Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects,acute and late side-effects of cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (PF) schemed chronomodulated chemotherapy combined with concurrent intensitymodulated radiotherapy(IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods A total of 48 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with chronomodulated chemotherapy plus concurrent IMRT were retrospectively studied.The radiation doses prescribed to the gross target volume GTVnx of nasopharyngeal,to the positive neck lymphnodes GTVnd,to the clinical target volume CTV1,and to CTV2 were 73.92-77.88,69.96,60.06-66.00 and 50.96-56.00 Gy respectively.The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate the local-regional progression-free rate.The acute and late side-effects were graded according to RTOG radiation morbidity scoring criteria.Results The complete remission (CR) rate was 41.6％(20/48) ; the partial remission (PR) rate was 47.9％ (23/48) ; the stable disease (SD) rate was 4.2％(2/48) ; and the local tumor control rate was 89.6％.Most of the patients had grade 1 to 2 acute side effects and grade 0 to 1 late side-effects.No grade 4 acute and late toxicity was observed.1,2,4-year survival rates were 93.8％,79.2％ and 64.5％,respectively.The DVH analysis showed that IMRT improved the total dose and dose per-fraction to the target volume with considerable dose reduction of the normal structures at the same time.Conclusions PF chronomodulated chemotherapy plus concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy for NPC could improve therapeutic effects with satisfactory tolerance of the side effects.

Objective To analyze the normal lung dose-volume histogram(DVH) varieties in the former and later period(P1 and P2)of three dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT) plans and the compound (Pc) plan in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and to access the feasibility to modify the target volume during the treatment course.Methods Twenty-one NSCLC patients who had received accelerated hyper-frationation 3DCRT in P2 were included in the study.Both of the P1 and P2 plans were redesigned to a total dose of 70 Gy with V20 smaller than 35%.When the target volume was modified and P2 plan was rede signed using accelerated hyper-frationation 3DCRT of 30 Gy after P1 plan of 40 Gy,the Pc plan was compoun ded by transmitting the parameters(such as target volume,irradiation field and dose) of P1 plan into P2 plan. Total lung volume and target volumes(GTV,PTV) of P1 and P2 were evaluated.MLD,V5,V10,V20 and V30 of P1,P2 and Pc were calculated.Results The total lung volume in P1 and P2 plans was not significantly dif ferent(t = 0.19,P = 0.850).The volumes of GTV,PTV in P2 were obviously smaller than P1 (t = 2.88,P = 0.009 ; t = 4.01 ,P = 0.001) .When comparing P2 with P1 ,MLD were 16.5 Gy Vs 17.8 Gy (t = 2.60, DOI:10.3760/cma.j.issn.1004-4221.2009.01.057 P = 0.017),V30 was significantly decreased (t = 2.19,P = 0.041),but V5,V10 and V20 had no significant difference.Similar differences were found in MLD,V5 ,V10 ,V20 and V30 when comparing Po to P1.P2 plans had significantly smaller MLD,Vs,V10,V20 and V30 than Pc plans.Fourteen patients with decreased PTV were further analyzed.The V30 and MLD decreased significantly (t = 3.00,P = 0.0 I 0;t = 2.38,P = 0.033), but V5 ,V10,V20 had no difference when comparing P1 and P2 plans.Among these 14 patients,the V10 and V30 decreased significantly(t = 2.76,P = 0.033 ; t = 3.60,P = 0.011) when P2 plans were generated using the same field number and beam angles in P1 plans in 7 patients.The parameters were similar in P1and Pc plans,but increased significantly when comparing to P2.Various parameters were the same among P1,P2 and Pc plans when P2 plans were designed using 1-2 different fields and angles in the other 7 patients.The differ ences were not significant between P1 and P2 plans in 7 patients with the same or increased PTV.Expansion or contraction of PTV significantly influenced MLD and V2o (r =-0.62,P = 0.03 ; r = O.48,P = 0.029). Conclusions When the tumor regresses,the high dose volume of the lung decreases with modifying the tar get volume and replanning in the later period using accelerated hyper-frationation 3DCRT.The low dose vol ume of the lung may decrease if the field orientations are same throughout the treatment.It is rational to eval uate the normal lung DVH of the whole plan when the physical parameters of the later period plan are the same as the former one.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of primary pulmonary peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). Methods Two cases of primary pulmonary PTCL-NOS were studied and relevant literature were reviewed. Results Case 1 diagnosed as primary pulmonary PTCL-NOS was a 44 years old woman and disease progressed after GLD (Gem+L-OHP+ DXM) chemotherapy regimen. At last, the patient died of respiratory failure after one month. Case 2 diagnosed as primary pulmonary PTCL-NOS was a 46 years old man and reach partial response after CHOP regimen, and still alive now.Conclusion Primary pulmonary PTCL-NOS is very rare. It is easy to be misdiagnosed due to non-specific clinical and imaging manifestations. Acquiring enough tissue specimens for pathologic examination is the key to a definitive diagnosis. At present, there is no standard chemotherapy regimen for these patients, the prognosis is relatively poor.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the relationship between THI and VAS scores in patients with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus in a prospective study. METHOD: Forty-four patients classified their tinnitus according to VAS and THI before and after treatment, and both scores were compared through the Pearson's correlation coefficient test and Nonparametric tests. RESULT: There was a correlation between VAS and THI scores in patients with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus. Tinnitus assessment scores were significantly reduced after treatment. Decreasing of THI and VAS scores were not depended on frequency and loudness of tinnitus and severity of deafness, but therapeutic effect of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSION THI and VAS scores are useful for assessment of tinnitus in patients with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.
Audiometry ; Deafness ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; complications ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; complications ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Tinnitus ; complications

Objective To study the incidence of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and its impact on the clinical manifestations of patients with Parkinson' s disease (PD). Methods One hundred and twenty-four PD patients were included into this study and each of them was given the non motor symptoms questionnaire (NMSquest) to investigate the incidence of RBD. The PD patients were then divided into the RBD group and non RBD group, according to their answers to the NMSquest. Then the clinical differences were investigated between PD patients with and without RBD on the aspects of demographic characters, Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage, the scores of Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) sub-items, the incidence of non motor symptoms, and the dysfunctions of non motor systems (cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders ). The evaluation tools of non motor functions include Mini Mental State Exam ( MMSE), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Parkins' s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results ( 1 ) 62.9% (78/124) of the PD patients have been experiencing RBD. (2) The course of the disease in RBD group ( 3.8 ± 2.8 ) was significantly shorter than non RBD group (5.0 ± 2.5, t = - 1. 972, P = 0. 048 ) while the sex, age, onset age and the mode of onset, Levodopa dose equivalents (LDE) and the kinds of medicines showed no difference between the two groups. (3) H-Y stage, the scores of UPDRS sub-items and the incidence of motor complications showed no difference between RBD and non RBD group. (4) Most of the non motor symptoms, including the gastrointestinal dysfunctions, autonomic dysfunctions, mood disorders and sleep disturbances, occurred much frequently in RBD group, however, the scores of MMSE, HAMD, HAMA,PDSS and ESS showed no difference between the RBD and non RBD group. Conclusion RBD commonly occurred in PD patients, and PD patients with RBD have a tendency to suffer from dysfunction of non motor systems.

Objective To identify the best technique of postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT).Methods Twenty-eight patients with stage Ⅱ or Ⅲ invasive breast cancer were treated with modified radical mastectomy and radiotherapy sequaciously involving the supraclavicular region and the chest wall.Three different techniques were developed for each patient:two tangential conformal fields ( half field) in the chest wall plus supraclavicular intensity modulated radiotherapy (3D-CRT + IMRT),integrated chest wall and supraclavicular IMRT(IMRT),and two tangential conformal fields (half field) in the chest wall plus single field electron beam radiotherapy in the supraclavicular region( 3D-CRT + E).The dose distributions of the target areas and the irradiated volumes of the ipsilateral lung ( V5,V10,V20,and V45)were estimated with the dosage volume histogram (DVH).The dosage prescription was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy × 28 f).Results The conformity index (CI) of the 3D-CRT + IMRT group was (0.61 ± 0.03),not different from that of the IMRT [ (0.62 ±0.03),q =2.16,P ＞0.05],and the CI levels of these 2 groups were both higher than that of the 3D-CRT + E group [ (0.44 ± 0.02 ),q =20.50,22.66,P ＜0.01 ].The heterogeneity index (HI) of the 3D-CRT + IMRT group was ( 1.17 ±0.02),not different from that of the IMRT [ (1.15 ±0.02),q =1.66,P ＞0.05],and the HI levels of these 2 groups were both lower than that of the 3D-CRT + E group[ ( 1.24 ±0.04),q =3.91,5.58,P ＜0.01 ].The levels of V5 and V10 of the ipsilateral lungs of the 3D-CRT + E group(48.70％ ±3.24％,38％.56％ ±3.70％ ) and 3D-CRT + IMRT group (49.12％ ±3.03％,38.38％ ± 3.56％ ) were all significantly lower than those of the IMRTgroup [(77.18％ ±8.01％,53.07％ ±6.85％),V5,q =20.35,20.05,P＜0.01; V10,q=12.10,12.24,P ＜0.01 ] and there were not significant differences in the V5 and V10 levels between the 3D-CRT + E and 3D-CRT + IMRT groups ( q =0.30,0.14,P ＞ 0.05 ).The levels of V20 of the ipsilateral lungs of the 3D-CRT + IMRT group (26.57％ ±2.51％ )and IMRT group (25.22％ ±2.77％) were all significantly lower that those of the 3D-CRT + E group [ (31.79％ ± 3.00％ ),q =5.27,8.21,P ＜ 0.01 ]and there were not significant differences in the V20 level between the 3D-CRT + IMRT and IMRT groups (q=2.76,P ＞ 0.05 ).There were not significant differences in the V45 levels among these 3 groups (F =0.69,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The 3D-CRT + IMRT technique in PMRT effectively reduces the radiated dose on the ipsilateral lung.

Objective To evaluate clinical factors as predictors of radiation pneumonitis(RP)in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients treated with concurrent radiochemotherapy when gross tumor volume is 70 Gy. Methods Data of 84 patients with histologically proved NSCLC treated with 3DCRT or IMRT were collected. To evaluate the correlation between clinical parameters and radiation pneumonitis(RP). The clinical parameters were considered: pathological type, therapy agents, age,gender, stage, karnofsky performance status(KPS), smoking status, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). Results The occurrence of grade 1,2 RP was 63%, 33%, respectively. In univariate analysis, diabetes was significantly associated with RP of ≥ grade 1(x2 =4.03, P = 0.045)and ≥grade 2(x2 = 15.59 ,P =0.000). KPS was significantly associated with RP of ≥grade 1(x2 =3.98 ,P = 0.046)and ≥grade 2(x2 = 5.21, P = 0.023). In logistic multivariate analysis, diabetes was significantly associated with RP of ≥grade 1(x2 =5.50,P =0.019)and ≥grade 2(x2 = 12.92,P =0.000). KPS was significantly associated with RP of ≥ grade 1(x2 = 6.29, P = 0.012)and ≥ grade 2(x2 = 6.61, P =0.010). Conclusion The definite statistical significant risk factors of RP are diabetes and KPS.

Objective To determine the prevalence of rapid eye movement(REM)sleep behavior disorder(RBD)in patients with Parkinson' s disease(PD)and to investigate the risk factors of PD-RBD and its effect on the progress of PD. Methods Using the minimal diagnostic criteria of parasomnias described in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders-Revised(ICSD-R)to diagnose clinically probable RBD(cpRBD), patients were assessed by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS),MMSE, Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)at baseline and followed for 2.5 years. Results The frequency of cpRBD ranged from 35.6%(47/132)to 41.7%(55/132)during the study period. 11.4% (15/132)patients dropped out from the study. Lower MoCA score and type of onset are independent factors with cpRBD; Lower MoCA score(OR =0. 817 ,P =0. 004)is the risk factor while tremor(OR =0. 247 ,P =0. 020)is the protective factor. PD in patients with PD-RBD may progress more rapidly than non PD-RBD patients(UPDRS Ⅲ change from baseline 9. 86 ± 4. 96 vs 6. 76 ± 4. 26, t = 2. 909, P = 0. 005; H-Y change from baseline 0. 77 ± 0. 54 vs 0. 33 ± 0. 49, t = 3. 664, P = 0. 000). Conclusion RBD may be a symptom predictive for rapid PD progression, declining cognition and psychosis.

Objective To investigate the dosimetric influence of pure carbon fiber treatment tabletop of Elekta Precise new linear accelerator in radiotherapy.Methods Surface-axis distance (SAD) technology was employed for the measurement.Two groups of fields were set and both of them were SAD opposed portals ( one of them went through the tabletop,while the other did not).A PTW electrometer and a 0.6 cm3 Farmer ionization chamber were utilized for comparison measurement.Then dose attenuation of the main table board,extended body board,the extended board for head,neck and shoulders,and the joints of these boards were calculated.Results Under the energy of 6 MV,the dose attenuations of the following locations were:1.4％ - 7.2％ at the main treatment table board; 2.8％ - 38.7％,1.4％ -30.1％,1.5％ -20.8％ and 1.4％ - 11.2％,respectively at distances of 1,4,7 and 8 cm from the joint of the main table board ;0.5％ - 5.0％ at the extended body board; 4.7％ - 15.4％ at distance of 1cm from the joint of the extended body board; 0.5％ -3.3％ at the neck position of the extended board for head,neck and shoulders; 5.3％ - 16.7％ at the shoulder positions; and 6.8％ -30.4％ at the joint between the extended boards and the main table board.Conclusions The dose attenuations of the new linear accelerator pure carbon fiber treatment tabletop vary at different locations. Considerable higher attenuations are observed at the table board joints than other locations.

ObjectiveThis study evaluates the feasibility of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to treat patients with 1 -5 brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods 30 IMRT patients with brain metastases for NSCLC studied retrospectively.Whole brain radiotherapy plus three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (WBRT + 3DCRT) and WBRT plus stereotactic radiotherapy ( WBRT + SRT) plans were generated.Planning target volume ( PTV ) and organs at risk dose were measured and compared by dose volume histogram.Differences were analyzed in the three techniques by Wilcoxon Z -test.Results D99％ of the shoulder ( D99％-D90％ ) from IMRT were higher than from WBRT +3DCRT and WBRT+SRT in all cases.From D15％ of slope (D90％-D10％) to D5％ of tail (D10％ -D1％ ),IMRT were lower than WBRT + 3DCRT and WBRT + SRT ( Z =- 4.72,P =0.000 and Z =- 4.72,P =0.000).D10％ and D5％ of IMRT were (35.1 ±1.42) Gy and (37.7 ±2.91) Gy,WBRT +3DCRT were (36.5±2.86) Gy and ( 39.1 ± 3.56) Gy ;WBRT + SRT were (36.2 ± 2.57) Gy and ( 38.7 ± 3.67) Gy.IMRT vs WBRT+ 3DCRT and WBRT + SRT were significant ( Z=-3.18,-3.18,P=0.001,0.001 and Z=- 4.11,- 3.02,P =0.000,0.002) in 13 patients with 3 - 5 brain metastases.The total mean monitor units were 14756.3,9614.8 and 9043.2 for IMRT,WBRT +3DCRT and WBRT + SRT plans,respectively,with a 38.7％ reduction from IMRT to WBRT + SRT (Z =-4.78,-4.78,P =0.000,0.000).The brain doses around metastases were similar in the three techniques with 1 -2 metastases,but IMRT was the best with 3 -5 metastases.ConclusionsIMRT can advance brain metastases dose and improve the planning target minimum dose and spare the dose around brain metastases.Only IMRT is the best choice for just sparing the dose around brain metastases among 3 -5 brain metastases.