Since the introduction of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, restenosis has remained the most challenging problem facing interventional cardiologist. Intravascular radiation is a feasible and promising adjunctive therapy in restenosis treatment by suppressing both neointimal proliferation and constrictive remodeling, while there are growing concerns about its long-term effects and complications in clinical perspectives as well as dosing and paradoxical stimulation. Current comments on them may well favor the choice of comprehensive treatment protocol for clinicians.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Coronary Restenosis ; prevention & control ; radiotherapy ; Coronary Vessels ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the causes and therapeutic approaches for the complications of radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy in cervical cancer patients.

METHODSFrom Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2003, 219 such patients were treated by radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy. The stages were: 26 stage IA (17 stage IA1 and 9 stage IA2) (11.9%); 142 stage IB (78 stage IB1, 64 stage IB2) (64.8%); 40 stage IIA (18.3%) and 3 stage IIB (1.4%). 204 patients in this series were treated by radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy and 15 by modified radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy.

RESULTSa total of 49 patients (22.4%) developed postoperative complications. The major complications included: bladder dysfunction (10.0%); formation of lymphocysts (7.8%); wound infection (6.8%); hydronephrosis (1.4%) and formation of ureteral fistulas (0.5%). The patients in the group treated by radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy was likely to develop postoperative complication compared with the patients in the group by modified radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy (24.0% versus 0, P = 0.067). The postoperative complication incidence in the patients who had preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy through intra-arterial catheter or radical radiotherapy in the other hospitals were 50.0% (2/4) and 100.0% (1/1), which were higher than that of the patients treated primarily in our hospital (21.3%, 25.3%) though without statistically significant difference among the groups. Of 52 patients who had previous abdominal surgery history, 13 developed posoperative complications, there was no significant difference between the patients with or without previous abdominal surgery history. The complication incidence of 87 patients treated with preoperative afterloaded radiotherapy was higher than that of 124 patients primarily treated by surgery (25.3% versus 19.4%), but the difference between two groups was statistically not significant (P = 0.239).

CONCLUSIONThe complication of radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy is correlated with the surgery mode. Preoperative afterloaded radiotherapy may not increase postoperative complication incidence. Properly reducing the extent of surgery may decrease incidence of complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphocele ; etiology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; adverse effects ; Urinary Retention ; etiology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of treatment with a high dose of 3-dimensional conformal boost (3DCB) using a real-time tracking radiation therapy (RTRT) system in cervical cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2004, 10 patients with cervical cancer were treated with a high dose 3DCB using RTRT system. Nine patients received whole pelvis radiation therapy (RT) with a median dose of 50 Gy (range, 40-50 Gy) before the 3DCB. The median dose of the 3DCB was 30 Gy (range, 25-30 Gy). Eight patients received the 3DCB twice a week with a daily fraction of 5 Gy. The determined endpoints were tumor response, overall survival, local failure free survival, and distant metastasis free survival. The duration of survival was calculated from the time of the start of radiotherapy. RESULTS: All patients were alive at the time of analysis and the median follow-up was 17.6 months (range, 4.9-27.3 months). Complete response was achieved in nine patients and one patient had a partial response. The 1- and 2-year local failure free survival was 78.8% and 54%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year distant metastasis free survival was 90% and 72%, respectively. Late toxicity of a grade 2 rectal hemorrhage was seen in one patient. A subcutaneous abscess was encountered in one patient. CONCLUSION: The use of the high dose 3DCB in the treatment of cervical cancer is safe and feasible where intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) is unable to be performed. The escalation of the 3DCB dose is currently under evaluation.
Adult ; Aged ; *Brachytherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/adverse effects/*methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/mortality/pathology/*radiotherapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of brachytherapy of 125I implantation on localized prostate cancer.

METHODSTwo-step technique was engaged in the implantation of 125I into the prostate for 41 localized prostate cancer patients. The prescription dosage of 125I was 160 Gy. TRUS and C-Arm X-ray were used for the confirmation of seeds location in the prostate.

RESULTSThirty-three patients were followed up for 3 to 4 years. Abnormal PSAs were found in 2 patients by positive biopsy. No patients died in this investigation. The early stage complications were urinary irritation symptoms that were severe within 6 months and disappeared after 1 year.

CONCLUSIONBrachytherapy of 125I implantation increases long-term tumor-free survival rate, with few long-term complications and some short-tern urinary stimulating symptoms.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the primary treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. We studied prognostic factors for patients treated with CCRT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 85 consecutive patients with cervical cancer who were treated with CCRT between 2002 and 2011, with external beam radiation therapy, intracavitary brachytherapy, and platinum-based chemotherapy. Survival data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients, 69 patients (81%) had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV disease; 25 patients (29%) had pelvic lymph node enlargement (based on magnetic resonance imaging), and 64 patients (75%) achieved clinical remission following treatment. Median maximum tumor diameter was 5.5 cm. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 60.3% and 55.5%, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed tumor diameter >6 cm (hazard ratio [HR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 4.6), pelvic lymph node enlargement (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.5), and distant metastasis (HR, 10.0; 95% CI, 3.7 to 27.0) were significantly and independently related to poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: New treatment strategies should be considered for locally advanced cervical cancers with tumors >6 cm and radiologically enlarged pelvic lymph nodes.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy/adverse effects/methods ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis/pathology/*therapy

OBJECTIVE: To assess actual rates of late vaginal stenosis and identify predisposing factors for complications among patients with previously untreated cervical cancer following high-dose-rate brachytherapy. METHODS: We performed longitudinal analyses of 57 patients using the modified Dische score at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 60 months after treatment, which consisted of 15 interstitial brachytherapys and 42 conventional intracavitary brachytherapys, with a median follow-up time of 36 months (range, 6 to 144 months). RESULTS: More than half of the patients developed grade 1 (mild) vaginal stenosis within the first year of follow-up, and grade 2 (97.5%, moderate) to grade 3 (severe) stenosis gradually increased with time. Actual stenosis rates for grade 1, 2, and 3 were 97.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.7 to 97.5), 60.7% (95% CI, 42.2 to 79.3), and 7.4% (95% CI, 0 to 18.4) at 3 years after treatment. Pallor reaction grade 2-3 at 6 months was only a statistically significant predisposing factor for grade 2-3 late vaginal stenosis 3 years or later with a hazard ratio of 3.48 (95% CI, 1.32 to 9.19; p=0.018) by a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Patients with grade 0-1 pallor reaction at 6 months showed a grade > or =2 vaginal stenosis rate of 53%, whereas the grade 2-3 pallor reaction group achieved a grade > or =2 vaginal stenosis rate at 3 years at 100% (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: High-dose-rate brachytherapy was associated with high incidence of late vaginal stenosis. Pallor reaction grade 2-3 at 6 months was predictive of late grade 2-3 vaginal stenosis at 3 years after treatment. These findings should prove helpful for patient counseling and preventive intervention.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy/*adverse effects/methods ; Constriction, Pathologic/etiology/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Iridium Radioisotopes/therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; *Pallor ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/*radiotherapy ; Vaginal Diseases/*etiology/pathology

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Digestive System Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Fever ; etiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of combined use of implantation of (125)I seeds with regional arterial infusion chemotherapy on late-staged pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODSDuring operation, (125)I seeds were implanted into tumor parenchyma or operative beds for 7 patients with pathological diagnosis of late-staged pancreatic carcinoma, then chemotherapy pump was implanted into common hepatic artery or celiac artery through left gastric artery or right epigastric artery. Gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2)) plus fluorouracil (500 mg/m(2)) was used for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy once a week for 7 consecutive weeks.

RESULTSThe mean number of implanted (125)I seeds was 42 and the mean dose was 29.4 mCi. The mean follow-up time was 245 days. Rate of pain relief was 100%, metastasis foci was reduced in 2 cases. CA-19-9 Antigen level decreased to normal in all patients. Pancreatic fistula occurred in one case and was cured with conservative therapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination therapy is effective for late-staged pancreatic carcinoma, it brings symptom relief and improvement in quality of life.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report on the long-term results of transabdominal ultrasound guided conformal brachytherapy in patients with cervical cancer with respect to patterns of failures, treatment related toxicities and survival. METHODS: Three hundred and nine patients with cervical cancer who presented to Institute between January 1999 and December 2008 were staged with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography and treated with external beam radiotherapy and high dose rate conformal image guided brachytherapy with curative intent. Follow-up data relating to sites of failure and toxicity was recorded prospectively. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-two patients were available for analyses. The median (interquantile range) follow-up time was 4.1 years (range, 2.4 to 6.1 years). Five-year failure free survival and overall survival (OS) were 66% and 65%, respectively. Primary, pelvic, para-aortic, and distant failure were observed in 12.5%, 16.4%, 22%, and 23% of patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor volume and nodal disease related to survival, whereas local disease control and point A dose did not. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided conformal brachytherapy of cervix cancer has led to optimal local control and OS. The Melbourne protocol compares favorably to the more technically elaborate and expensive GEC-ESTRO recommendations. The Melbourne protocol's technical simplicity with real-time imaging and treatment planning makes this a method of choice for treating patients with cervical cancer.
Adenocarcinoma/pathology/radiography/secondary/ultrasonography ; Adult ; Aged ; Brachytherapy/adverse effects/*methods ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology/radiography/secondary/ultrasonography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Conformal/adverse effects/*methods ; Treatment Failure ; Ultrasonography, Interventional/*methods ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography/ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the curative effect and complication of (252)Cf brachytherapy on cervical cancer.

METHODSFrom Nov 2002 to Nov 2007, 110 cervical cancer patients were treated by combination of (252)Cf neutron intracavitary brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy. There were 2 cases of stage Ib, 5 stage IIa, 57 stage IIb, 2 stage IIIa, 41 stage IIIb, 2 stage IVa, and 1 stage IVb. The whole pelvic cavity was irradiated with 8 MV X-ray, 1.8 Gy/fraction, 4 - 5 times per week. The total dose of external beam radiotherapy was 40 - 50 Gy (the center of whole pelvic field was blocked by 4 cm in width after 20 - 30 Gy). (252)Cf neutron intracavitary brachytherapy was delivered at 6 - 8 Gy(i)/fraction, and the total dose of reference point A was 30-51 Gy(i). The median dose was 42 Gy(i).

RESULTSThe overall 3-year survival rate of all patients was 79.2%, and the local control rate was 90.0%. In particular, the 3-year survival rate was 1/2 for stage I, 84.3% for stage II, 53.7% for stage III. The difference between stage II and stage III was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The 3-year survival in cervical lesions larger than or equal to 4 cm and those less than 4 cm was 68.1% and 71.2%, respectively (P > 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with and without anemia was 42.4% and 78.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was 78.5% and 76.9%, respectively (P > 0.05). The late radiation complications of rectum and bladder was 11.8% (13/110) and 2.7% (3/110), respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt is concluded that (252)Cf is a better source for intracavitary brachytherapy. According to our initial experience, (252)Cf has advantages of a high local control rate, especially to bulky tumor and adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Californium ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Cystitis ; etiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroenteritis ; etiology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Particle Accelerators ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy