Eighty-eight radiation oncologists completed the survey.

Quality of Life After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Data from the Pros-IT CNR.

Pros-IT CNR study provides a real-life report on changes in quality of life 6 mo after the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

A comparison of swallowing dysfunction after three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy : A systematic review by the Italian Head and Neck Radiotherapy Study Group.

Purpose: Dysphagia is one of the most important treatment-related side effects in head and neck cancer (HNC), as it can lead to severe life-threating complications such as aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) could reduce swallowing dysfunction by producing a concave dose distribution and reducing doses to the swallowing-related organs at risk (SWOARs). The aim of this study was to review the current literature in order to compare swallowing outcomes between IMRT and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT).

What is the role of postoperative re-irradiation in recurrent and second primary squamous cell cancer of head and neck? A literature review according to PICO criteria.

Re-irradiation has been increasingly offered as a potential effective treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) loco-regional recurrence as well as second primary tumor in previously irradiated area. This review focused on the role of postoperative re-irradiation (POreRT) in terms of feasibility, toxicity and long-term outcomes in HNSCC patients. The key issue for the research was formulated in two questions according to the PICO (population, intervention, control, and outcomes) criteria.

Subgroup Analysis According to Human Papillomavirus Status and Tumor Site of a Randomized Phase II Trial Comparing Cetuximab and Cisplatin Combined With Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: We report a subgroup analysis primarily focused on human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) from the Cetuximab Plus Radiotherapy Versus Cisplatin Plus Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer (CTXMAB+RT; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01216020) trial comparing radiation therapy with concomitant cisplatin (CDDP) versus concomitant cetuximab (CTX) as first-line treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Methods And Materials: The data from all the patients in the CTXMAB+RT trial were reviewed and separately analyzed in 3 groups: p16-positive OPC, p16-negative OPC, and all other cancer sites.

Long-term survival in a patient with head and neck paraganglioma treated with tailored modalities for 20 years: a case report.

Aims And Background: Primary paragangliomas of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are rare conditions that could show aggressive behavior with local recurrence and metastasis development. The diagnosis of malignancy is challenging because there are no available histopathologic criteria. In these cases, the prognosis is usually poor.

Excellent survival regardless of disease stage in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.

Background: We present our experience in assessing the feasibility and efficacy outcomes of intensified intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) delivered to patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Between March 2009 and December 2014, 35 patients affected by advanced NPC with a median age of 53 years (range 11-77) were treated with definitive radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered by helical tomotherapy with the SIB technique.

Intensified intensity-modulated radiotherapy in anal cancer with prevalent HPV p16 positivity.

Aim: To investigate the toxicity and response of intensity-modulated radiotherapy schedule intensified with a simultaneous integrated boost in anal canal cancer.

Methods: From March 2009 to March 2014, we retrospectively analyzed 41 consecutive patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy for anal canal squamous cell carcinoma at our center. Radiotherapy was delivered via simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique by helical tomotherapy, and doses were adapted to two clinical target volumes according to the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage: 50.

Prolonged complete remission after induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation with tomotherapy in metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is uncommon in the Western hemisphere and in Europe. The undifferentiated subtype has a relevant propensity to metastasize systemically, mostly in the skeleton. In patients with distant metastasis at presentation there is no consensus on the most appropriate approach.

Ablative or palliative stereotactic body radiotherapy with helical tomotherapy for primary or metastatic lung tumor.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) by helical tomotherapy (HT) for patients with primary or secondary lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Between March 2009 and January 2012, 56 patients were selected as candidates for the study and were divided into two subgroups. The ablative SBRT group included 27 patients with T1-T2 non-small cell lung cancer who received four to five large-dose fractions in two weeks and the palliative SBRT group included 29 patients with lung metastases treated with eight lower-dose fractions in four weeks.