Objective To investigate the correlation of the the positive rate and necrosis rate of retropharyngeal lymph nodes with the clinical effects of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (PNC).Methods Seventy-two patients with PNC,50 males and 22 females,with the median age of 50,underwent IMRT delivered into 33 times.The retropharyngeal lymph nodes involved and positive lymph nodes of neck were delineated on the CT image.The median dose and median fractionated dose for gross tumor volume (GTV) were 70.0 and 2.12 Gy respectively,and the median dose and median fractionated dose for clinical target volume (CTV) were 70.0 and 2.12 Gy respectively.The patients were followed up for 36 (5-54) months.Results The metastasis rate of the neck lymph nodes was 90.3％,the metastasis rates in the regions Ⅰ-Ⅴ were 2.8％,86.0％,51.4％,20.8％,and 37.5％,respectively.The metastasis rate of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes was 79.2％,and specifically the metastasis rates of the left,right,and bilateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes were 51.4％,45.9％,and 18.1％,respectively.The cross metastasis rate was 6.9％.Necrosis of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes was found in 15 cases.The necrosis rates of the left,right,and bilateral retropharyngeal lymph nodes were 21.6％,27.2％,15.4％,respectively.Retropharyngeal lymph nodes metastasis was significantly correlated with N stage and clinical stage(Fuzhou 92:r =-0.383,-0.314,P ＜ 0.05 ; UICC:r =-0.434,-0.306,P ＜ 0.05).Local recurrence was observed in 4 patients,6 patients had distant metastasis,and 7 patients died.The positiveness of retropharyngeal lymph nodes was significantly correlated with the recurrence rate,distant metastasis rate,survival rate,and disease free survival rate (r =0.085,0.138,-0.140,-0.124,P ＜ 0.05),and the necrosis of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes was significantly correlated with the recurrence rate and distant metastasis rate (r =0.256,-0.057,P ＜ 0.05),and not significantly correlated with the survival rate and disease free survival rate.Conclusions Retropharyngeal lymph nodes metastasis in NPC is correlated with the N stage and clinical stage.The positiveness of retropharyngeal lymph nodes is significantly correlated with local recurrence,distant metastasis,and survival.Necrosis of retropharyngeal lymph nodes in NPC is significantly correlated with local recurrence and distant metastasis after IMRT.

Objective To decrease radiation induced toxicities especially mucostis in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma( NPC ) who underwent concurrent radiochemotherapy, the maximum tolerated dose and dose limited toxicities of capecitabine combination with cisplatin were observed. Methods From Aug 2006 to Oct 2007, 24 patients with intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy with capecitabine and cisplatin for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ) were enrolled in this study. There were four dose-level groups of Capecitabine[625-1250 mg/(m2 ·d) , d1-14]and fixed cisplatin dose[20 mg/(m ·d) ,d1-5) ]MRI and CT scan were used for evaluation of tumor shrinkage. Treatment related toxicities were evaluated according to the common toxicity criteria( NCI-CTC Version 3.0). Results The acute side-effects include Grade 3 or Grade 4 mucosal toxicity(lasting for at least 5 d) and Grade 3 or Grade 4 non-mucosal toxicity were evaluated. Group 625 mg/m2 and Group 825 mg/m2 had none, Group 1000 mg/m2 had 6 patients and Group 1250 mg/m2 had 3 patients for mucosal toxicity, which were the main dose-limited toxicity and relevant to the dose of capecitabine apparently( P < 0. 05 ). There was also a trend of increase by the dose level of capecitabine for other toxicities. The median follow-up time for all patients was 28. 5 months. The locoregional recurrence occurred in 2 patients and distant metastasis in 2 patients. Two-year overall survival rate and locoregional control rate were 100% and 91.7%, respectively.Complete response and partialresponse were found on MRI or CT scan in patients of 29. 2% at the end of treatment and 83. 3% after three months, respectively. Conclusions The combination regimen of capecitabine and cisplatin is safe and effective according to the preliminary result. Toxicities related to radiochemotherapy for NPC were significantly associated with the dose level of chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the safety of induction chemotherapy and the implementation method of consolidation radiotherapy in young children with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma(HL),by evaluating the effects of intensive induction chemother-apy on consolidation radiotherapy. METHODS:Six pediatric patients with high-risk HL received low-dose involved field radiation therapy (IFRT) via volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) following 6 cycles of intensive chemotherapy [Ara-C/VP16 (cyto-sine arabinoside+etoposide),ABVE-PC(adriamycin+bleomycin+leurocristine+etoposide+metacortandracin+cyclophosphamide)and CHOP(cyclophosphamide+leurocristine+adriamycin+ prednisone)in turn]. Therapeutic efficacy and toxic effects were evaluated af-ter treatment. RESULTS:Intensive induction chemotherapy and consolidation radiotherapy were acceptable by young children,and mild acute or subacute toxic reaction were observed. Intensive induction chemotherapy didn’t affect toxic effects of consolidation ra-diotherapy. In this regimen,the cumulative doses of bleomycin and adriamycin were 20 mg/m2 and 270 mg/m2,respectively. VMAT optimized plan to ensure that the dose that involved organs received was safe. In the patient with mediastional radiation therapy,the mean lung and heart doses were 525.6 cGy and 503.9 cGy,respectively. CONCLUSIONS:It is safe to give high-risk HL young children 6 cycles of intensive induction chemotherapy(Ara-C/VP16,ABVE-PC and CHOP in turn)before radiotherapy. It is feasi-ble to conduct IFRT with 18-20 Gy and an additional 20-25 Gy boost,1.5-1.8 Gy/fraction. VMAT deserves to be advised.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for the failure of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD),and to help the clinical risk assessment and decision making.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted.The patients with AECOPD undergoing NIV admitted to Kaifeng Emergency Center from June 2011 to March 2016 were enrolled,and they were divided into two groups according to whether NIV was successful or not within 12 hours.The nutritional status,blood gas analysis,serum electrolytes,D-dimer,renal function,serum pre-albumin,as well as kinetic vital signs,Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score,expression of respiratory distress,and spontaneous expectoration were recorded.Logistic forward stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze the factors for failure of NIV.Results 122 patients.with the initial NIV were enrolled,with NIV failure in 41 patients within 12 hours,accounted for 33.6％.Compared with NIV success group,the percents of respiratory rate ≥ 25 breaths/min (75.6％ vs.17.3％),expectoration disorders (78.0％ vs.19.8％),circulatory disorders (61.0％ vs.18.5％),malnutrition (61.0％ vs.11.1％),decreased serum pre-albumin (58.5％ vs.17.3％),and GCS score ＜ 12 (75.6％ vs.28.4％) in NIV failure group were significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.05).But there were no significant differences in gender,age,body temperature,blood gas analysis,D-dimer,serum creatinine between two groups.It was shown by the results of binary logistic regression analysis that respiratory rate,expectoration disorders,circulatory disorders,malnutrition,serum pre-albumin,and GCS score were the factors of NIV failure [odds ratio (OR) values were 10.879,6.338,9.860,23.273,8.862,6.774,and P values were 0.011,0.038,0.024,0.003,0.015,0.041,respectively].It was shown by the results of logistic stepwise regression analysis that respiratory rate ≥ 25 breaths/min,expectoration disorders,circulatory disorders,malnutrition,decreased serum pre-albumin,and GCS score ＜ 12 were independent risk factors of NIV failure (OR values were 6.610,5.403,5.138,8.153,4.979,5.100,and P values were 0.007,0.013,0.023,0.007,0.027,0.023,respectively).Conclusions The multiple independent risk factors can induce NIV failure within 12 hours in emergency patients with AECOPD,i.e.increased respiratory rate,expectoration dysfunction,circulatory disorders,malnutrition,decreased serum pre-albumin,and decreased GCS score.Emergency physicians should pay attention to these early risk factors in AECOPD patients,which can be taken as correct judgment and guide.

Objective To investigate the role of large-diameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation in target volume delineation in radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Eighteen patients with NPC underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation and MRI simulation scans and localization in the same body position,with SOMATOM Sensation Open 40-row 82-cm large-diameter CT simulator and Siemens 3T MRI MAGNETOM Skyra 70-cm large-diameter simulator,respectively.The gross tumor volume (GTV) and parotid glands were delineated on all images according to the ICRU Report 50/62,and MRI was applied to observe the changes in GTV and parotid volume during radiotherapy.Paired t-test was applied to analyze the differences between GTVCT and GTVMRI and between GTVnx-CT and GTVnx-MRI.Results GTVMRI decreased significantly compared with GTVCT,and the average volume decreased from (213.64±84.59) cm3 to (199.68±84.69) cm3(p=0.006).As for the volume of primary lesions in the nasopharynx,GTVnx-MRI was significantly smaller than GTVnx-CT,and the volume decreased from (95.75± 24.76) cm3 to (88.12±26.25) cm3 (P =0.001);as for the volume of cervical lymph nodes,GTVnd-MRI was significantly smaller than GTVnd-CT,and the volume decreased from (117.89± 72.69) cm3 to (111.56± 70.69) cm3 (P=0.018).The targets delineated by CT and MRI did not overlap completely,with major differences in skull base bone and cervical soft tissue.The volume of both parotid glands delineated on MRI image was higher than that delineated on CT image,with a major difference in the deep lobe.MRI showed that GTV was reduced by 82.64± 16.87％ during radiotherapy,and the volumes of the left and right parotid glands were reduced by (32.7± 23.95) ％ and (34.7± 21.72) ％,respectively.Conclusions The delineation of target volume based on MRI simulation is more accurate than that based on CT simulation and can achieve a smaller volume range,which helps to guide target volume delineation in radiotherapy for NPC accurately.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects and complications of modified facial mask for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in elderly patients with respiratory failure.Methods A total of 132 elderly patients(107 males and 25 female,aged 78.5±8.6 years) treated with NIV from February 2008 to May 2011 were randomized into two groups:modified facial mask(group A,n=68,56 males and 12 females,aged 78.8±22.2 years) and control facial mask(group B,n=64,64 males and 13 females,aged 76.6±20.4 years).Duration of NIV,time in RICU(respiratory intensive care unit),length of hospital stay,risk for hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP),risk for invasive ventilation,cure rates,in-hospital mortality,NIV failure rate and cost were compared between the two groups.The complications of NIV,such as oropharyngeal dryness,skin damage of face and nose,abdominal bloating,gas leakage from mask were also compared between the two groups.Results Compared with group B,duration of NIV(12.2±2.3 d vs.18.4±3.6d),time in RICU(7.3±3.2d vs.14.6t5.4d),length of in hospital stay(16.6±4.2d vs.28.2±6.2)d,and cost(2.23±0.12 ten thousand yuan vs.4.23± 0.24 ten thousand yua) in group A were significantly decreased(t=9.72,14.91,13.08,10.81 respectively,all P＜0.05).The risk for invasive ventilation [2.9％ (2 cases) vs.43.8％(28 cases)],NIV failure rate [5.9％ (4 cases) vs.12.5％ (28 cases)] were also decreased in group A compared with group B(x2 =31.26,25.74,both P＜0.05).Compared with group B,The complications of NIV such as skin damage of face and nose[4.4％ (3 cases) vs.37.5％ (24 cases)],abdominal bloating [2.9％ (2 cases) vs.28.1％ (18 cases)],gas leakage from mask [8.8 ％ (6 cases)vs.50％(32 cases)] in group A were significantly decreased(x2 =31.26,25.74,all P＜0.05).Conclusions Modified facial mask for NIV is effective in the treatment of elderly patients with respiratory failure.The complications and in-hospital mortality are reduced with the application of modified facial mask for NIV and it is highly tolerated by patients.Modified facial mask for NIV is the first choice in the treatment in elderly patients with respiratory failure.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant adenovirus-p53(rAdp53) injection combined with radiotherapy and hyperthermia in the treatment of unresectable advanced soft tissue sarcoma.Methods In this retrospective study, we evaluated 76 patients with unresectable advanced primary or recurrent soft tissue sarcoma treated in our hospital from November 2005 to November 2012.These patients received radiotherapy and hyperthermia with rAdp53(p53 group, n=41) or without rAdp53(control group, n=35).rAdp53((1-2)×1012viral particles each time, once a week, 8 times on average) was injected into the tumor or infused into the pelvic cavity.Radiotherapy (2 Gy each time, 5 times a week) was performed for the planning target volume at 56.3±5.3 Gy in the p53 group and 58.1±4.2 Gy in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Superficial or deep thermotherapy was employed 8 times on average (twice a week).Clinical features, response rate, time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), and adverse events were compared between the two groups (P>0.05).The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate OS;the log-rank test was used for survival difference analysis and univariate prognostic analysis;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data.Results At 2 months after treatment, the p53 group had significantly increased response rate (partial response+ complete response+ stable disease)(85% vs.54%, P=0.003) and local control rate (49% vs.23%, P=0.020) as well as prolonged TTP (12 months vs.5 months, P=0.010) and OS (48 months vs.31 months, P=0.049), as compared with the control group.No adverse events caused by radiotherapy and hyperthermia except transient fever were seen in the two groups.Conclusions Concurrent radiotherapy and hyperthermia combined with rAdp53 injection is effective and safe for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

Objective To evaluate the effects,safety and economic cost of long-term home noninvasive ventilation (NIV) therapy in elderly patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.Methods A total of 128 elderly patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure were randomly assigned to two groups:the NIV group (n=66) with conventional therapy in addition to long-term home NIV therapy,and the control group (n=62) with conventional therapy alone.Compared were parameters before and after two year follow up,which included dyspnea grade,scale for accessory muscle use,scoring for emotional disorders,mean pulmonary pressure (mPAP) by electrocardiography,arterial blood gas,the times of pulmonary infection and hospitalization rates,the duration of hospitalization invasive ventilation,the duration of in RICU and in hospital stay,tracheal intubation rates and mortality.The medical cost was calculated.Results After two years,the differences in the dyspnea grade,scale for accessory muscle use,anxiety scores,depression scores,mPAP,arterial PaCO2 and PaO2,hospitalization rates,the times of pulmonary infection,the days of hospitalization for exacerbation in the home NIV group [2.2± 0.2,2.4 ± 0.3,4 ± 1,5.3 ± 1.2,(36.6±5.2)mm Hg,(50.2±4.5)mm Hg,(63.5±4.2)mm Hg,(1.3±0.2) times/year,(2.4±0.2) times/year,(15.8 ± 4.4) days/times] were statistically significant compared to the control group [4.1±0.2,4.9±0.5,12±3,11.3±1.6,(45.2±5.2)mm Hg,(67.3±4.5) mm Hg,(48.3±4.3)mm Hg,(5.4±0.4)times/year,(8.9 ±0.3) times/year,(38.5± 6.3) days/times] (all P＜0.01).The duration of invasive ventilation,the days in RICU and in hospital stay,tracheal intubation rates on admission to the hospital were significantly decreased in the home NIV group [(8.2 ± 2.2)days,(9.6±3.1) days,(15.8±4.4) days,(2±0.2) times/two years],as compared with the control group [(15.8±3.4) days,(18.6±4.4)days,(38.5±6.3)days,(8.0±0.8) times/two years].The mortality was decreased significantly in the home NIV group (3.0 ％)compared with the control group (29.0％) (P＜0.05).The medical cost in two years was significant lower in the home NIV group [(6.4 ± 0.5) thousand yuan],compared with the control group (18.4 ±0.6) thousand yuan (P＜0.01).Conclusions Long-term home NIV therapy in patients with chronic hypercapinc respiratory failure is effective,safe and can decrease the mortality and medical cost.

Objective To describe the characteristics of radiation induced mucositis in patients withhead and neck cancer ( HNC) during radiotherapy, and analyze the effect of radiation induced mucositis on diet patterns and weight change and the influencing factors for radiation induced mucositis. Methods Patients with HNC treated with radiotherapy in one cancer hospital were recruited. Data were collected before, during and at the end of the radiotherapy, which included radiation induced oral and pharyngeal mucositis, pain during eat-ing, diet patterns and weight. Results Two hundred and two patients were completely investigated and 43.5％and 34. 2％ of the patients suffered from moderate to severe (≥grade 2) oral mucositis and pharyngeal mucosi-tis, respectively during the radiotherapy. At the end of radiotherapy, 53. 5％ and 51. 5％ of the patients suffered from moderate to severe oral mucositis and pharyngeal mucositis (≥grade 2 ) , respectively. Oral and pharyngeal mucositis were significantly correlated with pain during eating, diet patterns and weight ( P<0. 05) . Tumor site was the main reason that affected the severity of mucositis ( Wald χ2 =26. 033, 14. 216;P<0.001). Conclusion Radiation induced mucositis was gradually aggravated with radiotherapy progress, which is closely related to pain during eating, change of diet patterns and weight loss. The severity of mucositis is re-lated to the tumor site. Measures should be taken to strengthen the management of adverse reactions and nutri-tional status of patients.

Objective To investigate clinical features and prognosis of patients with cancerrelated isolated distal deep vein thrombosis(IDDVT).Methods Data of 64 patients with malignant tumor complicated with IDDVT at our hospital from January 2003 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed for the clinical features and prognosis.Results Among the 64 patients,32 male and 32 female cases were involved,aged 37 to 87 years,average(66.0 ± 12.6) years.There were 42 cases aged 65 years and older and 22 cases aged under 65 years.The IDDVT involved veins of lower extremity in 64 patients,unilaterally (47/64)or bilaterally (17/64).The intermuscular veins were involved by IDDVT in 46 cases(71.9％).Posterior tibial veins were involved in 17 cases(26.6％),peroneal veins were involved in 14 cases(21.9％),anterior tibial veins were involved in 2 cases (3.1 ％).Common symptoms were swollen lower extremity and pain (53.1％).Bleeding occurred in 2 (3.6 ％) of the 55 patients(55/64,85.9 ％) who underwent anticoagulant therapy,and no major bleeding occurred.The cumulative incidence of IDDVT at 3,6,and 12 months after tumor diagnosis was 64.0％ (41/64 cases),75.0 ％ (48/64 cases) and 85.9 ％ (55/64 cases),respectively.The cumulative incidences of IDDVT at 3 and 6 months were higher after diagnosis of lung cancer than after diagnosis of digestive tract tumors(P =0.005 and 0.035).By the end of follow-up(a median follow-up of 13.0 months),30 patients(46.9 ％)died.The mortality rate was lower in the non-elderly group than in the elderly group (22.7％ vs.59.5％,x2 =7.850,P=0.005).The mortality rate was lower in patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅲa than in patients with stage Ⅲb-Ⅳ(24.0％ vs.68.8％,x2=11.246,P=0.001).The mortality rate was lower in patients with gynecologic tumors(10.0％) than in patients with lung cancer(55.6％),digestive tract tumors (40.0％) and hematologic tumors (71.4％) (P =0.041,0.037 and 0.035,respectively).TNM Ⅲ b-Ⅳ (OR =8.42,95 ％ CI:1.93-30.00,P =0.004) and age ≥ 65 years (OR =6.28,95％CI:1.50-27.76,P=0.012)were independent risk factors for death.Conclusions Cancerassociated IDDVT most commonly involves the intermuscular veins.The incidence of hemorrhage after anticoagulant therapy is low.For patients without anticoagulation contraindications,active anticoagulant therapy should be recommended.The advanced cancer and old age are independent risk factors for cancer-related IDDVT death.