Objective To evaluate the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy in four subgroups of high-risk breast cancer patients, who were grouped by the status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (Her-2). Methods A total of 437 invasive breast cancer patients with T3-4N1 or N2-3 and available immunohistochemistry results of ER, PR and Her-2 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into 4 subgroups according to hormone receptors (ER or PR, Rec) and Her-2 status:Rec-/Her-2-(triple negative), Rec-/Her-2 +, Rec +/Her-2 + and Rec +/Her-2-. Rec-was defined as ER-and PR-. Rec + was defined as ER + and/or PR +. Her-2 positive was defined as Her-2 + + or Her-2 + + +. End points were isolated locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results The median follow up time was 48 months. Sixty-nine (15. 8%) patients were Rec-/Her-2-, 62 (14. 2%) Rec-/Her-2 +, 89 (20.4%) Rec +/Her-2 + and 217 (49.7%) Rec +/Her-2-. 480(93.4%) patients received chemotherapy and 352(80. 5%) received radiotherapy. Radiotherapy significantly reduced the 5-year LRR rates of all the four subgroups (Rec-/Her-2-: 13.1% vs. 33. 3%, Rec-/Her-2 + :9. 3% vs. 21.2%, Rec + /Her-2 + :9. 7% vs. 47.0%, Rec +/Her-2-:3. 2% vs. 15.4%). Radiotherapy significantly lowered the 5-year DM rates (26. 7% vs. 49.4%, 27.6% vs. 67. 5%, 18.4% vs. 100%) and improved the 5-year DFS rate (66. 7% vs. 33. 3% , 67.7% vs. 33. 3% , 72. 6% vs. 0%) as well as OS (73.9% vs. 25.2% ,69. 8% vs.41.5%, 91.0% vs. 32. 8%) of patients with Rec-/Her-2-, Rec-/Her-2 + and Rec +/Her-2 +. Conclusions In high-risk breast cancer patients, all subgroups of patients grouped by ER, PR and Her-2 status can benefit from postmastectomy radiotherapy.

Objective To identify high-risk group among gastric cancer patients treated with curative resection and more than D1 dissection, and investigate the indications for proper adjuvant therapy.Methods 297 patients who met the following enrolled criteria were retrospectively analyzed:treated between January 2002 and December 2004, primary gastric or gastroesophageal cancer, underwent curative gastrectomy and more than D1 lymphadenectomy, pathologically staged as T3-4N0-1M0,or TxN2-3M0.The overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were calculated, and possible prognostic factors were analyzed.Results The median follow-up time was 61 months.The follow-up rate was 92.3%.The 5-year OS, DFS, LRFS and DMFS were 57.9%, 52.2%, 70.6% and 71.7%, respectively.Four independent prognostic variables identified for OS, DFS, LRFS and DMFS using multivariate analysis were Borrmann type (Ⅰ+Ⅱ/Ⅲ+Ⅳ), total number of dissected lymph nodes (>18/≤18), number of positive lymph nodes (0-3/≥4), and 6th AJCC TNM stage (Ⅱ+Ⅲ a/Ⅲ b+ⅣM0)(χ2=3.94-16.34,P<0.05).If one unfavorable prognostic factor was scored as 1, according to the total scores of the four prognostic factors, four risk groups were generated as low (score:0), low-intermediate (score:1), high-intermediate (score:2) and high risk group (score:3 or 4).The 5-year OS, DFS, LRFS and DMFS were 85.7%, 61.0%, 58.6% and 38.6%(χ2=31.20,P<0.01) in low risk group, 85.2%, 61.3%, 48.1% and 31.8%(χ2=31.88,P<0.01) in low-intermediate risk group, 94.4%, 77.8%, 64.4% and 57.2%(χ2=18.36,P<0.01) in high-intermediate risk group and 87.9%, 75.0%, 74.2% and 55.5%(χ2=19.30,P<0.01) in high risk group.Conclusions Even with R0 resection and more than D1 lymphadenectomy, the outcome was poor for gastric cancer patients with two or more unfavorable prognostic factors.Prospective study is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy for this group of patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the inter-and intra-fractional clinical target volume (CTV) positioning errors of patients receiving postoperative simplified intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIMRT) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsTwelve patients with liver tumors underwent postoperative SIMRT.CBCT images were acquired before and after the treatment.The clipbox volume for registration included the fiducial markers in the tumor bed and excluded the ribs and vertebral bodies.If any translational parameter of setup error before treatment exceeded 3 mm or rotational parameter exceeded 3°,the treatment couch was adjusted and a verification CBCT was acquired to assess residual setup error.Automatic bone match was used.A total of 214 acquisitions of CBCTs in 111 groups were analyzed.Inter-fractional translational CTV positioning errors in left-right (x),superior-inferior (y) and anterior-posterior (z) axis were calculated in 111 groups,and intra-fractional translational CTV positioning errors in 70 groups.Clinical to planning target volume (PTV) margins were calculated according to the formula:margin =2.0 ∑ + 0.7σ ( ∑ is systematic error,σ is random error).ResultsInter-fractional translational CTV positioning errors in x,y and z axis were -0.03 mm,-0.43 mm,1.02 mm,with systematic error ( ∑ ) of 1.50 mm,5.89 mm,1.97 mm,and random error (σ) of 1.76 mm,4.13 mm,2.42 mm,respectively.Intra-fractional translational CTV positioning errors in the x,y,z axis were 0.04 mm,0.86 mm,- 0.46mm,with systematic error (∑) of 0.46 mm,1.14 mm,0.31 mm,and random error (σ) of 0.95 mm,1.38 mm,0.91 mm,respectively.The calculate CTV to PTV margins were 4.5 mm,15.0 mm,5.8 mm in the x,y,z axis,respectively.ConclusionsThe CTV errors were inevitable when patients with liver tumors received SIMRT.Fiducial markers placed in tumor bed during operation were helpful for accurate positioning error analysis.

Purpose To investigate MRI features of encephalitis in children with severe hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD). Materials and Methods The MR images of 85 cases of clinically diagnosed encephalitis in severe HFMD patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results In 85 patients, plain MRI was negative in 28;57 cases were positive including 10 cases showing punctate or patchy lesions in cerebral hemisphere, callosum, thalamus and cerebellar vermis with isointensity or slightly hypointensity on T1WI, isointensity or slightly hyperintensity on T2WI, and hyperintensity on T2FLAIR and DWI. In 47 cases, the lesions were located in the brainstem, tegmentum of pons and medulla oblongata. MRI features included symmetric high signal on DWI in posterior portions of brainstem, hypointensity or isointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity or isointensity on T2WI and T2FLAIR (n=17);patchy long T1, long T2 signal in posterior portions of brainstem, normal or mild hyperintensity on DWI, hyperintensity on T2FLAIR (n=30); lesion extending around the fourth ventricle in 9 patients, one of which involved bilateral cerebral peduncles. Conclusion Encephalitis in children with severe HFMD has characteristic MRI features. The lesions are mostly located in the posterior portion of the brainstem. DWI and T2FLAIR can better detection lesions.

Objective A phase Ⅰ study was conducted to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicity(DLT) of chemotherapy of oral doxifluridine(5-dFUR) and leucovorin with concurrent standard radiotherapy(RT) as adjuvant treatment in patients with rectal cancer. Methods Patients aged 18-75 years old, Karnofsky scored ≥70%, stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ rectal cancer after curative surgery were eligible. Total RT dose was delivered as DT 50 Gy in the fraction of 2.0 Gy per day for 5 weeks to the pelvic area. 5-dFUR was administered concurrently with radiotherapy in escalating doses, and oral leucovorin was The DLTs included grade 3 or grade 4 hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity. Results From Aug. 2005 the most common side effects although all neutropenia was less grade 3. The DLT was observed in 1 patient of RT. In the following 3 enrolled patients, one suffered grade 3 abdominal cramp pain, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea/vomit and grade 2 neutropinea and fever. Grade 3 diarrhea was also observed in all the additional 3 papatients didn't complete the scheduled concurrent chemoradiotherapy due to severe side effects,including 1 at grade 3 abdominal cramp pain,fatigue and nausea/vomit. Conclusions Diarrhea is the most common and severe side effect in this phase Ⅰ study. The MTD of doxifluridine, concurrently with RT and fixed dose of oral cramp pain is often accompanied with diarrhea and nauser/vomit when the dose of doxifluridine exceeds 550 mg/( m2 · d) or 900 mg/d,patients need to be observed carefully.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of postmastectomy hypofractionation radiotherapy in patients with high-risk breast cancer. Methods Postmastectomy radiation of 43.5 Gy in 15 fractions of 2.9 Gy over 3 weeks was delivered to 38 patients with breast cancer. The incidence of acute radi-ation toxicity and lecoregional recurrence was evaluated. Results With a median follow up of 13 months, all patients were alive. No patient had locoregional recurrence within radiation field. Five (13%) had dis-tant metastases. Five (13%) developed grade 3 radiation dermatitis at 2 to 3 weeks after the course of radia-tion. Three (8%) had grade 2 radiation pneumonitis. Conclusions Hypofractionation radiation of 43.5 Gy in 15 fractions of 2.9 Gy over 3 weeks is effective in the near time for patients with high-risk breast cancer after mastectomy, and the acute toxicities are tolerable.

Objective To analyze the clinical results and prognostic factors of patients with early-stage primary gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT) lymphoma. Methods Seventy-seven pa-tients with primary gastric MALT lymphoma treated from 1985 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. All pa-tients were pathologically confirmed as MALT lymphoma in stage Ⅰ ,Ⅱ and ⅡE (by modified Blackedge staging system). Thirty-seven patients had stage Ⅰ disease,23 stage Ⅱ and 17 stage ⅡE. Sixty patients un-derwent surgical resection and 17 received non-surgical treatment. Survival rates were calculated by the Kap-lan-Meier analysis with the Logrank test. Results With a median follow up of 57 months for the surviving patients(ranging from 1 to 198 months for all patients), the 5-year overall survival rate, disease-free survival rate,loco-regional control rate and distant metastasis free survival rate were 74% ,70% ,76% and 87% ,re-spectively. In univariate analysis, clinical stage was significantly associated with overall survival. Patients with stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ disease had a better overall survival than those with stage ⅡE (P = 0.01). Tumor size and surgical resection were significantly associated with disease-free survival. Patients with primary tumor 8 cm or less in diameter had better disease-free survival than those with primary tumor more than 8 cm in diameter(P =0.03). Patients who underwent complete resection had better disease-free survival than those who under-went incomplete resection or no surgery (P =0.02). Clinical stage, tumor size and surgical resection were significantly associated with loco-regional control. Patients with stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ disease had better loco-regional control than those with stage ⅡE (P = 0. 03). Patients with primary tumor 8 cm or less in diameter had better loco-regional control than those with primary tumor more than 8 cm in diameter(P =0.01). Patients who un-derwent complete resection had better loco-regional control than those who underwent incomplete resection or no surgery(P=0.03). Patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ disease treated with surgery had more local recurrence, and patients treated without surgery tended to recur systematically. Patients with stage ⅡE disease tended to recur locally in spite of surgery or not. Conclusions The efficacy of surgical and non-surgical treatment for primary gastric MALT lymphoma are similar. Surgical resection is no longer a necessary approach in the primary treatment. Clinical stage is an important prognostic factor for primary gastric MALT lymphoma.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of radiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods From January 2000 to December 2007,41 patients with inoperable locally advanced (stage Ⅲ) pancreatic cancer were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Among these patients, 30 received concurrent radio-chemo-therapy. Results The median survival time(MST) and 1-year overall survival were 9.2 months and 23%. Patients with pretreatment KPS≥80 ,no regional lymph nodes metastasis, and CR/PR after radiotherapy had better prognosis. The corresponding MSTs were 11.1 months vs 5.8 months (χ2 = 7.50, P = 0.006), 10. 8months vs 6.5 months (χ2 = 5.67, P = 0.017), and 19.5 months vs 9.1 months (χ2= 7.28, P = 0. 007), re-spectively. Concurrent radio-chemotherapy tended to improve the overall survival (χ2 = 3.25, P = 0. 072). After radiotherapy, 18 patients had clinical benefit response, mainly being abdominal pain relief. Neither grade 4 hematologic nor grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities were observed. Conclusions For patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, both 3DCRT and IMRT are effective in alleviation of disease-related symptoms. Patients with better porformance status before treatment, no regional lymph nodes metastasis, and better response to radiotherapy may have better prognosis. Concurrent radio-chemotherapy trend to improve overall survival when compared with radiotherapy alone.

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 analyze the prognostic factors and the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in skin-involved breast cancer.Methods Fifty-three skin-involved breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy and axillary dissection were retrospectively analyzed.Ten patients had inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).Of the 43 non-inflammatory breast cancer (NIBC) patients, 19(36%) had clinical signs of skin involvement and 24(45%) had pathological skin infiltration without clinical signs.Thirty-three patients (62%) received PMRT with a median dose of 50 Gy, 45 received chemotherapy and 27 received hormone therapy.Results The median follow up time for alive patients was 42 (7 -83) months.The overall 5-year locoregional recurrence (LRR),disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 18%,45% and 64%.Patients with NIBC had a significantly better 5-year DFS (49% vs.30% ,χ2=4.29,P=0.038) and OS (71% vs.37% ,χ2=5.92,P=0.015) than those with IBC.In patients with NIBC, those with primary tumor ≤5 cm had a lower 5-year LRR (11% vs.33% ,χ2= 3.75 ,P =0.053) and a higher 5-year OS (90% vs.38% ,χ2=4.44,P=0.035) as compared to those >5 cm.No significant difference in terms of LRR, DFS or OS was observed between patients with clinical signs of skin involvement and those without.Patients with 0 - 3 positive nodes had an improved 5-year DFS (80% vs.29%, χ2= 6.71, P =0.010) and OS (93% vs.52% ,χ2=6.00,P=0.014) than those with ≥4 positive nodes.Patients with Rec + / Her2 - had a lower5 - year LRR (7 % vs.3 4 % , χ2= 5.70, P= 0.017) and a higher DFS (54% vs.32% ,χ2=8.82 ,P =0.003) than those with triple-negative or Her2 +.There was no significant difference in 5-year LRR (12% vs.30%, χ2= 2.45, P = 0.118) between patients with PMRT and without PMRT.However, the 5-year chest wall recurrence rate was 0% and 50% (χ2= 9.15 ,P =0.002) for patients with chest wall bolus dose > 20 Gy and 20 Gy.Conclusions Skin-involved breast cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases.Patients with NIBC, small tumor (≤5 cm), less positive nodes (0 -3) or rec +/Her2-have favorable prognosis.Patients with pathologically proven skin involvement without clinical signs have similar prognosis to those with clinical signs.PMRT with chest wall bolus dose >20 Gy is recommended.