A Study of Multivariate Modalities of Therapy in Gall Bladder Malignancies with Different Clinical, Radiological and Histo-Pathological Profiles at a Low Resource Indian Cancer Centre

Abstract

Introduction: The effectiveness of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of GBC has not yet been established. The effectiveness of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of GBC has not yet been established. Following surgical resection, postoperative external beam RT can diminish local relapse; though effect on global survival has not been confirmed due to lack of good quality clinical trials. Thus the aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of the multivariate modality of therapy in Gallbladder malignancies.
Materials and method: The present prospective comparative study of multivariate modality of therapy in Gallbladder malignancies was carried out in a low resource North Indian cancer center from. Only those patients were selected who were histologically confirmed of adenocarconima of gall bladder, squamous cell carcinoma and oat cell carcinoma. Staging was done according to TNM classification no concurrent medical illness, Karnofsky performances status of patient >70. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: Majority (29.3%) of the cases were aged 61-70 years just followed by the age group 41-50 years, females were in majority (73.2%). Higher stage had significantly higher risk of partial or no response (p<0.001). An increasing trend of toxicities was observed with increasing dose. Significant association was found between toxicities and treatment response at dose 2000 cGy (p<0.001) and 4500 cGy (p<0.001). The Cox regression analysis showed higher hazard ratio for stage IV (HR=2.33 95% CI : 0.31-17.66) followed by stage II/III (HR=1.67 95% CI : 0.17-16.02).
Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should discuss the indeterminate benefit and possible risks of adjuvant therapy when counseling their patients and reassure enrollment in clinical trials of novel regimens. The curative potential of current adjuvant therapy in gallbladder cancer is questionable, justifying placebo-controlled investigation of novel chemotherapy combinations or alternative approaches. To confirm the efficacy of adjuvant therapy, a major randomized controlled trial is required with large sample size. The improvement in radiation delivery with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image guided radiotherapy has further paved the way for exploration of adjuvant radiation for GBC.

Introduction

Gall bladder carcinoma (GBC) is fifth most common and one of the most prevalent malignancies of gastro intestinal tract [1, 2]. It has been found that most of the GBC′s are adenocarcinoma which arises from the epithelium. It has been recounted to be three to five times more common in females than males. The GBC pathogenesis has been elucidated by two hypothesis, gall stone-cholecystitis (relative risk of 4.9) and anomalous biliary ducts [3]. Because of the prevalence, randomized controlled studies to determine the best therapy have been few and far between. As a result, therapy recommendations are based on retrospective research and limited prospective cohort studies, both of which should be read cautiously. Surgical excision has long been thought to be the sole curative therapy for these tumors. In majority of the described studies, however, even after a successful surgical resection, median survival does not surpass 14–15 months. As a result, adjuvant treatment looks to be a really good idea for better tumor control and survival [3].

Surgery is contemplated as the only conclusive treatment for non-metastatic gall bladder cancer. For tumors confined to the lamina propria [T1a], a simple cholecystectomy is sufficient. In all other situations, a prolonged cholecystectomy [T1b onward] is suggested. Matsumoto et al. evaluated the three-year survival of Stage II GBC patients who had simple cholecystectomy vs a radical cholecystectomy [4]. The authors found a three-year survival rate of 29–57 percent vs. 100 percent in favor of radical cholecystectomy, making it the standard surgical technique for Stage II GBC. However, even after extensive surgical resection, three-year survival rates in Stage III and Stage IV ranged from 7% to 80% [5].

Extended cholecystectomy involves cholecystectomy, en bloc hepatic lobe IVB and V resection, as well as nodal resection [6]. Attaining an R0 resection is important to ameliorate survival outcomes of GBC patients [4]. Study conducted by Itoh et al found that overall 5-year survival rates of GBC patients were 73%, 40%, and 0% for R0, R1 and R2, respectively [5]. The prominence of R0 resection in improving the survival rate has also been revealed in other studies [7]. Despite an R0 resection, dismal prognosis in GBC has been confronted with high rates of loco regional failures in addition to systemic metastasis. Hence, adjuvant radiation or chemo-radiation has been espoused in many healthcare centers to augment tumor control and thus improvement in survival rate.

The pattern of local recurrence and nodal distribution in gall bladder tumors will aid us in determining the target volumes for post-operative radiation. The lymph nodes along the cystic and common bile ducts are the principal nodal drainage sites, after which they expand to pancreaticoduodenal nodes and para-aortic nodes. Local– regional relapse affects 45 percent of relapsing patients. The hilum, anastomotic site, resection border of the liver, and retroperitoneal lymph nodes are the most common locations of solitary loco regional recurrence in GBC [8]. Matsumoto et al. studied lymph node metastasis and divided it into three groups: cystic, peridochal, and hilar lymph nodes, peripancreatic, portal, and hepatic lymph nodes, and celiac, periduodenal, and peri-mesenteric lymph nodes. In groups 1, 2, and 3, the authors reported a 17 percent, 18.8 percent, and 14.5 percent probability of lymph node metastasis, respectively [4].

The tumor bed and nearby lymph nodes must be included in the post-operative radiation volumes. The porta hepatis, celiac, para-aortic, and pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes must all be included in the regional lymph nodes. The surgical clips with 1 cm isotropic extension and the GB fossa, as seen in the pre-operative CECT picture, make up the CTV primary [9, 10].

A dosage of 45 Gy delivered in 25 halves over 5 weeks has been proven to enhance outcomes in GBC patients. In an R1 resection, a 5.4 Gy increase may be considered. In situations with substantial residual lesion, a 15-Gy increase may be administered [11-14]. The liver and the right kidney are the key organs at risk in GBC radiation planning. The spinal cord is another organ at danger whose tolerance must be considered. Three-dimensional conformal radiation based on computed tomography should be employed. The ideal field configuration may be a three-field method, with differential weightage of these beams allowing irradiation of these volumes while retaining the tolerance of the organs at risk. The left lateral beam may be delivered by higher energy photons like 15 MV or 18 MV to further optimize the plan. It must be an aim to keep the average dosage to the liver under 30 Gy and the amount of liver that receives 30 Gy under 60%. The renal mean dosage must be kept below 16–18 Gy volume, with 20 Gy getting less than 66 percent of the total dose. We could also strive to keep the total volume of both kidneys getting 20 Gy to less than 75%. The maximal dosage to the spinal cord should be maintained below 45 Gy if possible [8, 15-17].

The effectiveness of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of GBC has not yet been established. Following surgical resection, postoperative external beam RT can diminish local relapse; though effect on global survival has not been confirmed due to lack of good quality clinical trials. Retrospective analyses with a small sample size in which either RT alone or CRT (generally with a concomitant fluoropyrimidine) was administered have proposed improved survival [17-21]. In most circumstances, the inference was that the patients who underwent RT as a part of therapy (particularly at doses ≥40 Gy) had enhanced survival rate than those who did not. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of multivariate modality of therapy in Gallbladder malignancies.

Materials and Methods

The present prospective comparative study of multivariate modality of therapy in Gallbladder malignancies was carried out in a low resource North Indian cancer center. Only those patients were selected who were histologically confirmed of adenocarconima of gall bladder, squamous cell carcinoma and oat cell carcinoma. In addition the only those patients were included who did not receive any prior treatment for their present illness surgery/radiotherapy / chemotherapy. Staging was done according to TNM classification no concurrent medical illness, Karnofsky performances status of patient >70.

Study group selection and treatment protocol

41 patients were treated with surgery/ cholecystectomy /extended cholecystectomy,as indicated and adjuvant radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy.

Patients at stage 0/1 underwent surgery while patients with stage II/III were treated with extended cholecystectomy followed by radiotherapy, maximum in the form of 45Gy/4 weeks/200 cGy/fraction to the large field size i.e.; gall bladder and its associated area (Right hypochondrium / epigastrium). Patients at stage IV were treated with chemotherapy in the form of 400mg/m 5FU IV 14 day, 200 mg/ml IV leucovorin, Mitomycin C 8 mg/ml IV one day and repeat after 28 days into 6 cycles / other chemotherapy like cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in poor patients.

Among 41 patients who were treated with surgery / cholecystectomy / extended cholecystectomy as indicated) and combination chemotherapy (400mg/m 5FU IV 1-4 days, 200 mg/m2 IV Leucovorin 14 days, mitomycin C (8 mg/ml IV one day) and repeat after 28 days into 6 cycles). Other chemotherapy like 5 FU and cisplatin was used in poor patients. Scheduling it prior or depending upon feasibility of the surgical procedures.

Statistical analysis

The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and making comparisons among various groups. Categorical data were summarized as proportions and percentages (%) while discrete (quantitative) as mean (SD). All the associations were tested by using chi square test. Cox Regression analysis was performed for making model of treatment response outcome with general & clinical Profile of Patients. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Majority (29.3%) of the cases were aged 61-70 years just followed by the age group 41-50 years, females were in majority (73.2%). Adenocarcinoma was found in all the cases except one case where diagnosis was unspecified. Stage IV was the most common stage as found in 85.4% cases, while stage II/III was found in 12.2% cases respectively (Table 1).

Table 1. General & Clinical Profile of Patients (n=41).

Variable			Total
		No.		%
Age	31 - 40 yr	7		17.10
	41 - 50 yr	10		24.40
	51 - 60 yr	8		19.50
	61 - 70 yr	12		29.30
	71 - 80 yr	4		9.80
sex	Male	11		26.80
	Female	30		73.20
Histopathology	Adenocarcinoma	40		97.60
	Unspecified	1		2.40
Stage	Stage 0/I	1		2.40
	Stage II/III	5		12.20
	Stage IV	35		85.40

The analysis to find any association of treatment response with General & Clinical Profile of Patients (Table 2) revealed that the age group was not found to be significantly associated with response (p=0.414). Gender too not found to be associated significantly (p=0.482). Histopathology was near to significant level for association with response (p=0.050). However higher stage had significantly higher risk of partial or no response (p<0.001).

Table 2. Association of Treatment Response with General & Clinical Profile of Patients (n=41).

Variable				Response				chi sq	p-value
		CR (N=6)		PR (N=28)		NR (N=7)
		No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
Age	31 - 40 yr	2	28.6	2	28.6	3	42.9	8.21	0.414
	41 - 50 yr	2	20	7	70	1	10
	51 - 60 yr	1	12.5	6	75	1	12.5
	61 - 70 yr	1	8.3	9	75	2	16.7
	71 - 80 yr	0	0	4	100	0	0
Sex	Male	2	18.2	6	54.5	3	27.3	1.46	0.482
	Female	4	13.3	22	73.3	4	13.3
Histopathology	Adenocarcinoma	5	12.5	28	70	7	17.5	5.98	0.05
	Unspecified	1	100	0	0	0	0
Stage	Stage 0/I	1	100	0	0	0	0	41	<0.001
	Stage II/III	5	100	0	0	0	0
	Stage IV	0	0	28	80	7	20

The distribution of toxicities with radiotherapy dose (Table 3) revealed that no. of patients with toxicities was highest at 4500 cGy dose (17.1%) followed by the 4000 cGy dose (12.2%). So the increasing trend of toxicities was observed with increasing dose.

Table 3. Distribution of Toxicities Radiotherapy Dose (n=41).

Dose		Total
	No.		%
1000 cGy	0		0.00
2000 cGy	4		9.80
3000 cGy	3		7.30
4000 cGy	5		12.20
4500 cGy	7		17.10

The significant association was found between toxicities and treatment response at dose 2000 cGy (p<0.001) and 4500 cGy (p<0.001). At lower dose of 2000 cGy, toxicities was present among complete response cases, while at higher dose of 4000 cGy and 4500 cGy, toxicities were present among partial/no response cases (p<0.001).

The Cox regression analysis showed higher hazard ratio for stage IV (HR=2.33 95% CI : 0.31-17.66) followed by stage II/III (HR=1.67 95% CI : 0.17-16.02) (Table 4 and 5) (Figure 1).

Table 4. Association of Toxicities with Response According to Dose (n=41).

Dose			No. of Toxicities				chi sq	p-value
	CR (N=6)		PR (N=28)		NR (N=7)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
1000 cGy	0	0	0	0	0	0	NA	NA
2000 cGy	4	66.7	0	0	0	0	25.86	<0.001
3000 cGy	0	0	3	10.7	0	0	1.5	0.472
4000 cGy	0	0	3	10.7	2	28.6	2.64	0.267
4500 cGy	0	0	0	0	7	100	41	<0.001

Table 5. Cox Regression Analysis and Estimation of Hazard Ratio for Toxities (n=41).

Stage	B	SE	p-value	HR	95% CIL for HR	95% CIU for HR
Stage			0.645
Stage 0/I	Ref.
Stage II/III	-0.511	1.15	0.658	1.67	0.17	16.02
Stage IV	-0.847	1.03	0.412	2.33	0.31	17.66

Figure 1. Hazard Ratio and Cite.

Discussion

GBC is the fifth most prevalent and one of the most malignant cancers of the gastrointestinal system. Because of their high prevalence, randomized controlled trials to determine the best therapy have been few and far between. Surgical excision has long been thought to be the sole curative therapy for these tumors. However, the outcome is still uncertain. The most common failure pattern is loco-regional, followed by systemic failure. As a result, many institutes have employed local adjuvant radiation in conjunction with contemporaneous and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with regional metastasis or tumors invading the liver who were treated with adjuvant radiation lived longer, notwithstanding the limitations of the large retrospective cohort.

With the accessibility of innovative refined radiation techniques it may be possible to deliver adequate dose to the target while keeping the organs at risk within tolerable limits. There is also a probability of increasing the dose to by using image guidance and improved radiation delivery techniques.

Majority (29.3%) of the cases were aged 61-70 years just followed by the age group 41-50 years, females were in majority (73.2%). Other literatures by Hundal R et al, Cavallaro A and Kim HJ were also found consistent in terms of age where mean age of GBC at diagnosis was found as 64–69.4 years [22-24]. Adenocarcinoma was found in all the cases except one case where diagnosis was unspecified. Study conducted by Singh SK et al revealed that females considerably outnumbered males with 80 females and 26 males (F: M = 3:1) [25]. Another study conducted by Dubey AP et al, also reported that 77.94% of the patients were females. Stage IV was the most common stage as found in 85.4% cases, while stage II/III was found in 12.2% cases respectively. Our result was consistent with the outcome of Dubey AP et al as he also found that (57/68) of patients had advanced stage disease. Singh SK et al also found concomitant results such that stage I (0%), stage II (4%), stage IIIA (10%), stage IIIB (8%), stage IVA (17%), and stage IVB (61%) [26].

The analysis to find any association of treatment response with General & Clinical Profile of Patients revealed that the age group was not found to be significantly associated with response (p=0.414). Gender too not found to be associated significantly (p=0.482). Histopathology was near to significant level for association with response (p=0.050). However higher stage had significantly higher risk of partial or no response (p<0.001). A Study on the Clinical Profile and Treatment Outcomes in Gallbladder Carcinoma from Northern India done by Sreen A et al also found that higher stage profile patients showed poor survival rate as well as treatment response [27].

The distribution of toxicities with radiotherapy dose revealed that number of toxicities was highest for higher 4500 cGy dose (17.1%) followed by the 4000 cGy dose (12.2%). So the increasing trend of toxicities was observed with increasing dose. The significant association was found between toxicities and treatment response at dose 2000 cGy (p<0.001) and 4500 cGy (p<0.001). At lower dose of 2000 cGy, toxicities was present among complete response cases, while at higher dose of 4000 cGy and 4500 cGy, toxicities were present among partial/ no response cases (p<0.001).Although similar study conducted by Tanguturi SK et al found no relationship between gallbladder dose and toxicity and did not reach the maximum tolerated gallbladder dose in this cohort treated with high-dose radiation [28]. Study conducted by Bosset et al and Czito et al where radiation dose of 45 Gy and 46 Gy was delivered produced moderate acute side effects in five patients however, higher doses 54 Gy (range 50.4–60.8 Gy) delivered as mentioned in study conducted by Kresl et al produced Chronic toxicity in two patients. These results unveiled that fact that higher doses could cause toxicity in patients [29-31].

In conclusion, healthcare professionals should discuss the indeterminate benefit and possible risks of adjuvant therapy when counseling their patients and reassure enrollment in clinical trials of novel regimens. To confirm the efficacy of adjuvant therapy, a major randomized controlled trial is required. Current adjuvant therapy for gallbladder cancer has unclear curative potential, necessitating a placebo-controlled study of innovative chemotherapy combinations or other techniques. Over the last decade the radiotherapy technique has witnessed a paradigm shift from 2D planning to conformal radiation with an aim to optimize tumor control and minimize both acute and chronic radiation morbidity. Modern radiation procedures and target delineation radiation may increase the impact without adding to the toxicity profile in today’s day. As a result, radiation in gall bladder cancer should be reconsidered in order to improve the treatment outcome of such a dangerous illness. The improvement in radiation delivery with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image guided radiotherapy has further paved the way for exploration of adjuvant radiation for GBC.