OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term effects of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiotherapy for patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to analyze the prognostic factors.

METHODSA total of 107 patients with large unresectable HCC (the largest diameter of tumor ranged from 5 to 18 cm) were treated with TACE followed by external-beam irradiation. Acute effects and survival rates were observed. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the prognostic factors.

RESULTSAn objective response was achieved in 48.6% of the cases. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 59.4%, 28.4%, and 15.8%, respectively. The tumor number and irradiation dose were the independent prognostic factors. The cumulative survival rates of the patients with a solitary lesion (75.8%, 43.9%, and 26.8% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively) were significantly higher than those with multiple lesions (31.3%, and 5.0% at 1 and 3 years, respectively, P=0.0005). The survival rates of the patients received irradiation above 40 Gy (95.8%, 74.7%, and 37.4% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively) were significantly higher than those received 20~40 Gy (60.9%, 20.7%, and 10.3%, respectively) and those received radiation lower than 20 Gy (26.7%, 7.1%, and 7.1%, respectively, P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONSCombined TACE with radiotherapy is a promising treatment for large unresectable HCC. The number of tumor is the most important clinical prognostic factor. Delivering the highest irradiation dose within the tolerance of the liver is the key to improve the long-term effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

Because of its safety and treatment effectiveness, the popularity of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has gradually increased. However, some serious complications of RFA such as hepatic infarction, bowel perforation, and tumor seeding have been reported. Recently, we experienced a case of diaphragmatic hernia after RFA for HCC. A 61-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis was diagnosed with a 1.0 cm sized HCC in segment (S) 5 and a 1.3 cm sized HCC in S 8 of the liver. He was treated by transarterial chemoembolization and RFA. After RFA, an abdominal CT revealed a diaphragmatic defect with herniating mesentery. Twenty-two months after the RFA, the chest CT showed the diaphragmatic defect with herniating colon and mesentery. Because he had no symptoms, and surgical repair for the diaphragmatic hernia would be a high risk operation for him, we decided to treat the patient conservatively. For its great rarity, we report this case with a review of the literature.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*diagnosis/*radiotherapy/therapy ; Catheter Ablation/*adverse effects ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic/*etiology/surgery ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/complications/*diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*radiotherapy/therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The purpose of this study was to compare the dose distribution of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in 7 and 5 fields as well as 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans for gastric cancer using dosimetric analysis. In 15 patients with gastric cancer after D1 resection, dosimetric parameters for IMRT (7 and 5 fields) and 3D-CRT were calculated with a total dose of 45 Gy (1.8 Gy/day). These parameters included the conformal index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), maximum dose spot for the planned target volume (PTV), dose-volume histogram (DVH) and dose distribution in the organs at risk (OAR), mean dose (Dmean), maximal dose (Dmax) in the spinal cord, percentage of the normal liver volume receiving more than 30 Gy (V30) and percentage of the normal kidney volume receiving more than 20 Gy (V20). IMRT (7 and 5 fields) and 3D-CRT achieved the PTV coverage. However, IMRT presented significantly higher CI and HI values and lower maximum dose spot distribution than 3D-CRT (P=0.001). For dose distribution of OAR, IMRT had a significantly lower Dmean and Dmax in spinal cord than 3D-CRT (P=0.009). There was no obvious difference in V30 of liver and V20 of kidney between IMRT and 3D-CRT, but 5-field IMRT showed lower Dmean in the normal liver than other two plans (P=0.001). IMRT revealed favorable tumor coverage as compared to 3D-CRT and IMRT plans. Specifically, 5-field IMRT plan was superior to 3D-CRT in protecting the spinal cord and liver, but this superiority was not observed in the kidney. Further studies are needed to compare differences among the three approaches.
Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; radiation effects ; Liver ; radiation effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Radiation Injuries ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; Radiation Monitoring ; methods ; Radiometry ; methods ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods ; Spine ; radiation effects ; Stomach Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the main viral causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with lymphoproliferative disorder such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, there are only few case reports on concomitantly induced NHL and HCC by HCV. Herein, we report a case of synchronous NHL and HCC in a patient with chronic hepatitis C which was unexpectedly diagnosed during liver transplantation surgery. This case suggests that although intrahepatic lymph node enlargements are often considered as reactive or metastatic lymphadenopathy in chronic hepatitis C patients with HCC, NHL should also be considered as a differential diagnosis.
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications/*diagnosis/radiotherapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications/*diagnosis/*virology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/*diagnosis/radiotherapy ; Lymph Nodes/pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

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

The treatment of brain tumors metastasizing from lung cancer though the outcome has been unsatisfactory. Through an examination of the prognosis in patients treated with varying modalities, this study aims to determine which gives the best results. We analyzed 110 of 124 cases, histologically diagnosed between 1985 and 1994, in which lung cancer had meta-stasized to the brain. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and conservative management had been implemented. The patients' mean age was 58(range 23 to 76) years: the M: F ratio was 74: 36. The histological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma in 25 cases, adenocarcinoma in 50, small cell carcinoma in 24, and large cell carcinoma in 11. The median metastatic period between the lung cancer and metastatic tumor was 11.5 months: the longest duration was 42 months(one case). In 63 cases primary lung cancer and brain metastasis were diagnosed simultaneously. Of the total cases, 47 involved solitary metastasis and 63, multiple. The chief complaints were headache in 38 cases, hemiparesis in 48, cognitive function defect in 16, and seizure in eight. Metastasis to other organs at the time of diagnosis was as follow: adrenal gland, 6: bone, 9: liver, 4: lung, 3: leptomeninges, 1. Four patients had undergone craniotomy, two, only chemotherapy; and 41, radiotherapy. Seven patients underwent gamma knife radiosurgery: 43 were treated with a single modality: and 53, by combined therapy. The median survival period in cases of surgery alone, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and gamma knife radiosurgery was 17 months, 5.7 months, 3.5 months and 8.0 months, respectively. In cases of combined therapy, this period was 19.2 months for conventional surgery and gamma knife radiosurgery, 14.0 months for surgery and radiotherapy, and 7.0 months for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For those with adenocarcinoma, the median survival period was 7.7 months: those with large cell carcinoma had the shortest median survival period(4.6 months). Combined therapy proved most effective, but survival periods did not lengthen.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adrenal Glands ; Brain Neoplasms ; Brain* ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Craniotomy ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Headache ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Paresis ; Prognosis ; Radiosurgery ; Radiotherapy ; Seizures

A 63-year-old man complained of intermittent motor weakness of his arm. The magnetic resonance image (MRI) of his brain displayed a high signal lesion in right cingulate gyrus on T2 weighted image. One year later, he showed a stuporous mental status with repeated seizures, and the follow-up brain MRI showed heterogeneously enhanced mass associated with bleeding. He was treated with surgery and radiotherapy for secondary glioblastomas in right cingulate gyrus. One year more later, a mass recurred on the left frontal base, and gliosarcoma was diagnosed. After tumor resection, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, chemotherapy, and re-radiation therapy, all brain lesions were stable. Fourteen months after the diagnosis of gliosarcoma, he complained of dyspnea and back pain. Torso positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed multiple metastatic lesions in both lungs, pericardium, pleura, liver, lymph nodes, and bones, and metastatic gliosarcoma was diagnosed. One month later, the patient died because of the systemic metastases. We present an unusual case of secondary gliosarcoma with stable brain lesions and extensive systemic metastases.
Arm ; Back Pain ; Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Electrons ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glioblastoma ; Gliosarcoma* ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pericardium ; Pleura ; Radiotherapy ; Seizures ; Stupor ; Torso ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment results and prognostic factors of palliative radiation therapy in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven evaluable patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer who were treated by palliative radiation therapy for pain relief at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Kangnam St. Mary's hospital, the Catholic University of Korea between March 1984 and February 2005 were analysed retrospectively. There were 22 men and 15 women. Age at diagnosis ranged from 30 to 80 (median 57) years. Twelve patients (32.4%) had liver metastases and 22 patients (59.5%) had lymph node metastases. Radiation therapy was delivered to primary tumor and regional lymph nodes with 1~2 cm margin, and total dose was 3,240~5,580 cGy (median 5,040 cGy). Chemotherapy with radiotherapy was delivered in 30 patients (81%) with 5-FU alone (21 patients) or gemcitabine (9 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 44 months. Survival and prognostic factors were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test respectively. RESULTS: Overall mean and median survival were 11 and 8 months and 1-year survival rate was 20%. Among 33 patients who were amenable for response evaluation, 7 patients had good response and 22 patients had fair response with overall response rate of 87.9%. Mild to moderate toxicity were observed in 14 patients with nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, but severe toxicity requiring interruption of treatment were not observed. Chemotherapy didn't influence the survival and symptomatic palliation, but the group containing gemcitabine showed a tendency of longer survival (median 12 months) than 5-FU alone group (median 5.5 months) without statistical significance (p>0.05). The significant prognostic factors were Karnofsky performance status and liver metastasis (p<0.05). Age, sex, tumor location, lymph node metastasis, and CA 19-9 level did not show any prognostic significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiation therapy was effective for symptomatic palliation in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer and would play an important part in the survival benefit with gemcitabine or other targeted agents.
Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspepsia ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Korea ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Nausea ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatic Neoplasms* ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: Pancreatic tumors are relatively rare in children. Until now more than 150 cases have been reported in the English literature. In this paper, the authors report the tumors clinical characteristics and the results of surgery in eleven children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven cases of pancreatic tumor pathologically verified at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1984 to 1998 were retrospectively analyzed. Four were boys and seven were girls, and their mean age at diagnosis was 7.7 (range, 2 13) years. RESULTS: There were six solid and papillary epithelial neoplasms of the pancreas (SPENP) and five pancreatoblastomas. All children came to medical attention because of abdominal masses. Tumors ranged in size from 6.0X 5.0 cm to 10.5 x 8.0 cm. Eight tumors were located in head and three in tail. Complete excision was performed in eight cases (six in SPENP and two in pancreatoblastoma). Incomplete excision was performed in two cases of pancreatoblastoma. One patient with pancreatoblastoma had an unresectable tumor at the time of diagnosis and needle aspiration biopsy was done under the ultrasound guidance. No patient died during surgery. After a mean follow-up period of 4.1 years, all patients with SPENP were alive and there had been no recurrence. However, of two patients who received complete excision in pancreatoblastoma, one presented with liver metastasis at 4 months after operation and received chemotherapy, but died 6 months after operation. The other patient had local recurrence 1 year after operation. Reoperation and chemotherapy were performed and the child is now alive without evidence of disease montbs after the initial operation. All three patients with unresectable tumor died in spite of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Pediatric pancreatic tumors comprise rare heterogenous groups of malignancies with their prognosis dependent upon adequate resection and pathologic classification. Complete resection of pancreatic tumors arising anywhere in the pancreas was recommended.
Biopsy, Needle ; Child ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Liver ; Needles ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; Pancreas ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo study the diagnostic criteria, clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of breast.

METHODSAll cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed during the period from 1989 to 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred examples with IMPC component, according to the 2003 World Health Organization classification of breast tumors, were identified. The clinicopathologic features and follow-up data of these cases were analyzed.

RESULTSAmongst the 100 cases of IMPC studied, 69% (69/100) had evidence of lymphovascular invasion. The incidence of regional lymph node metastasis was 84.8% (84/99). Follow-up information was available in 98 patients (mean of follow-up duration = 60.1 months). Eleven patients (11.2%) had local recurrence within a mean of 26.4 months after the operation, while 38 patients (38.8%) had distant metastases within a mean of 36.0 months. Thirty-six patients (36.7%) died of the disease. The overall 5-year survival rate was 59% and the 10-year survival rate was 48%. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the prognosis of patients was adversely affected by the presence of lymphovascular invasion and family history of breast cancer. On the other hand, tamoxifen therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy improved survival.

CONCLUSIONSBreast carcinoma with IMPC component is associated with poor prognosis, despites the relative proportion of this architectural pattern. The overall prognosis is related to the presence of lymphovascular invasion and family history of breast cancer. Hormonal therapy and individualized chemotherapy can improve the survival rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tamoxifen ; therapeutic use