• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5127-5131
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• 2013

Background: 5-fluoro-uracil (FU) is a common agent in postoperative chemoradiation in gastric adenocarcinoma. However, FU is not well tolerated in a significant proportion of patients. Capecitabine (CA) is an orally administered fluoropyrimidine carbamate which is preferentially converted to active 5-FU and is one of the agents used instead of FU in such cases. We compared the toxicity, local and distant control and survival rates with FU or oral CA during the course of concurrent radiotherapy to assess the role of CA used instead of FU. Materials and Methods: We conducted an analysis of survival, disease control and toxicity data in 46 patients treated with postoperative chemoradiation following total or subtotal gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma with either FU or CA between January 2008 and December 2012. Results: Median follow-up was 19 months (range: 3-59), median survival time was 23 ({\pm}6.08) months and 1-3 years overall survival (OS) rates were 64.9-39% for all patients. Compared with the CA regimen, the incidence of treatment interruption was higher with FU (p=0.023), but no significant differences were seen in local control (p=0.510), distant recurrences (p=0.721) and survival rates (p=0.866) among patients. Conclusions: Concurrent CA with radiotherapy seems to be a more tolerable and an equally effective regimen for the postoperative treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma when compared to FU.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.415-423
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• 2018

Objective : To identify the perioperative factors associated with instrument failure in patients undergoing a partial corpectomy with instrumentation (PCI) for spinal metastasis. Methods : We assessed the one hundred twenty-four patients with who underwent PCI for a metastatic spine from 1987 to 2011. Outcome measure was the risk factor related to implantation failure. The preoperative factors analyzed were age, sex, ambulation, American Spinal Injury Association grade, bone mineral density, use of steroid, primary tumor site, number of vertebrae with metastasis, extra-bone metastasis, preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and preoperative spinal radiotherapy. The intraoperative factors were the number of fixed vertebrae, fixation in osteolytic vertebrae, bone grafting, and type of surgical approach. The postoperative factors included postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and spinal radiotherapy. This study was supported by the National Research Foundation grant funded by government. There were no study-specific biases related to conflicts of interest. Results : There were 15 instrumentation failures (15/124, 12.1%). Preoperative ambulatory status and primary tumor site were not significantly related to the development of implant failure. There were no significant associations between insertion of a bone graft into the partial corpectomy site and instrumentation failure. The preoperative and operative factors analyzed were not significantly related to instrumentation failure. In univariable and multivariable analyses, postoperative spinal radiotherapy was the only significant variable related to instrumentation failure (p=0.049 and 0.050, respectively). Conclusion : When performing PCI in patients with spinal metastasis followed by postoperative spinal radiotherapy, the surgeon may consider the possibility of instrumentation failure and find other strategies for augmentation than the use of a bone graft for fusion.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.235-246
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• 1988

A total of 93 patients with rectal cancer treated with radiotherapy at department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center between January 1974 and December 1983 are retrospectively analysed. The patients are divided into three groups as follows: I. Postoperative radiotherapy, II. Postoperative recurrent, III. Unresectable or Inoperable group. In postoperative radiotherapy group, overall 5 year survival rate is $34.8\%$ and prognostic factors are presence of obstruction and degree of differentiation. In postoperative recurrent group, overall 2 year survival rate is $7.4\%$ with median survival of 13 months and prognostic factors are RT responsiveness and sex, and the local failure rate is $22.7\%$. In unresectable or inoperable group, overall 2 year survival rate is $19.8\%$ with median survival of 12.6 months and prognostic factors are RT responsiveness and RT dose. The complications for RT are not significant and are acceptable in all patients.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.39-42
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• 2014

Background and Objectives : Pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most common complication after total laryngectomy. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy in patients operated on in our department and to establish whether specific factors predispose to fistula formation. Materials and Methods : For 10 years(2003-2014), 49 cases of patients who were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and underwent total laryngectomy in our department. Patients who underwent radiotherapy before the surgery was 24 cases(48.9%) of all total laryngectomy patients. And those who were needed flap reconstruction because of extensive tumor involvement to hypopharynx were also 24 cases(48.9%), whereas primary closure were performed in 25 cases(51%). Results : The postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula was found in 12 of the 49 patients(24.5%). The radiotherapy before surgery was a statistically significant factor that increase the incidence of postoperative fistulas(p=0.037). Large extent of surgery including flap reconstruction was almost statistically significant factor of raising postoperative fistula rates(p=0.051). Conclusion : According to this study, the presence of postoperative fistula seems to be influenced by previous radiotherapy and the extent of surgery. These could be the risk factors of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2016

Purpose: To investigate the outcomes of postoperative radiotherapy (RT), in patients with extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) cancer by comparing the survival rate between patients undergoing surgery alone or surgery plus postoperative RT, and to identify the prognostic factors affecting survival. Materials and Methods: Between 2000 and 2013, 52 patients with EHBD cancer underwent surgical resection. Of these, 33 patients did not receive postoperative RT (group I), and 19 patients did (group II). R1 resection was significantly more frequent in group II. The median radiation dose was 5,040 cGy. Results: The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate for group I and group II was 38% and 56%, respectively (p = 0.274). The 3-year disease free survival (DFS) rate for group I and group II was 20% and 31%, respectively (p = 0.049), and the 3-year loco-regional recurrence free survival (LRFS) rates were 19% and 58%, respectively (p = 0.002). Multivariate analyses showed that postoperative RT and lymphovascular invasion were independent prognostic factors for DFS and LRFS. Overall, 42 patients (80%) experienced treatment failure. Distant metastasis was the predominant pattern of failure in group II. Conclusion: Postoperative RT after surgical resection appeared to improve the loco-regional control and DFS rate. More effort is needed to reduce distant metastasis, the major pattern of failure, in patients who receive postoperative RT.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.62-67
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• 2014

Background and Objectives : To investigate the prognostic factors and effectiveness of radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer. Material and Methods : Forty seven patients in oropharyngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy between November 1989 and October 2010. Conventional radiotherapy was performed until July 2007 and conformal radiotherapy was performed since August 2007. Median age of patients was 59. Thirty five patients were males. Nine patients had operation. Patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy were delivered median 60 Gy and patients treated with definitive radiotherapy were delivered median 66 Gy. Median follow-up periods were 51 months. Results : Two year and 5 year overall survival rate was 78.7% and 59.9%. Two year and 5-year locoregional recurrence free survival rate was 82.3% and 72.9%. In subgroup of definitive radiotherapy, at univariate analysis for overall survival, lower N stage(p=0.01), lower stage(p=0.05) and well and moderate differentiation(p=0.001) were statistically significant. At univariate analysis for locoregional recurrence free survival, lower T stage(p=0.02) and better differentiation(p=0.043) were statistically significant. Treatment failure occurred in 12 patients. Locoregional recurrence(8 patients) was main pattern of failure. Conclusion : When definitive radiotherapy compared with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, there was no significant difference. Further studies would be needed to compare definitive radiotherapy with postoperative radiotherapy. N stage, stage and differentiation could be the prognostic factors for overall survival and T stage and differentiation could be the prognostic factors for locoregional recurrence free survival in patients treated definitive radiotherapy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 1995

Purpose : To assess the efficacy and toxicity of the preoperative radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer Methods : Forty three patients (clinically diagnosed stages above or equal to Astler-Coiler stage B2 without distant metastasis) were assigned to preoperative radiotherapy alone arm (n=16) or combined preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy arm (n=27). Preoperative radiotherapy of 4500 cGy to whole pel-vis +/-540 cGy boost to primary site and concurrent chemotherapy of 2 cycles of 5-FU (500 mg/$m^2$) and leucovorin (20 mg/$m^2$) were used. Fifteen patients of preoperative radiotherapy alone arm and 19 of combined arm received surgical resection after preoperative treatment. Results : During the preoperative treatment, no significant complication was developed in both groups. Pathologic results were as follows; complete remission 1, Bl 1, B2 6, C1 2, C2, 5 in preoperative radiotherapy alone arm and complete remission 2, Bl 8, B2 4, C2 3, D 2 in combined arm. Postoperative complications were delayed perineal wound healing in three patients, intestinal obstruction in three patients (one managed by conservative medical treatment, two by surgical treatment). Conclusion : The combined preoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy arm was more effective in pathological response and lymph node negativity rate than the preoperative radiotherapy alone arm. Both the preoperative radiotherapy alone arm and the combined arm were generally well tolerated and did not result in an increased postoperative morbidity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1445-1450
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• 2000

Objectives : The Objective of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors affecting survival in the patients with glioblastomas. Methods : We retrospectively studied 55 consecutive patients with glioblastomas who were admitted to neurosurgery department from January 1988 to March 1998. Fifteen pateients were excluded from the analysis because of follow-up loss and surgical motality. There were 24 male and 16 female patients, with a mean age of 51 years. Surgery consisted of biopsy in 4(10.0%) patients, subtotal resection in 9(22.5%) patients and gross total resection in 27(67.5%) patients. Nine(22.5%) patients received second operation. Twenty-eight(70%) received postoperative radiation therapy. Various levels of radiation dose were used, 6,000 rad over 7 weeks in most cases. The variable factors were examined for their relationship with survival ; age at the time of diagnosis, gender, duration of neurological symptoms, preoperative neurological state(Karnofsky performance score), extent of surgical resection, location of tumor, reoperation, and postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Result : The mean survival time was 55 weeks, three(7.5%) of the 40 patients survived more than two years. Survival time with biopsy only cases was 24 weeks, for those with subtotal resection 43 weeks, and for those with gross total resection 67 weeks. A mean survival time from the time of reoperation was 42 weeks. Statistically significant survival factors in glioblastoma were extent of surgical resection, postoperative radiotherapy and reoperation. Summary : Results of our series support the views that the extent of surgery, reoperation and postoperative radiation are important prognostic factors. We also recommend radical tumor removal, postoperative radiotherapy and reoperation, if possible.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4273-4278
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• 2013

Objective: We aimed to define clinicopathologic risk factors associated with regional recurrence (RR) and thus the effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for neck control for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) with differing cervical lymph node status. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 196 HNSCC patients with pathologically positive neck node (N+) to evaluate the high-risk factors for RR and to define the role of PORT in control after neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). Results: Overall, the RR rate after neck dissection and PORT was 29%. Extracapsular spread (ECS) was confirmed to be the only independent risk factor for RR. There were no significant risk factors associated with RR in the ECS- group. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 45%, which descended to 10% with the emergence of RR. Conclusions: ECS remains a determined risk factor for RR after neck dissection and PORT in patients with N+. PORT alone is not adequate for preventing RR in the neck with ECS after neck dissection. More intensive postoperative adjuvant therapies, especially combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are needed to prevent regional failure in HNSCC patients with ECS.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.347-354
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• 1993

This is a retrospective analysis of 67 patients with histologically proven invasive carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy at Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital between october 1983 and september 1991, Postoperative radiotherapy was carried out in patients with high risks of locoregional recurrence such as positive pelvic lymph node (38 pts), large tumor size more than 3 cm (22 pts), cervical stromal invasion more than 2/3 (46 pts), parametrial involvement (9 pts), positive resection margin (14 pts), endo/myometrial extension (10 pts), and angiolymphatic invasion (13 pts). Stage I A, I B, and IIA were 2 $(3\%),$ 39 $(58.2\%),\;and\;26\;(38.8\%),$ respectively. Median follow-up period was 48 months with ranges from 13 to 115 months. All 67 patients were treated externally with standard pelvic field with radiation dose ranging from 4080 to 6120 cGy in 4~6 weeks period of time. Of these, 45 patients received intracavitary radiotherapy. The overall survival rate and disease free survival rate at 5-year were $88.0\%\;and\;82.1\%,$ respectively. The survival rates by stage were $87.1\%$ in IB and $88.4\%$ in IIA. Local control rate was $80.6\%(58\;pts).$ The treatment failure was noted in 12 of 67 patients $(17.9\%):$ locoregional failure in $7(10.4\%),$ distant metastasis in 3 $(4.5\%),$ and locoregional and distant metastasis in $2(3\%),$ The univariate analysis of prognostic factors disclosed endo/myometrial extension as a significant factor of survival and recurrence $(70.0\%\;vs\;91.1\%\;P<0.05\;&\;30.0\%\;vs\;15.8\%,\;respectively).$ The complication of postoperative radiothrapy was not significant and all patient were well tolerated. In conclusion, postoperative radiotherapy in patients with high risks of locoreginal recurrence is relatively well tolerated and it gives significantly improved survival rate especially in patients with positive lymph nodes, bulky tumor size $(\geqq3\;cm),$ parametrial involvement, cervical stromal invasion more than 2/3, positive resection margin and angiolymphatic invasion.