Carcinoma, Medullary ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Nephrectomy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the liver is very rare, and few cases have been reported in Korea. Primary SCC of the liver is known to be associated with hepatic cysts and intrahepatic stones. A 71-year-old male was admitted to our hospital, and a abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a 10 × 6 cm mass in the liver. Analysis of a biopsy sample suggested SCC, and so our team performed a thorough workup to find the primary lesion, which was revealed hepatoma as a pure primary SCC of the liver with multiple distant metastases. The patient was treated with one cycle of radiotherapy, transferred to another hospital for hospice care, and then died 1 month after discharge.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/radiotherapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiotherapy ; Male ; Palliative Care ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in uterine cervical cancer and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in diagnosis and predicting treatment response.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with advanced primary cervical cancer confirmed by pathology and 10 cases of normal uterine cervix as control were recruited in this prospective clinical trial. To analyze the correlation between tumor volume measured in DWI and tumor maximum diameter measured according to the RECIST criteria. To compare the ADC value differences among the uterine cervical cancer, uterine myometrium, and normal uterine cervix. To compare the ADC values in 17 cancer patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe illustration of tumor boundary in DWI was superior to conventional T2WI and post-enhancement T1WI. The DWI with higher b value (2000 s/mm(2)) had a better signal-to-noise ratio. The tumor volume measured in DWI has good correlation with tumor maximum diameter according to RECIST criteria (r = 0.759, P < 0.01). When b = 800 s/mm(2), the ADC values of the uterine cervical cancer, uterine myometrium, and normal uterine cervix were (9.85 ± 1.55)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, (14.20 ± 2.80)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, and (14.14 ± 0.45) ×10(-3) mm(2)/s. When b = 2000 s/mm(2), the ADC values of the uterine cervical cancer, uterine myometrium and normal uterine cervix were (7.38 ± 0.98)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, (8.52 ± 2.38)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, and (8.60 ± 0.63)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. There were significant differences between the cervical cancer and normal cervix or uterine myometrium (P < 0.001 for both). When b = 800 s/mm(2), the ADC value was (9.85 ± 1.55)×110(-3) mm(2)/s before and (13.41 ± 2.93)×10(-3) mm(2)/s after treatment (P < 0.001). When b = 2000 s/mm(2), the ADC value was (7.38 ± 0.98)×10(-3) mm(2)/s before and (8.93 ± 1.92)×10(-3) mm(2)/s after treatment (P = 0.008). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that 25% ADC, 50%ADC, and 75%ADC in the tumor ADC value histogram before treatment were significantly correlated to the treatment outcome of cervical cancer (P < 0.05 for all). Multivariate regression analysis showed that 25%ADC, 50%ADC, and 75%ADC in the tumor ADC value histogram before treatment were not significantly correlated to the treatment outcome of cervical cancer (P > 0.05 for all). The values of ROC curves were 25%ADC = 0.818, 50%ADC = 0.775, and 75%ADC = 0.716 (P > 0.05), however, the 25% ADC showed a relatively stronger statistical power.

CONCLUSIONSDWI helps to confirm the morphology and exact target zone of the tumor for radiotherapy. DWI volume measurement is well correlated with RECIST criteria, particularly in volume measurement of irregular tumors. ADC value has a potential in quantitatively monitoring treatment response and predicting outcome of cervical cancers.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervix Uteri ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myometrium ; pathology ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy

The prognostic value of T category for locoregional control in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has decreased with the extensive use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). We aimed to develop a prognostic scoring system (PSS) that incorporated tumor extension and clinical characteristics for locoregional control in NPC patients treated with IMRT. The magnetic resonance imaging scans and medical records of 717 patients with nonmetastatic NPC treated with IMRT at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2003 and January 2008 were reviewed. Age, pathologic classification, primary tumor extension, primary gross tumor volume (GTV-p), T and N categories, and baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level were analyzed. Hierarchical cluster analysis as well as univariate and multivariate analyses were used to develop the PSS. Independent prognostic factors for locoregional relapse included N2-3 stage, GTV-p ≥26.8 mL, and involvement of one or more structures within cluster 3. We calculated a risk score derived from the regression coefficient of each factor and classified patients into four groups: low risk (score 0), intermediate risk (score >0 and ≤1), high risk (score >1 and ≤2), and extremely high risk (score >2). The 5-year locoregional control rates for these groups were 97.4%, 93.6%, 85.2%, and 78.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). We have developed a PSS that can help identify NPC patients who are at high risk for locoregional relapse and can guide individualized treatments for NPC patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; Tumor Burden ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe primary aim of this prospective study was to use serial (18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging to evaluate the trend of the tumor's maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) during radiotherapy (RT) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and to explore the possibility of early evaluation of the tumor bio-metabolic response during radiotherapy.

METHODSSixty patients with biopsy-proven primary NPC were prospectively enrolled into the study. All patients underwent four (18)F-FDG PET-CT scans: one initial scan before RT/cisplatin based concurrent chemoradiotherapy, at the point of 50 Gy during RT, the end of RT, and one month after RT, respectively. Tumor (18)F-FDG uptake was analyzed according to the World Health Organization pathological type.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference (P < 0.001) of the mean of SUVmax of the primary site among pretreatment (11.20 ± 5.37) and posttreatment at the dose of 50 Gy (3.50 ± 1.59), at the end of RT (3.05 ± 1.56) and one month after RT (2.52 ± 1.46). There was also a significant difference (P < 0.001) of the mean of SUVmax of neck node site. However, there was a significant difference of the SUVmax between histological WHO type IIb and type IIa in the primary site (P = 0.046) [(67 ± 19)% reduction at dose 50 Gy for type IIb vs. (55 ± 24)% for type IIa] but not in the lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONSEarly PET scan during or right after RT instead of conventional 3 months interval after RT is indicated to evaluate the tumor response and to develop individualized adaptive radiotherapy in NPC. Our next study will attempt to demonstrate the results based on long-term follow-up data.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Due to the advanced diagnostic technique and better understanding for multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC), the increasing incidence of MPLC has been reported. Very often, MPLC are misdiagnosed as metastasis because of lacking efficient molecular biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis. Studies on the molecular mechanism for tumorgenesis and progression of MPLC may therefore facilitate the discovery of biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis, so that an individual and rational treatment can be achieved. We tried to further our understanding and improve the diagnostic skill for MPLC by reviewing the current status and the latest advancement of molecular markers related to MPLC.
Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Chromosome Deletion ; DNA Damage ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics ; Smoking ; adverse effects

The diagnosis of postradiation nasopharyngeal skull base lesions in petients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is still a tough problem in clinical practice. An early and accurate diagnosis is important for subsequent management. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic value of plasma Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) DNA in detecting postradiation nasopharyngeal skull base lesions in NPC patients. From July 2006 to September 2010, 90 patients with postradiation NPC (34 women and 56 men; median age: 42 years) met the selection criteria and were recruited in this study. All postradiation nasopharyngeal skull base lesions were found in the latest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations before endoscopic surgery, and the nasopharyngeal cavity was normal under flexible nasopharyngoscopy. Plasma EBV DNA detection was performed within 2 weeks before endoscopic surgery. A total of 90 endoscopic operations were successfully performed without any postoperative complications. Recurrences confirmed by postoperative pathology were found in 30 patients. The specificity, positive and negative predictive values of plasma EBV DNA detection were better than those of MRI. In addition, combining plasma EBV DNA detection with MRI improved the specificity and positive predictive values of MRI. Plasma EBV DNA detection followed by MRI would help to diagnose recurrence whereas MRI was unable. These results indicate that plasma EBV DNA is an effective and feasible biomarker for detecting postradiation nasopharyngeal skull base lesions in NPC patients.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; radiotherapy ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; blood ; radiotherapy ; virology ; Nasopharynx ; pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; diagnosis ; virology ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Osteoradionecrosis ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Skull Base ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: This is a retrospective study aimed at clarifying the details of recurrence patterns and sites in patients with cervical cancer treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: Data were analyzed from consecutive patients, admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) between 2001 and 2013, who had received definitive RT, with or without chemotherapy, for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IB-IVA cervical cancer. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients formed the patient cohort. The median follow-up period for surviving patients was 57.0 months. A complete response was achieved in 121 patients (88%). Of these, 36 (30%) developed a cancer recurrence during follow-up. The first sites of recurrence were located in intra-RT fields in nine, outside RT fields in 20, and both in seven patients. In the intra-RT field group, all patients showed a local recurrence, while no one experienced an isolated pelvic lymph node (PLN) recurrence. In the outside RT field group, the most frequent site of recurrence was lung (60%), and three-quarters of patients were free from intra-RT field recurrence until the last follow-up. Of the entire cohort, including 48 PLN-positive patients, only seven patients (5.1%) developed PLN persistence or recurrence, all in the common iliac, internal iliac, and/or obturator nodes, and all with another synchronous relapse. CONCLUSION: Local disease was a major type of intra-RT field recurrence, while PLN control was favorable even in initially PLN-positive patients. The predominance of outside RT field recurrence alone highlights issues concerning distant control, including the intensity enhancement of systematic therapy.
Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy/*radiotherapy/secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Brachytherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy/*radiotherapy/secondary ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Dose Fractionation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/*secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/*diagnosis ; Pelvis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/*radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of the treatment of primary vaginal cancer using definitive radiotherapy (RT) and to evaluate the prognostic factors of survival. METHODS: The medical records of nine institutions were retrospectively reviewed to find the patients with vaginal cancer treated with definitive RT with or without chemotherapy. A total of 138 patients met the inclusion criteria. None had undergone curative excision. RESULTS: The median follow-up time of the survivors was 77.6 months and the median survival time was 46.9 months. The 5-year overall survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS), and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 68%, 80%, and 68.7%, respectively. In the survival analysis, the multivariate analysis showed that a lower the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and prior hysterectomy were favorable prognostic factors of CSS, and a lower FIGO stage and diagnosed prior to year 2000 were favorable prognostic factors of PFS. In the subgroup analysis of the patients with available human papillomavirus (HPV) results (n=27), no statistically significant relationship between the HPV status and recurrence or survival was found. Grade 3 or 4 acute and late toxicity were present in 16 and 9 patients, respectively. The FIGO stage and the tumor size were predictors of severe late toxicity. CONCLUSION: The data clearly showed that a higher FIGO stage was correlated with a worse survival outcome and higher severe late toxicity. Therefore, precise RT and careful observation are crucial in advanced vaginal cancer. In this study, the HPV status was not related to the survival outcome, but its further investigation is needed.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/mortality/*radiotherapy/secondary/virology ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Papillomavirus Infections/diagnosis ; Radiotherapy/adverse effects ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden ; Vaginal Neoplasms/mortality/pathology/*radiotherapy/virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the histopathological features of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and to explore the ways of its diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSThe clinical data and pathological features of 23 cases of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe tumors were mainly located at the middle third segment of the esophagus. The 1-,2- and 3-year survival rates were 60.9%, 21.7% and 0, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is highly malignant with poor prognosis. Radical resection combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is required.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Basosquamous ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Esophagus ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate