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

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1061-1065
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the treatment effect of additional information obtained by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) lung perfusion imaging (LPI) in the radiotherapy planning process for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 39 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was outlined by SPECT/CT images, SPECT-LPIs being used to define functional lung (FL) and non-functional lung (NFL) regions. Two sets of IMRT plans were designed to deliver 64Gy to PTV. One was a regular IMRT plan using CT images only (Plan 1), and the other was a corresponding IMRT plan using co-registered images (Plan 2). $FL_{Vx}$ (the % volume of functional lung receiving ${\geq}$x Gy) and $WL_{Vx}$ (% volume of whole lung to receive ${\geq}$x Gy) were compared by paired Student's t test. Kendalls correlation was used to analyze the factor (s) related with the FLV20 decrease. Results: Compared with plan 1, both $WL_{Vx}$ and $FL_{Vx}$ were decreased in plan 2. $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V30}$ and $WL_{V35}$ decreased 9.7%, 13.8%, 17.2%, 12.9%, 9.8% and 9.8%, and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ and $FL_{V35}$ decreased 10.8%, 14.6%, 17.3%, 14.5%, 14.5% and 10.5%. $FL_{Vx}$ decreased significantly compared with $WL_{Vx}$. There were significant differences in $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V3}$ and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ between plan 1 and plan 2 (P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.005, 0.027 and 0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.006, 0.010). According to Kendall correlation analysis, NFL had a negative relation with the percentage FLV20 decrease (r=-0.559, P<0.01), while the distance of PTV and NFL center had a significantly positive relation with the percentage of FLV20 decrease (r=0.768, P<0.01). Conclusion: Routine use of SPECT-LPI for patients undergoing radiotherapy planning for stage III NSCLC appears warranted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.253-259
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• 2008

Background: The incidence of cervical esophageal cancer is low compared with that of thoracic esophageal cancer, and the role of surgery for cervical esophageal cancer is limited compared with that of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This study was carried out to determine the outcome of surgery for cervical esophageal cancer. Material and Method: We analyzed retrospectively medical records of 43 patients who had undergone curative surgical resection for cervical esophageal cancer from January 1989 to December 2002. Follow-up loss was absent and the last follow-up was carried out in February 28, 2004. Result: The mean age was 60 years old and the male to female ratio was 40:3. Histologic types were squamous cell carcinoma 42 patients and malignant melanoma 1 patient. The methods used for esophageal reconstruction were gastric pull-up 32 patients, free jejunal graft 7 patients and colon interposition 4 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 31 patients (72%), and operative mortality occurred in 7 patients (16%). Pathologic stages were I 3, IIa 14, IIb 1, III 19, and IVa 6 patients. Tumor recurrence occurred in 16 patients (44%), and the 3 and 5-year survival rates were 29.3% and 20.9%. Conclusion: The reported surgical results for cervical esophageal cancer showed somewhat high operative mortality, postoperative complication rates and recurrence rates and a low long-term survival rate. It is suggested that multimodality treatment including surgery is needed for the treatment of cervical esophageal cancer because radiotherapy or chemotherapy without surgery could not relieve dysphagia or resolve the tumor completely.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2013

The prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor in males. Prostate cancer is the most common malignant tumor that occurs in the male in Korea in 2007 to an annual average of 5,292 cases and 3.3% of the total cancer incidence seventh occurred. Our study compared property for tomotherapy and proton therapy in radiotherapy of prostate cancer patients. We analyzed DVH(Dose Volume Histogram) and dose distribution for prostate, bladder and rectum for radiation treatment planning of prostate cancer with 11 patients in Ilsan K cancer hospital from June to November 2011. There was no differences between tomotherapy and proton therapy in the purpose of prostate cancer therapy for PTV. The adjacent organs of bladder and rectum of average dose-volume were 2port proton therapy that it was low dose treatment comparing with tomotherapy and 5port proton therapy. $H{\cdot}I$ of proton therapy was less than $H{\cdot}I$ of tomotherapy. Also, 5port was less than 2port in $H{\cdot}I$ of proton therapy. However, 2port proton therapy has more advantage over 5port proton therapy that the bladder and rectum of average dose-volume and control time of equipment in radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.84-94
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• 2014

Purpose: To quantify the cardiac dose reduction during breathing adapted radiotherapy using Real-time Position Management (RPM) system in the treatment of left-sided breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients with left-sided breast cancer underwent CT scans during breathing maneuvers including free breathing (FB), deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH), and end inspiration breath-hold (EIBH). The RPM system was used to monitor respiratory motion, and the in-house self respiration monitoring (SRM) system was used for visual feedback. For each scan, treatment plans were generated and dosimetric parameters from DIBH and EIBH plans were compared to those of FB plans. Results: All patients completed CT scans with different breathing maneuvers. When compared with FB plans, DIBH plans demonstrated significant reductions in irradiated heart volume and the heart $V_{25}$, with the relative reduction of 71% and 70%, respectively (p < 0.001). EIBH plans also resulted in significantly smaller irradiated heart volume and lower heart $V_{25}$ than FB plans, with the relative reduction of 39% and 37%, respectively (p = 0.002). Despite of significant expansion of lung volume using inspiration breath-hold, there were no significant differences in left lung $V_{25}$ among the three plans. Conclusion: In comparison with FB, both DIBH and EIBH plans demonstrated a significant reduction of radiation dose to the heart. In the training course, SRM system was useful and effective in terms of positional reproducibility and patient compliance.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.255-260
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• 2008

Purpose: Tongue cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity and the ultimate goal in treatment of the cancer is not only complete excision and meticulous closure of the wound, but also, reconstruction of a demensional and functional tongue. Our study focuses on various factors, such as defect size, extent of tumor, age, application of mandibulectomy or radiotherapy, and their influences on postoperative speech and swallowing function. Methods: Our study was based on 59 patients who underwent tongue cancer operation and reconstruction of the tongue. Speech and swallowing were evaluated according to categories documented by Sultan and Teichgraeber. Patients were classified into 3 groups as partial glossectomy, hemiglossectomy and total glossectomy groups for evaluation. The average age of the patients were 51, and the mean follow-up period was 4 years 2 months. Results: The partial glossectomy group showed statistically relevant results for speech articulation and swallowing abilities compared to the total glossectomy group. In cases of defects involving the mouth floor, the group showed decreased results compared to the group without mouth floor involvement. Increased age showed decreased postoperative results with statistical significance, while mandibulectomy and radiotherapy revealed no statistically significant data. Analysis according to TNM staging resulted in decreased functional result with advanced staging without statistical significance. Conclusion: To summarize the factors influencing the functional outcome in tongue reconstruction, younger patients and early stage cancer with minimal surgical extent revealed more satisfying results while mandibulectomy and radiation did not have influence on our analysis. Addition of various influencing factors and studies with longer follow up periods on our patient groups may provide effective data for more satisfying functional outcomes in the future.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the appropriateness of prophylactic inguinal nodal irradiation (PINI), we analyzed patterns of failure in anal cancer patients who were inguinal node-negative at presentation and did not receive PINI. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 33 anal cancer patients treated by definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) between 1994 and 2013. Radiotherapy consisted of a total dose of 44-45 Gy (22-25 fractions in 5 weeks) on the whole pelvis, anus, and perineum. Except inguinal lymphadenopathy was present at initial diagnosis, the entire inguinal chain was not included in the radiation field. In other words, there was no PINI. Results: The median follow-up duration was 50 months (range, 4 to 218 months). Median survival and progression-free survival (PFS) were 57 months (range, 10 to 218 months) and 50 months (range, 4 to 218 months), respectively. Among the survival, the median follow-up duration was 51 months (range, 12 to 218 months). The 5-year overall survival and PFS rates were 93.4% and 88.8%, respectively. Although none of the patients received inguinal node irradiation for prophylactic purposes, there was no inguinal recurrence. Conclusion: Treatment of anal cancer by omitting PINI might be considered in selected patients with clinically uninvolved inguinal nodes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.254-258
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• 2019

Purpose: Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) is a well-established technique that enables efficient cardiac sparing in patients with left-sided breast cancer. The aim of the current study was to determine if DIBH is effective for reducing radiation exposure of of liver and other organs at risk in right breast radiotherapy (RT). Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with right-sided breast cancer were enrolled in this study. Three-dimensional conformal RT plans were generated for each patient, with two different computed tomography scans of free breathing (FB) and DIBH. Nodes were contoured according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group contouring guidelines. Dose-volume histograms for the target volume coverage and organs at risk were evaluated and analyzed. Results: DIBH plans showed significant reduction in mean liver dose (5.59 ± 2.07 Gy vs. 2.54 ± 1.40 Gy; p = 0.0003), V_20Gy (148.38 ± 73.05 vs. 64.19 ± 51.07 mL; p = 0.0003) and V_10Gy (195.34 ± 93.57 vs. 89.81 ± 57.28 mL; p = 0.0003) volumes compared with FB plans. Right lung doses were also significantly reduced in DIBH plans. Heart and left lung doses showed small but statistically significant improvement with application of the DIBH technique. Conclusion: We report that the use of DIBH for right-sided breast cancer significantly reduces the radiation doses to the liver, lungs, and heart.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.369-376
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• 1994

This is a retrospective analysis of 64 patients who was treated with postoperative radiation therapy after radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (53 patients) or total abdominal hysterectomy(11 patients) for uterine cervix cancer between May 1980 and September 1991 at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Kyung Hee University Hospital. Most patients were FIGO IB (31 Patients) and IIA (25 patients), and median period of follow-up was 5.1 years. Of these patients,24 received adjuvant whole pelvis irradiation of 6000 cGy and 40 received 5000-5500 cGy whole pelvis irradiation and/or intracavitary radiation (7 Patients). The actuarial overall and relapse free 5 year survival rate were $71.0\%$, $68.3\%$ respectively. The survival rates by stage were $79.1\%$ in stage I, and $61.2\%$ in stage II. Treatment failure was noted in 18 of 64 patients ($28.1\%$), Iocoregional failure in 8 ($12.5\%$), distant metastasis in 8 ($12.5\%$), paraaortic node metastasis in 1 and one patient and concurrent locoregional and distant metastasis. The univariate analysis of prognostic factors affecting to overall survival rate represented lymph node status, the number and site of metastatic lymph node, parametrial invasion, the thichness of cervical wall invasion, and size of cancer mass. Histology, vessel invasion, endometrial extension, hemoglobin level. resection margin status, age, radiation dose were not significant prognostic factors. Complication relating to operation and postoperative radiation were variable according to radiation therapy method: 6000 cGy RT group 8/24($33.3\%$), 5000-5500 cGy+ICR 3/7 ($42.9\%$), 5000-5500 cGy external RT only group 3/33 ($9.1\%$). In conclusion, the results suggest that postoperative radiotherapy is necessary in high risk patients for locoregional control and improving survival rate, and higher dose does not improve results but only increases complication.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2851-2856
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• 2014

The aim of this study is to evaluate clinicopathologic characteristics and the multi-disciplinary treatment results of metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) patients treated in a single institute. Seventeen female patients with MBC treated in our department between June 2000 and January 2012 were identified and retrospectively evaluated. The median age at diagnosis was 46 years (range, 26-66 years). The median tumor size at diagnosis was 3.5 cm (range 1.5-12 cm). Six (35%) patients underwent breast conservation surgery and 11 (65%) mastectomy. Axillary lymph node metastasis was found in 6 (35%) patients. Twelve (71%) had triple negative tumors. Postoperative RT and systemic adjuvant treatment was given to all patients accordingly to stage and biological characteristics. Median follow-up time was 27 months (range, 12-151 months). At the time of this analysis, 14 (82%) patients were alive with no evidence of disease, and 1 (6%) was alive with disease. The 3-year OS was 91% and 5-year 80%, and DFS rates were 76% and 76%, respectively. Despite the young age of our patients with mostly high grade tumors, larger tumor size and higher rates of lymph node metastasis, the survival outcomes in our study are favorable in comparison with previously reported series.