• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2002

Purpose : This study was conducted to evaluate the treatment results, prognostic factors, and complication rates after high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in patients with uterine cervix cancer who were treated with curative aim. Materials and Methods : Of 269 cervix cancer patients treated at the department of radiation oncology, Samsung Medical Center from September 1994 to July 1998, the 106 who were treated with radical radio-therapy were analyzed. The median age was 61 years (range 22 to 89). All patients except 4 with carcinoma in situ (CIS) were given external beam radiotherapy (range $30.6\~50.4\;Gy$ to whole pelvis) and HDR brachytherapy. The common regimens of HDR brachytherapy were a total dose of $24\~28\;Gy$ with $6\~7$ fractions to point A at two fractions per week. The median overall treatment time was 55 days (range 44 to 104) in patients given both external beam radiotherapy and HDR brachytherapy. Results : Early responses of radiotherapy were evaluated by gynecologic examination and follow-up MRI 1 month after radiotherapy. Treatment responses were complete remission in 72 patients, partial response in 33 and no response in 1. The overall survival (OS) rate of all patients was $82\%,\;and\;73\%$, and the disease free survival (DFS) rate was $72\%,\;and\;69\%$, at 3, and 5 years, respectively. The pelvic control rate (PCR) was $79\%$ at both 3 and 5 years. According to the FIGO stage,3 and 5 year OS were $100\%\;and\;50\%$ in CIS/IA, $100\%\;and\;100%$ in IB, $83\%\;and\;69\%$ in IIA, $87\%\;and\;80\%$ in IIB, and $62\%\;and\;62\%$ in III, respectively. The 3 year OS in 4 patients with stage IVA was $100\%$. Three-year DFS were $80\%$ in CIS/IA, $88\%$ in IB, $100\%$ in IIA, $64\%$ in IIB, $58\%$ in III, and $75\%$ in IVA. Three-year PCR were $100\%$ in CIS/IA, $94\%$ in IB, $100\%$ in IIA, $84\%$ in IIB, $69\%$ in III, and $50\%$ in IVA. By univariate analysis, FIGO stage and treatment response were significant factors for OS. The significant factors for DFS were age, FIGO stage, treatment response and overall treatment time (OTT). For pelvic control rate, treatment response and OTT were significant factors. By multivariate analysis, FIGO stage had a borderline significance for OS (p=0.0825) and treatment response had a borderline significance for DFS (0=0.0872). A total of 14 patients $(13\%)$ experienced rectal bleeding, which occurred from 3 to 44 months (median, 13 months) after the completion of radiotherapy. Conclusion : HDR brachytherapy protocol of Samsung Medical Center combined with properly optimal external beam pelvic irradiation is a safe and effective treatment for patients with uterine cervix cancer. The authors found that OTT of less than 55 days had a positive impact on pelvic control and survival rate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.150-153
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• 2002

High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in the treatment of cervix carcinoma has become popular, because it eliminated many of the problems with conventional brachytherapy. In order to improve clinical effectiveness with HDR brachytherapy, dose calculation algorithm, optimization procedures, and image registrations should be verified by comparing the dose distributions from a planning computer and those from a humanoid phantom irradiated. Therefore, the humanoid phantom should be designed such that the dose distributions could be quantitatively evaluated by utilizing the dosimeters with high spatial resolution. Therefore, the small size of thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips with the dimension of 1/8" and film dosimetry with spatial resolution of <1mm used to measure the radiation dosages in the phantom. The humanoid phantom called a pelvic phantom is made of water and tissue-equivalent acrylic plates. In order to firmly hold the HDR applicators in the water phantom, the applicators are inserted into the grooves of the applicator supporters. The dose distributions around the applicators, such as Point A and B, can be measured by placing a series of TLD chips (TLD-to- TLD distance: 5mm) in three TLD holders, and placing three verification films in orthogonal planes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.4
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• pp.169-176
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• 2013

Background: Although the lung is a common site of metastasis, endobronchial metastases (EBM) from extrathoracic malignancies are rare. Previous studies were retrospective reviews of the cases from each single institute, and the last one was performed between 1992 and 2002. We evaluated the characteristics of patients with EBM who had been diagnosed in recent 10 years in our hospital. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,275 patients who had undergone diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures between 2001 and 2011. An EBM was defined as bronchoscopically notable lesion, which was histopathologically identical to the primary tumor. Results: A total of 18 cases of EBM were identified. The mean age was 53 years, and 12 cases of the 18 patients were female. The most common primary malignancies were colorectal cancer and breast cancer (4 cases each), followed by cervix cancer (3 cases) and renal cell carcinoma (2 cases). Cough was the most common symptom. The most common radiologic finding was atelectasis, which was identified in 27.7% of the cases. The median interval from the diagnosis of primary malignancy to the diagnosis of EBM was 14 months (range, 0-112 months). The median survival time from the diagnosis of EBM was 10 months (range, 1-39 months). Conclusion: EBM from extrathoracic malignancies were rare. Colorectal cancer and breast cancer were common as primary malignancies. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy should be performed in all patients, who are suspected of having EBM. If atypical clinical and pathological features are present, appropriate diagnostic studies should be undertaken.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2015

High-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes are strongly associated with cervical cancer, whereas other HPV genotypes are not. To identify the various HPV genotypes in clinical samples, we conducted HPV genotyping using a DNA chip test and reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) in normal cytology samples and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) cytology samples. We also investigated the HPV infection rate and HPV genotype prevalence in women with normal cytology and ASCUS cytology. Liquid-based cytology preparations were used for the initial screening of 205 subjects with normal cytology and ASCUS cytology. The HPV infection rate was 49.8% when using the DNA chip assay and 61.0% when using the REBA test. In patients with normal cytology, the HR-HPV positive rate was 21.9% with the DNA chip assay and 43.9% with the REBA test. In contrast, 8.3% of patients with ASCUS were HR-HPV positive when using the DNA chip assay, and 13.6% were positive when tested with the REBA test. The infection rate of HR-HPV in the 40~50-year age group was significantly higher than that of the other age groups. Based on the cytological analysis of the normal and ASCUS samples, the five most prominent HPV genotypes were HPV 16, 18, 68, 33, and 58 using the DNA chip test, and they were HPV 16, 18, 53, 33, and 66 when using the REBA test. In conclusion, the findings show that the results of the REBA test are comparable to those of the DNA chip test. Most strikingly, the REBA test detected the HR-HPV genotype associated with cervical carcinoma similar to that detected with the DNA chip method. Therefore, the REBA test is a useful method to detect clinically important HR-HPV genotypes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3153-3157
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• 2012

Background: In Morocco, the epidemiological profile of cervical cancer is not well established. The focus of the present study was both epidemiological and pathological characteristics. Methods: For all cases of cervical cancer treated between 2003 and 2007 in the National Institute of Oncology and the Oncology Department of the IbnRochd hospital (Casablanca), 900 cases were randomly selected. Results: The mean age was $52.1{\pm}11.8$ years. The most (90.5%) represented histological type was squamous cell carcinoma. For more than 57.0% cases the mean distance between patient's origin and center of treatment was greater than 100km. According to the FIGO classification, only 17.2% of patients were identified as being in early stages (0 and I). For 72.2% patients the follow-up did not exceed 2 years. At 1 year of following-up 55.8% of patients were alive and 43.4% were lost to following-up. Conclusion: Our study addressed the issue of the burden of cervical cancer in Morocco. The result provides a basis for decision-makers for the development of strategic measures to implement the fight against cervical cancer in Morocco.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4993-4998
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• 2013

Background: A retrospective analysis of all cancer patients attending the radiotherapy outpatient department (OPD) of a single unit during the period of January 2005 till December 2006 was conducted to know the geographical distribution and incidence of the most common cancers, their stage of presentation, treatment compliance among the patients and follow-up. Materials and Methods: A total of 4,484 patients were registered in the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University during the period of January 2005-December 2006; of which 1,975 registered in an individual unit were included for the retrospective analysis. Results: Most of the patients hailed from the various districts of UP and Bihar. Females outnumbered males with a ratio of 1.33:1. Females mostly belonged to the age group of 40-59 years; whilst males were a decade older. Major cancer sites in females were cervix and breast followed by head and neck. Leading cancer sites in males were head and neck, brain, bone, soft tissue and lung. Most of the cases presented in advanced stage of disease (74%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histopathology (56%). A significant proportion of patients defaulted after undergoing preliminary investigations (16%). Only 53.9% of females and 58.5% of males took treatment out of which 68% and 63% completed the prescribed treatment. Compliance with follow-up was poor. Conclusions: The outcome of this study will significantly help us to define region specific strategies needed for cancer management in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 1998

Objectives: Deletion in the short arm of chromosome 3 is common in many human cancers, including sporadic and hereditary renal carcinomas, small cell lung carcinomas, non-small cell lung carcinomas, and carcinomas of the ovary, breast, and cervix. A high frequency of chromosomal aberrations in head and neck cancers involving chromosome 3p has also been reported. These findings suggest that multiple tumor suppressor genes may be present on the short arm of chromosome 3. Materials and Methods: To investigate the possibility of chromosome 3p deletions in the Korean head and neck cancer patients, we applied a polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis to the DNA samples of matched normal mucosa and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas from 19 patients. Results: In the 19 normal samples heterozygosity at the polymorphic loci varied: 6 at the D3F15S2 locus(on telomeric 3p21), 2 at the D3S32 locus(on centromeric 3p21), and 4 at the THRB locus(on centromeric 3p24). In 12 matched carcinoma specimens, LOH(loss of heterozygosity) was observed at D3F15S2 in 1 of 6(17%), D3S32 in 1 of 2(50%), and at THRB in 2 of 4 cases(50%). Conclusion: The frequency of chromosome 3p deletion in the Korean head and neck carcinomas appear as other country did.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.5107-5110
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• 2015

The State of Punjab has been in focus because of aperceived increasing rate of cancer. Both print and electronic media have created an impression that Punjab, especially the cotton belt of Malwa Region, has become a high incidence cancer region. Actually the increased number of cancer patients might be at least partly because of increasing population and heightened health awareness and reporting. The purpose of this study is to find out the pattern of cancer amongst patients registered in Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh Scheme (MMPCRKS), under cancer registry at Rajindra Hospital Patiala from the various districts of Punjab. The study covers 500 cancer patients registered under MMPCRKS at Rajindra Hospital Patiala, for free cancer treatment. Information regarding age, gender, religion, method of diagnosis and affected sites was obtained. Results were analyzed statistically. Of the 500 patients, 65% were females and 35% were males. The most affected female age groups were 50-54 and 60-64; while males in the age groups of 65-69 and 60-64 had the highest risk. The leading cancers in females were breast followed by cervix and ovary where as in males they were were colon followed by esophagus and tongue. The commonest histological type was adenocarcinoma followed by squamous cell carcinoma. The increasing trend of cancer in Punjab is alarming. Since this study is a preliminary investigation, it could provide a leading role in prevention, treatment and future planning regarding cancer in Punjab.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5385-5389
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• 2013

Background: For more than 80 years, the standard treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer was radiotherapy. However, based on several phase III randomized clinical trials in the past decade, concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy is the current standard for this disease. Gemcitabine has potent radiosensitizing properties in preclinical and clinical trials, so it can be utilized simultanously with radiation. Materials and Methods: Thirty women with untreated invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix of stage IIB to stage IVA were enrolled in the study in the Radiation Oncology Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran from September 2009 to September 2010. Sixty $mg/m^2$ gemcitabine followed by $35mg/m^2$ cisplatin were concurrently administered with radiotherapy to the whole pelvic region on day one of each treatment week for five weeks. One and three months after treatment, patients underwent a complete physical examination and MRI to determine the response to treatment. Results: The mean age of patients was $58.1{\pm}11.8$ (29-78) years. After 3 months of treatment, 73.3%had complete and 26.7% demonstrated partial response to treatment. Grade 3 anemia was seen in 10%, grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 3.3% and grade 3 leukopenia in 10% of the patients. Conclusions: According to the positive results of this study in stage IIB, further phase II and III clinical trials are suggested to evaluate the role of chemoradiation using Gemcitabine for advanced cervical cancers.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2013

Purpose: To describe chronic rectal mucosal damage after pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for cervical cancer and correlate these findings with clinical symptoms and radiation dose. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients who underwent pelvic RT were diagnosed with radiation-induced proctitis based on endoscopy findings. The median follow-up period was 35 months after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR). The Vienna Rectoscopy Score (VRS) was used to describe the endoscopic findings and compared to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) morbidity score and the dosimetric parameters of RT (the ratio of rectal dose calculated at the rectal point [RP] to the prescribed dose, biologically effective dose [BED] at the RP in the ICR and EBRT plans, ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ = 3). Results: Rectal symptoms were noted in 28 patients (rectal bleeding in 21 patients, bowel habit changes in 6, mucosal stools in 1), and 4 patients had no symptoms. Endoscopic findings included telangiectasia in 18 patients, congested mucosa in 20, ulceration in 5, and stricture in 1. The RP ratio, $BED_{ICR}$, $BED_{ICR+EBRT}$ was significantly associated with the VRS (RP ratio, median 76.5%; $BED_{ICR}$, median 37.1 $Gy_3$; $BED_{ICR+EBRT}$, median 102.5 $Gy_3$; p < 0.001). The VRS was significantly associated with the EORTC/RTOG score (p = 0.038). Conclusion: The most prevalent endoscopic findings of RT-induced proctitis were telangiectasia and congested mucosa. The VRS was significantly associated with the EORTC/RTOG score and RP radiation dose.