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Showing papers by "Houda Bahig published in 2015"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Neutrophil count, as a possible marker of systemic inflammation, appear to be an independent prognostic factor for overall mortality in localized prostate cancer.
Abstract: Increasing evidence suggests a close relationship between systemic inflammation and cancer development and progression. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to be an independent prognostic indicator in various advanced and localized cancers. We investigated the influence of markers of systemic inflammation such as leucocyte counts and metabolic co-morbidities on overall survival (OS) after radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer. We conducted a retrospective study of patients with localized prostate cancer treated with definitive external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy. Univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the influence of the following factors on OS: age, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score as well as comorbidities associated with inflammation such as cardiac history, diabetes and use of a statin. A stepwise selection of variable based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used for multivariate analysis. In total, 1772 pts were included; blood count data was available for 950 pts. Median age was 68 years (44–87). Actuarial 5 years OS and biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) for the 1772 patients were 93 % and 95 %, respectively, with a median follow-up of 44 months (1–156). On univariate analysis, neutrophil count (p = 0.04), cardiac history (p = 0.008), age (p = 0.001) and CAPRA (p = 0.0002) were associated with OS. Lymphocytes, NLR and comorbidities other than cardiac history were not associated with mortality. On multivariate analysis, neutrophil count (HR = 1.18, 95 % CI: 1.017-1.37, p = 0.028), age (HR = 1.06, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.1, p = 0.008) and CAPRA (HR = 1.16, 95 % CI: 1.03-1.31, p = 0.015) were independent predictors of OS. Neutrophil count, as a possible marker of systemic inflammation, appear to be an independent prognostic factor for overall mortality in localized prostate cancer. A validation cohort is needed to corroborate these results.

45 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Although toxicities were in general minimal, patients with pulmonary fibrosis might be at greater risk of severe complications and small size, peripheral location, dose ≥ 132 Gy10 and a low Charlson co-morbidity score seem to be associated with better outcomes.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to report outcomes and prognostic factors for early stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with patient-adapted Cyberknife stereotactic body radiotherapy. A retrospective analysis of 150 patients with T1-2N0 non-small cell lung cancer treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy was conducted. An algorithm based on tumor and patient's characteristics was used to orient patients towards soft tissue (Xsight Lung), fiducials or adjacent bone (Xsight Spine) tracking. Median biological effective dose without correction for tissue inhomogeneities was 180 Gy10 for peripheral tumors and 113 Gy10 for central tumors. Median follow-up was 22 months. Actuarial 2 years local control, overall survival and disease-specific survival were respectively 96%, 87% and 95%. Every 1 cm increase in tumor diameter was associated with a relative risk for regional or distant relapse of 2 (95%CI = 1.2-3.6, p = 0.009). With doses ≥132 Gy10 and <132 Gy10, local control was 98% vs. 82% (p = 0.07), disease-specific survival 97% vs. 78% (p = 0.02) and overall survival 93% vs. 76% (p = 0.01), respectively. Better disease-specific survival and a trend for better overall survival was observed for peripheral vs. central tumors (96% vs. 79%, p = 0.05 and 92% vs. 74%, p = 0.08, respectively). A higher Charlson comordibity score (≥4) predicted lower overall survival (79% vs. 98%, p = 0.01). Toxicities included 3 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who developed grade 5 pneumonitis and 2 patients with grade 3 pneumonitis. We therefore report excellent local control and disease-specific survival following patient-adapted Cyberknife lung stereotactic body radiotherapy. Although toxicities were in general minimal, patients with pulmonary fibrosis might be at greater risk of severe complications. Small size, peripheral location, dose ≥ 132 Gy10 and a low Charlson co-morbidity score seem to be associated with better outcomes.

32 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Conurrent CRT may be a feasible treatment option for healthier older patients at the cost of high hospitalization rates, but pre-treatment factors linked to physiological age such as KPS ⩽80, Charlson score ⩾3, abnormal renal function should be considered at the time of treatment decision.

31 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In nonsurgical patients with multiple comorbidities, lung SABR achieves long-term local control while maintaining QoL and pulmonary function and local control, survival, and toxicities are presented.
Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and pulmonary function of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with robotic stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR). Methods and materials Eligible patients all had histologically confirmed stage I non-small cell lung cancer and were not surgical candidates because of poor pulmonary function, comorbidities, or refusal of surgery. SABR was delivered at a median dose of 60 Gy in 3 fractions for peripheral tumors and 50 Gy in 4 or 5 fractions for central tumors. QoL was scored using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30) and Lung Cancer-13 questionnaires. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) included forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) and lung diffusion capacity. Changes over time in QoL scores and PFTs were tested with nonparametric tests for longitudinal data. Local control, survival, and toxicities are also presented. Results From January 2010 to May 2013, 45 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up was 41 months. QLQ-C30 mean baseline scores for global QoL and physical functioning were 66 ± 20% and 73 ± 22%. Multilevel analyses showed no statistically and clinically significant (10-point change) deterioration in any of the QoL scores after SABR. Mean baseline FEV 1 was 1.39 ± 0.51 L, and mean lung diffusion capacity was 63 ± 25% of predicted. We saw no significant change in PFTs at any time point. At 3 years, local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival were, respectively, 94%, 67%, and 75%. Conclusions In nonsurgical patients with multiple comorbidities, lung SABR achieves long-term local control while maintaining QoL and pulmonary function.

21 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Use of CBCT was associated with decreased dose to ipsilateral breast and increased dose to all OARs compared with EPI, suggesting significant dose reduction can be achieved with the use of partial CBCT, while generally maintaining image quality.
Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare absorbed dose with the treated breast and organs at risks (OARs) with weekly image guidance using electronic portal imaging (EPI), complete kilovoltage cone beam computed tomography (kV CBCT), and partial kV CBCT. Methods and materials Using a thorax female phantom, we determined absorbed doses to treated and contralateral breast, ipsilateral and contralateral lung, heart, and skin for tangential EPI, complete kV CBCT, and partial kV CBCT. Doses were measured by use of ionization chambers and compared with treatment planning system calculations. With simulation of breast tangential irradiation to a standard dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, dose to each organ was measured for each image guidance technique. Results Use of weekly EPI was associated with a significantly increased dose to the treated breast compared with weekly complete and partial kV CBCT (4.44 ± 0.04 vs 1.00 ± 0.07 vs 0.576 ± 0.003 cGy, respectively). Dose to the contralateral breast, ipsilateral and contralateral lung, heart, and contralateral skin was lower with EPI than with either complete or partial kV CBCT (0.042 ± 0.004 vs 0.36 ± 0.01 vs 0.23 ± 0.01 cGy, 0.06 ± 0.04 vs 0.42 ± 0.02 vs 0.31 ± 0.01 cGy, 0.004 ± 0.002 vs 0.29 ± 0.01 vs 0.22 ± 0.01 cGy, 0.03 ± 0.08 vs 0.36 ± 0.02 vs 0.25 ± 0.01 cGy, and 0.20 ± 0.02 vs 0.80 ± 0.06 vs 0.40 ± 0.03 cGy, respectively). Compared with complete CBCT, the use of partial CBCT allowed dose reductions of 42%, 37%, 27%, 24%, and 28% to the ipsilateral breast, contralateral breast, ipsilateral lung, contralateral lung, and heart, respectively. Additional dose from weekly CBCT was significantly lower than treatment-related scatter dose for all OARs. Conclusions Use of CBCT was associated with decreased dose to ipsilateral breast and increased dose to all OARs compared with EPI. Significant dose reduction can be achieved with the use of partial CBCT, while generally maintaining image quality.

4 citations