• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the results of local control, survival rate, prognostic factors, and failure pattern in locally advanced esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied 50 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center from June of 1999 to August of 2008. Seven patients with inappropriate data were excluded, and 43 patients were analyzed. There were 39 males and four female patients ranging in age from 43 to 78 years (median, 63 years). There were seven patients with stage IIA and 36 with stage III. Irradiation from 46 Gy to 63 Gy (median, 54 Gy) was carried out 5 days per week, 1.8 Gy once a day. There were eight patients with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, and we mostly used 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin with 3 cycles for concurrent chemotherapy. The range of follow up periods was from 2 to 82 months (median, 15.5). Results: There were nine patients that exhibited a cornplete response, 23 that exhibited a partial response, 9 that exhibited no response, and 2 that exhibited disease progression. The median survival time was 15 months. Two-year and 5-year survival rates were 36.5% and 17.3%, respectively. Two-year and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 32.4% and 16%, respectively. Treatment failure occurred in 22 patients (51.2%). Patterns of failure were categorized as local failure in 18 patients and distant metastasis in four patients. In a univariate analysis for prognostic factors related to overall survival and disease-free survival, the hemoglobin levels during chemoradiotherapy (${\geq}$ 12 vs. <12, p=0.02(p=0.1) and the response to the treatments (CR/PR vs. NR/PD, p=0.002/p< 0.0001) were statistically significant. In a multivariate analysis, only response to the treatments was revealed to be statistically significant. There was no statistical significance associated with patient age, gender, disease stage, T-stage, smoking history, tumor location, or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: Our survival rate was similar to those of other institutions. Local recurrence was the main reason for failure. It is suggested that further prospective studies should be performed to improve local control.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2004

Background : There are many combinations of treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent studies have showed the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in NSCLC. At present, however, there is no consensus about the optimal dosages and timing of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents. The aims of study were to determine the feasibility, toxicity, response rate, and survival rate in locally advanced NSCLC patients treated with doxetaxel and cisplatin based CCRT. Method : Sixteen patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were evaluated from May 2000 until September 2001. Induction chemoradiotherapy consisted of 3 cycles of docetaxel (75 $mg/m^2/IV$ on day 1) and cisplatin (60 $mg/m^2/IV$ on day 1) chemotherapy every 3 weeks and concomitant hyperfractionated chest irradiation (1.15 Gy/BID, total dose of 69 Gy) in 6 weeks. Patient who had complete or partial response, and stable disease were applied consolidation chemotherapy of docetaxel and cisplatin. Results : All patients showed response to CCRT. Four patients achieved complete response (25%), partial responses in 12 patients (75%). The major common toxicities were grade III or more of neutropenia (87.3%), grade III esophagitis (68.8%), pneumonia (18.8%) and grade III radiation pneumonitis (12.5%). Thirteen patients were ceased during follow-up period. Median survival time was 19.9 months (95% CI; 4.3-39.7 months). The survival rates in one, two, and three years are 68.7%, 43.7%, and 29.1%, respectively. Local recurrence was found in 11 patients (66.8%), bone metastasis in 2, and brain metastasis in 1 patient. Conclusion : The response rate and survival time of CCRT with docetaxel/cisplatin in locally advanced NSCLC were encouraging, but treatment related toxicities were high. Further modification of therapy seems to be warranted.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.154-164
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• 2007

Background: Irinotecan hydrochloride, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, is effective against small-cell lung cancer. Irinotecan also can act as a potential radiation sensitizer along with cisplatin. To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan plus cisplatin (IP) with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy, we conducted a phase II study of IP followed by concurrent IP plus hyperfractionated thoracic radiotherapy in patients with previously untreated limited-stage small-cell lung cancer. Methods: Twenty-four patients with previously untreated small-cell lung cancer were enrolled onto the study since November 2004. Irinotecan $60mg/m^2$ was administered intravenously on days 1 and 8 in combination with cisplatin $60mg/m^2$ on day1 every 21 days. From the first day of third cycle, twice-daily thoracic irradiation (total 45 Gy) was given. Prophylactic cranial irradiation was given to the patients who showed complete remission after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Restaging was done after second and sixth cycle with chest CT and/or bronchosocpy. Results: Up to November 2004, 19 patients were assessable. The median follow-up time was 12.5 months. A total of 99 cycles (median 5.2 cycles per patient) were administered. The actual dose intensity values were cisplatin $19.6mg/m^2$/week and irinotecan $38.2mg/m^2$/week. Among the 19 patients, the objective response rate was 95% (19 patients), with 9 patients (47%) having a complete response (CR). The major grade 3/4 hematological toxicities were neutropenia (35% of cycles), anemia (7% of cycles), thrombocytopenia (7% of cycles). Febrile neutropenia was 4% of cycles. The predominant grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities was diarrhea (5% of cycles). Toxicities was not significantly different with concurrent administration of irinotecan and cisplatin with radiotherapy, except grade 3/4 radiation esophagitis (10% of patients). No treatment-related deaths were observed. The 1-year and 2-year survival rate of eligible patients was 89% (16/18) and 47% (9/18), respectively. Conclusion: Three-week schedule of irinotecan plus cisplatin followed by concurrent IP plus hyperfractionated thoracic radiotherapy is an effective treatment for limited disease small-cell lung cancer, with acceptable toxicity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2006

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: To determine the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy with high-dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: From January 2001 to December 2002, 30 patients with cervical cancer were treated with concurrent chemotherapy (cisplatin and 5-FU) and definitive radiation therapy. The median age was 58 (range $34{\sim}74$) year old. The pathology of the biopsy sections was squamous cell carcinoma in 29 patients and one was adenocarcinoma. The distribution to FIGO staging system was as follows: stage IB, 7 (23%); IIA, 3 (10%); IIB, 12 (40%); IIIA, 3 (10%); IIIB, 5 (17%). All patients received pelvic external beam irradiation (EBRT) to a total dose of $45{\sim}50.4\;Gy$ (median: 50.4 Gy) over $5{\sim}5.5$ weeks. Ir-192 HDR intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) was given after a total dose of 41.4 Gy. HDR-ICBT was performed twice a week, with a fraction point A dose of 4 Gy and median dose to point A was 28 Gy (range: $16{\sim}32\;Gy$) in 7 fractions. The median cumulative biologic effective dose (BED) at point A (EBRT+ICBT) was $88\;Gy_{10}$ (range: $77{\sim}94\;Gy_{10}$). The median cumulative BED at ICRU 38 reference point (EBRT+ICBT) was $131\;Gy_3$ (range: $122{\sim}140\;Gy_3$) at point A, $109\;Gy_3$ (range: $88{\sim}125\;Gy_3$) at the rectum and $111\;Gy_3$ (range: $91{\sim}123\;Gy_3$) at the urinary bladder. Cisplatin ($60\;mg/m^2$) and 5-FU ($1,000\;mg/m^2$) was administered intravenously at 3 weeks interval from the first day of radiation for median 5 (range: $2{\sim}6$) cycles. The assessment was performed at 1 month after completion of radiation therapy by clinical examination and CT scan. The median follow-up time was 36 months (range: $8{\sim}50$ months). $\underline{: The complete response rate after concurrent chemoradiation therapy was 93.3%. The 3-yr actuarial pelvic control rate was 87% and 3-yr actuarial overall survival and disease-free survival rate was 93% and 87%, respectively. The local failure rate was 13% and distant metastatic rate was 3.3%. The crude rate of minor hematologic complications (RTOG grade 1-2) occurred in 3 patients (10%) and one patient had suffered from severe leukopenia (RTOG grade 4) during concurrent treatment. Acute minor enterocolitis (RTOG grade 1-2) occurred in 11 patients (37%) and one patient (3%) was suffered from colon perforation during radiation therapy. Late colitis of RTOG grade 1 occurred in 5 patients (15%). Acute cystitis of RTOG grade 1 occurred in 12 patients (40%) and late cystitis of RTOG grade 2 occurred in one patient (3%). No treatment related death was seen. $\underline{Conclusion}$: The results of this study suggest that the concurrent chemoradiation therapy with HDR brachytherapy could be accepted as an effective and safe treatment for cervical cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 1998

Purpose : This study was performed to analyze the efficacy of induction chemotherapy fellowed by radiation therapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer Materials and Methods : Eighty patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated from 1989 to 1995 at Pusan Paik hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty-one patients were treated with induction chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy and Fifty-nine Patients were treated with radiation therapy alone. Chemotherapy regimen consisted of cisplatin-based combination (2 or 3 drugs). All patients were treated by Co-60 or 6 MV linear accelerators. Radiation dose ranged from 50 Gy to 80 Gy (median 64.8 Gy). We evaluated response rate, survival rate, and pattern of failure in both treatment groups. Results : Overall response rate in induction chemotherapy group and radiotherapy alone group were 48% and 45%, respectively. Of the 80 patients, 46 patients were evaluable for pattern of failure. Initial failure pattern in induction chemotherapy group was as follows: 8 (67%) at locoregional, 4 (33) in distant metastasis. Radiation alone group was 21 (71%) and 5 (29%), respectively. Results showed no difference of distant failure between induction chemotherapy group and radiation alone group. The 1 and 2 year survival rate in induction chemotherapy group were 43% and 14%, respectively and in radiotherapy alone group, 31% and 7%, respectively (p=0.135). Conclusion : In stage III non-small cell lung cancer, induction chemotherapy and radiation therapy showed increased tendency in survival with no statistical significance Induction chemotherapy seems to have no effect of decreasing distant failure and no survival advantage compared with radiotherapy alone.

• 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.15 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 1997

Purpose : This is retrospective study to compare the results of radiation therapy alone and neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation in advanced stage of uterine cervical cancer. Materials and Methods : Seventy-six Patients who were treated with definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced cervical cacinoma between June 1988 and December 1993 at the department of radiation oncology, Keimyung University Dong-san Hospital. Thirty six patients were treated with radiation therapy alone and forty patients were treated with cisplatin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. According to FIGO staging system. there were 48 patients in stage IIb, 3 patients in stage IIIa, 23 patients in stage lIIb and two patients in stage IVa with median age of 53 years old. Follow-up periods ranged from 7 to 95 months with median 58 months. Results : Complete response (CR) rate were $86.1\%$ in radiation alone group and $80\%$ in chemoradiation group. There was no statistical difference in CR rate between the two groups. Overall five-year survival rate was $67.3\%$. According to stage, overall five-rear survival rates were $74\%$ in stage IIb, $66.7\%$ in stage IIIa, $49.8\%$ in stage IIb, $50\%$ in stage IVa. According to treatment modality overall five year survival rates were $74.1\%$ in radiation alone and $61.4\%$ in chemoradiation group (P=0.4) Five rear local failure free survival rates were $71.5\%$ in radiation alone group and $60\%$ in chemoradiation group (P=0.17). Five year distant metastasis free survival rates were $80.7\%$ in radiation aione group and $89.9\%$ in chemoradiation group (P=0.42). Bone marrow suppression (more than noted in 3 cases of radiaion alone group and 1 case of chemoradiation group. Grade II retal complication was noted in 5 patients of radiation group and 4 patients In chemoradiation group. Bowel obstruction treated with conservative treatment (1 patient) and bowel perforation treated with surgery (1 patient) were noted in radiation alone group. There was no statistical difference in complication between two groups. Conclusion : There was no statistical difference in survival, failure and complication between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation versus radiation alone in locally advanced uterine cervical carcinoma.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2001

The treatment of maxillary cancer has been commonly performed by the surgery and radiation therapy, alone or in combination. Multimodal treatment has been introduced with improvement of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Multimodal treatment for the maxillary cancer is composed of surgery, radiation therapy, and regional intra-arterial chemotherapy. The present study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the multimodal treatment with Morita's method, with a slight modification, for the maxillary cancer. Twenty-four cases of the maxillary cancer were analyzed. The multimodal treatment increased the 5-year-survival rate up to 66% and reduced the need for maxillectomy. This method made the morphological and funtional preservation possible. This method may be recommended for the treatment of maxillary cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.84-90
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• 2009

Purpose: The effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy was analyzed in elderly patients when used in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: The retrospective analysis included 28 elderly patients aged 65 or older, with histopathologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy from January 2001 to July 2007. The squamous cell carcinoma disease stages included 8 patients (28.8%) in stage IIa, 10 patients (35.7%) in stage IIb, and 10 patients (35.7%) in stage III. Fractionated radiotherapy was performed with a 6 MV or 10 MV X-ray for 45~63 Gy (median: 59.4 Gy). Chemotherapy was applied concurrently with the initiation of radiotherapy. A 75 mg/$m^2$ dose of Cisplatin was intravenously administered on day 1. Further, 5-FU 1,000 mg/$m^2$ was continuously administered intravenously from days 1 to 4. This regimen was performed twice at 3-week intervals during radiotherapy. Two cycles of consolidation chemotherapy was performed after radiotherapy. Results: The follow-up period was 3~72 months (median: 19 months). The treatment responses after concurrent chemoradiotherapy included a complete response in 11 patients (39.3%), a partial response in 14 patients (50.0%), and no response in 3 patients (10.7%). The overall response rate was 89.3% (25 patients). The overall 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 55.9%, 34.6% and 24.2%, respectively. The median survival time was 15 months. Two-year survival rates of patients with a complete response, partial response, and no response were 46.2%, 33.0%, and 0%, respectively. The stage and tumor response after concurrent chemoradiotherapy were statistically significant prognostic factors related with survival. No treatment-related deaths occurred in this study. Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is a relatively effective treatment without serious complications in elderly patients with locally-advanced esophageal cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.629-635
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• 2019

In term of the factors affecting psychosocial adjustment of breast cancer patients, their quality of life after surgical operation, radiation, and chemotherapy were systematically meta-analyzed. As a result, their qualities of life of the patients that had radiation therapy was the lowest right after the therapy, and gradually increased after the end of the therapy. However, after six months, their quality of life failed to reach the same level before the therapy. They had depression and side effects the most right after the therapy, and somewhat reduced them after the end of the therapy. In case of surgical operation, the more they were educated, the more they had psychosocial adjustment, and the more they had a medical examination and took out an insurance policy, the more they had psychosocial adjustment. In case of chemotherapy, their cognitive function is influenced so that they have impairments in memory, learning, and thinking stages. Since subjective cognitive impairment has a relationship with depression, it is necessary to monitor depression of chemotherapy patients. Given the results of this systematic meta-analysis, when three types of therapies (surgical operation, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy) are applied to patients with breast cancer, it is necessary to recognize their psychosocial adjustment, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the nursing and radiation therapy fields and thereby to introduce an intervention program for a holistic approach.