Objective To investigate the patterns of intrathoracic lymph node metastasis in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to provide a theoretical basis for the delineation of radiotherapy target volume.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 314 NSCLC patients after operation.Our focus was to investigate the distribution characteristics and metastatic extent of intrathoracic lymph nodes and their relationship with tumor size,pathological type,and primary site.Comparisons between groups were made by one-way analysis of variance.Results The frequencies of metastases to lymph nodes at stations 4,5,7,10,and 11 were all above 12％,while those at stations 1,2,3,6,8,and 9 were all below 12％.The lymph node metastasis rate was similar on the primary tumor site (P =0.102).The patients with T3 and T4 NSCLC had a significantly higher frequency of N2 lymph node metastasis than those with T1 and T2 NSCLC (17.0％ vs.11.6％,P =0.002) ;the patients with adenocarcinoma had a significantly higher frequency of N2 lymph node metastasis than those with squamous cell carcinoma (34.5 ％ vs.23.2％,P =0.008).Conclusions For patients with T3 and T4 NSCLC of adenocarcinoma subtype,we should highlight the lymph nodes at stations 4,5,7,10,and 11 when delineating the radiotherapy target volume after operation.

Objective To develop the system of computer information processing for radiotherapy. Methods Visual Foxpro 5.0 was used to program the system through the model of client-server machine. SQL-server was used as the database-server.Results The main function of this system was management of the case data for radiotherapy and make plans for radiotherapy. Conclusion This system operates steadily with the data safe and reliable. It can be used extensively in clinical practice.

Objective To discuss how to practise and consummate to shoot and assess the portfilm for radiotherapy. Methods Double radiography technique was used to take a portfilm. The reference mark points (plumbum points) were added into the field at the first exposure and the cross lines drawn based on the plumbum point images were definited as the reference coordinate to the actual field. Then, the portfilm was compared and analyzed with the simulator planning film. Results The images of both plumbum points and block boundaries were distinct in the portfilm, but the resolution and contrast of the tissue structure image was inferior to the ordinary film from simulator. However, all different structures and positions could be identified in order to assess if the actual field coincided with the radiation planning. Conclusions Although the real-time property of the portfilm is inferior to the electric portal image device (EPID), the double radiography portfilm is feasible as an important quality control method in radiation therapy due to its lower price and easier performance. The design of reference points is the key point in this technique.

Objective To compare the efficacy between bronchial artery infusion (BAI) chemotherapy plus radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy plus radiation for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods One hundred and twenty-one patients with stage III NSCLC were randomized into treatment group(58 cases) and control group (63 cases). In the treatment group, all patients were administered with BAI for 2-3 sessions, followed by irradiation 4-7 days after BAI. In the control group, altogether 4-6 cycles of standard systemic chemotherapy were given. Radiation was delivered alternately between the cycles of chemotherapy. Results The short-term, long-term survival, median response duration and median survival time were similar between the two groups, except patients with stage Ⅲb who had a higher distant metastasis rate in the treatment group. The major side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were hematological, gastrointestinal toxicities, pneumonitis, mediastinitis, and esophagitis, respectively. The side effects were milder, better tolerated and did not influence the regimen schedule in the treatment group, as compared with the control group. Seven patients withdrew from the control group, and in 28 patients, the scheduled chemotherapy and radiation was delayed or canceled. Conclusions Bronchial artery infusion plus radiation is more advantageous over systemic chemotherapy plus radiation in less toxicities, better compliance, shorter treatment courses and more cost-effectiveness.

60 cm 3). Primary tumor volume was found to be an independent prognostic factor of local control in multivariant analysis without any statistical significance to predict the disease-free survival or distant relapse-free survival rates. Conclusion The greater volume disparity with the same T stage and the data extension overlap with different T stages are demonstrated and the primary tumor volume may be considered as a prognostic factor in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the effect of El A gene on the radiosensitivity of human laryngeal carcinoma cells and its correlated mechanisms. Methods The Ad-E1A and Ad-β-gal were amplifieated in Hek293 cells, extracted by freezing (-80℃) and thawing(37℃) repeatedly (3 times) , purificated by the method of density gradient of CsC1 and titrated by plaque assay method. Then they were transfected into human laryngeal carcinoma cells (Hep-2) and authenticated by RT-PCR. The radiosensitivity of Hep-2 cells transfeeted with or without El A were studied by cell surviral curve. Finally we investigated the correlated mechanisms including cell apoptosis studied by flow cytometry and VEGF content studied by RT-PCR. Resuits The radiosensitivity of Hep-2 cells transfected with El A was intensified, Do and Dq were lowered and α was increased. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of cells with E1A or with El A and radiotherapy was increased. The VEGF content of the cells transfeeted with E1 A or treated by radiotherapy was decreased, which reached the lowest level when the cells were treated with the both mathods. Conclusions E1 A gene can intensify the radiosensitivity and contribute to the apoptosis of human laryngeal carcinoma cells. El A gene and radiotherapy can markedly decrease the VEGF content.

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficaey of radiotherapy (RT) alone for nasopharyngnal eareinoma(NPC). Methods 934 NPC patients initially treated by conventional RT alone in 1999 were reviewed retrespeetively, including 676 males and 258 females. According to 92' Fuzhou staging system,there were 35 stage Ⅰ,215 stage Ⅱ ,488 stage Ⅲ and 196 stage Ⅳ diseases. All patients were treated by conventional RT alone with two opposing parallel faeio-eervical fields. The total dose delivered to the nasopharynx was 66-88 Gy. The dose to the cervical lymph nodes was 60-70 Gy, while the prophylactic dose to the neck was 50-56 Gy. Results The median follow-up was 67.1 months. The 5- and 8-year overall survival(OS), disease-free sutural, relapse-free survival and metastasis-free survival rates were 68.30%, 67.3% ,64.4% ,72.4% ,and 48.0% ,66.6% ,50.8% ,68.0% (χ2=49.74, P=0.000), respectively. For stage N1patients,the 5-and 8-year overall survival(OS) ,disease-free survival ,relapse-free survival and metastasis-free survival rates were significantly lower than those of stage NO patients [66.0% : 77.4% and 50.3%:59.8%(χ2=33.34,P=0.000);66.8%:76.1% and 66.1%:76.1%(χ2=29.08,P=0.000); 63.4%:72.9% and 48.9% : 58.7% (χ227.65,P=0.000);71.0%:80.8% and 63.4%:68.0%(χ2=26.13,P=0.000)]. And the corresponding rates of stage N<1-2>were significantly higher than stage N3,while no statistical difference was observed between stage N1 and N2. Multivariate analysis showed that sex, age, pathology,T stage and N stage were independent prognisitie factors for OS. Conclusions Radical RT alone could obtain good long-term results in early stage NPC. Tlowever,OS for local-regionally advanced stage NPC was still unsatisfactory because of the high relapse and metastatic rate. Clinical stage and N stage were valuable prognostic factors.

Objective To evaluate the respiratory movement of the both lungs with four-dimensional CT(4DCT), and determine the optimal respiratory phase series CT images for radiation dose calculation. Methods From November 2005 to November 2006,thirty patients with lung cancer who received 4DCT scan were enrolled,including 15 left and 15 right lung cancer cases,25 men and 5 women. The media age was 55 (35-78) years old. After 4DCT scanning, the image was treated with Advantage 4D workstation,and then transmitted into Pinnacle station( Adac 7.4). The both lungs were automatically outlined using Pinnacle station with CT recognition value of-900 to-200 Hu. Then-the same physician examined the unreasonable parts and revised them. After the delineation was completed,the volume of 10 respiratory phases of lung was obtained. Results The average respiratory phase in inspiratory and expiratory phases was 78.87%±2.71% and 26.32%±3.17% in the tumor located lung,77.55%±2.81% and 24.73%±2.55% in the healthy lung. The maximum and minimum mean volume was 106.48%±3.00% and 94.23%±2.78% in the tumor located lung,107.47%±2.43% and 93.65%±2.32% in the healthy lung. The volume at the end of inspiratory and expiratory was 106.43%±3.07% and 94.63%±2.71% in the tumor located lung, 107.37%±4.62% and 93.98%±2.34% in the healthy lung. Conclusions The series CT images scan on 20% ,30% and 80% respiratory phases are reasonable for radiation dose calculation. The maximum and minimum average lung volumes are almost equal to those at the end of inspiratory and expiratory.

Objective To analyze the rule of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma,and to study the proper radiation target. Methods From September 1986 to December 1997,549 patients with esophageal carcinoma who had undergone radical reseetion were divided into surgery alone group (S,275 patients) or surgery plus radiotherapy group( S + R,274 patients). Radiotherapy was begun 3 to 4 weeks after operation. The radiation target included beth supra-clavicular areas and the entire mediastinum. The total dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks for the supra-clavicular areas and 60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks for the entire mediastinum. Results The 5-year overall survival of patients with lymph node metastasis in one anatomic site and two anatomic sites was 31.5% and 13.9% (P=0.013), respectively. For patients with > 2 positive nodes metastasis receiving surgery alone, the corresponding 5-year survival was 24.8% and 4.9% (P=0.046) ,respectively. The median number of dissected lymph nodes of the upper-,middle-and lower-segment esophageal carcinoma was 13,17 and 20, respectively. The rate of metastatic lymph node in the para-esophagus region was the highest(61.5%-64.9%) ,which was not different among the different primary sites(P=0.922). The anastomotic stoma recurrence rate of the upper-segment esophageal carcinoma was higher than that of the middle- or lower-segment carcinomas(16.7% ,3.1% ,and 7.7%, χ2=9.02,P<0.05). Conclusions For the thoracic esophageal carcinoma,the number of anatomic sites of lymph node metastasis is an important factor affecting the survival. The lower rate of lymph node metastasis of the upper segment esophageal carcinoma may be corrected with the less lymph node dissected. The rate of lymph node metastasis in para-esophageal region is not related with the lesion segment. The anastemotie stoma is an important radiotherapy target for upper segment esophageal carcinoma.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of actovegin against acute oral mucositis through a randomized controlled multicenter trial for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) patients treated by chemo-radiotherapy. Methods From February 2006 to May 2007,a total of 161 patients with newly diagnosed stage Ⅱ-ⅣA(1992 Fuzhou Stage) NPC were randomly assigned to the prevention group,the treatment group and the control group. All patients received current chemo-radiotherapy ± neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Radiation technique and dose were similar among the three groups. Intravenous infusion of aeovegin was started when radiation started in the prevention group and when grade 2 mueositis occurred in the treatment group,which was given 30 ml daily ,5 times per week until the end of radiotherapy. Criteria of NCI CTC 2.0 and VRS were used to evaluate acute oral mueositis and pain degree,respectively. Results 154 patients were eligible for the efficacy analysis,including 49 in the prevention group,53 in the treatment group and 52 in the control group. In the prevention group and the control group, the incidence was 31% and 56% (P=0.011) for grade 3-4 mucositis,59% and 83% (P=0.009) for grade 2-3 pain. In the treatment group and the control group,the corresponding number was 38% and 60% (P=0.023) ,70% and 90%, (P=0.014). The prevention group had a lower incidence(P=0.021) and longer average interval(P=0.009) of grade 2 mucositis when comparing with the control group. No drug-related adverse event was observed. Conclusions Prophylactic or therapeutic use of actovegin by intravenous infusion can significantly reduce the severity of ehemo-radiotherapy induced oral mucositis and pain. The prophylactic use may also postpone and decrease the incidence of grade 2 mucositis,which deserves clinic application.