• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3631-3635
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• 2016

Background: Breast lymphomas constitute a rare disease entity. To date, limited relevant data have been reported. We therefore here present a review of breast lymphoma patients treated at a single center over a 20 year period, focusing on histological types, treatment modalities and outcomes. Materials and Methods: We identified patients who were diagnosed and treated for breast lymphoma at a single center from January 1995 to January 2014 and extracted data regarding patients' demographics and clinical data. Results: Twenty-seven patients with breast lymphoma were identified, of which 3 were males. The median age at diagnosis was 37 years (range: 22-76 years). Chemotherapy was the main stay of treatment and 55.6% patients also received radiation to the affected breast. At our institute, only 3 patients, all with progressive disease, had surgery performed to achieve local palliation. Complete response after chemotherapy was seen in 63% patients and partial response in 7.4%, while 26% patients demonstrated disease progression. The mean follow up was 46.8 months. Seven patients (33.3%) who were alive at last follow up, as well as 1 patient who died, survived more than 5 years after diagnosis. Conclusions: Patients with breast lymphoma should receive aggressive treatment, with combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery should be limited for diagnosis and palliation of local symptoms in cases of progressive disease.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.32-38
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• 2017

Purpose: Several accelerated partial breast radiation (APBR) techniques have been investigated in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC); however, the optimal treatment delivery techniques remain unclear. We evaluated the feasibility and toxicity of APBR delivered using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in elderly patients with stage I BC, using a novel fractionation schedule. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients aged ${\geq}65$ years, with stage I BC who underwent breast conserving surgery were enrolled in a phase I/II study evaluating APBR using IMRT. Forty eligible patients received 40 Gy in 4 Gy daily fractions. Patients were assessed for treatment related toxicities, and cosmesis, before APBR, during, and after completion of the treatment. Results: The median age was 73 years, median tumor size 0.8 cm and the median follow-up was 54 months. The 5-year locoregional control was 97.5% and overall survival 90%. Erythema and skin pigmentation was the most common acute adverse event, reported by 27 patients (69%). Twenty-six patients (65%) reported mild pain, rated 1-4/10. This improved at last follow-up to only 2 (15%). Overall the patient and physician reported worst late toxicities were lower than the baseline and at last follow-up, patients and physicians rated cosmesis as excellent/good in 93% and 86 %, respectively. Conclusion: In this prospective trial, we observed an excellent rate of tumor control with daily APBR. The acceptable toxicity profile and cosmetic results of this study support the use of IMRT planned APBR with daily schedule in elderly patients with early stage BC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.177-184
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• 1984

A retrospective analysis of survival data of i2 cases with brain astrocytomas was presented. All patients received post·operative radiotherapy in the period of $1973\~1983$ at YUMC, Yonsei Cancer Center. There were 24 patients with Grade II, 12 patients with Grade III and 16 patients with Grade IV astrocytomas. Survival rates o ere analyzed according to histologic grade of malignancy, age, tumor location, radiation dose and extent of surgical tumor resection. 5year actuarial survival for patients with Grade II astrocytomas was $32.9\%$ and Grade III was $42.9\%$. The 1 year and 2 year survival rate of Grade astrocytomas were $46.7\%$ and $0\%$. Histologic grade of tumor was important prognostic factor in brain astrocytomas. Age and extent of surgical resection were significant prognostic (actors in all grades of astrocytomas and tumor location and radiation dose were significant in Grade f astrocytomas.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.188-197
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• 2015

Purpose: To investigate the patterns of care for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in South Korea. Materials and Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed (Korean Radiation Oncology Group [KROG] 11-06) on a total of 1,445 patients from 15 institutions. Results: Of the 1,445 patients, more than half were stages III (39.9%) and IV (35.8%). In addition to patterns of care, we also investigated trends over time with the periods 1988-1993, 1994-2002, and 2003-2011. The frequencies of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography were markedly increased in the third period compared to previous 2 periods. Concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) was performed on 894 patients (61.9%), neoadjuvant chemotherapy on 468 patients (32.4%), and adjuvant chemotherapy on 366 patients (25.3%). Of stage II-IV patients, CCRT performed on 78.8% in 2003-2011 compared to 15.0% in 1988-1993. For patients treated with CCRT, cisplatin was the most commonly used agent in 81.3% of patients. Over the periods of time, commonly used radiotherapy (RT) techniques were changed from 2-dimensional RT (1988-1993, 92.5%) to 3-dimensional RT (2003-2011, 35.5%) or intensity-modulated RT (IMRT; 2003-2011, 56.5%). Median RT doses given to primary tumors, high-risk lymphatics, and low-risk lymphatics were 70.0 Gy, 58.1 Gy, and 48.0 Gy, respectively. Adoption of IMRT increased the dose per fraction and escalated total radiation dose. Conclusion: Assessment of the patterns of care for NPC patients in South Korea demonstrated that management for NPC including diagnostic imaging, treatment regimen, RT techniques and dose schedule, advanced in accordance with the international guidelines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권9호
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• pp.4331-4334
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• 2012

Aim and Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate correlations between serum osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and NTX (Cross-linked N-telopeptides of Type I Collagen) and urinary NTX in breast and lung cancer patients with bone metastases. These four markers are considered to have important roles in bone formation, resorption and metastases. Methods: Four markers were determined in the sera of 60 breast cancer and 21 lung cancer patients and healthy controls (n=30). Serum levels were studied using ELISA and EIA. Results: The median levels of serum osteoprotegerin (p<0.001) and osteocalcin (p=0.003) were higher in patients. Significant correlations were observed between the serum NTX-osteocalcin (r=0.431; p<0.001), serum NTX-osteoprotegerin (r=0.42; p=0.003) and serum NTX - urine NTX (r=0.255; p=0.022). Conclusion: We conclude that osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and NTX are independent diagnostic tools. Due to the ease of urine collection, urine NTX may be applied routinely to allow early detection of bone metastases and indicate progression of the disease.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.93-98
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• 2020

Purpose: Due to COVID 19 pandemic, the treatment of cancer patients has become a dilemma for every oncologist. Cancer patients are at an increased risk of immunosuppression and have a higher risk to acquire any infection. There are individual experiences from some centers regarding the management of cancer patients during such a crisis. So we have developed our institutional strategy to balance between COVID and cancer management. Materials and Methods: Radiation Oncology departmental meeting was held to prepare a consensus document on Radiotherapy schedules and department functioning during this pandemic. Results: Strategies were taken in form of following areas were steps need to be taken to decrease risk of infection, categorise treatment on the basis of priority, radiotherapy schedules modification, academic meetings and management of COVID positive patient/personnel in Radiation Oncology department. Conclusion: We hope to strike the balance in overcoming both the battles and emerge as winners. Stringent long term follow up will be done for assessing the response or any unforeseen treatment related sequelae.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권23호
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• pp.10199-10207
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• 2015

Background: This study was planned in an attempt to develop scales for the assessment of fatigue in pediatric oncology patients aged 7-12 as well as for their parents. Materials and Methods: In collecting the study data, we used the Child and Parent Information Form, Visual Fatigue Scale, Scale for the Assessment of Fatigue in Pediatric Oncology Patients Aged 7-12 and the Scale for the Assessment of Fatigue in Pediatric Oncology Patients Aged 7-12 for Parents. We also used Pearson correlation analysis, the Cronbach Alpha coefficient, Factor Analysis and ROC Analysis for the study data. Results: In this study, the total Cronbach alpha value of the parent form was 0.95, the total factor load was 0.52-0.95 and the total variance being explained was 85.7%. The cutoff point of the parent form was 82 points. The total Cronbach alpha value of the child form was 0.98, the total factor load was 0.71-0.94 and the total variance being explained was 84.7%. The cutoff point of the child form was 75 points. Conclusions: This study suggests that our scales for the assessment of fatigue in pediatric oncology patients aged 7-12 and their parents are valid and reliable instruments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권7호
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• pp.3169-3173
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• 2014

Background: To investigate factors associated with overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and two consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma with distant metastasis at diagnosis seen between December 2007 and May 2011 were reviewed. Patient, tumor and treatment factors were analyzed for their significance regarding overall survival. Results: The median follow-up time was 22 months. At the time of this report, 116 patients had died. For 112 patients, cause of death was nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The 1, 2, 3, and 4-year overall survival rates were 75.6%, 50.2%, 39.2%, and 28.2%, respectively. Cox regression multivariate analysis showed that T-stage (p=0.045), N-stage (p=0.014), metastasis number (p<0.001) and radiotherapy for nasopharynx and neck (p<0.001) were significant factors for overall survival. Conclusions: Early T-stage and N-stage, solitary metastasis in a single organ were good prognostic factors for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Radiotherapy should be strongly recommended in systemic treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권10호
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• pp.5225-5228
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• 2012

Introduction : The objective of this study was to analyze the complication rates after completion thyroidectomy and compare them with primary total benign and malign thyroidectomy causes in total of 647 patients. Patients and Methods: Among 647 patients, there were 159 receiving completion thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroiud cancer (DTC) (Group 1); 217 patients receiving total thyroidectomy for DTC (Group 2) and 271 given total thyroidectomy for benign diseases (Group 3). Results: When groups were compared for complications, there were no significant difference except temporary hypocalcemia between completion thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy for DTC. When the total thyroidectomies were compared (Group 2 and 3), there were no significant difference observed except unilateral temporary RLN palsy. Conclusion: With improvements in surgical technique and experience, complication rates of thyroidectomy performed for benign or malign diseases are reduced. In spite of the improvement in surgical experience, temporary RLN palsy and hypoparathyroidism are the main complications in completion thyroidectomies which need special attention. To evaluate the patients more carefully in preoperative period and performing adequate thyroidectomy appears more logical.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권10호
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• pp.4261-4264
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• 2014

Objective: To examine the prescription rates in cancer patients of three common psychotropic drugs: anxiolytic/hypnotic, antidepressant and antipsychotic. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were extracted from the pharmacy database of University Malaya Medical Center (UMMC) responsible for dispensing records of patients stored in the pharmacy's Medication Management and Use System (Ascribe). We analyzed the use of psychotropics in patients from the oncology ward and cardiology from 2008 to 2012. Odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for age, gender and ethnicity. Results: A total of 3,345 oncology patients and 8,980 cardiology patients were included. Oncology patients were significantly more often prescribed psychotropic drugs (adjusted OR: anxiolytic/hypnotic=5.55 (CI: 4.64-6.63); antidepressants=6.08 (CI: 4.83-7.64) and antipsychotics=5.41 (CI: 4.17-7.02). Non-Malay female cancer patients were at significantly higher risk of anxiolytic/hypnotic use. Conclusions: Psychotropic drugs prescription is common in cancer patients. Anxiolytic/hypnotic prescription rates are significantly higher in non-Malay female patients in Malaysia.