Objective To evaluate the high?risk factors for brain metastases after prophylactic cranial irradiation ( PCI), and to provide a basis for personalized treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 188 patients with limited?stage small?cell lung cancer who received PCI in our hospital from 2005 to 2010. The Kaplan?Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative rate of brain metastases. The log?rank test and the Cox model were used for the univariate and multivariate analyses of the potential factors for the cumulative incidence of brain metastases, respectively. Results In the 188 patients, 31 ( 16?5%) had brain metastases. The 1?, 2?, and 3?year cumulative incidence rates of brain metastases were 4%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that staged Ⅲ disease before treatment, elevated levels of tumor markers, incomplete remission after chemoradiotherapy, and local?regional relapse were risk factors for high incidence of brain metastases ( P= 0?044, 0?037, 0?005, 0?007) . The multivariate analysis revealed that incomplete remission after chemoradiotherapy and local?regional relapse after chemoradiotherapy were risk factors for high incidence of brain metastases after PCI ( P= 0?003, 0?040 ) . Conclusions Patients with incomplete remission or local?regional relapse after chemoradiotherapy have high incidence of brain metastases after PCI. For those patients, a frequent follow?up of the central nervous system plus salvage cranial irradiation might provide an alternative to PCI.

Objective To investigate the optimal treatment planning of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) .Methods Two types of treatment plans were designed for 11 patients with inoperable NSCLC disease.In the first plan(PTV60 plan) ,60 Gy was prescribed to the planning target volume(PTV) which was created using CTV(GTV +6-8 mm) plus the margin for organ motion and setup uncertainties.In the second plan(PTV70 plan) ,70 Gy was prescribed to the PTV which was created using GTV plus the margin for organ motion and setup uncertainties.The dose-volume histogram,the planning target volume coverage,and other dosimetric parameters of normal structures were compared between the two plans.Results These two plans were not significantly different in the dose heterogeneity,but commpared with the PTV60 plan,the PTV70 plan significantly improved 60 Gy volume with regard to PTV coverage.The values of V_(20) and V_5 of lung were reduced in average by (1.69 ±0.42) % ,and (1.29 ±1.09) % (t ＝ 0.047,0.264,P ＝ 0.002) ,respectively.Conclusions The planning of 70 Gy to the PTV using GTV plus the margin for organ motion and setup uncertainties might be better than that of 60 Gy to the PTV using CTV(GTV +6-8 mm) plus the margin for organ motion and setup uncertainties.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic factors of brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer and suggest a individualized treatment method proposal with prognostic estimation. Methods From Dec. 2003 to Jan.2007, 183 patients received whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival. Logrank test was used to evaluate the difference between the groups. Multivariate survival analysis was conducted using a Cox proportional hazard regression model with a backward stepwise procedure. Results The overall l-, 2- and 3-year survival rate was 40.6%, 16.6% and 11.3%, respectively, but with a median survival time of 10.0 months (95% CI 8.6-11.4 months). In multivariate analysis, RAP grouping, weight loss, LDH in blood serum and treatment method were independent prognostic factors. The median survival time of WBRT alone, WBRT with chemotherapy, surgery with chemoradiotherapy and WBRT with Gefitinib was 9.0, 9.0, 22.0 and 13.0 months, respectively, but their difference were statistical significant (X2 = 10.37, P = 0.016). Conclusions The main prognostic factors of brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer are RAP grouping, weight loss, LDH in blood serum and treatment method. The survival time is prolonged by proper multidiseiplinary management than WBRT alone. The effect of combined treatment of surgery with chemoradiotherapy is favorable for the patients operated with single region of metastasis.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of radiotherapy for recurrent esophageal cancer after surgery and to determine the prognostic factors. Methods From Jan 2004 to Dec 2009, 93 patients of esophageal carcinoma with loco-regional recurrence as the first site of failure after surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival. Logrank test was used to evaluate the difference between the groups. Multivariate survival analysis was conducted using a Cox proportional hazard regression model with a backward stepwise procedure. Results The overall survival rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 40. 9% , 10. 1% and 6. 7% ,respectively,but with a median survival time of 11.0 months(95% CI 9. 4-12. 6) . In univariate analysis, age,PS, radiation dose and retreatment methods were independent prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, only radiation dose and retreatment methods were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusions The prognosis of patients with postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer is poor. However, a long-term survival maybe expected by definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Objective To explore the changes and the tendency of breast cancer radiotherapy in China within the past decade.Methods A survey on breast cancer radiotherapy in 1 999 and 2006 was conducted in 4 hospitals located within the southeast coastal region of China,including patients'clinical characteristics,the purpose of radiotherapy and its techniques.Results The percentage of breast conservative treatment(BCT)increased from 3%in 1999 to 13%in 2006.For radiotherapy techniques in 2006 compared with 1999,the growth trend was found in use of breast immobilization devices(80% vs.46%),treatment planning system(70% vs.23%),and CT simulation(14%vs.0).The frequency was increased in the chest wall irradiation after masteetomy(90%vs.67%),but decreased in internal mammary region(30%vs.76%)and axilla(37%vs.69%)treatment.There were no differences in total dose and fractionation prescription.Conclusions BCT was performed more frequently,but postmastectomy radiotherapy was still essential option in China at present.Although some advanced techniques were applied frequently in clinical practice.Simulation,treatment planning,and irradiation target design were urgent for improvement and standardization.

Objective To investigate the differences of measurement of gross target volume (GTV)between endoscopic ultrasonography ( EUS )-based ( GTVEUS ) and computed tomography ( CT ) -based (GTVCT) method for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods EUS was performed on 36consecutive patients with thoracic squamous cell carcinoma, and the superior and inferior boarders of the tumor defined by EUS were marked with hemoclips. The CT planning scan was then performed with the patient in supine position, and the GTVCT and GTVEUS were contoured respectively. The lengths ( LCT and LEUS) and spatial locations of longitudinal GTVCT and GTVEUS were compared. Results The mean LCT and LEUS were (7. 79 ± 3. 15 ) cm and (7. 42 ± 2. 72) cm, respectively ( t = 0. 82, P ＞ 0. 05 ), with a correlation coefficient of 0. 61 (P ＜0. 001 ). Locations of longitudinal GTVCT and GTVEUS were compared in 34cases, with 2 excluded for invisualization on CT. The mean conformal index (CI) was (0. 79 ± 0. 18 ), and spatial variations were found in 71% patients, with 8 patients at proximal end and 21 others at distal end.There was no clip placement associated complication. Conclusion Endoscopic hemoclips placement is safe and reliable. EUS can provide additional information to CT in defining longitudinal GTV in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, especially in superficial and submucosal carcinomas.

Objective:Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly malignant tumor with a high risk of brain metastasis (BMs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical factors affecting the occurrence of BMs in patients with stage IIB-IIIB SCLC who achieved complete remission (CR) after thoracic radio-chemotherapy.Methods:Clinical data of 191 patients with stage IIB-IIIB SCLC who achieved CR after thoracic radio-chemotherapy in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to April 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Common clinical factors related to the risk of BMs, including gender, age, thoracic radiotherapy dose, combined mode of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, pretreatment serum NSE and LDH, whether PCI was performed, TMN stage and PS score, were analyzed using log-rank method for univariate analysis, COX regression method for multivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier method to plot the survival curve.Results:Univariate analysis showed that pretreatment LDH level≥240IU, pretreatment NSE ≥17 ng/ml and no PCI were positively correlated with the risk of BMs (all P＜0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk of BMs was only positively correlated with pretreatment LDH≥240IU [HR: 1.90, 95%CI(1.07-3.37), P=0.029], and no PCI [HR:2.08, 95%CI(1.17-3.72), P=0.013]. Conclusion:Pretreatment serum LDH levels provide important value for predicting the risk of BMs in patients with stage IIB-IIIB SCLC who achieve CR after thoracic radio-chemotherapy.

Objective To explore the application effects of the personalized health education on patients with lower limbs arteriosclerosis obliterans ( AOS) during their preoperative period. Methods 80 patients with lower limbs arteriosclerosis obliterans were randomly divided into the intervention group ( n=40) and the control group (n=40) during June to December 2014. Based on the conventional health education, the intervention group received additional personalized health education. The participants were questionnaire surveyed to investigated their knowledge of the AOS and interventional therapy before the intervention and the discharge. Furthermore, the adherence and relapse conditions were also studied by the telephone follow-up after three months of their discharge.Results The scores for the intervention group on disease knowledge (2.170±0.319), operation cognition (2.435±0.395), medication knowledge (2.580±0.359), rehabilitation training (2.600± 0.386), and psychological conditions (2.685±0.379) were all higher compared to the scores for the control group (t=4.065, 5.253, 4.803, 4.206, 5.445; P<0.01). After three months of discharge, the intervention group performed significantly batter adherence (82.5% vs 50.0%) (P<0.05), but the cases of disease relapse between two groups had no significant difference (P>0.05).Conclusions The application of the personalized health education can significantly enhance the knowledge of disease among patients with lower limbs arteriosclerosis obliterans during their preoperative period. It can also improve their adherence after discharged from the hospital.

Objective To investigate and analyze the reasons for the omission of adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with breast cancer.Methods The clinicopathologial characteristics and socioeconomic data of 55 breast cancer patients undergoing BCS without postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in our hospital from 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the 55 patients who did not receive radiotherapy,25 patients were due to low local recurrence risk,12 patients were due to economic or family reasons,12 patients were due to fear of adverse reactions of radiotherapy,and 5 patients were not recommended by primary physicians for radiotherapy.In addition,3 cases with multiple distant metastases and 3 cases with concomitant thyroid cancer didn't received radiotherapy.Conclnsions Low risk local recurrence is the main reason for the omission of adjuvant radiotherapy,followed by the fear of radiation-induced toxicity and poor financial support.Patient education and medical insurance may improve the adjuvant radiotherapy compliance.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy (nCIT) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:Clinical data of patients who received nCRT or nCIT followed by esophagectomy for locally advanced ESCC between January 2010 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, with 155 patients in the nCRT group and 470 patients in the nCIT group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed in the two groups. After PSM, 120 patients were allocated to the nCRT group and 192 patients to the nCIT group. The pathological response and disease recurrence were compared between the two groups after PSM. Log rank test were used to compare the survival outcomes before and after PSM. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors for locally advanced ESCC.Results:After PSM, the R0 resection rate in the nCRT group and the nCIT group was 93.3% (112/120) and 93.8% (180/192), respectively, with no statistical significance ( P=0.884). However, the pathological complete response rate in the nCRT group [36.7% (44/120)] was higher than that in the nCIT group [21.4% (41/192), P=0.003]. For patients with R0 resection, the major recurrence pattern was distant metastasis [18.8% (21/112)] in the nCRT group, while the pattern was locoregional recurrence [12.2% (22/180)] in the nCIT group. The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 52.7% and 66.1% ( P=0.022) and the 3-year overall survival rates were 59.2% and 75.5% ( P=0.002) in the nCRT and nCIT groups, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed that the neoadjuvant therapy mode was an independent prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced ESCC. Compared with nCRT, nCIT could significantly prolong disease-free survival ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.40-0.86) and overall survival ( HR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.35-0.79). Conclusion:These results suggest that nCIT could significantly improve disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate over nCRT in locally advanced ESCC, even with lower pathological complete response rate.