Evaluation of the Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Susceptibility-weighted Imaging for Screening and Surveillance of Radiation-induced Cavernomas in Long-term Survivors of Malignancy. Issue 10 (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campbell, B.A.; Lasocki, A.; Oon, S.F.; Bressel, M.; Goroncy, N.; Dwyer, M.; Wiltshire, K.; Seymour, J.F.; Mason, K.; Tange, D.; Xu, M.; Wheeler, G.
• Is Part Of: Clinical oncology. Volume 33:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: e425
• Page End: e432
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Late effects -- magnetic resonance imaging -- radiation therapy -- radiation-induced cavernoma -- screening -- survivorship; Oncology -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Radiotherapy; Cancer -- Treatment; Oncology; Medical radiology; Radiotherapy; Tumors; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2021.04.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0936-6555

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: Radiation-induced cavernomas (RIC) are common late toxicities in long-term survivors of malignancy following cerebral irradiation. However, the natural history of RIC is poorly described. We report the first series of long-term surveillance of RIC using modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including highly sensitive susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). The aims of this research were to better characterise the natural history of RIC and investigate the utility of MRI-SWI for screening and surveillance. Materials and methods: Eligibility required long-term survivors of malignancy with previous exposure to cerebral irradiation and RIC identified on MRI-SWI surveillance. The number and size of RIC were reported on Baseline MRI-SWI and last Follow-up MRI-SWI. Results: In total, 113 long-term survivors with RIC underwent MRI-SWI surveillance; 109 (96%) were asymptomatic at the time of RIC diagnosis. The median age at cerebral irradiation was 9.3 years; the median radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy. The median time from cerebral irradiation to Baseline MRI-SWI was 17.9 years. On Baseline MRI-SWI, RIC multiplicity was present in 89% of patients; 34% had >10 RIC; 65% had RIC ≥4 mm. The median follow-up from Baseline MRI-SWI was 7.3 years. On Follow-up MRI-SWI, 96% of patients had multiple RIC; 62% had >10 RIC; 72% had RIC ≥4 mm. Of the 109 asymptomatic patients at RIC diagnosis, 96% remained free from RIC-related symptoms at 10 years. Only two required neurosurgical intervention for RIC; there was no RIC-related mortality. Conclusions: RIC are commonly multiple, asymptomatic and typically increase in size and number over time. Our findings suggest that MRI-SWI for screening of RIC is unlikely to influence longer term intervention in asymptomatic cancer survivors. In the absence of neurological symptoms, assessment or monitoring of RIC are insufficient indications for MRI-SWI surveillance for long-term survivors of malignancy with past exposure to cerebral irradiation. Highlights: We present the largest cohort of long-term cancer survivors diagnosed with RIC. First study of modern MRI with highly sensitive SWI for long-term RIC surveillance. RIC are commonly asymptomatic, and typically increase in size and number over time. Screening MRI-SWI does not influence the need for long-term intervention for RIC. In asymptomatic patients, MRI-SWI surveillance does not appear to be warranted.