• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 1995

Purpose : To analyze survival rate and late rectal and bladder complication for patients with stage I and II carcinoma of uterine cervix treated by radiation alone or combined with chemotherapy Materials and Methods : Between November 1984 and December 1993, 127 patients with stage I and II carcinoma of uterine cervix treated by radiation alone or combined therapy of radiation and chemotherapy. Retrospective analysis for survival rate was carried out on eligible 107 patients and review for complication was possible in 91 patients. The median follow-up was 47 months (range 3-118) and the median age of patiens was 56 years (range 31-76). 26 patients were stage IB by FIGO classification, 40 were stage IIA and 41 were stage IIB. 86 cases were treated by radiation alone and 21 were treated by radiation and chemotherapy. 101 patients were treated with intracavitary radiation therapy (ICRT), of these, 80 were received low dose rate (LDR) ICRT and 21 were received high dose rate (HDR) ICRT. Of the patients who received LDR ICRT, 63 were treated by 1 intracavitary insertion and 17 were underwent 2 insertions And we evaluated the external radiation dose and midline shield. Results : Actuarial survival rate at 5 years was $92{\%}$ for stage IB, $75{\%}$ for stage IIA, $53{\%}$ for stage IIB and $69{\%}$ in all patients Grade 1 rectal complications were developed in 20 cases ($22{\%}$), grade 2 were in 22 cases ($24{\%}$). 22 cases ($24{\%}$) of grade 1 urinary complications and 17 cases ($19{\%}$) of grade 2 urinary complications were observed But no patient had severe complications that needed surgical management or admission care. Maximum bladder dose for the group of patients with urinary complications was higher than that for the patients without urinary complications (7608 cGy v 6960cGy. p<0.01) Maximum rectal dose for the group of patients with rectal complications was higher than that for the patients without rectal complications (7041cGy v 6269cGy, p<0.01). While there was no significant difference for survival rate or bladder complication incidence as a function of dose to whole pelvis, Grade 2 rectal complication incidence was significantly lower for the patients receiving less than 4500cGy ($6.3{\%}$ v $25.5{\%}$, p<0.05). There was no significant differance between HDR ICRT group and LDR ICRT group for survival rate according to stage, on the other hand complication incidence was higher in the HDR group than LDR group, This was maybe due to different prescription doses between HDR group and LDR group. Midline shield neither improved survival rate nor decreased complication rate. The number of insertion in LDR ICRT group did not affect on survival and compication rate. Conclusion : In stage I and II carcinoma of uterine cervix there was no significant differance for 5 year survival rate by radiation therapy technique. Rectal complication incidence was as a function of dose to whole pelvis and there were positive correlations of maximum dose of rectum and bladder and each complication incidence. So we recommand whole pelvis dose less than 4500cGy and maximum dose of rectum and bladder as low as possible.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.389-396
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• 2001

Purpose : To detect differentially expressed genes in the patients with uterine cervical cancer during the radiation therapy. Materials and Methods : In patients with biopsy proven uterine cervical cancer, we took tumor tissue just before radiation therapy and at 40 minutes after external irradiation of 1.8 Gy. Total RNAs isolated from non-irradiated and irradiated tumor tissue samples were analyzed using the differential-display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR). Complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments corresponding to differentially expressed messenger RNAs(mRNAs) were eluted, and cloned. The differential expression of the corresponding mRNAs was confirmed by reverse northern blot. Differentially expressed cDNA bands were sequenced. Nucleotide sequence data were analyzed in the Gene Bank and EMBL databases via the BLAST network sewer to identify homologies to known genes or cDNA fragments. Expression pattern of down-regulated clone was examined using RT-PCR in S patients undergoing radiotherapy. Results : We identified 18 differentially expressed bands by DDRT-PCR, which were eluted and cloned. There were 10 up-regulated clones and 1 down-regulated clone in reverse northern blot. One cDNA fragment had homology to chemokine receptor CXCR4, four were identified as Human ESTs in the EMBL database in EST clones. Down-regulated CxCa-11 was also down regulated in all patients. Conclusion : Using the DDRT-PCR, we have identified 10 up-regulated and 1 down-regulated clone(s) in the patients with uterine cervical cancer during the radiation therapy. The clinical relevance and the functions of these genes will be further investigated.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the positional change of the uterus during radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Between 1997 and 2001, 47 patients received definitive radiotherapy for cervical cancer at the Samsung Medical Center. For each patient, two MRI scans were taken; one before and the other 3$\~$4 weeks after the radiotherapy treatment. In T2 weighted MRI images, the positional change of the uterine was quantified by measuring six quantities; the distance from the cervix os to the isthmus of the uterus (Dcx), the maximum length from the isthmus of the uterus to the uterine fundus (Dco), the maximum vertical distance of the uterine body (Dco-per), the angle between the vertical line and the cervical canal in the sagittal images (Acx), the angle of the uterine corpus from the vertical line in the sagittal plan (Aco-ap), and the relative angle of the uterine corpus from a fixed anatomical landmark in the axial images (Aco-axi). Results: The mean Dcx values, before and during the treatment, were 36.7 and 27.8 mm, respectively. The Dco deviated by more than 10 mm in 14 cases (29.8$\%$). The change in the Acx ranged from 0.1 to 67.8$^{\circ}$ (mean 13.2$^{\circ}$). The Aco-ap changed by a maximum of 84.8$^{\circ}$ (mean 16.9$^{\circ}$). The differences in the Dcx plus the Dco in the smaller (<4 cm) and larger ($geq$4 cm) tumors were 5.3 and 19.4 mm, respectively. With patients less than 60 years old, or with a tumor size larger than 4 cm, the difference in the Acx was statistically significant. Conclusion: The positional changes of the uterus, during radiation treatment, should be considered in the 3DCRT or IMRT treatment planning, particularly in patients under 60 years of age or in those with a tumor size greater than 4 cm in maximum diameter.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 1996

Purpose : To assess the efficacy of high dose rate - intracavitary radio-therapy (HDR-ICR) in the radiotherapy of FIGO stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix and to determine the optimum dose combination scheme of external radiotherapy and ICR to achieve acceptable local control without severe complication. Materials and Methods : One hundred and sixty two patients with FIGO stage Ib squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix who received definitive radiotherapy between May 1979 and December 1990 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received external radiotherapy combined with HDR-ICR. External dose of 40-46 Gy in 4.5-5 weeks was given to whole pelvis(median 45 Gy) and ICR dose of 30-39 Gy in 10-13 times was given to the point A. Midline shielding was done after 20-45 Gy of external radiotherapy(median 40 Gy) Summation of external dose Plus ICR dose to the point A range were 64.20-95.00 Gy. and mean was 83.94 Gy. We analyzed the local control rate, survival rate, and late complication rate. Rusults : Initial complete response rate was $99.4\%$ for all patients. Overall 5-year survival rate was $91.1\%$ and 5-year disease free survival rate was $90.9\%$. Local failure rate was $4.9\%$ and distant failure rate was $4.3\%$. Tumor size was the only significant prognostic factor. When tumor size greater than 3cm, 5-rear survival rate was $92.6\%$ and less than 3cm, that was $79.6\%$. Late complication rate was $23.5\%$ with $18.5\%$ of rectal complication and $4.9\%$ of bladder complication. Mean rectal dose summation of external midline dose plus ICR rectal point dose was lower in the patients without rectal complication(74.88 Gr) than those with rectal complication (78.87 Gy). Complication rate was increased with low rate of improvement of survival rate when summation of external midline dose plus point A or point R dose by ICR was greater than 70-75 Gy. Conclusion : The definitive radiation therapy using high dose rate ICR in FIGO stage IB uterine cervical cancer is effective treatment modality with good local control and survival rate without severe complication.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 1985

The early carcinoma of the uterine cervix may be treated by either radical surgery or radical radiotherapy according to the patient's characteristics, and the survival is high with either treatment. But, because of the size of the lesion, metastasis to lymph nodes, and vascular space invasion by tumor have all been shown to influence recurrence and survival, postoperative radiotherapy may be considered as their histopathologic finding after radical surgery. However, there are still debates on the increasing survival rates with postoperative radiotherapy. Two hundreds and three patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy from February 1979 to September 1982 in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University were analyzed and following results were obtained. 3-year actuarial survival rate and 3-year disease free sruvival rate were $83.4\%\;and\;73.4\%$ respectively and 3-year actuarial survival rates by stages were $90.7\%$ for IB, $69.6\%$ for IIA, and $85.2\%$ for IIB. 3-year disease free survival rates by stage IB, IIA, IIB were $79.8\%,\;07.8\%,\;68.3\%$ respectively. The overall failure rate was $25.1\%(51/203)$; local recurrence rate was $8.4\%$, distant metastasis rate was $14.3\%$ and simultaneous local recurrence and distant metastasis was $2.4\%$. Failure rates by stages were $19.8\%$ (18/19) for IB, $29.1\%$ (16/55) for IIA and $29.8\%$ (17/57) for IIB. The overall acute complication rate was $57.6\%$; tolerable cases was $50.2\%$ and severe cases was $7.4\%$. Late complication rate was $7.9\%$ and the major late complication were intestinal obstruction. aggravated urinary symptom, radiation cystitis in order of frequency.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.231-239
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• 1990

From May 1979 through December 1981 a total of 524 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated by radiation therapy with curative intent. Among the 524 patients, 350 were treated with a high-dose-rate (HDR), remote-controlled, afterloading intracavitary irradiation (ICR) system using a cobalt source (Ralstron), and 168 patients received a low-dose-rate (LDR) ICR using a radium source. External beam irradiation with a total dose of 40-50 Gy to the whole pelvis followed by intracavitary irradiation with a total dose of 30-39 Gy in 10-13 fractions to point A was the treatment protocol. ICR was given three times a week with a dose of 3 Gy per fraction. Five-year actuarial survival rates in the HDR-ICR group were $77.6{\%}$ in stage IB (N=20), $68.2{\%}$ in stage II (N=182), and $50.9{\%}$ in stage III (N=148). In LDR-ICR group, 5-year survival rates were $87.5{\%}$ in stage IB (N=22), $66.3{\%}$ in stage II (N=91), and $55.4{\%}$ in stage III (N=52). Survival rates showed a statistically significant difference by stage, but there was no significant difference between the two ICR groups. Late bowel complications after radiotherapy were noted in $3.7{\%}$ of the HDR-ICR group and $8.4{\%}$ of the LDR-ICR group. There was no severe complication requiring surgical management. The incidence of bladder complications was $1.4{\%}$ in the HDR-ICR group and $2.4{\%}$ in the LDR-ICR group. The application of HDR-ICR was technically simple and easily performed on an outpatient basis without anesthesia, and the patients tolerated it very well. Radiation exposure to personnel was virtually nil in contrast to that of LDR-ICR. Within a given period of time, more patients can be treated with HDR-ICR because of the short treatment time. Therefore, the HDR-ICR system is highly recommended for a cancer center, particularly one with a large number of patients to be treated. In order to achieve an improved outcome, however, the optimum dose-fractionation schedule of HDR-ICR and optimum combination of intracavitary irradiation with external beam irradiation should be determined through an extensive protocol.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 1999

Purpose : This study was done to analyze prognostic factors and patterns of failure of patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. Materials and Methods : From June 1988 to December 1990, a retrospective analysis was undertaken for 45 patients who were treated with curative radiation therapy for adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix at the department of Therapeutic Radiology of Keimyung University Hospital. According to FIGO staging classification, f2 patients were stage Ib, 9 patients were lla, 19 patients were IIB, and 5 patients were lIIb. Median age of the patients was 54 years. The radiation therapy consisted of a combination of external and intracavitary irradiation. Only the pelvis was treated for external irradiation, but 6 patients were treated with extended field irradiation including paraaortic nodes. Intracavitary irradiation was performed with high dose rate sources (Co-60). Neoadiuvant chemotherapy was undertaken for 10 patients. Median and maximum follow-up duration was 64 and 116 months, respectively. Results : The overall 5-year survival rate was 55.2$\%$, and the 5-year survival rates for stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIb were 100$\%$, 50.8$\%$, 46.8$\%$, and 40$\%$ (3-year survival rate), respectively. Of the many clinicopathologic variables evaluated for prognosis, only the stage and the tumor size were significant prognostic factors. Statistically, pelvic failure rates for stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIb were 0$\%$, 33.3$\%$, 57.9$\%$, and 60$\%$, respectively. Distant metastasis rates were 0$\%$, 33.3$\%$, 21.1$\%$, and 40$\%$ for stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIb, respectively. Especially the 6 patients who were irradiated with extended field to treat the paraaortic nodes were free of distant metastasis all. But, 9 patients (23.1$\%$) of the 39 patients who were not irradiated the paraaortic nodes were suffered and expired from uncontrolled distant metastasis. Conclusions : As compared with other studies, the survival rates were similar, but distant metastasis rates including paraaortic nodes metastasis were likely somewhat higher than expected, especially for patients with stage II. So, we think that the effect of prophylactic paraaortic nodes irradiation should be studied prospectively, especially for patients with pelvic nodes involvement or advanced stage of disease.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.211-219
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• 1996

Purpose : Hysterectomy without lymph node dissection was considered an inadequate treatment method for invasive uterine cervix cancer. Usually the procedure was performed inadvertently on patients who were thought to have benign or premalignant conditions preoperatively. We analysed radiotherapy results of such patients to evaluate survival rates, failure patterns and prognostic factors according to various conditions. Materials and Methods : Sixty one patients undergoing hysterectomy in the presence of invasive cervical carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative diagnosis were carcinoma in situ (38 cases), severe dysplasia (2), myoma (6), uterine bleeding (4), uterine prolapse (2). and early invasive cervix cancer (10) (One patient had myoma and carcinoma in situ coincidently). Patients received postoperative megavoltage radiotherapy from August 1985 to December 1993, and minimum follow-up period was 24 months. Eight patients received ICR only, 6 patients ICR and external radiation, and 47 patients received external radiation therapy only. Results : Overall 5-year survival rate and relapse-free survival rate werer $83.8\%$, $86.9\%$ respectively. For patients with retrospective stage IA, IB, IIB (gross residual after surgery), and vaginal cuff recurrence were $90.9\%$, $88.8\%$, $38.4\%$, and $100\%$ respectively There were 8 cases of treatment failure, most of them (5/8) were in patients with gross residual disease, other patients were full thickness involvement of cervix wall (2/8) except one. Patients with early vaginal cuff recurrence and microinvasive cervical cancer (stage IA) had no treatment related failure Prognostic factors affecting survival by univariate analysis were status of residual disease, tumor histology and retrospective stage. Conclusion : Adjuvant radiotherapy appeared to be effective treatment method for patients with presumed stage IA, IB and early local recurrent disease after inadvertent hysterectomy Survivals for patients with gross disease remained after inappropriate hysterectomy was poor, So, early cancer detection and Proper management with precise pretreatment s1aging is necessary to avoid inadherent hysterectomy especially in the cases of gross residual disease.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 1985

The intrauterine irradiation is essential to achieve adequate tumor dose to centeral tumor mass in radio therapy for uterine malignancy. The complications of pelvic organ are known to be directly related to radiation dose and physical parameters. The comparison study of currently using 2 systems was undertaken. The simulation films and medical records of 135 patients who was treated with intrauterine irradiation at one of general hospitals in Busan and Seoul between Jan. 1983 and June 1983, were critically analized and physical parameters of low dose rate system and remote controlled high dose rate system were measured. The physical parameters include distances between lateral walls of vaginal fornices, longitudinal and lateral angles of tandem to the body axis, the distance from the external os of uterine cervix to the central axis of ovoids, the radiation dose ratio to rectum and bladder to reference point A. Followings were summary of study results: 1. In distances between lateral walls of vaginal fornices the low dose rate system showed wide distribution and relatively larger distances. In low dose rate system 5.0-5.9 cm was $55.89\%$ 6.0-6.9 cm: $23.53\%$, 4.0-4.9cm: $10.29\%$, 3.0-3.9cm: $10.29\%$, and in high dose rate system 5.0-5.9cm was $80.59\%$, 4.0-4.9cm: $17.91\%$, $6.0\~6.9\;cm:\;1.5\%$. 2. In lateral angulation of tandem to body axis, the low does system revealed mid position (the position along body axis) $64.7\%$, Lt. deviation $19.13\%$ and Rt. deviation $16.17\%$. However the high dose rate system revealed mid position $49.26\%$ Lt. deviation $40.29\%$ and Rt. deviation $10.45\%$. 3. In longitudinal angulation of tandem to body axis the mid position was $11.77\%$ and anterior angulation $88.23\%$ in low dose rate system but in high dose rate system the mid position was $1.56\%$ and anterior angulation $98.44\%$. 4. Down ward displacement of ovoids below external os was only $2.94\%$ in low dose rate system and $67.69\%$ in high dose rate system. 5. The radiation dose ration to rectum to reference point A was $102.70\%$ in high dose rate system and $70.09\%$ in low dose rate system. The dose ratio to bladder to reference point A was $78.14\%$ in high dose rate system and $75.32\%$ in low dose rate system.