Objective To analyze the prognosis of 225 patients according with clinical staging of esophageal carcinoma treated with non-surgical methods, and investigate the practicality and predictive value of the clinical staging. Methods From March 2001 to July 2007, 225 patients with esophageal carcinoma received 3DCRT treatment. The prescribed doses were ranged from 5000 -7000 cGy with the median dose of 6400 cGy, 25 patients received accelerative radiation of 300 cGy per fraction after conventional radiotherapy of 3000 -4000 cGy, 57 patients received concurrent chemotherapy with or without consolidation chemotherapy. All the patients were divided into subgroups of different T stages, different N stages and different TNM stages. Local control rates, survival rates were observed and Cox regression analysis were performed to search valuable prognostic factors. Results The following-up rate was 99. 6%. The 3-and 5-years following-up number were 116 and 33 patients, respectively. The 1 -,3-,and 5-year local control rates were 77. 2% ,48.2% and 34. 5%, respectively. The 1-,3-,and 5-year overall survival rates were 68.4% ,33.7% and 20. 8%, respectively. The median survival time was 20 months. There were significant difference between survival curves for T1-4 stages, N0-2 stages and Ⅰ - Ⅲ stages with x2 value of 13.07,20. 49 and 17.16, with P value of 0. 004,0. 000 and 0. 000, respectively. For the group of stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ, the 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates were 89.4% ,56. 1% ,and 37.8% ;69.6% ,32. 4% ,and 18.0%and 47. 2%, 19. 5%, and 13. 0%, respectively. According to the result of Cox regression analysis, the tumor length of CT scan, clinical N stage, short term restlt were most valuable predictive factors.Conclusions The clinical staging of esophageal carcinoma treated with non-surgical methods could predict the prognosis accurately, clinical N stage may have more closely association with prognosis, however, some details of the staging program need more consummate.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of cone-beam CT (CBCT) imagine registration in lung cancer. Methods From Mar. 2007 to Dec. 2007, 20 patients with lung cancer were treated with IGRT. The imagines of CBCT were collected from 6 to 19 fractions during the patients' radiotherapy. To compare the difference of set-up errors between the two groups according to the distance from the lesion in lung to the centrum. At the same time, CBCT imagines from the first, middle and the last fraction of these patients' radiotherapy were registrated in bone and grey methods by four doctors. The difference of set-up errors between different doctors and registrated methods were compared. Results The mean values of set-up errors were ＜2 mm in the two groups without significant difference (x:-1.31mm vs 0. 10 mm (t=0. 07,P=0.554);y:1.24 mm vs 1.37 mm (t=0. 05,P=0. 652);z: - 1.88mm vs -1.26mm (t= -0. 12,P=0.321)). The mean values of set-up errors were ＜ 1.3 mm in four doctors and registrated methods without significant difference, for bone registration,x: -0. 05 mm, -0. 01 mm,0. 05 mm, -0.12 mm and -1.31 mm ( F=-0.01,P=0.887) ;y:0.56 mm,0.35 mm,0.51 mm and 0.43 mm (F= -0.01,P=0.880);z: -1.16 mm, -1.20 mm, -0.88 mm and -1.03 mm (F= -0.04,P=0. 555 ), for grey registration ,x: -0.32 mm, -0.341 mm, -0.395 mm and - 0.37 mm(F=-0.01, P=0.874);y:0.34 mm,0.54 mm, -0.04 mm and 0.27 mm (F= -0.03,P=0.622);x:-1.12 mm,- 1.15 mm, - 1.13 mm and - 1.04 mm (F=0. 00,P=0. 812). Conclusions With the same registrated box and imagine quality, the location of the lesions in lung, registred methods and different doctors are not the influencing factors for CBCT imagine registration.

Objective To compare positional and volumetric differences of internal gross tumor volume (IGTV) delineated separately by three approaches based on four-dimensional CT (4DCT) for the primary tumor of non-small cell lung cancer (NLCLC). Methods Twenty-one patients with NLCLC underwent big bore 4DCT simulation scan of the thorax. IGTVs of the primary tumor of NSCLC were tumor on the MIP images were delineated to produce IGTVMIP. The position of the target center, the volume of target, the degree of inclusion (DI) and the matching index (MI) were compared reciprocally between IGTV10, IGTVEI+EE and IGTVMIP. Results Average differences between the position of the center of IGTVs on direction of x,y and z axes were less than 1 mm, with no statistically significant difference. The volume of IGTV10 was larger than that of IGTVEI+EE, the difference was statistically significant (t=2.37,P=0.028);the volume of IGTV10 was larger than that of IGTVMIP, but the difference was not statistically significant(t=1.95 ,P=0.065). The ratio of IGTVEI+EE with IGTV10, IGTVMIP with IGTV10 were 0.85±0.08 and 0.92±0.11, respectively. DI of IGTVEI+EE in IGTV10, IGTVMIP in IGTV10 were 84.78% ± 8. 95% and 88.47% ±9.04%. MI between IGTV10 and IGTVEI+EE, IGTV10 and IGTVMIP were 0.85 ±0.09, 0.86±0. 09, respectively. Conclusions The center displacement of the IGTVs delineated separately by the three different techniques based on 4DCT images are not obvious; IGTVEI+EE and IGTVMIP can not replace IGTV10 , however , IGTVMIP is more close to IGTV10 comparing to IGTVEI+EE . The ratio of GTVEI+EE with IGTV10 is correlated to the tumor motion vector. As the vector increases, the ratio of GTVEI+EE with IGTV10decreases, especially for small tumors.

Objective To investigate independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in extensive disease small cell lung cancer (EDSCLC). Methods Between January 2003 and December 2006, 154 patients diagnosed with extensive stage small cell lung cancer were enrolled in this study.Prognostic factors such as gender, age, performance status, smoking history, weight loss, distant metastasis, the number of matastasis, brain metastasis, the cycle of chemotherapy and thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) for EDSCLC patients were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results The median following-up time was 40. 5 months. The rate of follow-up was 92. 2%. The MST and overall survival rates at 3-year in smoking group and no-smoking group were 13 months, 11.8% and 17 months,22. 8%,respectively (χ2=3.40,P =0. 064);in ChT/TRT group and ChT group, they were 17. 2 months, 17.9%and 9.3 months,13.9%, respectively(χ2=10.47,P=0.001);and in the cycle of chemotherapy ≥4 group and ＜ 4 group, they were 16 months, 20. 1% and 9.3 months, 2. 9%, respectively (χ2=17.79,P=0. 000). By multivariate analysis, smoking history was a statistically significant unfavorable factor for OS in EDSCLC patients (versus no-smoking, hazard ratio (HR)=1.462, χ2=4.40, P=0.036). In addition, ≥4 cycles of chemotherapy and TRT were favorable prognostic factors ( ≥4 cycles vs ＜4 cycles, HR =0. 420,χ2 = 17. 17, P = 0. 000; ChT/TRT vs ChT, HR = 0. 634, χ2 = 6. 20, P = 0. 013). Conclusions Smoking is a independent unfavorable prognostic factor and ≥ 4 cycles of chemotherapy And TRT are independent favorable prognostic factors for OS in EDSCLC.

Objective To summarize the efficacy and the feasibility of 125I seed implantation for recurrence cervical lymph node of head and neck tumor after radiotherapy or radiotherapy plus neck dissection. Methods Thirty-six patients with the recurrence cervical lymphnode of head and neck tumor after radiotherapy (17 patients) or radiotherapy plus neck dissection (19 patients) were treated with 125I seed implantation guided by ultrasound or CT under local anesthesia. The median number of seeds was 27( range from 3 to 78 ). Postoperative quality evaluation were routinely obtained for all patients. The actuarial D90 ranged from 90-160 Gy (median, 130 Gy). Results The follow-up rate was 100%. The number of the patients who were followed up over 1-and 2-year were 11 and 3. The overall response rate was 81%. The 1-and 2-year over local control rates, over survival rates were 69% and 35%, 50% and 22%, respectively.The 1-and 2-year local control rates in patients with recurrence node after radiotherapy plus neck dissection were 72% and 54%, while those were 67% and 50% in patients with recurrence node after radiotherapy,respectively (χ2=00,P=0.965). The 1-and 2-year survival rates in two groups were 48%, 13% , and 51%, 39%, respectively (χ2=0.17, P=0.676). Conclusions 125I seed implantation is a safe,minimal invasive with low morbidity and high efficacy salvage treatment method for cervical lymph node recurrence of head and neck tumor after radiotherapy with or without neck dissection.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and nm23 in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods From 2003 to 2006, 127 NPC patients who had undergone biopsy before radiotherapy were reviewed retrospectively. All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy using 6 MV X-rays combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry SP method was adopted to detect the expression of EGFR and nm23 in NPC biopsy specimens . The relationship between the expression of EGFR and nm23 and survival was analyzed. Results The positive rate of EGFR and nm23 were 80.3% and 47. 2% respectively. The nm23expression was correlated with distant metastasis (χ2=7.03, P = 0. 008 ). The 5-year estimated local control, over-all survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 58.3% ,53.5% and 46. 5%. Patients with negative expression of EGFR had a significantly better 5-year OS, DFS (χ2=8.23, P=0.004;χ2=5.25,P=0.022) than those with positive expression. Patients with positive expression of nm23 had a significantly higher 5-year OS (χ2=15.68, P = 0. 000) and DFS (χ2=14. 85, P = 0. 000) than those with negative expression. The clinical stage, EGFR and nm23 expression were independent prognostic factors shown by Cox proportional hazard model (χ2=23.03, 18.33, 39.92, P= 0.000, 0.000, 0.000).Conclusions The EFGR and nm23 expression were correlated with the prognosis in NPC patients.

Objective To observe the influence of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γligand (PPAR-γ, pioglatazone) on expression of PAI-1 and TGF-β mRNA and proliferation in fibroblast cells before and after X-ray radiation, and to study the effect of PPAR-γon normal cells during radiation induced fibrosis process. Methods RT-PCR method was used to measure PPAR-γgene expression in L929 cells.After X-ray irradiation of 10 Gy,4 Gy or 2 Gy, the expressions of PAI-1 and TGF-β mRNA in mouse lung fibroblast cells (L929) were measured using RT-PCR. After X-ray irradiation and pioglatazone treatment,the influence of pioglatazone on PAI-1 and TGF-β was measured using RT-PCR method. MTT method was used to test cell proliferation after the treatment of irradiation and pioglatazone. Results PPAR-γ mRNA expression was observed in L929 cells. Expression of PAI-1 and TGF-β mRNA reached the highest level 483.40,P =0. 090) ). At 48 h after the treatment of pioglatazone and 10 Gy radiation, pioglatazone decreased 0. 36, 0. 34 and 0. 32( F = 3.90, P = 0. 040) ). The inhibitory effect was significantly increased when L9292. 50,P =0. 005)). Conclusions X-ray irradiation can increase the expression of PAI-1 and TGF-β in L929 cells. Pioglatazone can decrease the expression of radiation-induced PAI-1 and TGF-β, and restrain the fibroblast proliferation.

Objective To perform an acceptance test for the IMRT system with independent collimator. Methods An ion chamber dosimeter were used to measure the startup characteristics of the accelerator and the absolute dose at isocenter and given characteristic points for three clinical cases ( a lower nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a lung cancer and a cervical cancer). The characteristic points represented the organs at risk or the target. A Mapeheck2 was used to measure dose maps of basic test fields and the treatment fields for the clinical cases. The basic test fields were as follows: 1 ). Symmetric fields in size of 2 cm ×2 cm, 5 cm ×5 cm, 10 cm× 10 cm, 20 cm ×20 cm, 2 cm × 10 cm, 10 cm ×2 cm, 5 cm ×20 cm and 20 cm ×5 cm;2). Asymmetric fields in size of 2 cm ×2 cm (x1 =4 cm, y1 = 10 cm;x2 = -2 cm, y2 = -8cm) and 5 cm ×5 cm (x1 = -2 cm, y1 = -5 cm;x2 =7 cm, y2 = 10 cm) ;3) A 20 cm ×20 cm composite field composed of five 20 cm× 4 cm narrow bar fields side by side. Gamma Index was used to compare calculated and corresponding measured dose distributions. When the criterion was 3% dose difference or 3 mm distance-to-agreement, the pass rate was required to be more than 90%. Results The accuracy of machine output was better than 2% when machine monitor units increased to 4. Among all basic test fields and all the treatment fields of three clinical cases, the maximal absolute dose error was -3.67%, and only the composite test field and two treatment fields of the lower nasopharyngeal carcinoma case had a pass rate slightly less than 90%, which were 83.6%, 88. 3% and 89. 7% ,respectively. For the three clinical cases the treatment delivery times were 15, 14, and 27 minutes, respectively. Conclusions The overall commissioning results are acceptable, and the system can be used in clinic.

Objective To discuss the set-up isocenter error based on kilovolt cone beam computed tomography (KVCBCT) and to investigate dose deviation led to set-up isocenter error. Methods 21 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC ) treated with image guided intensity modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT)were investigated. The online KVCBCT scan, rigid image registration, set-up error was gained for 376 sets before radiotherapy. We sampled ten and fifteen setup isocenter error in the 376 sets randomly. Without changing beam angle,fields size and leaf sequences and dose weight et al. , we only replaced new isocenter and accumulated the new plan for ten or fifteen plans. We compared the percentage deviation between ten,fifteen times accumulated plans and normal ten , fifteen times plans. Results All 376 sets of KVCBCT image were analyzed for 21 cases. Under the condition of non-correction, the setup isocenter errors are 0. 75mm ± 1.13 mm, 0. 92 mm ±2. 15 mm,0. 82 mm ± 1.24 mm in left-right, superior-inferior and anteriorposterior directions respectively. So, we developed the margins which were 4 mm,6 mm、4 mm in three directions respectively from clinical tumor volume to planning tumor volume (PTV) calculated by two parameters model. In the fifteen accumulated plan, the deviation in the dose of 95% PTV (D95) was -7. 5% - - 11.9%, and the deviation in the D50 was -5. 1% - -8. 2%. Conclusions It is possible of small effects to normal organs and targets because of small error of patient displacement in one fraction.However, many small errors can led to considerable dose difference in targets and normal tissue in thirty fractions of all treatments period. So, according to two parameters model, PTV margin can be designed new planning and depended on IG-IMRT technique, which it will be significantly reduced these dose differences.

Objective To compare the difference region of interest volume (ROI) calculation method between Pinnacle and Eclipse treatment planning system. Methods To acquire CT image with 3 of slice thickness (1 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm). Delineate 1, 2 and 5 slices square and circle contours in Pinnacle treatment planning system. Meanwhile 15 cases that include 5 cases with head neck tumor, 5 with thorax tumor and 5 with abdomen tumor were selected. Those image and ROI were transfer to Eclipse treatment plan system by DICOM RT protocol . The ROI volume was compared between two TPS . Results For ROI with small volume, the volume difference between TPS was obvious (for small volume ROI have 12 times difference, for big volume ROI almost same). The volume difference between TPS was influenced by many factors. The number of ROI slice and the magnitude of ROI was related with the difference between TPS (R2 = 1. 000, P = 0. 000). The CT thickness (R2 = 0. 200, P = 0. 972 ) and the shape of ROI ( R2 =0. 200, P = 0. 089) were not significant factors. The center of ROI on different axis was not affect the volume calculation in Pinnacle, which cause 3% different in Eclipse. The CT thickness was proportional to the ROI volume ( Pinnacle R2 = 0. 548, P = 0. 011; Eclipse R2 = 0. 502, P = 0. 027 ). In clinical case, optic chiasm and Len averagely have more than 35% volume difference between those two TPS. Conclusions We should pay more attention about the difference volume calculation algorithm between Pinnacle and Eclipse,especially when transfer small volume ROI to another TPS, which may have significant difference.