Ahmed, Safia K.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the clinical value of breast MRI in radiation-associated angiosarcoma of the breast (RAASB) for assessing disease extent at diagnosis and after neoadjuvant therapy compared with clinical examination and surgical pathology. Methods This IRB-approved retrospective study included 25 patients with breast MRIs between1995 and 2020. MRI estimated disease extent was compared to clinical exam and surgical pathology. MRI findings were evaluated for additional disease and impact on clinical management. Agreement between MRI and clinical assessment of disease was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa statistic. Results Baseline MRI demonstrated moderate agreement with clinical disease extent (Cohen’s κ = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.14-0.75). Thirteen of 24 (54%) of MRIs reflected clinical exam, 4/24 (17%) MRIs underestimated disease, and 5/24 (21%) MRIs overestimated disease. Baseline MRI changed surgical management in 4/24 (17%). In 8 patients who proceeded directly to surgery, MRI reflected pathology in 6/8 (75%). In 10 patients with post-neoadjuvant MRI, 4/10 (40%) pathology and MRI extent were similar, 5/10 (50%) MRI overestimated disease, and 1/10 (10%) MRI underestimated disease. Conclusion MRI has clinical value in assessing RAASB with the potential for significantly altering surgical management. In this small cohort, post-neoadjuvant MRI demonstrated limited additional clinical value. Larger studies are needed to define the optimal role and timing of post-neoadjuvant MRI. Advances in knowledge Baseline MRI detected additional disease not identified on initial clinical exam in 5/24 (21%) and changed surgical management in 4/24 (17%). Although baseline MRI demonstrated moderate agreement with clinical examination, post-neoadjuvant MRI frequently overestimated residual disease when compared with final pathology.

ABSTRACT Purpose We studied histologic Ewing sarcoma (ES) tumor response at local control surgery to explore associations between histologic response and chemotherapy practice changes over time and confirm its prognostic significance in the modern era. Methods We reviewed clinical data for 126 patients with ES treated at Mayo Clinic from 1977 to 2022, analyzing the percentage necrosis as a prognostic factor across chemotherapy regimens (including modern interval‐compressed VDC‐IE). Results In the historical cohort, 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with ≤5% versus greater than 5% viable tumor were 76% versus 59% ( p = 0.01) and 83% versus 62% ( p = 0.01). Review of 104 specimens by two pathologists identified the percentage remaining viable tumor as more reproducible than the percentage necrosis and/or fibrosis. On multivariable analysis of patients with localized disease ( n = 87), pelvic tumors and greater than 5% viable tumor remained independent risk factors for poor survival (EFS: hazard ratio [HR] 3.1, p < 0.01; OS: HR 2.1, p = 0.048). The modern cohort consisted of 22 patients. No patients with tumor size less than 8 cm at diagnosis and 100% necrosis after surgery had events; four of seven with tumors greater than 8 cm had events despite 100% necrosis. Conclusions Our results validate the historical threshold of greater than 5% viable tumor with older chemotherapy regimens but not with modern interval‐compressed VDC‐IE. In addition, inter‐rater reliability for the percentage viable is more reproducible than the percentage necrosis. Although numbers are small, tumors less than 8 cm with no viable tumor appear to be a favorable subgroup and suggest risk stratification using a combination of tumor size and any viable tumor should be evaluated in ES.

Objective: This single institutional analysis explored outcomes and factors associated with local control and survival in pediatric patients with nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS). Methods: Patients 18 years of age or younger diagnosed between October 1990 and November 2021 who received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) were retrospectively identified. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and univariate Cox models. Results: Among 51 included patients, there were 33 extremity tumors (65%), with 80% T1/T2 and 90% M0. Surgery in 49/51 (96%) resulted in 32 (65%) R0 resections. All received EBRT, with brachytherapy or intraoperative radiotherapy boosts in 21/51 (41%). Thirty-four (66.7%) received chemotherapy. With 5.7 years median follow-up, 5-year OS and DFS were 70.7% and 67.9%, respectively. Positive margins were significantly associated with worse OS. Two-year local failure incidence was 18.1% for EBRT versus 5.3% for EBRT+boost (HR 3.67, P =0.24). Among 6 local failures, 5 received EBRT alone, including 3 with positive margins. Two treated with EBRT+boost had positive margins, neither with local recurrence. Conclusion: Multimodality treatment of pediatric NRSTS results in 5-year OS and DFS around 70%. Although complete resection remains essential, and the modern incidence of R1 resection has declined, IORT/brachytherapy boost may continue to have a role in selected patients with a high local recurrence risk.

Background: Localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is primarily treated with surgical resection with or without radiotherapy (RT), while the role of chemotherapy (CT) as a radiosensitizer remains unclear. We report our single-institution experience with combined chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in treating localized STS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with localized STS treated at Mayo Clinic with mitomycin, cisplatin, and doxorubicin (MitoAP) concurrently with RT between 1/1/85 and 12/12/19. Results: We identified 179 patients (median age 58 years; median tumor size 9.5 cm), with 83.8% of tumors located in the extremities or trunk. Among them, 77.1% received perioperative CT in addition to CCRT, with 95% of those treated in the neoadjuvant setting. Median RT dose was 50 Gray. The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) was 77.9% (95% confidence interval, CI: 70.8–83.4%). The addition of perioperative CT to CCRT was associated with improved DSS compared with CCRT alone (p = 0.01, Hazard Ratio, HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27–0.85). Median post-CCRT tumor viability was 30% and did not differ by CT use (p = 0.39), but varied significantly by histology (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our institutional protocol utilizing two cycles of MitoAP with RT was well tolerated. DSS in our cohort was similar to historical data using perioperative RT alone, suggesting no clear benefit from CCRT. However, the majority of patients in our cohort were classified as high risk, which may have attenuated a potential survival benefit in the absence of appropriate comparative controls. Furthermore, additional perioperative CT to CCRT was associated with improved DSS and differential histology-specific responses in tumor viability, suggesting that a more aggressive neoadjuvant and perioperative approach may be beneficial in selected patients.

Malignant transformation of intracranial nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) is a rare but clinically relevant phenomenon. We present the case of a 13-year-old boy with a localized, pineal NGGCT. After an initial favorable response, tumor growth was noted while still on chemotherapy. Histopathologic characterization revealed that 40% of the tumor was embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), consistent with potential malignant transformation. Due to the rare nature of NGGCT malignant transformation, the best clinical approach to these cases remains unclear. We explore existing cases, treatments, and outcomes of malignant transformation in intracranial NGGCTs to help inform future clinical decision-making and the establishment of treatment guidelines.

Background: Adolescents and young adults (15–39 years of age at time of diagnosis: AYA) with sarcoma are a unique patient population. The objective of this review is to examine the literature outlining the benefits of proton beam therapy (PBT) for treatment of AYA sarcoma patients, barriers to PBT, evaluation of AYA-specific considerations and challenges, and exploration of future opportunities for improvements in care. Methods: An electronic search was conducted using databases and online search engines, primarily PubMed. The search criteria included studies and reviews completed from 2015 to 2025. Results: 57 articles were reviewed and categorized into sections: PBT for the treatment of the AYA patient, barriers to PBT, AYA-specific considerations and challenges, and future directions for the care of an AYA patient. Conclusions: Through this review, PBT can be deemed necessary when treating AYA sarcoma patients with radiation therapy to decrease long-term therapy-related toxicities. Furthermore, considerations for caring for an AYA sarcoma patient must extend beyond evidence-based treatment plans and must embrace the patient as a whole person through acknowledgement of the challenging impact on physical, mental, and social well-being from symptoms to diagnosis, diagnosis to treatment, and treatment to survivorship.

Abstract Background We retrospectively assessed volumetric response of myxoid liposarcoma (MLPS) with preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and sought to identify disease and treatment characteristics associated with response. Patients and methods We identified all patients with a histologic diagnosis of MLPS who received preoperative RT from 2013 to 2021 at our institution. We used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess changes in tumor volume and greatest dimension during treatment. Tumors were contoured on CBCT images prior to treatment and at the end of each week of RT. Percentage change in tumor volume and greatest dimension were calculated based on pre-treatment and final week contours. Patients with tumors incompletely visualized on CBCT were excluded from volume analysis but included on greatest dimension analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate pre- and post-RT radiographic features. Surgical pathology was reviewed to record pathologic characteristics. Results Twenty patients met inclusion criteria. Most tumors (18/20) were low grade. The most frequent dose/fractionation scheme was 50 Gy in 25 fractions (16/20), with 3 patients receiving 36 Gy in 18 fractions. Median pre-RT volume and greatest dimension were 120 cc (interquartile range [IQR]: 56–399) and 11.2 cm (IQR: 8.4–14.1), respectively. Median percentage change in volume and greatest dimension were -37% (IQR: -57 to -29) and -10% (IQR: -20 to -7). All evaluable tumors decreased in volume during RT. Between pre- and post-RT MRI, most patients had a decrease in intratumoral (16/20) and peritumoral edema (11/20). Sixteen patients exhibited extensive pathologic response. There were no significant associations between radiographic and pathologic features and volumetric change. Local failure at 3 years was 9% (95% confidence interval: 1–59). Conclusions We report significant decreases in MLPS tumor size during preoperative RT. There may be a role for adaptive RT planning to reduce target volumes and minimize RT-associated morbidity.

Abstract Purpose Lattice radiation therapy (LRT) is a form of spatially fractionated radiation therapy that allows increased total dose delivery aiming for improved treatment response without an increase in toxicities, commonly utilized for palliation of bulky tumors. The LRT treatment planning process is complex, while eligible patients often have an urgent need for expedited treatment start. In this study, we aimed to develop a simulation‐free workflow for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)‐based LRT planning via deep learning‐predicted synthetic CT (sCT) to expedite treatment initiation. Methods Two deep learning models were initially trained using 3D U‐Net architecture to generate sCT from diagnostic CTs (dCT) of the thoracic and abdomen regions using a training dataset of 50 patients. The models were then tested on an independent dataset of 15 patients using image similarity analysis assessing mean absolute error (MAE) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) as metrics. VMAT‐based LRT plans were generated based on sCT and recalculated on the planning CT (pCT) for dosimetric accuracy comparison. Differences in dose volume histogram (DVH) metrics between pCT and sCT plans were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Results The final sCT prediction model demonstrated high image similarity to pCT, with a MAE and SSIM of 38.93 ± 14.79 Hounsfield Units (HU) and 0.92 ± 0.05 for the thoracic region, and 73.60 ± 22.90 HU and 0.90 ± 0.03 for the abdominal region, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between sCT and pCT plans in terms of organ‐at‐risk and target volume DVH parameters, including maximum dose (Dmax), mean dose (Dmean), dose delivered to 90% (D90%) and 50% (D50%) of target volume, except for minimum dose (Dmin) and (D10%). Conclusion With demonstrated high image similarity and adequate dose agreement between sCT and pCT, our study is a proof‐of‐concept for using deep learning predicted sCT for a simulation‐free treatment planning workflow for VMAT‐based LRT.

10035 Background: Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a rare malignancy of children, adolescents and young adults for which outcomes have progressively improved through intensification of conventional chemotherapy, including interval compression of cycles. Prior cooperative group reports of relapsed EwS included patients treated less intensively and with fewer treatment options at relapse. Here, we report overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors post-first recurrence in patients with EwS treated with frontline interval-compressed chemotherapy. Methods: We included patients treated on the last three phase 3 COG EwS studies treated with interval compressed chemotherapy, which accrued from 2001-2019. Patients with initially localized disease (L-EwS) were treated on AEWS0031 arm B and AEWS1031. Patients with initially metastatic disease (M-EwS) were treated on AEWS1221. The primary outcome was OS from first relapse. Demographic and clinical data from original diagnosis and from relapse were analyzed as potential prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed and groups compared with log-rank tests. Results: 366 patients experienced disease recurrence as first event and were included in this analysis (AEWS0031 arm B, n = 69, AEWS1031, n = 115, for a total of 184 with L-EwS; AEWS1221, n = 182, all with M-EwS). Median age at relapse was 16 years. Median time from initial enrollment to first relapse was 1.52 years and was shorter for patients with M-EwS (Kruskall-Wallis, p < 0.001). First relapses were isolated local, isolated distant, and combined in 24%, 70%, and 6.4% of patients, respectively. Metastatic stage at initial diagnosis was associated with increased risk of post-first recurrence OS event (p < 0.0001). Two-year OS post-first recurrence (OS 2y ) was 25.6% for patients with M-EwS and 48.5% for patients with L-EwS. Time to first recurrence was also a predictor of post-recurrence survival (p < 0.0001): patients with initial L-EwS and relapse < 2 years from diagnosis had OS 2y of 31.4% vs. 70.8% for later relapses. Patients with initial M-EwS and relapse < 2 years from diagnosis had OS 2y of 18.9% vs. 71.2%. Patients with combined relapses had higher risk of post-relapse death compared to other patterns of failure (p = 0.003), an effect that was largely driven by the one seen in patients with initial L-EwS. Conclusions: Overall survival of patients with first recurrent EwS after having received modern era therapy with interval compressed chemotherapy on recent COG trials remains poor, particularly for M-EwS, early relapse and combined relapses. These data will inform the design of trials for this relapsed population and provide critical data to help counsel patients about goals of care at first relapse.

10032 Background: Identifying clinical and biological factors associated with outcomes in localized Ewing sarcoma (ES) will enable risk-stratified clinical trials with the goal of improved outcomes for high-risk patients and decreased treatment toxicity for low-risk patients. The specific aims of this analysis in localized ES patients were 1) to classify extraosseous (EO) primary tumors with subdivisions into deep (viscera, glands, body cavities, muscle, nerves) and superficial (cutaneous and subcutaneous) sites, and 2) to understand the relationship between baseline clinical factors (age, sex, primary tumor site, size (maximum dimension and volume)) and event-free survival (EFS). Methods: The analytic cohort included ES patients treated with ICC on AEWS0031 and AEWS1031. Primary tumor sites were defined as pelvic, non-pelvic, and EO (deep vs. superficial). Post-enrollment EFS was the primary endpoint. Univariate analyses used the Kaplan–Meier method (logrank test). Multivariable analyses used Cox proportional hazards models. To assess the impact of tumor volume as a continuous variable, a subgroup analysis was conducted using AEWS1031 only, as tumor volumes were collected prospectively on this study. Visual exploration of effects of continuous variables on EFS event hazard used restricted cubic splines with 3 knots. Tests were performed at the 5% level. Results: AEWS0031 (n = 628) and AEWS1031 Regimen B (n = 283) yielded 911 patients. In univariate analyses, difference in risk of EFS event was observed between tumor sites ( P = 0.03). EO tumors had the highest estimated EFS compared to pelvic and non-pelvic (5 year EFS 84.7% vs. 72.4% and 75.9%). Superficial EO appeared to be a very low-risk group, albeit interpretations are limited by the small group size and singular event (one second malignant neoplasm among 15 patients). In multivariable analysis of the combined cohort, sex, race, and ethnicity were not prognostic. EO tumors may be associated with decreased hazard compared with non-pelvic bone primaries (HR 0.58, P = 0.07), and tumors ≥200 mL with increased hazard (HR 1.56, P < 0.01). In the subgroup analysis, tumor volume and age were prognostic and in visualizations age was non-linearly related to the hazard of EFS event, increasing until approximately 15 years. Tumor volume was non-linearly related to the hazard of EFS event and increased until approximately 400 mL. Conclusions: Patients with ES and primary tumors ≥200 mL continue to be at higher risk of an EFS event when treated with ICC, and EO tumors may be lower risk compared with other sites. Risk of an event appears to remain constant in ES patients ≥15 years or with primary tumors ≥400 mL. These findings should be validated in prospective trials and tumor biology integrated with clinical factors to improve risk stratification for localized ES.