Clinical oncology : a journal of the Royal College of Radiologists
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Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumour. Although external beam radiotherapy and radiosurgery are well-established treatments, affording local control rates of 85-95% at 10 years, the evidence base is mainly limited to single institution case series. This has resulted in inconsistent practices. ⋯ Target volume definition remains contentious, including the inclusion of hyperostotic bone, dural tail and surrounding brain, but pathological studies are shedding some light. Most agree that doses around 50-54 Gy are appropriate for benign meningiomas and ongoing European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group studies are evaluating dose escalation for higher risk disease. Here we address the 'who, when and how' of radiotherapy for meningioma.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Nov 2013
The prognostic significance of the biomarker p16 in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
There is an increasing incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers (OPSCC) mostly associated with favourable outcomes. p16 immunohistochemistry is a surrogate marker for HPV positivity in OPSCC. The prognostic strength of p16 over traditional prognostic factors is not fully characterised. In this study, we evaluated the clinical and demographic differences between p16-positive and -negative OPSCC and characterised its prognostic strength versus traditional prognostic factors. ⋯ This study shows that p16 is the single most important prognostic variable in OPSCC, surpassing traditional prognostic factors for both CSS and RFS. Furthermore, disease stage has no prognostic significance in p16-positive patients, highlighting the need for routine p16 assessment in OPSCC.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Nov 2013
The efficacy of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil combined with cisplatin concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a matched pair analysis.
The role of induction chemotherapy (ICT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is controversial. The aim of the study was to assess the benefit of ICT with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (TPF) when combined with concurrent cisplatin chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for HNSCC. ⋯ The addition of docetaxel to a cisplatin doublet ICT regimen before concurrent CRT may improve disease control for locally advanced HNSCC.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Aug 2013
ReviewBiological dose escalation and hypofractionation: what is there to be gained and how will it best be done?
The evidence supporting dose escalation for localised prostate cancer is widely accepted, but in tandem with improvements in biochemical control, dose escalation increases side-effects. In a scenario where most patients achieve control of their cancer, quality of life concerns predominate. ⋯ Possible avenues include exploiting the unusual radiobiology of prostate cancer by hypofractionation, the use of image guidance, adaptive planning and prostate motion management. We await with anticipation the results of large randomised trials of hypofractionation, moderate and profound, to establish whether we can further improve the balance between cure and quality of life.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Jul 2013
ReviewSystemic therapy in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a systematic review.
Since 2004, docetaxel-based chemotherapy has been the standard of care for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but recently randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of novel agents have shown promise in extending overall survival. These trials have evaluated agents delivered before chemotherapy, to replace or supplement docetaxel, or addressed treatment options for men who have progressed on docetaxel therapy. This review was undertaken to determine which systemic therapies improve cancer- or patient-related outcomes in men with mCRPC. ⋯ Docetaxel-based chemotherapy remains the standard of care in men with mCRPC who are candidates for palliative systemic therapy. Promising results are emerging with sipuleucel-T and abiraterone in the pre-docetaxel setting and cabazitaxel, abiraterone and enzalutamide in patients who progress on or after docetaxel. Further research to determine the optimal choice, sequence or even the combination of these agents is necessary.