PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of external radiation therapy and the prognostic factors, we retrospectively analyzed therapeutic results of malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO). METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed the results of the external radiation therapy in 59 patients of inoperable malignant EHBO who had been treated with more than 10 Gy of external radiation therapy from April 1984 to December 1996. There were 21 stomach cancer (35.6%), 12 pancreas cancer (20.3%), 15 extrahepatic biliary cancer (18.6%) and 11 another cancer (18.6%). Their pathologies were confirmed in 31 patients (52.5%). They divided into 27 adenocarcinoma and 4 nonadenocarcinoma. Their chief complaints were jaundice in 47 patients (79.7%) and abdominal pain in 15 patients (49.2%). Twelve patients had slightly increased bilirubin level in liver function test without jaundice. We treated twenty four patients (40.6%) with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and 32 patients (54%) with systemic chemotherapy (CT). We performed external radiation therapy (ERT) upto 10.8~55.8 Gy (median 37.8 Gy) with palliative aim. RESULTS: Overall median survival duration was 7.80+/-1.15 months. The response rates of jaundice were 81.8% in PTBD group and 66.7% in non-PTBD group without statistical significance. The improving rate of jaundice was not significantly different in decreased ratio of total bilirubin level. But abdominal pain was more decreased in CT group than non-CT group (P<0.05). The significant prognostic factors were high performance status (Karnofski Performance Status >70), total radiation dose more than 35 Gy and good response of pain after therapy. There were increased in bacterial cholagitis in PTBD group and gastrointestinal complications in CT group. CONCLUSION: External radiotheapy could improve jaundice and abdominal pain in malignant EHBO patients. Overall survival duration was prolonged in patients with higher performance status and patients who had been treated with more than 35 Gy of total radiation dose. In the future, we expect not only better palliative role but also the prolongation of survival of using the ERT combined with other treatment method. But to achieve certain conclusion, we need futher study consisted with many kinds of treatment methods including new technologies in RT.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma ; Bilirubin ; Drainage ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Liver Function Tests ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Pathology ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms

OBJECTIVETo investigate the time of whole brain irradiation and the prognostic factors for non-small lung cancer patients with brain metastasis.

METHODSFrom August 1996 to December 2003, 147 patients with brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer received whole brain irradiation. The patients were divided into two groups: with or without symptoms caused by brain metastasis, each group was then divided into two sub-groups, early whole brain irradiation group (the interval between the diagnosis of brain metastasis and the brain irradiation < or = one month) and late group ( the interval > one month ). Univariate and multivariate analysis (Cox regression) as well as Kaplan-Meier method in SPSS software package 11.5 was used to analyze the data of the 147 patients including 72 with brain metastasis symptom and 75 without.

RESULTSThe median survival time (MS) of patients with or without extracranial metastasis was 9.9 months and 11.3 months (P = 0.0002). Multivariate analysis indicated that extracranial metastasis was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.0004). For 72 patients with brain metastasis symptom, the MS of the patients with and without extracranial metastasis was 9.3 months and 11.3 months (P = 0.0036). The MS of patients with early and late whole brain irradiation was 11.4 months and 9.2 months (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that extracranial metastasis, the interval between the diagnosis of brain metastasis and the whole brain irradiation were independent prognostic factors. However, for 75 patients without brain metastasis symptom, the MS difference of those with early or late whole brain irradiation was not statistically significant (P = 0.1643).

CONCLUSIONThe extracranial metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastasis is an independent prognostic factors. Early whole brain irradiation may improve the survival for those with brain metastasis symptoms.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Brain Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cranial Irradiation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Time

OBJECTIVETo investigate the time to progression (TTP) and overall survival in patients with previously untreated metastatic or relapsed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemotherapy (paclitaxel plus cisplatin) combined with radiotherapy versus chemotherapy alone, and also to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the regimen.

METHODSIn this prospective and non-randomized study, 47 patients with definite measurable lesion and having no previous chemotherapy were enrolled. All patients were treated with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 by 2-hour iv infusion on d1 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 by iv infusion on d1, which were repeated every 21 days. After 2-6 cycles of chemotherapy, those who gained CR, PR or SD were non-randomly assinged into radiotherapy group (group A) or non-radiotherapy group (group B).

RESULTSTotally, 47 patients were enrolled into this study, and all of them were valuable for response. One patient achieved complete response (CR), 19 partial response (PR), 24 stable disease (SD), and 3 were found to have disease progression (PD). The overall response rate of chemotherapy was 42.6% (95% CI, 0.28-0.58). Twenty-one of these 47 patients were sequentially treated with radiotherapy. The median survival and TTP was 13 months and 10 months in the group A , versus 11 months and 5 months in the group B (P < 0.024, P < 0.015), respectively. The most common toxicities were neutropenia and alopecia. There were no grade 4 clinical toxicity and treatment-related death in this series. Systemic adverse effects frequently occurred during radiotherapy were esophagitis and fatigue, which were tolerable.

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy using chemotherapy (paclitaxel + cisplatin) followed by radiotherapy is effective, tolerable, and statistically superior to chemotherapy alone in patients with metastatic or relapsed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alopecia ; etiology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Fatigue ; etiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; etiology ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; adverse effects ; Survival Analysis

Systemic chemotherapy is the basic palliative treatment for metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); however, it is not known whether locoregional radiotherapy targeting the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes affects the survival of patients with metastatic NPC. Therefore, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the benefits of locoregional radiotherapy. A total of 408 patients with metastatic NPC were included in this study. The mortality risks of the patients undergoing supportive treatment and those undergoing chemotherapy were compared with that of patients undergoing locoregional radiotherapy delivered alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The contributions of independent factors were assessed after adjustment for covariates with significant prognostic associations (P < 0.05). Both locoregional radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy were identified as significant independent prognostic factors of overall survival (OS). The mortality risk was similar in the group undergoing locoregional radiotherapy alone and the group undergoing systemic chemotherapy alone [multi-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.9, P = 0.529]; this risk was 60% lower than that of the group undergoing supportive treatment (HR = 0.4, P = 0.004) and 130% higher than that of the group undergoing both systemic chemotherapy and locoregional radiotherapy (HR = 2.3, P < 0.001). In conclusion, locoregional radiotherapy, particularly when combined with systemic chemotherapy, is associated with improved survival of patients with metastatic NPC.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Palliative Care ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on radiation induced-cell cycle redistribution and radiosensitivity of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3b.

METHODSMTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PTX on p53-defective human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3b and clonogenic assay employed to observe its effects on the radiosensitivity of the cells quantified by calculating the sensitive enhancement ratio (SER). Flow cytometry was performed to observe the cell cycle changes of Hep3b cells in response to X-ray irradiation and the interventional effect of PTX.

RESULTSThe cytotoxicity of PTX on the cells increased in a dose-dependent manner following a 48-hour treatment, with the optimal dose range of 1-5 mmol/L. A sub-toxic dose of PTX at 2 mmol/L was then used in subsequent experiments. Clonogenic survival assays up to 12 Gy demonstrated that p53-defective Hep3b cells (SER of 2.68+/-0.24) were sensitized by PTX (2 mmol/L). PTX (2 mmol/L) treatment following exposure to irradiation (6 Gy) resulted in abrogation of radiation-induced G(2)/M arrest of Hep3b cells, and the proportions of Hep3b cells in G(2)/M phase were 86.8% and 14.8% after exposure to 6 Gy alone and 6 Gy plus 2 mmol/L PTX, respectively.

CONCLUSIONRadiosensitization by PTX is possibly associated with the abrogation of G(2)/M arrest in Hep3b cells following radiation exposure, suggesting that potential clinical application of PTX may enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Pentoxifylline ; pharmacology ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology ; X-Rays

PURPOSE: Sorafenib is an effective systemic agent for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. To increase its efficacy, we evaluated the feasibility and benefit of sorafenib combined with radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2007 to July 2011, 31 patients were treated with a daily dose of 800 mg of sorafenib and radiotherapy. Among them, 13 patients who received radiotherapy on the bone metastasis were excluded. Thirteen patients received 30-54 Gy of radiotherapy on the primary tumor (primary group) and 5 patients received 30-58.4 Gy on the measurable metastatic lesions (measurable metastasis group). Tumor responses at 1 month after the completion of radiotherapy and overall survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The in-field response rate was 100% in the primary group and 60% in the measurable metastasis group. A decrease of more than 80% in the tumor marker alpha-fetoprotein was observed in 7 patients in the primary group (54%). Toxicities of grades 3-4 were hand-foot syndrome in 3 (17%) patients, duodenal bleeding in 1 (6%) patient, thrombocytopenia in 3 (17%) patients and elevation of aspartate transaminase in 1 (6%) patient. The median overall survival was 7.8 months (95% confidence interval, 3.0-12.6). CONCLUSION: The combined treatment of sorafenib and radiotherapy was feasible and induced substantial tumor responses in the target lesions. The results of this study emphasize the importance of individualized approach in the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and encourage the initiation of a controlled clinical trial.
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy/pathology/*radiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/*radiotherapy ; Male ; Niacinamide/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Phenylurea Compounds/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiotherapy/adverse effects

Differences between Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients in China and Western countries are known to exist, but data on Chinese patients with HL are limited. It is not clear whether there are clinical and histological differences in patients with HL involving different extranodal sites. This is the first study to analyze Chinese patients with HL involving different extranodal sites. We selected 22 HL patients with extranodal involvement from more than 250 previously untreated HL patients. Most patients were young males, and 20 of the 22 patients had stage IV disease. The major pathologic types were nodular sclerosis classical HL (NSCHL) and mixed cellularity classical HL(MCCHL). At diagnosis, the most commonly involved extranodal sites were the liver and lung, followed by the bones. There was no significant association between the international prognostic score(IPS) and survival in patients with different extranodal sites. Our data showed the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates of low-risk group (IPS = 0-2) were relatively higher than those of high-risk group (IPS ≥ 3), but the IPS did not show predictive power for survival. Although HL with extranodal involvement is rare, it should be considered as a unique form of HL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Dacarbazine ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Etoposide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hodgkin Disease ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Procarbazine ; therapeutic use ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vinblastine ; therapeutic use ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that mainly arises from the medulla of the adrenal gland. Some PCCs become malignant and metastasize to other organs. For example, it typically involves skeletal system, liver, lung, and regional lymph nodes. However, only a few cases of PCC with brain metastasis have been reported worldwide. We report a case of metastatic brain tumor from PCC in South Korea in 2016. A 52-year-old man presented with headache, dizziness and motor aphasia. He had a medical history of PCC with multi-organ metastasis, previously underwent several operations, and was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Brain MRIs showed a brain tumor on the left parietal lobe. Postoperative pathology confirmed that the metastatic brain tumor derived from malignant PCC. This is the first report PCC with brain metastasis in South Korea.
Adrenal Glands ; Aphasia, Broca ; Brain Neoplasms ; Brain* ; Dizziness ; Drug Therapy ; Headache ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Parietal Lobe ; Pathology ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Radiotherapy

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

Numerous studies have demonstrated the clinical activity of temozolomide, a second-generation alkylating agent, against malignant brain tumors, however, its activity has not been reported in an Asian population. This study analyzed the efficacy and toxicity of temozolomide in 25 adult patients with recurrent or progressive malignant gliomas after surgery and standard radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy, enrolled in our institution since July 2000. Sixteen patients had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), six with anaplastic astrocytoma, and three with anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Of the 25 patients, 3 (12%) achieved a complete response (CR), 8 (32%) achieved a partial response (PR), 6 (24%) had stable disease (SD), and 8 (32%) had progressive disease (PD). Two patients achieved a CR, 4 patients achieved a PR, 3 patients had SD and 7 patients had PD in GBM, and 1 patient achieved a CR, 4 patients achieved a PR, 3 patients had SD, 1 patient had PD in the non-GBM patients. Median progression free survival was 8 weeks in GBM and 22 weeks in the non-GBM patients. The median overall survival of each group was 17 weeks and 28 weeks. Temozolomide demonstrated moderate activity in recurrent and progressive malignant gliomas without serious toxicity.
Vomiting/chemically induced ; Treatment Outcome ; Survival Analysis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nausea/chemically induced ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Liver Diseases/chemically induced ; Leukopenia/chemically induced ; Humans ; Glioma/*drug therapy/radiotherapy/surgery ; Female ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Dacarbazine/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Brain Neoplasms/*drug therapy/radiotherapy/surgery ; Brain/drug effects/pathology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/administration & dosage/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Administration, Oral