[en] Purpose: To evaluate efficacy and tolerance of HFRT (BID) in children treated for Nb with curative intent. Material and method: Retrospective analysis of a series of 29 children treated from July 1989 through March 1995 at the Institut Gustave Roussy. Results: Mean age was 38.4 months (range 3-103) with only 1 patient under 12 months, and M/F sex ratio 1. Initial primary was abdominal in 28 and pelvic in 1. Ten children had limited disease at presentation (stage II = 1, stage III = 9) while 19 had disseminated disease (stage IVs = 1, stage IV = 18). Nmyc expression was assessed in 17 of the latest patients and was found amplified in 13. Initial therapy consisted in induction chemotherapy (CAdO = CPM, ADM, VCR ; VP16 + CDDP or carboplatine) 4-8 cycles, followed by resection of the primary and regional lymphatic drainage. The patient with stage II had primary total tumor resection and no chemotherapy. One patient was inoperable for medical reason. Intensive chemotherapy with autologous or allogenous BMT was conducted in children with metastatic disease. HFRT was administered for gross residual disease in most patients (= 22) or microscopic disease with Nmyc amplification (= 7). Three patients were in local progression before initiation of radiotherapy. Target volume varied throughout the time (postoperative or preoperative tumor volume). Total dose was adapted to the children's age and extension of the disease and 30-35 Gy were generally delivered (range 20-40). Two daily fractions of 1 Gy (range 0.8, 1) with at least a 6 hours interval were delivered 5 days a week using 4.5 MV X-rays (28), 18 MV X-rays (= 1). Gastrointestinal toxicity was very limited and few children experienced mild thombopenia, all of whom had receive intensive chemotherapy before. With a median follow-up of 37 months (range 23-74), 15 children are alive of whom 13 in CR, and 2 with distant metastases. Eight patients (27,5%) failed loco-regionally : 4 (13,7%) in field, 3 marginally and 1 outside the fields. When Nmyc was amplified, local failure rate was (4(13)) (in field = 3). These results can be compared to those of 37 children treated earlier at our institution with conventional fractionation RT and of whom 7 failed locally (in field = 5). This population presented more limited disease with 62% stage II-III. At last follow-up, no major growth impairment or other late sequelae was noted in HFRT group. Conclusion: We conclude that HFRT is probably as effective as conventional RT if the treated volume encompasses the preoperative residual disease. A longer follow-up will tell if HFRT reduces effectively the late morbidity in these children

[en] Undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharynx (UCNT) is a particular head and neck epidermoid lineage tumor related to the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). It has geographically selective endemic epidemiologic features, without relation to external carcinogens. Its systemic aggressiveness is the source of most disease-related demises, because radiotherapy achieves excellent local control and a significant percentage of cure in patients with exclusive locoregional disease. Differences in the staging systems currently in use, the recent changes in imaging and radiotherapy technology, and the lack of distinction between UCNT and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasopharynx in Western literature reports make for some difficulty in therapeutic results evaluation when analyzing available literature. Its chemosensitivity is a relatively recent acknowledged fact, and its use in metastatic patients results in a high percentage of objective responses, many of long duration. Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy seems to be of benefit, but outstanding controversies in this regard will be soon answered through ongoing phase III trials. After a review of the current literature of all the above-mentioned aspects of this fascinating nosologic entity, our own experience, both in metastatic and locoregional disease patients is analyzed

No abstract available

[en] Although most pediatric tumors can be cured with lower doses of radiation than their adult counterparts, long term radiation-induced complications and sequelae remain a major concern both in terms of frequency and intensity. Most of them have been extensively documented in the pre-chemotherapeutic era like those affecting bone, cartilage and soft tissue growth or CNS and endocrine glands. More recently the emphasis has been put on the apparent increasing incidence of reported second malignancies. This could have been favored by the chemo-radiation combinations used in most children but also has been made possible mainly by extensive follow-up of the increasing cohort of cured children. (authors)

[en] Ultrasonic phased-array offers tremendous advantages for the inspection of Friction stir welds (FSW), a new method of joining metals using a solid state bonding process. Phased array ultrasonics can reliably detect all internal volumetric defects in FSW, such as cracks, inclusion, porosity and lack-of-penetration. Spot-focused beams improve detection, inspection angles can be optimized electronically and electronic scan of the beam normal to the welds gives rapid one-line scan inspection to assure full coverage. Furthermore, a technique using ultrasonic attenuation measurements shows the presence or absence of conditions for forming kissing bonds (or entrapped oxide defects). Also, eddy current arrays can be used for surface inspection, and can help to detect tight kissing bonds. Using all three approaches, the overall detection capability of kissing bonds is high. (author)

[en] The authors report and discuss the results of a French national multicentre study which aimed at assessing the efficiency and tolerance of a folfox- and cetuximab-based chemotherapy concomitant with a radiotherapy for the treatment of stage-III cardia and oesophagus cancers. Patients (60 men and 19 women) have been selected according to the carcinoma type, performance index, age, weight loss over the last six months. Results are discussed in terms of response, steadiness, advancement, grade 3 and 4 toxicity, and side effects. The therapeutic efficiency corresponds to an objective response rate of 77 per cent, and tolerance profile seems to be acceptable for patients suffering from locally advanced cardia and oesophagus cancer. Short communication

[en] The esophagus is a musculo-membranous tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. Due to its anatomical location, it can be exposed to ionizing radiation in many external radiotherapy indications. Radiation-induced esophageal mucositis is clinically revealed by dysphagia and odynophagia, and usually begins 3 to 4 weeks after the start of radiation treatment. With the rise of multimodality treatments (e.g., concurrent chemoradiotherapy, dose escalation and accelerated fractionation schemes), esophageal toxicity has become a significant dose-limiting issue. Understanding the predictive factors of esophageal injury may improve the optimal delivery of treatment plans. It may help to minimize the risks, hence increasing the therapeutic ratio. Based on a large literature review, our study describes both early and late radiation-induced esophageal injuries and highlights some of the predictive factors for cervical and thoracic esophagus toxicity. These clinical and dosimetric parameters are numerous but none is consensual. The large number of dosimetric parameters strengthens the need of an overall analysis of the dose/volume histograms. The data provided is insufficient to recommend their routine use to prevent radiation-induced esophagitis. Defining guidelines for the tolerance of the esophagus to ionizing radiation remains essential for a safe and efficient treatment. (authors)

[en] Esophageal cancers are highly malignant tumours with often a poor prognosis, except for minimal lesions treated with surgery. Radiation therapy, or combined radiation and chemotherapy is the most used therapeutic modality, alone or before oesophagectomy. The delineation of target volumes is now more accurate owing the possibility to use routinely the new imaging techniques (mainly PET). The aim of this work is to precise the radio-anatomical particularities, the pattern of spread of esophageal cancer and the principles of 3D conformal radiotherapy illustrated with a clinical case. (authors)

[en] The chemotherapy delivered before the chemo radiotherapy allows to identify the patients that can get a benefit of this concomitant radio chemotherapy. The oxiplatine concomitant weekly administration, of 5-fluoro-uracil in continuous perfusion, and radiotherapy is possible with an acceptable toxicity in the treatment of locally evolved non resectable pancreas carcinomas. The results in term of survival without progression and global survival seem interesting in comparison with a chemoradiotherapy based on 5-fluoro-uracil in continuous perfusion. (N.C.)