• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3941-3944
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• 2013

Background: The use of preoperative chemoirradiation is the commonest treatment strategy employed in Malaysia for locally advanced rectal cancer. We need to determine the local control and survival rates for comparison with established rates in the literature. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed all newly diagnosed patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent long course preoperative radiotherapy (RT) at the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) between $1^{st}$ January 2004 and $31^{st}$ December 2010. The aim of the study was to determine the radiological response post radiotherapy, pathological response including circumferential resection margin (CRM) status, 3 years local control, 3 years overall survival (OS) and 3 years disease free survival (DFS). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Kaplan-Meier and log rank analysis were used to determine survival outcomes. Results: A total of 507 patients with rectal cancer underwent RT at HKL. Sixty seven who underwent long course preoperative RT were eligible for this study. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years old with a range of 26-78 years. The median tumour location was 6 cm from the anal verge. Most patients had suspicion of mesorectum involvement (95.5%) while 28.4% of patients had enlarged pelvic nodes on staging CT scan. All patients underwent preoperative chemo-irradiation except for five who had preoperative RT alone. Only 38 patients underwent definitive surgery (56.7%). Five patients were deemed to be inoperable radiologically and 3 patients were found to have unresectable disease intraoperatively. The remaining 21 patients defaulted surgery (31.3%). The median time from completion of RT to surgery was 8 weeks (range 5.6 to 29.4 weeks). Fifteen patients (39.5%) had surgery more than 8 weeks after completion of RT. Complete pathological response was noted in 4 patients (10.5%). The pathological CRM positive rate after RT was 18.4%. With a median follow-up of 38.8 months, the 3 year local control rate was 67%. The 3 years rate for CRM positive (<2 mm), CRM clear (>2 mm) and pCR groups were 0%, 88.1% and 100% respectively (p-value of 0.007). The 3 year OS and DFS were 57.3% and 44.8% respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the approach of long course preoperative chemoirradiation for rectal cancer needs to be re-examined in our local setting. The high rate of local recurrence is worrying and is mainly due to patient defaulting post-preoperative chemoirradiation or delayed definitive surgery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 1992

We studied the T lymphocyte and its subpopulation percentage change in 40 patients immediately after the radiation therapy. Study population consisted of 12 patients treated at the site of head and neck region,14 patients treated at the site of thoracic region, and 14 patients treated at the site of pelvic region. Twenty two patients received radiotherapy as radical modality, and remaining 18 patients received radiotherapy as postoperative modality. Immediately after radiotherapy, total T lymphocyte (T1) percentage was decreased from $56.4\%$ to $55.2\%$, helper T cell (T4) percentage was decreased from $36.4\%$ to $34.1\%$, but suppressor T lymphocyte (T8) percentage was increased from $23.5\%$ to $25.4\%$. As a result, T4/T8 ratio was decreased from 1.57 to 1.39. This study suggested that immediate change after radiotherapy of the T lymphocyte and its subpopulation percentage was not related to the treatment volume and the degree of helper T cell decrement was not pronounced by the radiation dose increment. Long-term follow-up study En larger scale is needed to determine long term changing pattern in T lymphocyte subpopulation and its relationship to the prognosis of patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to assess complications and outcomes of a new approach, that is, combining short course radiotherapy (SRT), concurrent and consolidative chemotherapies, and delayed surgery. Materials and Methods: In this single arm phase II prospective clinical trial, patients with T3-4 or N+ M0 rectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Patients who received induction chemotherapy or previous pelvic radiotherapy were excluded. Study protocol consisted of three-dimensional conformal SRT (25 Gy in 5 fractions in 1 week) with concurrent and consolidation chemotherapies including capecitabine and oxaliplatin. Total mesorectal excision was done at least 8 weeks after the last fraction of radiotherapy. Primary outcome was complete pathologic response and secondary outcomes were treatment related complications. Results: Thirty-three patients completed the planned preoperative chemoradiation and 26 of them underwent surgery (24 low anterior resection and 2 abdominoperineal resection). Acute proctitis grades 2 and 3 were seen in 11 (33.3%) and 7 (21.2%) patients, respectively. There were no grades 3 and 4 subacute hematologic and non-hematologic (genitourinary and peripheral neuropathy) toxicities and perioperative morbidities such as anastomose leakage. Grade 2 or higher late toxicities were observed among 29.6% of the patients. Complete pathologic response was achieved in 8 (30.8%) patients who underwent surgery. The 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 65% and 94%, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that SRT combined with concurrent and consolidation chemotherapies followed by delayed surgery is not only feasible and tolerable without significant toxicity but also, associated with promising complete pathologic response rates.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigates morphologic change of the rectosigmoid colon using a belly board in prone position and distended bladder in patients with rectal cancer. We evaluate the possibility of excluding the proximal margin of anastomosis from the radiation field by straightening the rectosigmoid colon. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients who received preoperative radiotherapy between 2006 and 2009 underwent simulation in a prone position (group A). These patients were compared to 19 patients treated using a belly board in prone position and a distended bladder protocol (group B). Rectosigmoid colon in the pelvic cavity was delineated on planning computed tomography (CT) images. A total dose of 45 Gy was planned for the whole pelvic field with superior margin of the sacral promontory. The volume and redundancy of rectosigmoid colon was assessed. Results: Patients in group B had straighter rectosigmoid colons than those in group A (no redundancy; group A vs. group B, 10% vs. 42%; p = 0.03). The volume of rectosigmoid colon in the radiation field was significantly larger in group A (56.7 vs. 49.1 mL; p = 0.009). In dose volume histogram analysis, the mean irradiated volume was lower in patients in group B (V45 27.2 vs. 18.2 mL; p = 0.004). In Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, the in-field volume of rectosigmoid colon was significantly correlated with the bladder volume (R = 0.86, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Use of a belly board and distended bladder protocol could contribute to exclusion of the proximal margin of anastomosis from the radiation field.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1157-1164
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• 2023

This study measures the additional dose for each treatment area using kV X-ray based OBI (On-Board Imager) and CBCT (Cone-Beam CT), which have excellent spatial resolution and contrast, and evaluates the adequacy and stability of radiation management aspects of IGRT. The subjects of the experiment were examined with OBI and CBCT attached to a linear accelerator (Clinac IX), and ring-shaped Halcyon CBCT under imaging conditions for each treatment area, and the dose at the center was measured using an ion chamber. OBI single fraction dose was measured as 0.77 mGy in the head area, 3.04 mGy in the chest area, and 7.19 mGy in the pelvic area. The absorbed doses from the two devices, Clinac IX CBCT and Halcyon CBCT, were measured to be similar in the pelvic area, at 70.04 mGy and 70.45 mGy. and in chest CBCT, the Clinac IX absorbed dose (70.05 mGy) was higher than the Halcyon absorbed dose (21.01 mGy). The absorbed dose to the head area was also higher than that of Clinac IX (9.08 mGy) and Halcyon (5.44 mGy). In kV X-ray-based IGRT, additional radiation exposure due to photoelectric absorption may affect the overall volume of the treatment area, and caution is required.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1487-1489
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• 2012

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and intracavity brachytherapy in comprehensive treatment for young patients with stage Ib2 cervical cancer. Methods: One hundred and twelve young patients with stage Ib2 cervical cancer were enrolled retrospectively in our hospital from January 2003 to June 2005. They were categorized into three groups according to preoperative regimens, including the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (Group 1, n=38), the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Group 2, n=49), and the intracavity brachytherapy group (Group 3, n=25). Radical hysterectomy was performed following these regimens. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given according to pelvic lymph node metastasis, deep cervical stromal invasion, intravascular cancer emboli, histological grading, vaginal stump and positive surgical margin. Results: The cancer disappearance and superficial muscle invasion rates were statistically significantly better in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group than in the other two groups (P<0.01). No statistically significant difference was noted in the deep muscle invasion rate, surgical time and intraoperative blood loss among three groups, but significantly more postoperative complications occurred in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group. The 2-year pelvic recurrence was statistically significantly lower in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group compared to other two groups, while the 5-year survival was higher. Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is efficacious for young patients with stage Ib2 cervical cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4219-4222
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• 2015

Background: Hydronephrosis is frequently encountered in advanced stage cervical cancers, and may be associated with mortality. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of hydronephrosis on survival in patients with inoperable advanced stage cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: The study data were acquired by retrospective analysis of the patient records belonging to 165 women with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage-IIIB or more advanced cervical cancer, which were not surgical candidates. Parameters including patient age, pathological diagnosis, disease stage, pelvic sidewall extension, presence of hydronephrosis and administration of chemoradiation were analyzed. Further, the effects of these variables on survival were assessed. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The distribution of the study patients according to disease stage was as follows: 131 (79.4%) had stage-IIIB, 18 (10.9%) had stage-IVB and 16 (% 9.7) patients had stage-IVA disease. Hydronephrosis was not evident in 91 (55.2%) of these patients, whereas 41 (24.8%) had unilateral and 33 (20%) patients had bilateral hydronephrosis. When compared to mean survival in patients who did not have hydronephrosis, survival was significantly shortened in patients who had bilateral and unilateral hydronephrosis (p<0.05). There was no significant survival difference between patients with unilateral and bilateral hydronephrosis (p>0.05). Although patient age, pathological type, pelvic involvement, and chemotherapy treatment rates were similar (p>0.05), radiotherapy requirement rate and disease stage were significantly different among the study groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Hydronephrosis was found to be a significant predictor of poor survival in patients with advanced stage cervical cancer, irrespective of unilateral or bilateral involvement.While waiting for future studies with larger sample sizes, we believe that the FIGO stages in advanced cervical cancer could further be stratified into subgroups according to presence or absence of hydronephrosis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2013

Purpose: To report the results of dosimetric comparison between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) using Tomotherapy and four-box field conformal radiotherapy (CRT) for pelvic irradiation of locally advanced rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received a short course preoperative chemoradiotherapy (25 Gy in 5 fractions) on the pelvis using Tomotherapy, between July 2010 and December 2010, were selected. Using their simulation computed tomography scans, Tomotherapy and four-box field CRT plans with the same dose schedule were evaluated, and dosimetric parameters of the two plans were compared. For the comparison of target coverage, we analyzed the mean dose, $V_{nGy}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{max}$, radical dose homogeneity index (rDHI), and radiation conformity index (RCI). For the comparison of organs at risk (OAR), we analyzed the mean dose. Results: Tomotherapy showed a significantly higher mean target dose than four-box field CRT (p = 0.001). But, $V_{26.25Gy}$ and $V_{27.5Gy}$ were not significantly different between the two modalities. Tomotherapy showed higher $D_{max}$ and lower $D_{min}$. The Tomotherapy plan had a lower rDHI than four-box field CRT (p = 0.000). Tomotherapy showed better RCI than four-box field CRT (p = 0.007). For OAR, the mean irradiated dose was significantly lower in Tomotherapy than four-box field CRT. Conclusion: In locally advanced rectal cancer, Tomotherapy delivers a higher conformal radiation dose to the target and reduces the irradiated dose to OAR than four-box field CRT.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.377-383
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• 1995

Purpose : To obtain the optimal treatement method in patients with endometrial carcinoma(clinical stage FIGO I, II) by comparative analysis between preoperative radiotherapy (pre-op RT) and postoperative radiotherapy (post-op RT). Material and Methods : A retrospective review of 62 endometrial carcinoma patients referred to the Yonsei Cancer Center for radiotherapy between 1985 and 1991 was undertaken. Of 62 patients, 19 patients(Stagel : 12 patients. Stagell;7 patients) received pre-op RT before TAH(Total Abdominal Hysterectomy) and BSO (Bilateral Salphingoophorectomy) (Group 1) and 43 patients(Stage 1;32 patients, Stage 2; 11 patients) received post-op RT after TAH and BSO (Group 2). Pre-op irradiation was given 4-6 weeks prior to surgery and post-op RT administered on 4-5 weeks following surgery. All patients except 1 patient(Group 2: ICR alone) received external irradiation. Seventy percent(13/19) of pre-op RT group and 54 percent(23/42) of post-op RT group received external pelvic irradiation and intracavitary radiation therapy(ICR). External radiation dose was 39.6-55 Gy(median 45 Gy) in 5-6. 5weeks through opposed AP/PA fields or 4-field box technique treating daily, five days per week, 180 cGy per fraction. ICR doses were prescribed to point A(20-39.6 Gy, median 39 Gy) in Group 1 and 0.5cm depth from vaginal surface (18-30 Gy,median 21 Gy) in Group 2. Results : The overall 5 year survival rate was $95{\%}$. No survival difference between pre-op and post-op RT group.($89.3{\%}$ vs $97.7{\%}$, p>0.1) There was no survival difference by stage, grade and histology between two groups. The survival rate was not affected by presence of residual tumor of surgical specimen after pre-op RT in Group 1 (p>0.1), but affected by presence of lymph node metastasis in post-op RT group(P<0.5). The complication rate of pre-op RT group was higher than post-op RT. ($16{\%}$ vs $5{\%}$) Conclusion : Post-op radiotherapy offers the advantages of accurate surgical-pathological staging and low complication rate.