• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.463-475
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• 2015

The standard treatment of locally advanced type of mid-esophageal cancer is concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT). We evaluated the feasibility of chemotherapy with adding docetaxel to the classical basic regimens of cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and radiotherapy up to 70.2 Gy using dose escalations for esophageal cancer. It was possible to escalate radiation treatment dose up to 70.2 Gy by the respiratory-gated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (gated-IMRT) based on the 4DCT-simulation, with improving target coverage and normal tissue (ex., lung, heart, and spinal cord) sparing. This study suggested that the definitive chemo-radiotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (i.e., DCF-R) and gating IMRT is tolerable and active in patients with locally advanced mid-esophageal cancer (AEC).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2003

Purpose: To report the early results of preopeartive concurrent radio-chemotherapy (CRCT) for treating rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: From June 1999 to April 2002, 40 rectal cancer patients who either had lesions with a questionable resectability or were candidates for sphincter-sacrificing surgery received preoperative CRCT. Thirty-seven patients completed the planned CRCT course. 45 Gy by 1.8 Gy daily fraction over 5 weeks was delivered to the whole pelvis in the prone position. The chemotherapy regimens were oral UFT plus oral leucovorin (LV) in 12 patients, intravenous bolus 5-FU plus LV in 10 patients, and intravenous 5-FU alone in 15 patients (bolus infusion in 10, continuous infusion in 5). Surgery was planned in 4$\~$6 weeks of the completion of the preoperative CRCT course, and surgery was attempted in 35 patients. Results: The compliance to the current preoperative CRCT protocol was excellent, where 92.5$\%$ (37/40) completed the planned treatment. Among 35 patients, in whom surgery was attempted after excluding two patients with new metastatic lesions in the liver and the lung, sphincter-preservation was achieved in 22 patients (62.9$\%$), while resection was abandoned during laparotomy in two patients (5.7$\%$). Gross complete resection was peformed in 30 patients, gross incomplete resection was peformed in one patient, and no detailed information on the extent of surgery was available in two patients. Based on the surgical and pathological findings, the down-staging rate was 45.5$\%$ (15/33), and the complete resection rate with the negative resection margin 78.8$\%$ (26/33). During the CRCT course, grade 3 $\~$4 neutropenia developed in four patients (10.8$\%$). Local recurrence after surgical resection developed in 12.1$\%$ (4/33), and distant metastases after the preoperative CRCT start developed in 21.6$\%$ (8/37). The overall 3-years survival rate was 87$\%$. Conclusion: Preoperative CRCT in locally advanced rectal cancer is well tolerated and can lead to high resection rate, down-staging rate, sphincter preservation rate, however, longer term follow-up will be necessary to confirm these results.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2014

We investigated whether regional hyperthermia (HT) increased post-surgical complications in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Between 1996 and 2007, 205 patients treated with preoperative CCRT and curative surgery were evaluable for the analysis of acute and late toxicities. A total dose of 39.6 Gy or 45 Gy was delivered concurrently with one or two cycles of chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin). Eighty-eight patients received regional HT twice a week using an 8-MHz radiofrequency capacitive heating device. Surgery was performed 4~6 weeks after the completion of preoperative CCRT. The median age was 59 years (range, 18~83) and the median follow-up period was 61months (range, 2~191). The 5-year overall survival and complication-free survival rate of all patients was 77.4% and 73.7%, respectively. Early leakage, delayed leakage, anastomotic stricture, fistula, and small bowel obstruction occurred in 1.0%, 2.9%, 1.5%, 5.9%, and 17.1%, respectively. HT did not increase all kinds of complications. The 5-year complication-free survival rate was 71.8% in the non-HT group and 76.3% in the HT group (p=0.293). Regional HT did not increase postoperative complications in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative CCRT followed by curative surgery.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2011

서 론: 5-FU와 cisplatin 병용항암화학요법은 국소진행성 두경부편평상피암의 유도화학요법으로 널리 사용되고 있는 요법이다. 저자들은 5-FU 대신 경구제재인 S-1을 cisplatin과 병용하는 복합항암요법의 효과와 안전성에 대해 연구하였다. 대상 및 방법: 저자들은 2007년 2월부터 2008년 12월까지 S1과 cisplatin의 복합유도화학요법을 시행받은 3/4기 구인두, 하인두, 후두, 구강 편평상피세포암 환자 52명의 치료결과를 후향적으로 분석하였다. 유도항암화학요법은 제 1일에 cisplatin(75 또는 60mg/$m^2$), 제1일부터 14일까지 S-1(40mg/$m^2$)을 1일 2회, 21일 간격으로 투여하였고 가능한 경우에는 항암방사선동시요법 또는 수술을 뒤이어 시행하였다. 결 과: 전체 52명 중 37명(71.2%)에서 부분반응을 보였으나 완전반응은 관찰되지 않았다. 2년 무진행생존율은 56.9%, 2년 전체생존율은 68.2%였다. 유도항암요법과 관련된 유해반응으로는 호중구감소증(71.2%) 및 빈혈(63.5%) 등과 같은 혈액학적 부작용이 가장 흔했다. 결 론: S-1과 cisplatin의 복합항암화학요법은 국소진행성 두경부편평상피암 환자를 대상으로 한 유도화학요법으로 적용이 가능한 것으로 판단된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2008

Purpose: The objective of this retrospective study was to identify predictive factors for the complete pathologic response and tumor downstaging after preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Between the years 2000 and 2008, 39 patients with newly diagnosed rectal cancer without prior evidence of distant metastasis received preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy (range, $45{\sim}59.4\;Gy$)). Thirty-eight patients received concurrent infusional 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin, while one patient received oral capecitabine twice daily during radiotherapy. Results: A complete pathologic response (CR) was demonstrated in 12 of 39 patients (31%), while T-downstaging was observed in 24 of 39 patients (63%). N-downstaging was observed in 18 of 28 patients (64%), with a positive node in the CT scan or ultrasound. Two patients with clinical negative nodes were observed in surgical specimens. The results from a univariate analysis indicated that the tumor circumferential extent was less than 50% (p=0.031). Moreover, the length of the tumor was less than 5 cm (p=0.004), while the post-treatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were less than or equal to 3.0 ng/mL (p=0.015) and were significantly associated with high pathologic CR rates. The univariate analysis also indicated that the adenocarcinoma (p=0.045) and radiation dose greater than or equal to 50 Gy (p=0.021) were significantly associated with high T-downstaging, while a radiotherapy duration of less than or equal to 42 days (p=0.018) was significantly associated with N-downstaging. The results from the multivariate analysis indicated that the lesser circumferential extent of the tumor (hazard ratio [HR] 0.150; p=0.028) and shorter tumor length (HR, 0.084; p=0.005) independently predicted a higher pathologic CR. The multivariate analysis also indicated that a higher radiation dose was significantly associated with higher T-downstaging (HR, 0.115; p=0.025), while the shorter duration of radiotherapy was significantly associated with higher N-downstaging (HR, 0.028; p=0.010). Conclusion: The circumferential extent of the tumor and its length was a predictor for the pathologic CR, while radiation dose and duration of radiotherapy were predictors for tumor downstaging. Hence, these factors may be used to predict outcomes for patients and to develop further treatment guidelines for high-risk patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2002

Purpose : To analyze the treatment results of concurrent chemoradiation with oral 5-FU plus Gemcitabine or Paclitaxel for unresectable pancreatic cancer. Materials & Methods : The patients, who were diagnosed by imaging modalities or by explo-laparotomy, were treated with concurrent chemoradiation. Radiotherapy was delivered to primary tumor and regional lymph nodes, and the total dose was 45 Gy. Patients received Gemcitabine $1,000\;mg/m^2$ or Paclitaxel $50\;mg/m^2$ weekly and oral 5-FU daily The total number of cycles of chemotherapy ranged from 1 to 39 (median, 11 cycles). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 36 months, Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results : Fifty-four patients between Jan. 1999 to Nov. 2001 were included in this study. Forty-two patients who completed the planned treatment were included in this analysis. The patients' age ranged from 37 to 73 years (median, 50 years) and the male to female ratio was 30:12. Treatment was interrupted for 12 patients due to: disease progression for 6 $(50\%)$, poor performance status for 4 $(33.3\%)$, intercurrent disease for 1 $(8.3\%)$, and refusal for 1 $(8.3\%)$. Response evaluation was possible for 40 patients. One patient gained complete remission and 24 patients gained partial remission, hence the response rate was $59\%$. The survival rates were $46.7\%\;and\;17.0\%$ at 1 year and 2 years, respectively with a median survival time of 12 months. Patients treated with Paclitaxel showed superior outcomes compared to those patients treated with Gemcitabine, in terms of both response rate and survival rate although this difference was not statistically significant. Grade III or IV hematologic toxicity was shown in 8 patients $(19\%)$, while grade III or IV non-hematologic toxicity was shown in 5 patients $(12\%)$. Conclusion : Concurrent chemoradiation with oral 5-FU and Gemcitabine or Paclitaxel improves both the response rate and survival rate in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. A prospective study should be investigated in order to improve both the patient selection and the treatment outcome as well as to reduce the toxicity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.311-323
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• 1998

Purpose : Prospective, single arm, Phase I/II clinical trial was performed to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the concurrent chemotherapy and definitive radiotherapy (RT) in patients with previously untreated locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Methods and Materials : From Mar 1992 to January 1997, a total of 73 patients with advanced cervical carcinoma were entered on the protocol but 5 patients were excluded in analysis because of patients' refusal of treatment. Their ages ranged from 31 to 77 years, median 58 years. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage distribution was as follows: IIB 46, IIIA 2, IIIB 15 and IVA 5. RT consisted of external beam irradiation to 4,140-5,040 cGy/23-28 fractions plus high dose rate intracavitary treatments to deliver a dose of 30-35 Gy to point A in 6-7 fractions. During the intracavitary treatments parametrial boost was delivered for point B dose of 60 Gy in stage IIB and 65 Gy in stage IIIB. Two cycles of concurrent 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP) chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil 1,000 mg/$m^2$/day continuous infusion for 4 days, day 1-4, 29-32 and cisplatin 20 mg/$m^2$/day intravenous bolus for 3 days day 1-3, 29-31) administered starting on day 1 of RT. Results : The median follow-up was 24 months (range 4-68+). Sixty-four patients were evaluable for survival rate in this protocol: The 5-year actuarial and disease-free survival rate were 52$\%$ and 64$\%$, respectively. The 5-rear actuarial survival for stage IIB and III+IVA patients were 58$\%$ and 36$\%$, respectively The 5-year disease-free survival rate for stage IIB and III+IVA patients were 71$\%$ and 40$\%$, respectively. Of the 68 patients evaluated for patterns of failure, overall recurrence rate was 27.9$\%$ (19/68) : local failure in 5.9$\%$ (4/68), distant metastasis in 10.3$\%$ (7/68) and both in 11.8$\%$ (8/68). Of the 64 patients evaluated for response at one month after the completion of treatment the complete response rate was 78$\%$ (50/64). Concurrent chemoradiation appear to be a well-tolerated regimen but there were two treatment-related deaths. Conclusion : Concurrent chemotherapy of FP with high-dose definitive RT in locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix is feasible and effective with acceptable toxicities. This chemoradiation regimen may offer a modest survival benefit for advanced stage. Further follow-up of these patients will evaluate the impact of this regimen on the long-term local control and their survival.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2014

Esophageal cancer has a poor prognosis, because the progression rate is faster compared to that of other cancers, Up to 30-40% of cases are inoperable at diagnosis, and most cases occur in the elderly. By this time, surgery has been regarded as the treatment of choice in patients suffering esophageal cancer and recent improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative management have significantly increased the resection rate and reduced the operative mortality. And Although the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy has been reported to be an effective treatment for esophageal cancer, most cases show only partial remission. Moreover, radiation therapy alone or chemotherapy alone has limited efficacy. We report a rare case of an 80-year-old man who presented with a chief complaint of dysphasia and was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer, with a review of the literature. Considering his advanced age, generally poor performance status, and the risk of fistula development after radiation therapy due to indentation of esophageal cancer into the main bronchus, palliative, rather than therapeutic, chemotherapy was performed, and complete remission was obtained.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.205-210
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive factors for treatment response and prognostic factors affecting survival outcomes after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Medical records of forty two patients with histologically confirmed analsquamous cell carcinoma, who had complete CCRT between 1993 and 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Median age was 61.5 years (39~89 years), and median radiotherapy (RT) dose was 50.4 Gy (30.0~64.0 Gy). A total of 36 patients had equal to or less than T2 stage (85.7%). Fourteen patients (33.3%) showed regional nodal metastasis, 36 patients (85.7%) were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus mitomycin, and the remaining patients were treated by 5-FU plus cisplatinum. Results: The median follow-up time was 62 months (2~202 months). The 5-year overall survival, loco regional relapse-free survival, disease-free survival, and colostomy-free survival rates were 86.0%, 71.7%, 71.7%, 78.2%, respectively. Regarding overall survival, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and complete response were found to be significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis. For multivariate analysis, only the ECOG performance status was significant. No significant factor was found for locoregional relapse-free survival or disease-free survival and similarly for treatment response, no significant factor was determined on logistic regression analysis. There were 7 patients who had local or regional recurrences and one patient with distant metastasis. The only evaluable toxicity in all patients was radiation dermatitis of perianal skin (grade 3), which developed in 4 patients (9.5%) and grade 2 in 22 patients (52.4%). Conclusion: This study revealed that patients with a performance score of ECOG 0-1 survived significantly longer than those with a poorer score. Finally, there was no significant predicting factors tested for treatment response.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2005

Purpose: This retrospective study was conduced to analyze the treatment results and to evaluate the prognostic factors affecting the survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Materials and Methods: From 1987 to 2002, we analyzed 43 patients who had nasopharyngeal carcinomas that were histologically confirmed and who had also completed the planned radiation therapy course at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center According to the 6th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system, 12 patients ($27.9\%$) were at Stage 11, 13 ($30.2\%$) were at Stage III and 18 ($41.9\%$) were at Stage IV Histopathologically, there were 15 ($34.9\%$) squamous cell carcinomas, 8 ($18.5\%$) nonkeratinizing carcinomas, 17 ($39.5\%$) undifferentiated carcinomas, and 3 ($7.0\%$) lymphoepitheliomas. Among the total 43 patients, 31 patients ($72.1\%$) were treated with only radiation therapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was peformed on 7 patients ($16.3\%$) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy was performed on S patients ($11.6\%$). Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil were administered to 11 patients for 4 cycles, and Cisplatin and Taxotere were administered to 1 patient for 6 cycles. The range of the total radiation dose delivered to the primary tumor was from 61.2 to 84 Gy (median 70.4 Gy), The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 197 months with median follow-up of 84 months. Results: The local control rate at 6 months after radiation therapy was $90.7\%$. The five year overall survival and disease free survival rates were $50.7\%$ and $48.9\%$, respectively. On the multivariate analysis, the age, T-stage ($T_{1-3}\;vs\;T_4$), N-stage and AJCC stage were the statistically significant prognostic factors affecting survival (p<0.05). The patterns of failure were as follows: local failure only in 3 patients ($7.0\%$), local and systemic failure in 1 patient ($2.3\%$), and distant metastasis only in 11 patients ($25.6\%$). Conclusion: The prognostic factors affecting the outcome of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were age, T-stage (7$T_{1-3}\;vs\;T_4$), N-stage and stage. Because systemic metastasis was the main failure pattern noted for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, systemic chemotherapy is needed to decrease the rate of distant metastasis for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In audition, research for more effective chemotherapeutical regimens and schedules is also needed.