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Background: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) stands as the predominant type of brainstem glioma. It is characterized by a notably brief median survival period, with the majority of patients experiencing disease progression within six months following radiation therapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) compared to conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) in DIPG treatment. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in four databases, and relevant studies comparing HFRT and CFRT in DIPG were included. Data were extracted and analyzed for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and treatment-related toxicities. Statistical analysis was performed using random-effects models with heterogeneity assessment. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 518 patients. No significant difference in one-year OS was observed between HFRT and CFRT (29% vs. 22%, p = 0.94). The median OS was similar in both treatment groups (9.7 vs. 9.3 months, p = 0.324). Similarly, no significant difference in one-year PFS was found between HFRT and CFRT (19.8% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.82), with comparable median PFS (9.3 vs. 9.4 months, p = 0.20). In meta-regression analysis, there was no association of chemotherapy (p > 0.05) or radiation biologically effective dose (BED) (p > 0.05) regarding OS or PFS outcomes. There were no significant differences in treatment-related toxicities. Conclusions: HFRT yields one-year OS and PFS rates similar to CFRT in DIPG, with no significant differences in treatment-related toxicities. Chemotherapy and BED did not affect OS or PFS.

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BACKGROUND: In 2012, the Brazilian government launched a radiotherapy (RT) expansion plan (PER-SUS) to install 100 linear accelerators. This study assesses the development of this program after eight years. METHODS: Official reports from the Ministry of Health (MoH) were reviewed. RT centres projects status, timeframes, and cost data (all converted to US dollars) were extracted. The time analysis was divided into seven phases, and for cost evaluation, there were five stages. The initial predicted project time (IPPT) and costs (estimated by the MoH) for each phase were compared between the 18 operational RT centres (able to treat patients) and 30 non-operational RT centres using t-tests, ANOVA, and the Mann-Whitney U. A p-value < 0.05 indicates statistical significance. RESULTS: A significant delay was observed when comparing the IPPT with the overall time to conclude each 48 RT centres project (p < 0.001), with considerable delays in the first five phases (p < 0.001 for all). Moreover, the median time to conclude the first 18 operational RT centres (77.4 months) was shorter compared with the 30 non-operational RT centres (94.0 months), p < 0.001. The total cost of 48 RT services was USD 82,84 millions (mi) with a significant difference in the per project median total cost between 18 operational RT centres, USD1,34 mi and 30 non-operational RT centres USD2,11 mi, p < 0.001. All phases had a higher cost when comparing 30 non-operational RT centres to 18 operational RT centres, p < 0.001. The median total cost for expanding existing RT centres was USD1,30 mi versus USD2,18 mi for new RT services, p < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: After eight years, the PER-SUS programs showed a substantial delay in most projects and their phases, with increased costs over time. POLICY SUMMARY: Our findings indicate a need to act to increase the success of this plan. This study may provide a benchmark for other developing countries trying to expand RT capacity.

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Background: The objective to assess the outcomes from different palliative radiotherapy (RT) schedules in incurable head and neck cancer (HNC), to evaluate if there is a relationship between RT dose, technique, and fractionation with tumor response in contrast to the occurrence of adverse effects. Materials and methods: Eligible studies were identified on Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and annual meetings proceedings through June 2020. Following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines, a cumulative meta-analysis of studies for overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), pain/dysphagia relief, and toxicity was performed. A meta-regression analysis was done to assess if there is a connection between RT dose, schedule, and technique with ORR. Results: Twenty-eight studies with 1,986 patients treated with palliative RT due to incurable HNC were included. The median OS was 6.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.6-7.4], and PFS was 3.6 months (95% CI: 2.7-4.3). The ORR, pain and dysphagia relief rates were 72% (95% CI: 0.6-0.8), 83% (95% CI: 52-100%), and 75% (95% CI: 52-100%), respectively. Conventional radiotherapy (2D-RT) or conformational radiotherapy (3D-RT) use were significantly associated with a higher acute toxicity rate (grade ≥ 3) than intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). On meta-regression analyses, the total biological effective doses (BED) of RT (p = 0.001), BED > 60 Gy10 (p = 0.001), short course (p = 0.01) and SBRT (p = 0.02) were associated with a superior ORR. Conclusions: Palliative RT achieves tumor response and symptom relief in incurable HNC patients. Short course RT of BED > 60 Gy using IMRT could improve its therapeutic ratio. SBRT should be considered when available.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is a relevant element of breast cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of radiotherapy (RT) on local complications in patients with breast cancer that had undergone breast reconstruction with alloplastic material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of breast cancer patients submitted to mastectomy and breast reconstruction from 2009 to 2013. Clinical and treatment variables were correlated with early and late complications. RESULTS: 251 patients were included; mean age was 49.7 (25 to 78) years. Reconstruction was immediate in 94% of the patients, with 88% performed with a temporary tissue expander. Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) was delivered to 167 patients (66.5%). Early complications were present in 26.3% of the patients. Irradiated patients presented 5.4% incidence of late complications versus 2.4% for non-irradiated patients (p = 0.327). Diabetes (OR = 3.41 95% CI: 1.23-9.45, p = 0.018) and high body mass index (BMI) (OR = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.60-4.37, p < 0.0001) were the main risk factors. The overall incidence of late complications was 4.4%, with predominance of severe capsular contracture (8/11). Arterial hypertension (OR = 4.78; 95% CI: 1.97-11.63, p = 0.001), BMI (OR = 0.170; 95% CI: 0.048-0.607, p = 0.006) and implant placement (OR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.26-9.99, p = 0.016) were related to late complications. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of complications was low in this population. Radiotherapy delivery translated into a higher but not statistically significant risk of late complications when compared with the non-irradiated patients. Already well-known clinical risk factors for complications after breast reconstruction were identified.

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BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the clinical outcomes of patients with spine metastases who underwent stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) as part of their treatment. SABR has arisen as a contemporary treatment option for spinal metastasis patients with good prognoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2010 and September 2018, Spinal SABR was performed in patients with metastatic disease in different settings: radical (SABR only), postoperative (after decompression and/or fixation surgery), and reirradiation. Local control (LC), pain control, overall survival (OS) and toxicities were reported. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients (corresponding to 96 treatments) with spine metastases were included. The median age was 59 years (range, 23-91). In most SA BR (82.3%, n = 79) was performed as the first local spine treatment, while in 12 settings (12.5%), fixation and/or decompression surgery was performed prior to SABR. Two-year overall survival rate was 74.1%, and median survival was 19 months. The LC rate at 2 years was 72.3%. With regard to pain control, among 67 patients presenting with pain before SA BR, 83.3% had a complete response, 12.1% had a partial response, and 4.6% had progression. Vertebral compression fractures occurred in 10 patients (11.7%), of which 5 cases occurred in the reirradiation setting. Radiculopathy and myelopathy were not observed. No grade III or IV toxicities were seen. CONCLUSION: This is the first study presenting a Brazilian experience with spinal SA BR, and the results confirm its feasibility and safety. SABR was shown to produce good local and pain control rates with low rates of adverse events.

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PURPOSE: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic around the world caused most healthcare services to turn substantial attention to treatment of these patients and also to alter the structure of healthcare systems to address an infectious disease. As a result, many cancer patients had their treatment deferred during the pandemic, increasing the time-to-treatment initiation, the number of untreated patients (which will alter the dynamics of healthcare delivery in the post-pandemic era) and increasing their risk of death. Hence, we analyzed the impact on global cancer mortality considering the decline in oncology care during the COVID-19 outbreak using head and neck cancer, a known time-dependent disease, as a model. METHODS: An online practical tool capable of predicting the risk of cancer patients dying due to the COVID-19 outbreak and also useful for mitigation strategies after the peak of the pandemic has been developed, based on a mathematical model. The scenarios were estimated by information of 15 oncological services worldwide, given a perspective from the five continents and also some simulations were conducted at world demographic data. RESULTS: The model demonstrates that the more that cancer care was maintained during the outbreak and also the more it is increased during the mitigation period, the shorter will be the recovery, lessening the additional risk of dying due to time-to-treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: This impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients is inevitable, but it is possible to minimize it with an effort measured by the proposed model.

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Background With the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical practice of physicians who work in the head and neck field in Brazil dropped dramatically. The sustained impact of the pandemic is not known. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed to Brazilian otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, asking about their clinical practice in the third to fourth months of the pandemic. Results The survey was completed by 446 specialists. About 40% reported reduction of more than 75% in outpatient care. A reduction of 90% to 100% in airway endoscopies was reported by 50% of the responders, and the same rate of reduction regarding surgeries (pediatric or nasosinusal) was reported by 80% of them. Family income decreased by 50%, and the psychological burden on physicians was considerable. The availability of personal protective equipment and safety precautions were limited, especially in the public sector. Conclusion COVID-19 is still impacting the head and neck field, and safety concerns may hinder the prompt resumption of elective care.

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Abstract Background With the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical practice of physicians who work in the head and neck field in Brazil dropped dramatically. The sustained impact of the pandemic is not known. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed to Brazilian otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, asking about their clinical practice in the third to fourth months of the pandemic. Results The survey was completed by 446 specialists. About 40 % reported reduction of more than 75 % in outpatient care. A reduction of 90 % to 100 % in airway endoscopies was reported by 50 % of the responders, and the same rate of reduction regarding surgeries (pediatric or nasosinusal) was reported by 80 % of them. Family income decreased by 50 %, and the psychological burden on physicians was considerable. The availability of personal protective equipment and safety precautions were limited, especially in the public sector. Conclusion COVID-19 is still impacting the head and neck field, and safety concerns may hinder the prompt resumption of elective care.

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Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), a radiation technique in which only the tumor bed is treated, has now become an acceptable radiation modality for selected early-stage breast cancer patients. Compared to conventional whole breast irradiation (WBI), APBI has some benefits with regard to the reduced total irradiated breast volume and the shorter treatment time. The role of APBI, which can be delivered using diverse techniques, has been evaluated in several prospective randomized phase III trials. These clinical trials demonstrate diverging outcomes relating to local recurrence, while establishing comparable effect in terms of survival between APBI with WBI. The aim of this study was to review the current status of APBI with a focus on clinical practice.

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BACKGROUND: Clinically localized prostate cancer may be treated by different approaches of radiation therapy. The aim of this study was to report the results of disease control and toxicity in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated with high dose IMRT alone with 1 cm PTV posterior margin. METHODS: From September 2001 to April 2008, 140 patients with localized prostate cancer were treated with definitive IMRT (dose ≥ 74 Gy) without hormone therapy. Outcomes were measured from the conclusion of radiotherapy. Biochemical failure was defined as PSA nadir + 2.0 ng/dL. Toxicities were assessed using the NCI-CTCAE-version 3.0. Median follow-up was 58 months. RESULTS: Biochemical failure occurred in 13.6% of patients. Actuarial 5-year biochemical control rates were 91.7%, 82.5% and 85.9% for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients, respectively. Stage T2 patients presented a risk of biochemical failure almost three times higher than stage T1 (RR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1.04; 8.17). Distant metastases occurred in 3 (2%) patients. Five-year metastasis-free and overall survivals were 96% and 97.5%, respectively. Late grade 3 genitourinary and gastrointestinal toxicity rates were, respectively, 1.6% and 3%. CONCLUSION: High-dose IMRT alone with 1 cm posterior PTV margin was effective and safe for patients with localized prostate cancer.

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