• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.283-292
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• 2000

Purpose :A retrospective review of 72 patients with locally advanced gallbladder carcinoma, between January 1990 and December 1996, was peformed. Survival results and prognostic factors are analyzed for the patients treated with a various modalities. Materials and Methods :We patients were classified by treatment modality: group 1 included to 27 patients treated with palliative surgery alone, and group 2 for 11 patient treated with palliative surgery and radiotherapy; group 3 for 18 patients not treated by any treatment modality, and group 4 for 16 patients treated with radiotherapy alone. Age distribution ranged from 35 to 80 years with mean of 63 years. The stage was classified by TNM and Nevin's staging system; all patients had an advanced stage more than III. Palliative surgery was done in .: patients and adiuvant radiation therapy (RT) was followed in 11. For 34 patients, in whom no resection was tried, definitive RT was done in 16. Radiation delivered to tumor site and draining nodes up to 45~61.2 Gy using 10 MV linear accelerator. Chemotherapy was given to 25 patients with 5-FU based regimens. Results :Modian suwival time was 10.3 months and 3-year survival rates (3-YSR) were 13.0$\%$ in all patients. Survival rates according to the treatment modalities were as followed; in palliative surgery alone, 3-YSR was 2.5$\%$; in palliative surgery and adjuvant RT, 3-YSR was 45.5$\%$, in no treatment group, 3-VSR were 8.3$\%$; and definitive RT was 13.1$\%$. It was better survival in additional RT after palliative surgery group than palliative surgery alone (p=0.0009). It was better survival in definitive RT group than no treatment group (p=0.002). Significant prognostic factors by univariate analysis were treatment moonlities, the type of tumor and TNM stage. Significant prognostic factors by multivariate analysis were treatment modalities, the type of tumor and the presence of jaundice. Conclusion : It is suggested that RT could be potentially of effective as adjuvant treatment modalities after palliative surgery or primary treatment for locally advanced and unresectable gallbladder carcinoma.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2008

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of the use of accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy(AHRT) for locally advanced uterine cervix cancers. Materials and Methods: Between May 2000 and September 2002, 179 patients were identified with FIGO stage IIB, IIIB, and IVA cancers. Of the 179 patients, 45 patients were treated with AHRT(AHRT group) and 134 patients were treated with conventional radiotherapy(CRT group), respectively. Patients undergoing the AHRT regimen received a dose of 30 Gy in 20 fractions(1.5 $Gy{\times}2$ fractions/day) to the whole pelvis. Subsequently, with a midline block, we administered a parametrial boost with a dose of 20 Gy using 2 Gy fractions. Patients also received two courses of low-dose-rate brachytherapy, up to a total dose of 85{\sim}90 Gy to point A. In the CRT group of patients, the total dose to point A was $85{\sim}90$ Gy. The overall treatment duration was a median of 37 and 66 days for patients that received AHRT and CRT, respectively. Statistical analysis was calculated by use of the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and Chi-squared test. Results: For patients that received cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the local control rate at 5 years was 100% and 79.2% for the AHRT and CRT group of patients, respectively(p=0.028). The 5-year survival rate for patients with a stage IIB bulky tumor was 82.6% and 62.1% for the AHRT group and CRT group, respectively(p=0.040). There was no statistically significant difference for severe late toxicity between the two groups(p=0.561). Conclusion: In this study, we observed that treatment with AHRT with concurrent chemotherapy allows a significant advantage of local control and survival for locally advanced uterine cervix cancers.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.74-77
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• 2007

Purpose: We evaluated how many patients received radiotherapy and how many those of them could not complete radiation therapy in Hospice Ward. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the general characteristics in 33 patients who began to receive palliative radiation therapy, and radiation dose and reasons of not-completing radiation therapy in Hospice Ward of St. Vincent's Hospital. Results: Thirty three (8.2%) among 404 patients who had been admitted from November 2003 and October 2005 received palliative radiation therapy. The main indications of radiation therapy included brain metastasis, painful bone metastasis, painful tumor mass, and obstructive shortness of breath. Forty five percent of these patients could not complete. And 20% could receive less than 1/3 of planned radiation dose. They failed to complete the treatment often due to poor general rendition. Conclusion: Although palliative radiation therapy had been used frequently for patients with advanced cancer in Hospice Ward of St. Vincent's Hospital, but it was often not completed. With appropriate selection criteria of patients and shorter modification of radiation treatment period, more patients would be benefited with palliative radiation therapy in Hospice Ward.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2014.11a
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• pp.227-228
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• 2014

방사선치료의 발전으로 3차원치료보다 진보된 호흡연동방사선치료가 시행되어지고 있다. 호흡의 규칙성과 환자의 위치 재현성이 중요한 치료적응 인자이며, 호흡연동 방사선치료의 효율을 높일 수 있는 지표이다. 국가암통계상 고령의 암환자가 증가하며, 수술, 화학요법을 병행하는 암 치료법이 널리 이용이 되고 있다. 고식적인 치료를 요하는 고령의 복부 암 환자분들에 호흡연동 방사선치료법을 사용하는데 에는 호흡의 불규칙성과 체위의 재현성의 문제점으로 인한 치료 효율의 저하를 가져온다. 본 연구에서는 호흡에 의한 종양 움직임이 있는 방사선 치료에서 내부표적체적 기반의 치료계획과 호흡연동 기법을 적용한 치료계획과의 선량비교 분석하였다. 2가지 치료법 모두 정상조직 보호선량에 부합한 것으로 나타났으며 치료체적은 처방선량의 95%이상 포함된 선량분포로 적합하였다. ITV 설정을 통한 3D Plan은 고식적 치료을 목적으로 하는 고령의 환자, 체위 및 호흡의 불안정성 환자에게 처방선량의 95% 이상의 4D Plan의 치료법 보다 짧은 시간에 치료함으로써 치료효율을 높일 수 있을 거라 사료된다. 다만 정상조직보호선량(NTCP)에 부합하는지에 대한 평가가 전제되어야 한다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 1998

Purpose : Radiotherapy has been the mainstay of the treatment of brain metastases. We evaluated the response rate, survival and prognostic factors of patients with brain metastases treated with radiotherapy for palliative purpose. Materials and Methods : From January 1994 through April 1997, in all 42 patients, a retrospective analysis was undertaken. Of these, 33 patients received whole brain irradiation with 30Gy in 10 daily fractions with or without a boost of 10Gy in 5 daily fractions to the site of solitary lesion. Nine patients failed to complete the planned treatment Results : Of 33 patients who finished radiotherapy, complete and partial response were observed in $4(12\%)$ patients and $22(67\%)$ ones, respectively. Overall response rate was $79\%$ and median survival was 4 months. In univariate analysis, prognostic factors affecting survival were initial neurologic function class(p=0.0136), extracranial tumor activity(p=0.042), and response after radiotherapy(p=0.001). Conclusion : We confirmed that whole brain irradiation is the effective means for treating the patient with brain metastases. initial neurologic function class, extracranial tumor activity, and response alter radiotherapy were identified as prognostic factors affecting survival.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.243-247
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• 2006

$\underline{Purpose}$: To evaluate the treatment results and prognostic factors of palliative radiation therapy in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer. $\underline{Materials\;&\;Methods$: Thirty-seven evaluable patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer who were treated by palliative radiation therapy for pain relief at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Kangnam St. Mary's hospital, the Catholic University of Korea between March 1984 and February 2005 were analysed retrospectively. There were 22 men and 15 women. Age at diagnosis ranged from 30 to 80 (median 57) years. Twelve patients (32.4%) had liver metastases and 22 patients (59.5%) had lymph node metastases. Radiation therapy was delivered to primary tumor and regional lymph nodes with $1{\sim}2\;cm$ margin, and total dose was $3,240{\sim}5,580\;cGy$ (median 5,040 cGy). Chemotherapy with radiotherapy was delivered in 30 patients (81%) with 5-FU alone (21 patients) or gemcitabine (9 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 44 months. Survival and prognostic factors were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test respectively. $\underline{Results}$: Overall mean and median survival were 11 and 8 months and 1-year survival rate was 20%. Among 33 patients who were amenable for response evaluation, 7 patients had good response and 22 patients had fair response with overall response rate of 87.9%. Mild to moderate toxicity were observed in 14 patients with nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, but severe toxicity requiring interruption of treatment were not observed. Chemotherapy didn't influence the survival and symptomatic palliation, but the group containing gemcitabine showed a tendency of longer survival (median 12 months) than 5-FU alone group (median 5.5 months) without statistical significance (p>0.05). The significant prognostic factors were Karnofsky performance status and liver metastasis (p<0.05). Age, sex, tumor location, lymph node metastasis, and CA 19-9 level did not show any prognostic significance (p>0.05). $\underline{Conclusion}$: Radiation therapy was effective for symptomatic palliation in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer and would play an important part in the survival benefit with gemcitabine or other targeted agents.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.347-350
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• 1998

Purpose : This study is to see how much proportion of the patients receiving radiation therapy drop out during radiation therapy and to analyze the reason for the incomplete treatment. Materials and Methods : The base population of this study was 1,100 patients with registration numbers 901 through 2,000 at Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Authors investigated the incidence of incomplete radiation therapy, which was defined as less than 95$\%$ of initially planned radiation dose, and the reasons for incomplete radiation therapy. Results : One hundred and twenty eight patients (12$\%$) did not complete the planned radiation therapy. The performance status of the incompletely treated patients was generally Poorer than that of the base population, and the aim of radiation therapy was more commonly palliative. The most common reason for not completing the planned treatment was the patients' refusal of further radiation therapy because of the distrust of radiation therapy and/or the poor economic status. Conclusion : Careful case selection for radiation therapy with consideration of the socioeconomic status of the patients in addition to the clinical indication would be necessary for the reduction of incomplete treatment, especially in the palliative setting.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the palliative effect of endobronchial brachytherapy (EBB) for patients with lung cancer that previously received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Materials and Methods: From July 1992 to May 2003, 29 patients with a recurrent or persistent lung cancer were treated with palliative EBB at our institute. EBB consisted of three fractions (once a week) of a dose of 5 Gy using the high dose-rate remote afterloader. Symptomatic improvement was assessed subjectively, and patients were divided into two groups according to whether symptoms were improved or not. Factors such as age, performance status, duration from EBRT to EBB and the location of the tumor were compared between the improved and unimproved groups of patients. Results: Overall symptomatic improvement was found in 27 out of 52 symptoms (52%). Improvement as to the type of symptoms was seen in 41 %, 50%, 82% and 33% of patients with cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and obstructive pneumonia respectively. The rate of improvement of hemoptysis was more than that of cough (p<0.05). The median time to symptom relapse was 5 months. The improved patient group (n=17, 59%) had a better performance status and longer duration from EBRT to EBB than the unimproved patient group (p<0.05). Lesions located in the distal trachea and/or main bronchus were found more frequently in the improved group of patients than in the unimproved group of patients, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.06). Fatal complications developed in two patients (7%), which were a hemoptysis and bronchopleural fistula respectively. Conclusion: Symptom improvement was found in 60% of patients after EBB and improvement was maintained for 5 months. Palliative EBB, even when EBRT was given previously, can be effective for a patient that has an endobronchial symptom, such as hemoptysis, and for a patient with good performance and a long duration from previous EBRT to EBB.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.611-618
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• 2016

Radiotherapy, as a major 3 standard treatment for cancer, traditionally it has been useful treatment that aim of curative or palliative setting. In addition to some proliferative or inflammatory benign disease are also included in field of radiotherapy. Unlike cancer, in the case of benign disease, it shows good treatment result from usage of some medication, conservative management or surgery. But if fail of these treatment or impossible, low dose radiotherapy is use adjuvant or replacement treatment so that there are no harmful side effect result in safety and easy management for reduce pain or recurrence. Recently, the technical advances in radiotherapy that have been achieved make preservation of normal tissue and the clinical application of high precision radiotherapy focus to selective lesions is possible, and it makes useful treatment in senile patients especially.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the use of external radiation therapy (ERT) in terms of survival and compliance in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 17 patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma treated with ERT between 1993 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. ERT was administered after surgery in 14 patients and after a biopsy in three patients. Among the 14 patients who had undergone surgery, nine underwent a curative resection and five underwent a palliative resection. Six patients had associated well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas and 14 patients were diagnosed with a tumor size exceeding 5 cm. The radiation dose ranged from $6{\sim}70\;Gy$ (median dose, 37.5 Gy). Eleven patients completed the planned course of ERT, whereas six patients did not. The follow-up period ranged from $1{\sim}104$ months (median, 5 months; mean, 20 months). Results: Five patients started the ERT without the presence of a gross mass and all of the patients competed ERT without a re-growth of tumor. Twelve patients (four patients after a curative resection, five patients after a palliative resection and three patients after a biopsy) started ERT with a gross mass present and only six patients were able to complete the planned course of ERT. Among the six patients who completed ERT, two patients showed a marked regression of the tumor mass, whereas two patients showed slight regression and two patients showed no response. The median survival was five months (range, $1{\sim}104$ months) and the mean survival was 21 months. The overall survival was 41% at 1-year, 24% at 2-years and 12% at 5-years. Significant prognostic factors included the number of primary tumors present, tumor size, whether surgery was performed and completion of ERT as planned. Long-term survivors showed a tendency of having smaller sized initial tumors and smaller sized pre-ERT tumors than the short-term survivors. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with a small initial tumor (${\leq}5\;cm$), which was treated by surgery (curative resection or palliative resection) before ERT, and without rapid re-growth of the mass seen at the surgical site at the beginning of the ERT course, would be the best candidates for postoperative ERT. In contrast, patients with a large initial tumor (>5 cm) and did not undergo surgery before ERT or that rapid re-growth of the mass was observed at the surgical site are likely to have a short survival time, along with the interruption of ERT. In these cases, the role of ERT is very limited and the omission of ERT could be considered.