BACKGROUND: The landscape of brain metastases radiotherapy is evolving, with a shift away from whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) toward targeted stereotactic approaches aimed at preserving neurocognitive functions and maintaining overall quality of life. For patients with multiple metastases, especially in cases where targeted radiotherapy is no longer feasible due to widespread dissemination, the concept of hippocampal sparing radiotherapy (HA_WBRT) gains prominence. METHODS: In this narrative review we explore the role of the hippocampi in memory formation and the implications of their postradiotherapy lateral damage. We also consider the potential advantages of selectively sparing one hippocampus during whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Additionally, by systematic evaluation of relevant papers published on PubMed database over last 20 years, we provide a comprehensive overview of the various changes that can occur in the left or right hippocampus as a consequence of radiotherapy. RESULTS: While it is important to note that various neurocognitive functions are interconnected throughout the brain, we can discern certain specialized roles of the hippocampi. The left hippocampus appears to play a predominant role in verbal memory, whereas the right hippocampus is associated more with visuospatial memory. Additionally, the anterior part of the hippocampus is more involved in episodic memory and emotional processing, while the posterior part is primarily responsible for spatial memory and pattern separation. Notably, a substantial body of evidence demonstrates a significant correlation between post-radiotherapy changes in the left hippocampus and subsequent cognitive decline in patients. CONCLUSION: In the context of individualized palliative radiotherapy, sparing the unilateral (specifically, the left, which is dominant in most individuals) hippocampus could expand the repertoire of strategies available for adapted WBRT in cases involving multiple brain metastases where stereotactic radiotherapy is not a viable option. Prospective ongoing studies assessing various memory-sparing radiotherapy techniques will define new standard of radiotherapy care of patients with multiple brain metastases.
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Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of extracranial stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in the treatment of oligometastatic lymph node involvement in the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or pelvis, in a consecutive group of patients from real clinical practice outside clinical trials. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 90 patients with a maximum of four oligometastases and various primary tumors (the most common being colorectal cancers). The endpoints were local control of treated metastases (LC), freedom from widespread dissemination (FFWD), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and freedom from systemic treatment (FFST). Acute and delayed toxicities were also evaluated. Results: The median follow-up after SBRT was 34.9 months. The LC rate at three and five years was 68.4 and 56.3%, respectively. The observed median FFWD was 14.6 months, with a five-year FFWD rate of 33.7%. The median PFS was 9.4 months; the three-year PFS rate was 19.8%. The median FFST was 14.0 months; the five-year FFST rate was 23.5%. The OS rate at three and five years was 61.8 and 39.3%, respectively. Median OS was 53.1 months. The initial dissemination significantly shortened the time to relapse, death, or activation of systemic treatment-LC (HR 4.8, p < 0.001), FFWD (HR 2.8, p = 0.001), PFS (HR 2.1, p = 0.011), FFST (HR 2.4, p = 0.005), OS (HR 2.2, p = 0.034). Patients classified as having radioresistant tumors noticed significantly higher risk in terms of LC (HR 13.8, p = 0.010), FFWD (HR 3.1, p = 0.006), PFS (HR 3.5, p < 0.001), FFST (HR 3.2, p = 0.003). The multivariable analysis detected statistically significantly worse survival outcomes for initially disseminated patients as well as separately in groups divided according to radiosensitivity. No grade III or IV toxicity was reported. Conclusion: Our study shows that targeted SBRT is a very effective and low toxic treatment for oligometastatic lymph node involvement. It can delay the indication of cytotoxic chemotherapy and thus improve and maintain patient quality of life. The aim of further studies should focus on identifying patients who benefit most from SBRT, as well as the correct timing and dosage of SBRT in treatment strategy.
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Introduction: All colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors have an increased risk of developing second primary malignancies (SPMs). The association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the risk of cancer is well known. However, the role of DM and its therapy in the development of SPMs in CRC patients is not well described. Methods: In this single-institutional retrospective analysis we identified 1,174 colorectal carcinoma patients, median follow-up 10.1 years, (median age 63 years, 724 men). All patients over 18 years with histologically confirmed CRC who were admitted in the period 1.1. 2003- 31.12.2013 and followed-up till 31.12. 2018 at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute (MMCI) were screened for eligibility. The exclusion criteria were CRC diagnosed at autopsy, lost to follow-up and high risk of development of SPMs due to hereditary cancer syndrome. Tumours are considered multiple primary malignancies if arising in different sites and/or are of a different histology or morphology group. Comparisons of the basic characteristics between the patients with SPM and the patients without SPM were performed as well as comparison of the occurrence of SPMs by the site of diagnosis between the DM and non-DM cohorts and survival analyses. Results: A SPM was diagnosed in 234 (20%) patients, DM in 183 (15%) patients. DM was diagnosed in 22.6% of those with SPM vs. in 13.8% of those without SPM (p=0.001). The most common types of SPMs in DM patients were other CRC, kidney, lung, bladder and nonmelanoma skin cancer, but only carcinoma of the liver and bile duct tracts was significantly more common than in the group without DM. Although breast cancer was the second most common in the group with DM, its incidence was lower than in the group without DM, as well as prostate cancer. A significantly higher incidence of SPMs was found in older CRC patients (≥ 65 years) and in those with lower stage colon cancer and DM. No significant difference in DM treatment between those with and without a SPM was observed including analysis of type of insulin. Conclusion: CRC patients with diabetes mellitus, especially those with older age, and early stages of colon cancer, should be screened for second primary malignancies more often than the standard population. Patients without DM have longer survival. According to the occurrence of the most common second malignancies, a clinical examination, blood count, and ultrasound of the abdomen is appropriate, together with standard breast and colorectal cancer screening, and lung cancer screening under certain conditions, and should be recommended in CRC survivors especially in patients with intercurrent DM, however the necessary frequency of screening remains unclear.
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