External Beam Radiotherapy for Malignant Central Airway Obstruction in a Remote Rural Patient: A Case Study.

Introduction: Malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO) is a challenging therapeutic scenario, caused by tumour burden which limits airflow within the large airways. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung accounts for 50% of MCAO seen in the setting of non-small cell lung cancer. Here, we present the challenging case of a 63-year-old Indigenous Australian Female rom a remote rural community with background history of metastatic SCC of presumed pulmonary origin, who presented with a 1-week history of dyspnoea, stridor, and hoarse voice.

Survival outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer with synchronous liver only metastasis.

Background: Colorectal cancer with synchronous liver-only metastasis is managed with a multimodal approach, however, optimal sequencing of modalities remains unclear.

Methods: A retrospective review of all consecutive rectal or colon cancer cases with synchronous liver-only metastasis was conducted from the South Australian Colorectal Cancer Registry from 2006 to 2021. This study aimed to investigate how order and type of treatment modality affects overall survival.

Can sarcopenia predict complete response after total neoadjuvant therapy in advanced rectal cancer? A multicentre observational cohort study.

Background: The association between sarcopenia and response to neoadjuvant treatment remains unclear. This study investigates sarcopenia as a predictor of overall complete response (oCR) after Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) for advanced rectal cancer.

Method: A prospective observational study was performed of patients with rectal cancer undergoing TNT at three South Australian hospitals between 2019 and 2022.

Personalized total neoadjuvant therapy (pTNT) for advanced rectal cancer with tailored treatment sequencing based on clinical stage at presentation.

Background: This study aimed to assess short-term outcomes of a personalized total neoadjuvant treatment (pTNT) protocol, with treatment sequencing based on clinical stage at presentation.

Methods: A multidisciplinary pTNT protocol was implemented across two metropolitan hospitals. This consists of two-schema based on clinical stage: patients with distant failure risk were offered induction chemotherapy before chemoradiation (nCRT), and patients with locoregional failure risk received nCRT followed by consolidation chemotherapy.

Regorafenib outcomes from the population based South Australian Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Registry.

Aim: Reviewing outcomes of regorafenib use in metastatic colorectal cancer using real-world data from the South Australian Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Registry.

Methods: A retrospective review of the characteristics and outcomes of patients who received regorafenib in the Registry up to December 2018. The registry started in February 2006.

Efficacy of topical Calendula officinalis on prevalence of radiation-induced dermatitis: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: A randomised controlled trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of topical Calendula officinalis (Calendula) versus standard of care (Sorbolene: 10% glycerine in cetomacragol cream) in reducing the prevalence of radiation-induced dermatitis in women undergoing breast cancer radiotherapy.

Methods: A total of 271 women were screened and 82 were randomised. The primary outcome was prevalence of acute radiation-induced dermatitis (RTOG grade 2+) assessed at multiple skin sites.

Metastasectomy and BRAF mutation; an analysis of survival outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Resection of oligometastases improves survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). It is unclear whether the benefit is consistent for BRAF V600E mutant (MT) and wild type (WT) mCRC. This retrospective analysis explores the influence of BRAF MT on survival after metastasectomy.

Measuring (and narrowing) the gap: The experience with attendance of Indigenous cancer patients for Radiation Therapy in the Northern Territory.

Introduction: Barriers exist for both Indigenous and remote patients attending cancer care facilities. We sought to measure clinical attendance of all patients referred for consideration of radiation therapy (RT) at the single radiation therapy centre in the Northern Territory (NT), with particular attention to a comparison of Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients, and to analyse methods introduced to address the attendance of patients.

Methods: Patients referred for radiation therapy over a 5 year period from the commencement of the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre (AWCCC), NT, were analysed for attendance, and for possible improvement over time.

Brain metastasis in advanced colorectal cancer: results from the South Australian metastatic colorectal cancer (SAmCRC) registry.

Objective: Brain metastasis is considered rare in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC); thus, surveillance imaging does not routinely include the brain. The reported incidence of brain metastases ranges from 0.6% to 3.

Adjuvant lymph-node field radiotherapy versus observation only in patients with melanoma at high risk of further lymph-node field relapse after lymphadenectomy (ANZMTG 01.02/TROG 02.01): 6-year follow-up of a phase 3, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended for patients with melanoma after lymphadenectomy. We previously showed this treatment reduced risk of repeat lymph-node field cancer in patients with a high risk of recurrence but had no effect on overall survival. Here, we aim to update the relapse and survival data from that trial and assess quality of life and toxic effects.

External evaluation of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group brachial plexus contouring protocol: several issues identified.

Introduction: The aims of the study were to evaluate interobserver variability in contouring the brachial plexus (BP) using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)-approved protocol and to analyse BP dosimetries.

Methods: Seven outliners independently contoured the BPs of 15 consecutive patients. Interobserver variability was reviewed qualitatively (visually by using planning axial computed-tomography images and anteroposterior digitally reconstructed radiographs) and quantitatively (by volumetric and statistical analyses).

Radiation treatment compliance in the Indigenous population: the pilot Northern Territory experience and future directions.

Introduction: There is a perception that Indigenous patients are less likely to attend radiotherapy treatment. This study sought to determine if a difference in radiotherapy treatment compliance rates exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients. Secondly, we aimed to ascertain which patient, disease and treatment factors affect compliance in Indigenous patients.

Survival differences in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and with single site metastatic disease at initial presentation: results from South Australian clinical registry for advanced colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Australia. The median overall survival for metastatic colorectal cancer is nearly 2 years. However, there may be survival differences based on site of metastatic disease.

Adjuvant radiotherapy versus observation alone for patients at risk of lymph-node field relapse after therapeutic lymphadenectomy for melanoma: a randomised trial.

Background: The use of radiotherapy after therapeutic lymphadenectomy for patients with melanoma at high risk of further lymph-node field and distant recurrence is controversial. Decisions for radiotherapy in this setting are made on the basis of retrospective, non-randomised studies. We did this randomised trial to assess the effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on lymph-node field control in patients who had undergone therapeutic lymphadenectomy for metastatic melanoma in regional lymph nodes.