PURPOSE: To compare photon thunderbird with deep match (technique 1) with 3-field technique with electron inguinal boost (technique 2) in acute skin toxicity, toxicity-related treatment breaks and patterns of failure in elective inguinal radiation therapy (RT) for curative chemoradiation in anal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients treated between January 2008 and September 2010 without evidence of inguinal and distant metastasis were retrospectively reviewed. In 9 patients with technique 1, dose to inguinal and whole pelvis area was 41.4 to 45 Gy and total dose was 59.4 Gy. In 8 patients with technique 2, doses to inguinal, whole pelvis, gross tumor were 36 to 41.4 Gy, 36 to 41.4 Gy, and 45 to 54 Gy, respectively. The median follow-up period was 27.6 and 14.8 months in group technique 1 and 2, respectively. RESULTS: The incidences of grade 3 radiation dermatitis were 56% (5 patients) and 50% (4 patients), dose ranges grade 3 dermatitis appeared were 41.4 to 50.4 Gy and 45 to 54 Gy in group technique 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.819). The areas affected by grade 3 dermatitis in 2 groups were as follow: perianal and perineal areas in 40% and 25%, perianal and inguinal areas in 0% and 50%, and perianal area only in 60% and 25%, respectively (p = 0.196). No inguinal failure has been observed. CONCLUSION: Photon thunderbird with deep match technique and 3-field technique with electron inguinal boost showed similar incidence of radiation dermatitis. However, photon thunderbird with deep match seems to increase the possibility of severe perineal dermatitis.
Anus Neoplasms ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Dermatitis ; Electrons ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pelvis ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

Helical tomotherapy is an image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy delivery system, a hybrid between a linear accelerator and a helical CT scanner. With its unique design features, tomotherapy has improved dose conformity and homogeneity of the target volumes, and conformal avoidance of the adjacent normal tissues. The daily pretreatment megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) is a powerful tool used in image guided treatment delivery and patient setup verification. If anatomic changes occur during the course of treatment, MVCT images are utilized in correcting target volumes and constructing appropriate adaptive plans. Helical tomotherapy can be applied to more complicated cases, where conventional techniques find their limits: complex tumors with critical organ sparing, simultaneous irradiation of multiple targets, large volume and large superficial tumor irradiation, and recurrent tumor re-irradiation are a few examples. Tomothearpy may change the current paradigm in radiation oncology in the near future. Further studies regarding clinical implementation and treatment outcome of helical tomotherapy will be needed.
Chimera ; Humans ; Particle Accelerators ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: We reviewed the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with anal canal carcinoma who were treated with curative intent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) at Severance Hospital from 2005 to 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for 38 eligible patients treated during this period were reviewed. All patients were treated with curative intent using radiotherapy (RT) with (n = 35) or without concomitant chemotherapy (n = 3). Among 35 patients who received CRT, most of the chemotherapeutic regimens were either 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus mitomycin C (23 patients) or 5-FU plus cisplatin (10 patients). Recurrence-free survival (RFS), colostomy-free survival (CFS), overall survival (OS), and locoregional control (LRC) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and survival between subgroups were compared using the log-rank test. Cox's proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up period of 44 months (range, 11 to 96 months), 3-year RFS, CFS, OS, and LRC were 80%, 79%, 85%, and 92%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor size >4 cm was an independent predicting factor for poorer RFS (hazard ratio [HR], 6.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42 to 28.5; p = 0.006) and CFS (HR, 6.25; 95% CI, 1.39-28.0; p = 0.017), while the presence of external iliac lymph node metastasis was an independent prognosticator for poorer OS (HR, 9.32; 95% CI, 1.24 to 70.3; p = 0.030). No treatment-related colostomies or deaths occurred during or after treatment. CONCLUSION: Curative intent CRT resulted in excellent outcomes that were comparable to outcomes in previous randomized trials. No severe treatment-related toxicities were observed.
Anal Canal ; Anus Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; Colostomy ; Fluorouracil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mitomycin ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Proportional Hazards Models

PURPOSE: To describe the early experience of analyzing variations and time trends in bladder volume of the rectal cancer patients who received bladder ultrasound scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 20 consecutive rectal cancer patients who received whole pelvic radiotherapy (RT) and bladder ultrasound scan between February and April 2012. Before simulation and during the entire course of treatment, patients were scanned with portable automated ultrasonic bladder scanner, 5 times consecutively, and the median value was reported. Then a radiation oncologist contoured the bladder inner wall shown on simulation computed tomography (CT) and calculated its volume. RESULTS: Before simulation, the median bladder volume measured using simulation CT and bladder ultrasound scan was 427 mL (range, 74 to 1,172 mL) and 417 mL (range, 147 to 1,245 mL), respectively. There was strong linear correlation (R = 0.93, p < 0.001) between the two results. During the course of treatment, there were wide variations in the bladder volume and every time, measurements were below the baseline with statistical significance (12/16). At 6 weeks after RT, the median volume was reduced by 59.3% to 175 mL. Compared to the baseline, bladder volume was reduced by 38% or 161 mL on average every week for 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study is the first to prove that there are bladder volume variations and a reduction in bladder volume in rectal cancer patients. Moreover, our results will serve as the basis for implementation of bladder training to patients receiving RT with full bladder.
Humans ; Observer Variation ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Ultrasonics ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: Malignant skin cancers in Korea have been increasing as in other countries, but the previous epidemiological studies have been only attempted by a single hospital unit in a limited period of time. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate and compare the frequencies, age, sex distribution, and anatomical location of the frequent skin cancers collected from several hospitals over a 10 year period between 1984-5 and 1994-5. METHODS: 258 cases of skin cancer from 4 different places in Seoul were collected for the study. Histopathological records from pathology departments and medical records were reviewed to obtain information about the frequencies. RESULTS: Overall there were 141 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)1 basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and malignant melanoma (MM) in the mid-eighties and 117 in the mid-nineties. SCC was the most common skin cancer in both periods but the frequencies and the SCC/BCC ratio dropped at the later period. The ratio of males to females was getting smaller at 1.4:1 in the mid-eighties and 1.1:1 in the mid-nineties. BCC was concentrated on the face and SCC was rather evenly distributed over the body surface. The predilection site of malignant melanoma (MM) was quite different between the two periods. The lower extremities was the main site in the mid-nineties and the head and neck in the mid-eighties. CONCLUSION: Although there was no statistical significance, the BCC/SCC ratio was increased and the male/female ratio decreased at the later period.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epithelial Cells* ; Female ; Head ; Hospital Units ; Humans ; Korea* ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Medical Records ; Melanoma* ; Neck ; Pathology ; Seoul ; Sex Distribution ; Skin Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Canine left single lung allotransplantation has become a frequently used model, but has some limitation. The purpose of this study is to verify and compare canine sequential bilateral allotrasplant model with canine left single lung transplant model. We prepared LPDG (low potassium dextran glucose)solution for lung preservation study. In this study we examined the efficacy of LPDG solution in 24-hour lung preservation by using a sequential bilateral canine lung allotransplant model. METHODS: Seven bilateral lung transplant procedures were performed using adult mongrel dogs. Comparative group was 9 cases of left single lung. The donor lungs were flushed with LPDG solution and maintained hyperinflated with 100% oxygen at 10oC for a planned ischemic time of 24 hours. After sequential bilateral lung transplantation, dogs were maintained on ventilators for 3 hours: arterial resistance were determined and compared with donor values which were used as controls. After 2 hours of reperfusion, the chest X-ray, computed tomogram and lung perfusion scan were checked. Pathological examinations for ultrastructural findings of alveolar structure and endothelial structure of pulmonary artery were performed. RESULTS: Five of seven experiments successfully finished the whole assessments after bilateral reperfusion for 3 hours. Arterial oxygen tension in the recipients was markedly decreased in immediate reperfusion period but gradually recovered after reperfusion for 3 hours. The pulmonary arterial pressure and pul-monary vascular resistance showed significant elevation (P<0.05 vs. control values) but also recovered after reperfusion for three hours (P<0.05 vs. immediate period value). The ultrastructural findings of alveolar structure and endothelial structure of pulmonary artery showed reversible mild injury in 24 hours of lung perservation and reperfusion on both groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that LPDG solution provide excellent preservation in a canine sequential bilateral lung transplant model in which the dog is completely dependent on the function of the transplanted lung and under physiologic condition. Sequential bilateral lung transplant model was more appropriate and accurate experimental model compared to single lung transplant model.
Adult ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Dextrans ; Dogs ; Humans ; Lung Transplantation ; Lung* ; Models, Theoretical ; Oxygen ; Perfusion ; Potassium ; Pulmonary Artery ; Reperfusion ; Thorax ; Tissue Donors ; Vascular Resistance ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: To investigate the patterns of locoregional recurrence of pathologic T3N0 (pT3N0) lower rectal cancer omitting postoperative radiotherapy (RT) and explore the potential of modification of a RT field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan 2003 to Nov 2011, 35 patients omitting preoperative or postoperative RT for pT3N0 lower rectal cancer were included. We defined the lower rectal cancer as the tumor with the inferior margin located below the virtual line-a convergent level between rectal wall and levator ani muscle. All patients had radiologic examinations for recurrence evaluation during the follow-up duration. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 66.4 months (range, 1.4 to 126.1 months). Eight (22.9%) of the 35 patients had recurrence. Three (8.6%) was local recurrence (LR) only, 3 (8.6%) was distant metastasis (DM) only, and 2 (5.7%) was LR with DM. All LR were located at primary tumor sites. The overall survival rate, LR-free survival rate, and DM-free survival rate at 5 years was 79.8%, 83%, and 87%, respectively. All LR developed from tumors over 5 cm. However, there was no statistical significance (p = 0.065). There was no other risk factor for LR. CONCLUSION: Even though the patients included in this study had pathologically favorable pT3N0 rectal cancer, LR developed in 14.3% of patients. Most of the LR was located at primary tumor sites prior to surgery. Based on these findings, it might seem reasonable to consider postoperative RT with a smaller radiation field to the primary tumor site rather than the conventional whole pelvic irradiation.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Muscles ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: This study was designed to demonstrate the potential therapeutic advantage of 3-dimensional (3-D) treatment planning over the conventional 2-dimensional (2-D) approach in patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The two techniques were compared both qualitatively and quantitatively for the boost portion of the treatment (19.8 Gy of a total 70.2 Gy treatment schedule) in patient with T4. The comparisons between 2-D and 3-D plans were made using dose statistics, dose-volume histogram, tumor control probabilities, and normal tissue complication probabilities. RESULTS: The 3-D treatment planning improved the dose homogeneity in the planning target volume. In addition, it caused the mean dose of the planning target volume to increase by 15.2% over 2-D planning. The mean dose to normal structures such as the temporal lobe, brain stem, parotid gland, and temporomandibular joint was reduced with the 3-D plan. The probability of tumor control was increased by 6% with 3-D treatment planning compared to the 2-D planning, while the probability of normal tissue complication was reduced. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the potential advantage of increasing the tumor control by using 3-D planning, but prospective studies are required to define the true clinical benefit.
Brain Stem ; Humans ; Nasopharynx* ; Parotid Gland ; Temporal Lobe ; Temporomandibular Joint

PURPOSE: To find the more effective treatment methods that improving thesurvival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme(GBM), we analyze the prognostic factors and the outcome of therapy in patients with GBM. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred twenty-one patients with a diagnosis of GBM treated at Severance Hospital between 1973 and 1993 were analyzed for survival with respect to patients characteristics, that is, duration of symptom, age, and Karnofsky performance status, as well as treatment related variables such as extent of surgery and radiotherapy. RESULTS: The median survival time(MST) and 2-year overall survival rate (OSR) of the patients with GBM were 13 months and 20.8%, respectively. Duration of symptom, age, Karnofsky performance status(KPS), radiotherapy, and extent of surgical resection were associated with improved survival in a univariate analysis. Patients whose duration of symptom was longer than 3 months, had the 2-year OSR of 47.2%(p=0.0082), who were younger than age 50, 32.9%(p=0.0003). In patients with a KPS of 80 or higher, the 2 year OSR was 36.9%(p=0.0422). Patients undergoing radiotherapy had the 2-year OSR of 22.9%(p=0.030), and surgical resection of 23.3%(p<0.000). A cox regression model confirmed a significant correlation of duration of symptom, age, radiotherapy,and extent of surgical resection with survival, excluding KPS(p=0.8823). The 2-year OSR were 22.3% and 19.4%, combined with chemotherapy or without, respectively(p=0.06028). The duration of symptom of 3 months or shorter. 50 years of age or older, and undergoing stereotactic biopsy only were considered as risk factors. then patients without any risk factors had the MST of 29 months and 2-year OSR of 53.9% compared to 4 months and 0% for patients who had all 3 risk factors. Most of all treatment failure occurred in the primary tumor site(86.4%) CONCLUSION: The duration of symptom, age, radiotherapy, and extent of surgical resection were a prognostically significant independent variables. To get a better survival, it seems to be reasonable that the study design which improves the local control rates is warranted.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Glioblastoma* ; Humans ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Radiotherapy ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Failure

PURPOSE: Early hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) is a rarely diagnosed disease, for which the optimal treatment has not been defined yet. We assessed patterns of failure and outcomes in early HPSCC treated with various therapeutic approaches to identify its optimal treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with stage I (n = 10) and II (n = 26) treated between January 1992 and March 2014 were reviewed. Patients received definitive radiotherapy (RT) (R group, n = 10), surgery only (S group, n = 19), or postoperative RT (PORT group, n = 7). All patients in both the R and PORT groups received elective bilateral neck irradiation. In the S group, 7 patients had ipsilateral and 8 had bilateral dissection, while 4 patients had no elective dissection. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 48 months, the 5-year locoregional control (LRC) rate was 65%. Six patients had local failure, 1 regional failure (RF), 3 combined locoregional failures, and 2 distant failures. There was no difference in 5-year LRC among the R, S, and PORT groups (p = 0.17). The presence with a pyriform sinus apex extension was a prognosticator related to LRC (p = 0.01) in the multivariate analysis. Patients with a bilaterally treated neck showed a trend toward a lower RF rate (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: This study shows that patients with early stage HPSCC involving the pyriform sinus apex might need a tailored approach to improve LRC. Additionally, our study confirms elective neck treatment might have an efficacious role in regional control.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cohort Studies* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neck ; Pyriform Sinus ; Radiotherapy ; Treatment Failure