• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.127-129
• /
• 2016

The prognosis for pancreatic cancer patient is very poor. Patients with locally advanced disease have a median survival time of 8 to 12 months, and patients with distant metastases have significantly worse outcomes, with a median survival time of only 3 to 6 months. Approximately 30% of patients with pancreatic cancer present with locally advanced disease defined as unresectable pancreatic cancer without evidence of distant metastatic disease. Primary treatment options in locally advanced pancreatic cancer include chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Here, we reported a patient with locally advanced pancreatic cancer who does not want further chemotherapy because of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Irreversible electroporation was performed. Irreversible electroporation was well tolerated in this case, and may be a therapeutic modality for selected patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.314-320
• /
• 2000

Purpose :To investigate whether changes in plasma concentrations of transforming growth factor-$\beta$1(TGF-$\beta$1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) could be used to identify the development of radiation-induced pneumonitis in the lung cancer patients. Methods and Materials :Seventeen patients with lung cancer (11 NSCLC, 6 SCLC) were enrolled in a prospective study designed to evaluate clinical and molecular biologic correlation of radiation-induced pneumonitis. The study began in May 1998 and completed in July 1999. All patients were treated with radiotherapy with curative intent : 1.8 Gy per day, 5 fractions per week. Serial measurements of plasma TGF-$\beta$1, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 were obtained in all patients before, weekly during radiotherapy and at each follow-up visits after completion of treatment. These measurements were quantified using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All patients were evaluated for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis at each follow-up visit after completion of radiotherapy. High resolution CT (HRCT) scans were obtained when signs and symptoms of pneumonitis were developed after completion of radiotherapy. Results : Thirteen patients eventually developed signs and symptoms of clinical pneumonitis 씬file four patients did not. TGF-$\beta$ 1 levels were elevated in all 13 patients with pneumonitis, which showed characteristic pattern of elevation (38.45 ng/ml at pretreatment, 13.66 ng/ml during radiotherapy, then 60.63 ng/ml at 2-4 weeks after completion of radiotherapy). The levels of TNF- $\alpha$ and IL-6 were also elevated In the group of patients who developed pneumonitis but the pattern was not characteristic. Conclusions : Changes in plasma TGF$\beta$-1 levels before, during and after radiotherapy appears to be a useful means by which to identify patients at risk for the development of symptomatic pneumonitis. Other cytokines like TNF- $\alpha$ and IL-6 shows no meaningful changes in association with radiation pneumonitis.

• 대한두경부종양학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 1991.11a
• /
• pp.8.1-8.1
• /
• 1991

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to objectively evaluate the rate of tumor response to hypofractionated radiotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, who were treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy with 3 Gy per fraction for palliative purpose between 1998 and 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Every tumor-volume was measured and evaluated from CT (computed tomography) images obtained before and 2~3 months after radiotherapy. The radiation toxicity was assessed during and after radiotherapy. A statistical analysis was performed to investigate overall survival, progressionfree survival, and the prognostic factors for survival and response. Results: The median age of the study patients was 70 years. In addition, 85% of the patients were in stage 4 cancer and 66.7% had an ECOG performance status of 1~2. The mean tumor-volume was 128.4 cc. Radiotherapy was administered with a total dose of 24~45 Gy (median: 36 Gy) over 10~25 days. Twenty-nine patients were treated with 30 Gy or more. The observed complete response rate was 12.9% and the partial response rate was 61.3%. Median survival time was 8.9 months and the 1-year progression-free survival rate was 12.9%. The treatment response rate was confirmed as a prognostic factor in the rate of survival. The primary site, stage, tumor-volume, radiotherapy field and overall radiation-dose showed a significant relationship with survival and treatment response. No grade 4 toxicity was observed during and after radiotherapy. Conclusion: There was an objective tumor-regression in about 74% of patients treated by hypofractionated radiotherapy. Further evaluation is needed to select the appropriate fraction-size and patient who may require the additional radiotherapy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.218-225
• /
• 2017

Effects on skin caused by the dose from linear accelerator (LINAC) opposing portal irradiation and TomoDirect 3-D modeling treatment according to the radiation devices and treatment methods were measured, and a comparative analysis was performed. Two groups of 10 patients each were created and measurements were carried out using an optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter. These patients were already receiving radiation treatment in the hospital. Using the SPSS statistical program, the minimum and maximum average standard deviations of the measured skin dose data were obtained. Two types of treatment method were selected as independent variables; the measured points and total average were the dependent variables. An independent sample T-test was used, and it was checked whether there was a significance probability between the two groups. The average of the measured results for the LINAC opposing portal radiation was 117.7 cGy and PDD 65.39% for the inner breast, 144.7 cGy and PDD 80.39% for the outer breast, 143.2 cGy and PDD 79.56% for the upper breast, 151.4 cGy and PDD 84.11% for the lower breast, 149.6 cGy and PDD 83.11% for the axilla, and 141.32 cGy and PDD 78.51% for the total average. In contrast, for TomoDirect 3-D conformal radiotherapy, the corresponding measurement values were 137.6 cGy and PDD 76.44%, 152.3 cGy and PDD 84.61%, 148.6 cGy and PDD 82.56%, 159.7 cGy and PDD 88.72%, and 148.6 cGy PDD 82.56%, respectively, and the total average was 149.36 cGy and PDD 82.98%. To determine if the difference between the total averages was statistically significant, the independent sample T-test of the SPSS statistical program was used, which indicated that the P-value was P=0.024, which was 0.05 lower than the significance level. Thus, it can be understood that the null hypothesis can be dismissed, and that there was a difference in the averages. In conclusion, even though the treatment dose was similar, there could be a difference in the dose entering the body surface from the radiation treatment plan; however, depending on the properties of the treatment devices, there is a difference in the dose affecting the body surface. Thus, the absorbed dose entering the body surface can be high. During breast cancer radiotherapy, radiation dermatitis occurs in almost all patients. Most patients have a difficult time while undergoing treatment, and therefore, when choosing a radiotherapy treatment method, minimizing radiation dermatitis is an important consideration.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.175-181
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the influence of aquaplastic mask which is used for the radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer on patient positioning by analyzing the results of 2D/2D matching with the use of Exactrac 6D couch system. Materials and Methods: 2D/2D matching-based Image guidance was performed with the use of Exactrac 6D couch system on a total of 14 patients with head and neck cancer who received radiotherapy at this hospital in a period from June 2010 to June 2011. The adjusted 6D values obtained after the image guidance were classified into values related with patients and values not related with patients as to the correlation between the results. Results: In the analysis of the relation of each adjusted value to patients, the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of longitudinal and pitch direction was 0.76, of longitudinal and yaw direction was 0.48, and of pitch and yaw direction was 0.42 although the coefficient of determination for above factors was 0.03 or less when the dependency of patients was excluded. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that intrinsic factors of aquaplastic mask had influence on the immobilization of patients by aquaplastic mask although various factors related with patients had influence on the immobilization of patients. It is believed that if these factors are adjusted, the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer can be more accurate.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.193-201
• /
• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of nutrition counseling on the dietary intake and nutritional status cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment. The study was conducted over 6 week period and included 104 patients : 66 received nutrition counseling as the variable group of 42 male and 24 female and 38 patients received no counseling as the control group of 19 male and 19 female. Nutrition counseling was accompanied with the radiation therapy and adminstered via counseling session and distribution of printed material during radiation therapy for 6 weeks. Nutrition counseling aimed at maintaining a balanced diet and preventing weight loss of subjects, guideline used for energy and protein intake were 35kcal/kg IBW and 1.5-2.0g/kg IBW, respectively. Over the course of the study, the counseling group increased significantly in comparison to the control group's energy intake, evidenced by the counseling group's initial mean daily energy intake of 1932.0kcal, and 4 and 6 week mean energy intake values of 2046.6kcal, 2066kcal, respectively. But mean energy values of control group was 1614.3kcal at 4 week. Th energy intake per weight values and protein intake per weight values for initial, 4 and 6 week intervals for counseling group were 33.2kcal/kg, 33.7kcal/kg, 34.0kcal/kg, and 1.48g/kg, 1.58g/kg, 1.59g/kg, respectively. Based on results, nutrition counseling had positive effects on both the variety of diet and energy intake of the variable group, mostly due to an increase in dairy product and egg consumption. In addition, the percentage of counseling group patients who consumed all 5 food group increased from 48.5% to 54.5%. Sufficient energy intake and protein consumption seem to be important factors in weight loss prevention, evidenced by weight gain by subjects in the counseling group who had 36.1kcal/kg/day mean energy intake and 1.77g/kg/day mean protein intake after 4 weeks. Counseling group subjects experiencing weight loss had lower intake and 1.77g/kg/day mean protein intake after 3 weeks. Counseling group subjects experiencing weight loss had lower intakes of 29.3kcal/kg/day for energy and 1.33g/kg/day for protein during the same period. Another significant factor in weight loss prevention of the counseling group could be the variety of diet. The dietary variety scores(DVS) of both counseling and control groups differed significantly : the counseling group had a mean score of 34 while the control group of patients. At the end of the study, the mean percentage of subjects within each group having a DDS 5 was higher in the counseling group (54.5% v.s. 24.0%). In this study, nutrition counseling for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy proved to be effective in preventing weight loss, a major complication during radiotherapy. Nutrition counseling not only increased protein and energy intake, but also had desirable effects on variety or diversity of diet.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.245-250
• /
• 1998

Purpose : This study was to evaluate survival, failure patterns, and prognostic factors of stage I squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx after curative radiation therapy. Materials and Methods : A retrospective analysis was done for 57 patients with glottic cancer who were treated with curative radiation therapy from June 1985 to November 1992. There were 55 male and two female patients. Patients' age ranged from 17 to 71 years(median 39 years). Radiation therapy was delivered five times a week, 2 Gy daily, total 66 Gy using 6 MV X-ray. Results : Complete response(CR) was noted in 51 out of 57 patients (89.5%) and persistent disease (PER) in six out of 57 patients(10.5%). The disease-free survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 72.9% and 63.8%, respectively. Seven failures were observed among 51 CR patients during follow-up. Salvage total laryngectomy for six recurred patients and partial laryngectomy for one recurred patient were done with successful results, i.e., all of them were actually salvaged. Among six PER patients, salvage total laryngectomy for two patients and partial laryngectomy for two patients were done and two patients refused operation. Following salvage surgery for the four PER patients, three were salvaged and one failed locoregionally. Among the 13 failures 10(76.9%) were salvaged with surgery. The ultimate local control rate at 5 years was 92.3% and overall 47 out of 57 (82.5%) patients were able to preserve their larynx. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 85.5% for posterior lesions, and 61.6% for anterior lesions(P<0.05). Cord mobility, involvement of anterior commissure, field size, and T stage did not impact on disease-free survival. Conclusion : Considering the high percentage of voice preservation with initial radiotherapy, radiotherapy should be the first choice in the treatment of stage 1 glottic carcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.10
• /
• pp.5183-5188
• /
• 2012

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most widespread malignancies in the world. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies considering colorectal cancer risk factors among Russian populations, particularly in Siberia. The aim of this investigation was to determine the impact of various lifestyle, dietary, family, and socioeconomical factors on colorectal cancer risk in South-East Siberia. We recruited 185 Russian colorectal cancer cases and 210 gender-, age-, and ethnicity-matched asymptomatic controls with no history of any malignant tumor, using a specially designed questionnaire to obtain relevant information. After the statistical analysis, we defined several significant factors affecting colorectal cancer risk. Among these were smoking (OR=2.13, 95%CI=1.4-3.24, P=0.0004), being overweight (BMI between 25-30, OR=2.45, 95%CI=1.49-4.03, P=0.0004), alcohol drinking (OR=8.73, 95%CI=5.49-13.87, P<0.0001), beer drinking (OR=9.24, 95%CI=5.14-16.61, P<0.0001), consumption of hard liquor (OR=9.37, 95%CI=5.92-14.82, P<0.0001), excessive red meat consumption (P<0.0001), excessive intake of red meat products (P<0.0001), excessive intake of dairy products (P<0.0001), excessive sour cream and cheese consumption (P<0.0001 and 0.0002, respectively), spicy food consumption (OR=2.87, 95%CI=1.9-4.33, P<0.0001), family history of gastrointestinal malignant tumors (OR=3.99, 95%CI=2.09-7.59, P<0.0001), and income exceeding twice the subsistence minimum (OR=5.34, 95%CI=3.35-8.53, P<0.0001). Certain factors, such as high concentration of salt in the food and precancerous colonic lesions, demonstrated borderline significance (OR=3.45, 95%CI=1.68-7.1, P=0.0008, and OR=5.25, 95%CI=1.94-14.22, P=0.001, respectively). Some factors were established as protective, like consumption of rye bread and both rye and wheat bread (OR=0.32, 95%CI=0.21-0.5, P<0,0001, and OR=0.07, 95%CI=0.02-0.21, P<0.0001, respectively), and also low concentration of salt in the food, although this was of borderline significance (OR=0.43, 95%CI=0.26-0.69, P=0.0006). ABO and Rhesus blood antigens were not associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. These results should be definitely applied for elaboration of programs of colorectal cancer prevention in Russia, particularly in Siberia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.3357-3362
• /
• 2013

The human skeleton is the most common organ to be affected by metastatic cancer and bone metastases are a major cause of cancer morbidity. The five most frequent cancers in Malaysia among males includes prostate whereas breast cancer is among those in females, both being associated with skeletal lesions. Bone metastases weaken bone structure, causing a range of symptoms and complications thus developing skeletal-related events (SRE). Patients with SRE may require palliative radiotherapy or surgery to bone for pain, having hypercalcaemia, pathologic fractures, and spinal cord compression. These complications contribute to a decline in patient healthrelated quality of life. The multidimensional assessment of health-related quality of life for those patients is important other than considering a beneficial treatment impact on patient survival, since the side effects of treatment and disease symptoms can significantly impact health-related quality of life. Cancer treatment could contribute to significant financial implications for the healthcare system. Therefore, it is essential to assess the health-related quality of life and treatment cost, among prostate and breast cancer patients in countries like Malaysia to rationalized cost-effective way for budget allocation or utilization of health care resources, hence helping in providing more personalized treatment for cancer patients.