Renal angiomyolipomas are uncommon benign neoplasms composed of mature fat tissue, thick-walled blood vessels and smooth muscle in varying proportions, which art often associated with tuberous sclerosis. During the last 5 years, 7 patients of renal angiomyolipoma were managed at Hanyang University Medical College. All cases were unilateral and were not associated with tuberous sclerosis. One patient was managed by radical nephrectomy because we could not distinguish from renal cell carcinoma. In 6 patients preoperative diagnosis were possible and one of them was managed by nephrectomy due to spontaneous rupture with severe bleeding and 5 patients were managed by conservative treatment. One patient was managed by enucleation of angiomyolipoma, and 2 patients were successfully managed with selective renal angioinfarct. Another 2 patients were incidentally found, small sized asymptomatic cases, so they were managed byobservation. All 7 patients were free of recurrence for follow up.
Angiomyolipoma* ; Blood Vessels ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nephrectomy ; Recurrence ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Tuberous Sclerosis

PURPOSE: To review the treatment outcomes of patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) receiving daily thoracic irradiation (RT) to > or = 60 Gy. Materials and M ethods: The records of patients treated with RT for LS-SCLC between 1990 and 2002 at Pusan National University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-six patients were identified who had received once-daily 1.8~2 Gy fractions from 40 Gy to 63 Gy. All patients received sequential chemotherapy and then RT. These patients were arbitrary divided two groups according to thoracic radiation dose, <60 Gy and > or =60 Gy. The time to death was assessed using actuarial method. RESULTS: Two- and 5-year overall survival rates for <60 Gy and > or =60 Gy group was 32% and 41% and 14% and 21%, respectively (p=1.6). Median overall survival for <60 Gy group and > or =60 Gy group was 17 and 20 months, respectively. Two case of acute Grade 3 esophagitis and one case of acute Grade 4 pneumonitis developed in > or =60 Gy group. The first relapse sites of chest for <60 Gy group and > or =60 Gy group were 9/15 (60%) and 3/8 (38%), respectively (p=0.4). CONCLUSION: > or =60 Gy once-daily thoracic radiotherapy was generally well tolerated and moderately improves local control compared to <60 Gy in patients with LS_ SCLC who are treated with combination chemotherapy
Busan ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Esophagitis ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Pneumonia ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thorax

PURPOSE: We examined whether intratumoral (i.t.) administration of dendritic cells (DCs) into a treated tumor could induce local and systemic antitumor effects in a mouse tumor model. METHODS AND MATERIALS: C57BL/6 mice were inoculated s.c. in the right and left thighs with MCA-102 fibrosarcoma cells on day 0 and on day 7, respectively. On day 7, the tumors (usually 6 mm in diameter) on the right thigh were heated by immersing the tumor-bearing leg in a circulating water bath at 43 degrees C for 30 min; thereafter, the immature DCs were i.t administered to the right thigh tumors. This immunization procedure was repeated on days 7, 14 and 21. The tumors in both the right and left thighs were measured every 7 days and the average sizes were determined by applying the following formula, tumor size=0.5 x (length+width). Cytotoxicity assay was done to determine tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity. RESULTS: Hyperthermia induced apoptosis and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in tumor occurred maximally after 6 hr. For the local treated tumor, hyperthermia (HT) alone inhibited tumor growth compared with the untreated tumors (p<0.05), and furthermore, the i.t. administered DCs combined with hyperthermia (HT+DCs) additively inhibited tumor growth compared with HT alone (p<0.05). On the distant untreated tumor, HT alone significantly inhibited tumor growth (p<0.05), and also HT+DCs potently inhibited tumor growth (p<0.001); however, compared with HT alone, the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, HT+DCs induced strong cytotoxicity of the splenocytes against tumor cells compared to DCs or HT alone. CONCLUSION: HT+DCs induced apoptosis and increased the expression of HSPs, and so this induced a potent local and systemic antitumor response in tumor-bearing mice. This regimen may be beneficial for the treatment of human cancers.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Baths ; Dendritic Cells* ; Fever* ; Fibrosarcoma ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Immunization ; Leg ; Methods ; Mice ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Thigh ; Water

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the incidence and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects in patients who were subjected to either two-dimensional or three-dimensional simulation techniques for early left-sided breast cancer. The myocardial perfusion defects were determined from using single photon emitted computerized tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and August 2003, 32 patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were diagnosed as having early (AJCC stage T1-T2N0M0) left-sided breast cancer and were treated with tangential irradiation after breast-conserving surgery and systemic chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of simulation received: two-dimensional simulation using an X-ray fluoroscope simulator or three-dimensional simulation with a CT simulator. All patients underwent technetium- 99m-sestamibi gated perfusion SPECT at least 3 years after radiotherapy. The incidence and area of myocardial perfusion defects were evaluated and were compared in the two groups, and at the same time left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac wall motion were also analyzed. The cardiac volume included in the radiation fields was calculated and evaluated to check for a correlation between the amount of irradiated cardiac volume and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects. RESULTS: A myocardial perfusion defect was detected in 11 of 32 patients (34.4%). There were 7 (46.7%) perfusion defect cases in 15 patients who underwent the two-dimensional simulation technique and 4 (23.5%) patients with perfusion defects in the three-dimensional simulation group (p=0.0312). In 10 of 11 patients who had myocardial perfusion changes, the perfusion defects were observed in the cardiac apex. The left ventricular ejection fraction was within the normal range and cardiac wall motion was normal in all patients. The irradiated cardiac volume of patients in the three-dimensional simulation group was less than that of patients who received the two-dimensional simulation technique, but there was no statistical significance as compared to the incidence of perfusion defects. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy with a CT simulator (three-dimensional simulation technique) for early left-sided breast cancer may reduce the size of the irradiated cardiac volume and the incidence of myocardial perfusion defects. Further investigation and a longer follow-up duration are needed to analyze the relationship between myocardial perfusion defects and clinical ischemic heart disease.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cardiac Volume ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Perfusion* ; Radiotherapy ; Reference Values ; Stroke Volume ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find out the differences of distal femur morphology between the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured and the non-ACL injured on an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the difference of bone structure by gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI Measurements of notch width (NW), bicondylar width (BCW), medial condyle width (MCW), lateral condyle width (LCW), medial-to-lateral condyle ratio (M:L ratio), and notch entrance width (NE) were taken from 120 subjects with ACL injury and the other 106 subjects without ACL injury, by three independent observers, at two different times. The measured values from MRI figures between the ACL-injured and the non-ACL-injured were compared and analyzed, with consideration of the differences by gender. Both intra and inter-observer reliability were calculated. RESULTS: There were significant differences of NW, BCW, MCW, LCW and NE by gender (p<0.001). While NW and MCW in male group were different (p<0.001), NW, MCW, M:L ratio and NW index (NWI) in female group were significantly different (p<0.001) in the bone morphology between the ACL-injured and non-ACL-injured. The intra- and inter-observer reliability was satisfying. CONCLUSIONS: If necessary to take an MRI, female patients with small NWI and NW injury should be carefully treated because of possibility of ACL injuries.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine the neck failure patterns after a complete response (CR) to definitive radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer patients, as well as evaluate the clinical significance of the results of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 2008, the clinical data of patients who had been treated with radical radiotherapy for primary squamous cell carcinomas and enlarged cervical lymph nodes was analyzed retrospectively. Ultimately, the cases that showed CR of the cervical lymph node lesions to full-dose radiotherapy were included in this study. The recurrent rate and sites in the cervical lymphatic area were evaluated periodically by radiologic imaging studies, along with some factors which might have affected the rate of recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients who achieved CR in neck area after radiotherapy were included in this study. The rate of subsequent neck failure among those patients was 19.2%. There was only a 5.5% failure rate in the 55 patients who underwent radiotherapy in their primary site. Eighty percent of the recurrent cases were found within 3 years (median follow-up, 68 months). The majority of neck recurrent cases (47%) were accompanied with the failure of the primary lesions. The initial response of the primary site and the method of radiotherapy simulation were significant prognostic factors associated with the nodal recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate of cervical nodes in patients with CR to radiotherapy in the primary site and neck area was about 5%. These patients could be followed up with close observation without a planned neck dissection.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was performed to objectively evaluate the rate of tumor response to hypofractionated radiotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, who were treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy with 3 Gy per fraction for palliative purpose between 1998 and 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Every tumor-volume was measured and evaluated from CT (computed tomography) images obtained before and 2~3 months after radiotherapy. The radiation toxicity was assessed during and after radiotherapy. A statistical analysis was performed to investigate overall survival, progression-free survival, and the prognostic factors for survival and response. RESULTS: The median age of the study patients was 70 years. In addition, 85% of the patients were in stage 4 cancer and 66.7% had an ECOG performance status of 1~2. The mean tumor-volume was 128.4 cc. Radiotherapy was administered with a total dose of 24~45 Gy (median: 36 Gy) over 10~25 days. Twenty-nine patients were treated with 30 Gy or more. The observed complete response rate was 12.9% and the partial response rate was 61.3%. Median survival time was 8.9 months and the 1-year progression-free survival rate was 12.9%. The treatment response rate was confirmed as a prognostic factor in the rate of survival. The primary site, stage, tumor-volume, radiotherapy field and overall radiation-dose showed a significant relationship with survival and treatment response. No grade 4 toxicity was observed during and after radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: There was an objective tumor-regression in about 74% of patients treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy. Further evaluation is needed to select the appropriate fraction-size and patient who may require the additional radiotherapy.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Disease-Free Survival ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To examine the feasibility of the treatment planning for minimizing carotid artery dose in the radiotherapy of early glottic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2007 to 2010, computed tomography simulation images of 31 patients treated by radiotherapy for early glottic cancer were analyzed. The virtual planning was used to compare the parallel-opposing fields (POF) with the modified oblique fields (MOF) placed at angles to exclude the ipsilateral carotid arteries. Planning target volume (PTV), irradiated volume, carotid artery, and spinal cord were analyzed at a mean dose, V35, V40, V50 and with a percent dose-volume. RESULTS: The beam angles were arranged 25 degrees anteriorly in 23 patients and 30 degrees anteriorly in 8 patients. The percent dose-volume of PTV shows no statistical difference. Conversely, the cumulative percent dose-volume of carotid artery shows the significant difference (p<0.001). The mean doses of carotid artery were 38.5 Gy for POF and 26.3 Gy for MOF and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.012). Similarly, V35, V40, and V50 also showed significant differences between POF and MOF. CONCLUSION: The modified oblique field was respected to prevent a carotid artery stenosis and reduce the incidence of a stroke based on these results.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Spinal Cord ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: Helical tomotherapy is a new form of image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy that may improve local control and decrease radiation toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate if high-dose helical tomotherapy is tolerated by patients aged 75 years or older and if the side effects are comparable with those experienced by younger patients. METHODS: Between January 2011 and August 2012, patients with prostate cancer who underwent helical tomotherapy without elective pelvic irradiation as definitive aim were reviewed and divided into two age groups: > or =75 years and <75 years. Acute genitourinary (GU) and lower gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Twenty patients aged 75 years or older and 23 patients younger than 75 years were evaluated. Radiotherapy was administered to a total dose of 76-78Gy in 38-39 fractions or 70Gy in 28 fractions. There was no grade 3 or 4 acute toxicity and no grade 2 acute lower GI symptom, but the patients complained of grade 2 acute GU toxicity, 25.0% for the older group and 13.0% for the younger group. There was no significant difference in the rate of acute toxicity between the age groups. Hypofractionation showed a significant association with higher grade 2 acute GU toxicity (p=0.024) with the grade 2 acute GU toxicity having no significant correlation with T-stage, Gleason score, prostate specific antigen level, androgen deprivation therapy, and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: High-dose helical tomotherapy to the prostate without pelvic irradiation was well tolerated by elderly prostate cancer patients 75 years and older.
Aged ; Humans ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes of 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) for portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data on 46 patients who received 3D-CRT for PVTT alone between June 2002 and December 2011. Response was evaluated following the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Prognostic factors and 1-year survival rates were compared between responders and non-responders. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (80.4%) had category B Child-Pugh scores. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score was 2 in 20 patients. Thirty patients (65.2%) had main or bilateral PVTT. The median irradiation dose was 50 Gy (range, 35 to 60 Gy) and the daily median dose was 2 Gy (range, 2.0 to 2.5 Gy). PVTT response was classified as complete response in 3 patients (6.5%), partial response in 12 (26.1%), stable disease in 19 (41.3%), and progressive disease in 12 (26.1%). There were 2 cases of grade 3 toxicities during or 3 months after radiotherapy. Twelve patients in the responder group (15 patients) received at least 50 Gy irradiation, but about 84% of patients in the non-responder group received less than 50 Gy. The 1-year survival rate was 66.8% in responders and 27.4% in non-responders constituting a statistically significant difference (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Conformal radiotherapy for PVTT alone could be chosen as a palliative treatment modality in patients with unfavorable conditions (liver, patient, or tumor factors). However, more than 50 Gy of radiation may be required.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Portal Vein* ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Conformal* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thrombosis*