• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2001

Purpose : Irradiation cones by using backscatter electrons are made for the treatment of superficial small lesions of skin, oral cavity, and rectum where a significant dose gradient and maximum surface dose is desired. Methods and Materials : Backscatter electrons are produced from the primary electron beams from the linear accelerators. The design consists of a cylindrical cone that has a thick circular plate of high atomic number medium (Pb or Cu) attached to the distal end, and the plate can be adjusted the reflected angle. Primary electrons strike the metal plate perpendicularly and produce backscatter electrons that reflect through the lateral hole for treatment. Using film and a parallel plate ion chamber, backscatter electron dose characteristics are measured. Results : The depth dose characteristic of the backscatter electron is very similar to that of the hard x-ray beam that is commonly used for the intracavitary and superficial lesions. The basckscatter electron energy is nearly constant and effectively about 1.5 MeV from the clinical megavoltage beams. The backscatter electron dose rate of $35\~85\;cGy/min$ could be achieved from modern accelerators without any modification. and the depth in water of $50\%$ depth dose from backscatter electron located at 6mm for $45^{\circ}$ angled lead scatter. The beam flatness is dependent on the slit size and the depth of treatment, but is satisfactory to treat small lesions. Conclusions : The measured data for backscatter electron energy, depth dose flatness dose rate and absolute dose indicates that the backscatter electrons are suitable for clinical use.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.200-204
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• 2000

Purpose : We already reported the results that aqueous extract of Korean ginseng roots showed a marked cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated whether combined ginseng product with X-irradiation increase the cytotoxicity of tumor cells than X-irradiation or not. Materials and Methods : Fifty gram of Korean ginseng powder mixed with 1 L of distilled water was extracted with reflux flask under condition of $100^{\circ}C$ for 5 hrs. This aquaous ginseng extract was filtered, centrifuged and then was freezed under condition of $-90^{\circ}C$ for 16-18 hrs. The freezing extract was dried with freeze drier, and then diluted. X-irradiation was given to tumor cells by 6 MeV linear accelerator. The cytotoxicity of ginseng in vitro was evaluated from its ability to reduce the clonogenecity of fibrosarcoma (FSa II) cells. In X-irradiation alone group, each 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy was given to tumor cells. In X-irradiation with ginseng group, 0.2 mg/mL of ginseng extract was exposed to tumor cells for 1 hour before X-irradiation. Results : The yield for 50 g of ginseng extract which was treated with freezing drier was 3.13 g($6.3\%$). Cytotoxicity In vitro was measured as survival fraction which was judged from the curve, at ginseng concentration of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/mL were $0.89\pm0.04$, $0.86\pm0.06$, $0.73\pm0.01$ and $0.09\pm0.02$, respectively. Survival fraction at X-irradiation alone of 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy were $0.81\pm0.07$, $0.42\pm0.08$, $0.15\pm0.02$, $0.03\pm0.01$, respectively. But, suwival fraction in combined group of X-irradiation and ginseng (0.2mg/ml) at each same radiation dose were $0.28\pm0.01$, $0.18\pm0.03$, $0.08\pm0.02$, $0.006\pm0.002$, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion : The yield for ginseng extract which was treated with freezing drier was $6.3\%$. Cytotoxicty of Fsa 11 in combined ginseng with X-irradiation group was increased than that of X-irradition alone group, and its enhancing effect seemed to be added.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2002

Purpose : This study analyzed the prognostic factors affecting the survival rate and evaluated the role of radiation therapy in muscle-invading bladder cancer. Materials and Methods : Twenty eight patients with bladder cancer who completed planned definitive radiotherapy in the Departments of Therapeutic Radiology and Urology, Chonnam National University Hospital between Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1998 were retrospectively analyzed. The reviews were peformed based on the patients' medical records. There were 21 males and 7 females in this study. The median of age was 72 years old ranging from 49 to 84 years. All patients were confirmed as having transitional cell carcinoma with histological grade 1 in one patient, grade 2 in 15, grade 3 in 9, and uninformed in 3. Radiation therapy was peformed using a linear accelerator with 6 or 10 MV X-rays. Radiation was delivered daily with a 1.8 or 2.0 Gy fraction size by 4 ports (anterior-posterior, both lateral, alternatively) or 3 ports (Anterior and both lateral). The median radiation dose delivered to the isocenter of the target volume was 61.24 Gy ranging from 59 to 66.6 Gy. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was peformed on the prognostic factors affecting the survival rate. Results : The survival rate was $76\%,\;46\%,\;33\%,\;33\%$ at 1, 2, 3, 5 years, respectively, with 19 months of median survival. The potential factors of age (less than 70 years vs above 70), sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hydronephrosis, 1-stage (T3a vs T3b), TUR, chemotherapy, total duration of radiotherapy, radiation dose (less than 60 Gy vs above 60 Gy), and the treatment response were investigated with uniand multivariate analysis. Un univariate analysis, the T-stage (p=0.078) and radiation dose (p=0.051) were marginally significant, and the treatment response (p=0.011) was a statistically significant factor on the survival rate. Multivariate analysis showed there were no significant prognostic factors affecting the survival rate. Conclusion : The treatment response and radiation dose are suggested as th은 statistically significant factors affecting the survival rate of muscle invasive bladder cancer. A Further prospective randomized study is needed to confirm these prognostic factors.