• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.229-235
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• 1984

Surgery remains the mainstay in the management of carcinoma of the rectum. However, local recurrence and systemic metastasis remain the challenge. It appears that post operative radiotherapy has a very definite role in the reduction of local recurrence. Minty two patients of carcinoma of the rectum after curative surgery received post operative radiotherapy $5,000rad/5\~6weeks$ to whole pelvis at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between March 1979 and December 1982. Fifty three percent of patients show modified Astler-Coiler stage C2. Actuarial disease free survival rate of rectal cancer was : stage B1, 2 $75\%$, stage C1 $81\%$ stage C2 $39\%$, and stage C3 $20\%$, Twelve percent shows local recurrence and distant metastasis occurred in $28\%$. Prognostic significance of nodal metastasis is also analysed. Incidence of small bewel obstruction, requiring surgery, is $8\%$, occurring between 5th month to 12 th month after operation. It is suggested that post operative radiotherapy of the rectal cancer following curative surgery has a significant role in the reduction of local recurrence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2217-2220
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the survival outcome of early stage endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium with risk factors for locoregional recurrence treated with combined pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) after comprehensive surgery. Materials and Methods: Post-operative radiotherapy by pelvic EBRT and VBT for early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma resulted in excellent pelvic control with acceptable complications. This study showed no significant relationships between age, stage, histologic grade and LVSI and overall survival rate. Results: The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) of early stage endometrioid type of endometrial carcinoma was 85.7%. Acute toxicity occurred in 38.1% of the patients, all of whom were grade 1 or 2. Total late toxicity developed in 42.9% of study group, in which 36.99% of them were grade 1-2 and 4.76% were grade 3-4. Conclusions: Post-operative radiotherapy by pelvic EBRT and VBT is acceptable for early stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, independent of age, stage, histologic grade and LVSI.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2015

Background: To explore the relationship between persistent post-radiotherapy pain and locoregional recurrence in head and neck cancer patients. Methods: Five year retrospective data was reviewed of 86 patients of head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy who continued to have pain at 6 weeks after completion of treatment. At follow-up after 3 months, these patients were stratified into: Group A (n = 39) constituted of patients whose pain subsided and Group B (n = 47) were patients who continued to have persistent pain. Results: At median follow-up time of 25 months (range: 8-47), one patient (2.6%) and 18 (38.3%) patients in group A and group B had locoregional recurrence respectively (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, group B patients had higher mean pain score levels as compared to group A (P = 0.03). Patients in whom pain subsided within 3 months had statistically much greater disease-free survival in comparison to those with persistent pain (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Pain in head and neck cancer is an important symptom and should be considered a poor prognostic factor. In the current study, the majority of the patients with persistent pain had recurrent disease as compared to those in whom pain subsided within 3 months of post-treatment. It is suggested that patients with persistent pain need more intense follow-up and should be investigated thoroughly to detect recurrence at an early stage to provide a better quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.586-590
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• 2008

Construction of an obturator for rehabilitation of a patient who underwent a maxillectomy is vital. Routinely a constructed obturator includes denture portion. A patient who may present anatomical limitations due to surgical or radiotherapy complications often challenges the clinician. Purpose: This clinical report describes a patient with severe trismus after surgical resection and radiotherapy treatment of a tumor in the upper left maxilla. Conclusion: This report describes the concepts of using a rotational path insertion for an obturator and a separately constructed maxillary denture. The stability and retention of the obturator were obtained from anatomical features. Where as these were achieved through magnetic attachments and the remaining edentulous ridge to ensure esthetic and function of the prosthesis.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2008

This study was conducted to examine the effect of an individualized educational program by multidisciplinary staffs on the need for caring among patients with radiotherapy. Methods: A quasi experimental study with one group was designed to examine the effect. A total of 48 adult patients were recruited from a university hospital in G-city, Korea from July, 2006 to June, 2007. The level of patients' need for caring during radiotherapy was assessed at the pre- and post-education by a trained research assistant. The level of patients' need for caring on radiotherapy was measured with a 20-item questionnaire. Results: Paired t-test showed that the level of patients' need was reduced at the post-test compared to pre-test (t=3.40, p=0.002). The level of need was higher among the older than 65 yr (F=4.82, p=0.034), and patients who had education years less than 10 yr (F=4.40, p=0.042) and not a spouse (F=5.97, p=0.019) at the pre-test, while there were no difference according to participants' characteristics at the post-test. Conclusions: This multidisciplinary and individualized education program was effective on reducing the level of need for caring during radiotherapy. Therefore, for long-term self-management, further educational strategies based on patients' needs through multidisciplinary teamwork need to be developed and applied.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2793-2796
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• 2014

Background: Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is a highly aggressive tumor with median survival of approximately 14 months. Management consists of maximal surgical resection followed by post-operative chemoradiation with concurrent then adjuvant temozolamide. The standard radiotherapy dose is 60Gy in 2-Gy fractions recommended by the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG). With the vast majority of tumor recurrences occurring within the previous irradiation field and the poor outcome associated with standard therapy, regimens designed to deliver higher radiation doses to improve local control and enhance survival are needed. In this study, we report a single institutional experience in treatment of 68 consecutive patients with GBM, treated with resection, and given post-operative radiotherapy followed by concurrent and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Of the 80 patients who entered this study, 68 completed the treatment course; 45 (66.2%) males and 23 (33.8%) females with a mean age at diagnosis of $49.0{\pm}12.9$ (21-75) years. At a median follow up of 19 months, 39 (57.3%) patients had evidence of tumor progression and 36 (52.9%) had died. The median over all survival for all patients was 16 months and progression free survival for all patients was 6.02 months. All potential prognostic factors were analyzed to evaluate their effects on overall survival. Age ${\leq}50$ year, concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy and extent of surgery had significant p values. We found lower progression rate among patients who received higher doses of radiotherapy (>60Gy). Higher radiation doses improved progression free survival (p=0.03). Despite increasing overall survival, this elevation was not significant. Conclusions: This study emphasize that higher radiation doses of (>60Gy) can improve local control and potentially survival, so we strongly advise prospective multi centric studies to evaluate the role of higher doses of radiotherapy on GBM patient outcome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2137-2140
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• 2016

Background: Gall bladder cancer (GBC) usually presents as unresectable or metastatic disease. We conducted a feasibility study to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) on radiologic downstaging and resectability in unresectable GBC cases. Materials and Methods: Patients with locally advanced disease were treated with chemoradiotherapy [CTRT] ( external radiotherapy (45Gy) along with weekly concurrent cisplatin $35mg/m^2$ and 5-FU 500 mg) and those with positive paraaortic nodes were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy [NACT (cisplatin $25mg/m^2$ and gemcitabine $1gm/m^2$ day 1 and 8, 3 weekly for 3 cycles). Radiological assessment was according to RECIST criteria by evaluating downstaging of liver involvement and lymphadenopathy into complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). Results: A total of 40 patients were evaluated from January 2012 to December 2014 (CTRT=25, NACT=15). Pretreatment CT scans revealed involvement of hilum (19), liver infiltration (38), duodenum involvement (n=22), colon involvement (n=11), N1 involvement (n=11), N2 disease (n=8), paraaortic LN (n=15), and no lymphadenopathy (n=6). After neoadjuvant therapy, liver involvement showed CR in 11(30%), PR in 4 (10.5%), SD in 15 (39.4%) and lymph node involvement showed CR in 17 (50%), PR in 6 (17.6%), SD in 4 (11.7 %). Six patients (CTRT=2, NACT=4) with 66.6 % and 83% downstaging of liver and lymphnodes respectively underwent extended cholecystectomy. There was 16.6 % and 83.3% rates of histopathological CR of liver and lymph nodes. All resections were R0. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant therapy in unresectable gall bladder cancer results in a 15% resectability rate. This approach has a strong potential in achieving R0 and node negative disease. Radiologic downstaging (CR+PR) of liver involvement is 40.5% and lymphadenopathy is 67.5%. Nodal regression could serve as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant therapy.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate positional uncertainty and its correlation with clinical parameters in spine stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using thermoplastic mask (TM) immobilization. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 patients who underwent spine SBRT for cervical or upper thoracic spinal lesions were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with image guidance using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 4 degrees-of-freedom (DoF) positional correction. Initial, pre-treatment, and post-treatment CBCTs were analyzed. Setup error (SE), pre-treatment residual error (preRE), post-treatment residual error (postRE), intrafraction motion before treatment (IM1), and intrafraction motion during treatment (IM2) were determined from 6 DoF manual rigid registration. Results: The three-dimensional (3D) magnitudes of translational uncertainties (mean ${\pm}$ 2 standard deviation) were $3.7{\pm}3.5mm$ (SE), $0.9{\pm}0.9mm$ (preRE), $1.2{\pm}1.5mm$ (postRE), $1.4{\pm}2.4mm$ (IM1), and $0.9{\pm}1.0mm$ (IM2), and average angular differences were $1.1^{\circ}{\pm}1.2^{\circ}$ (SE), $0.9^{\circ}{\pm}1.1^{\circ}$ (preRE), $0.9^{\circ}{\pm}1.1^{\circ}$ (postRE), $0.6^{\circ}{\pm}0.9^{\circ}$ (IM1), and $0.5^{\circ}{\pm}0.5^{\circ}$ (IM2). The 3D magnitude of SE, preRE, postRE, IM1, and IM2 exceeded 2 mm in 18, 0, 3, 3, and 1 patients, respectively. No association were found between all positional uncertainties and body mass index, pain score, and treatment location (p > 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). There was a tendency of intrafraction motion to increase with overall treatment time; however, the correlation was not statistically significant (p > 0.05, Spearman rank correlation test). Conclusion: In spine SBRT using TM immobilization, CBCT and 4 DoF alignment correction, a minimum residual translational uncertainty was 2 mm. Shortening overall treatment time and 6 DoF positional correction may further reduce positional uncertainties.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-23
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• 2016

The aim of this report was to present a rare case of a tracheotomy site recurrence after operation and post-operative radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patient. Tracheotomy site recurrence other than subglottic cancer is very rare in head and neck cancer patient. The granulation tissue around tracheotomy was a fertile "soil" for tumor cell implantation. Midline mucosal sparing block which was used to decreased acute toxicity during post-operative radiotherapy could be facilitating the tumor cell implantation. The head and neck surgeon should try every effort to reduce contamination of cancer cells during operation and consider the entire operative field should be included in post-operative radiation portals.