(P027) Definitive Radiation Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Temple: Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), Matched Electron Fields (MEFs), or Bolus Electron Conformal Therapy (BolusECT, .decimal Inc.)?

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OncologyOncology Vol 30 No 4_Suppl_1
Volume 30
Issue 4_Suppl_1

While IMRT is the standard technique for most head cancers and offers excellent sparing of normal tissues to avoid late effects, BolusECT is appropriate for superficial targets, with good sparing of mucosal tissue to reduce acute mucositis that impairs nutrition, quality of life, and treatment intensity.

Anesa Ahamad, MD, Donald Weed, MD, Darel Pruett, MD, Daniel Saulpaugh, Eduardo Fernandez, MD; University of Miami; Pruett Dermatology; 21st Century Oncology

BACKGROUND: Patients who decline radical head and neck (H&N) surgery for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) may be treated with radiation therapy (RT). H&N cancers are often irradiated using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which incurs a risk of mucositis. For an 87-year-old female with a 1.5-cm MCC 1.5 cm lateral to the orbital rim, we delivered 50 Gy to elective nodal regions and 70 Gy to the primary following comparison of three techniques that are appropriate for this target.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scanning acquired the three-dimensional (3D) model of the immobilized patient with radio-opaque wires to delineate skin target, dummy eye shield in situ, and reference BBs (ball bearings). Targets and normal organs from the scalp to below the clavicle were outlined using virtual simulation software, and computation was done using CMS XiO. Dosimetry was computed for the three techniques-IMRT, matched electron field (MEF), and Bolus Electron Conformal Therapy (BolusECT, .decimal, Inc)-normalized to at least 95% target volume coverage. BolusECT uses a single electron beam with a computer-designed variable-thickness compensator. 

RESULTS: The patient was treated with BolusECT for best mucosal sparing. Mean dose using IMRT, MEF, and BolusECT, respectively, was: oral cavity/lips: 21.4 Gy, 9.3 Gy, and 3.6 Gy; larynx: 31.5 Gy, 43.7 Gy, and 17.5 Gy; pharynx: 23.4 Gy, 20.1 Gy, and 6.0 Gy; and cervical esophagus: 33.7 Gy, 31.0 Gy, and 9.1 Gy. Volumes of oral cavity/lips > 30 Gy were 40 cc, 22.7 cc, and 12.2 cc, respectively; volumes of oral cavity/lips > 40 Gy were 17.5 cc, 8.8 cc, and 0.9 cc, respectively; and volumes of pharynx > 45 Gy were 4.2 cc, 9.0 cc, and 0.5 cc, respectively. Treatment delivery times were 10.4 minutes, 1.8 minutes, and 0.9 minutes, respectively. The patient received 70 Gy without interruption and experienced 1 pound of weight loss; grade 1 fatigue, alopecia, skin and oral discomfort, hyperpigmentation, and dysphagia; grade 2 dysgeusia and xerostomia; and no observable mucosal changes.

CONCLUSIONS: While IMRT is the standard technique for most head cancers and offers excellent sparing of normal tissues to avoid late effects, BolusECT is appropriate for superficial targets, with good sparing of mucosal tissue to reduce acute mucositis that impairs nutrition, quality of life, and treatment intensity.

Proceedings of the 98th Annual Meeting of the American Radium Society - americanradiumsociety.org

Articles in this issue

(S002) A 15-Year Review of Radiation Therapy for Keloids at Two Institutions
(S003) Single-Fraction Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma Bony Metastases Provides Pain Control and Decreases Time to Chemotherapy
(S001) Prognostic Value of Pretreatment Serum Inflammatory Markers in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer
(S004) Trend in Second Malignancy Risk for Head and Neck Cancer With Increased Utilization of IMRT: Analysis of SEER Database
(S005) Comparison of Legal Needs of a Group of Patients With Cancer: Economic and Geographic Factors
(S006) Mission Improvement: Lessons From Initiating a Resident-Led Quality Improvement Project on Smoking Cessation at a County Hospital
(S007) Results of a Phase II Trial Using Cetuximab Plus Docetaxel With Low-Dose Fractionated Radiation for Recurrent Unresectable Locally Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma
(S008) The Effect of Simulation and Treatment Delays for Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Receiving Definitive Radiation Therapy in the Era of Risk Stratification Using Smoking and Human Papilloma Virus Status
(S009) Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Boost for Unfavorable Prostate Cancer: A Report on Three-Year Toxicity
(S011) Comparative Study Between Ileal Conduit and Indiana Pouch After Cystectomy for Patients With Carcinoma of Urinary Bladder
(S010) Computed Tomography–Assessed Measures of Bone Mineral Density and Muscle Mass as Predictors of Survival in Men With Prostate Cancer
(S012) Quantitative Imaging to Evaluate the Malignant Potential of Pancreatic Cysts
(S013) Spine Stereotactic Radiosurgery With Concurrent Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
(S014) The Impact of Radiation Therapy on Survival in Surgically Resected, High-Risk Patients With Ampullary Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Analysis
(S016) The Impact of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy on Overall Survival in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
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