• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.40-46
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• 2009

The applicability of a well-type autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing reactive barrier (L $\times$ W $\times$ D = $3m\;{\times}\;4\;m\;{\times}\;2\;m$) as a long-term treatment option for nitrate removal in groundwater was evaluated. Pilot-scale (L $\times$ W $\times$ D = $8m\;{\times}\;4\;m\;{\times}\;2\;m$) flow-tank experiments were conducted to examine remedial efficacy of the well-type reactive barrier. A total of 80 kg sulfur granules as an electron donor and Thiobacillus denitrificans as an active bacterial species were prepared. Thiobacillus denitrificans was successfully colonized on the surface of the sulfur granules and the microflora transformed nitrate with removal efficiency of ~12% (0.07 mM) for 11 days, ~24% (1.3 mM) for 18 days, ~45% (2.4 mM) for 32 days, and ~52% (2.8 mM) for 60 days. Sulfur granules attached to Thiobacillus denitrificans were used to construct the well-type reactive barrier comprising three discrete barriers installed at 1-m interval downstream. Average initial nitrate concentrations were 181 mg/L for the first 28 days and 281 mg/L for the next 14 days. For the 181 mg/L (2.9 mM) plume, nitrate concentrations decreased by ~2% (0.06 mM), ~9% (0.27 mM), and ~15% (0.44 mM) after $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, and $3^{rd}$ barriers, respectively. For the 281 mg/L (4.5 mM) plume, nitrate concentrations decreased by ~1% (0.02 mM), ~6% (0.27 mM), and ~8% (0.37 mM) after $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, and $3^{rd}$ barriers, respectively. Nitrate plume was flowed through the flow-tank for 49 days by supplying $1.24\;m^3/d$ of nitrate solution. During nitrate treatment, flow velocity (0.44 m/d), pH (6.7 to 8.3), and DO (0.9~2.8 mg/L) showed little variations. Incomplete destruction of nitrate plume was attributed to the lack of retention time, rarely transverse dispersion, and inhibiting the activity of denitrification enzymes caused by relatively high DO concentrations. For field applications, it should be considered increments of retention time, modification of well placements, and intrinsic DO concentration.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2001

Purpose : For the research of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), fast neutrons generated from the MC-50 cyclotron with maximum energy of 34.4 MeV in Korea Cancer Center Hospital were moderated by 70 cm paraffin and then the dose characteristics were investigated. Using these results, we hope to establish the protocol about dose measurement of epi-thermal neutron, to make a basis of dose characteristic of epi-thermal neutron emitted from nuclear reactor, and to find feasibility about accelerator-based BNCT. Method and Materials : For measuring the absorbed dose and dose distribution of fast neutron beams, we used Unidos 10005 (PTW, Germany) electrometer and IC-17 (Far West, USA), IC-18, ElC-1 ion chambers manufactured by A-150 plastic and used IC-l7M ion chamber manufactured by magnesium for gamma dose. There chambers were flushed with tissue equivalent gas and argon gas and then the flow rate was S co per minute. Using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code, transport program in mixed field with neutron, photon, electron, two dimensional dose and energy fluence distribution was calculated and there results were compared with measured results. Results : The absorbed dose of fast neutron beams was $6.47\times10^{-3}$ cGy per 1 MU at the 4 cm depth of the water phantom, which is assumed to be effective depth for BNCT. The magnitude of gamma contamination intermingled with fast neutron beams was $65.2{\pm}0.9\%$ at the same depth. In the dose distribution according to the depth of water, the neutron dose decreased linearly and the gamma dose decreased exponentially as the depth was deepened. The factor expressed energy level, $D_{20}/D_{10}$, of the total dose was 0.718. Conclusion : Through the direct measurement using the two ion chambers, which is made different wall materials, and computer calculation of isodose distribution using MCNP simulation method, we have found the dose characteristics of low fluence fast neutron beams. If the power supply and the target material, which generate high voltage and current, will be developed and gamma contamination was reduced by lead or bismuth, we think, it may be possible to accelerator-based BNCT.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 1997

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy on the survival, pattern of failure and complication for locally advanced rectal carcinoma Materials and Methods : From October 1992 to September 1995, twenty eight patients with rectal carcinoma were treated by postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy Radiation therapy was delivered with 6MV and 15MV linear accelerator, 180c0y fractions 5 day per week. Total radiation doses were 5040cGy in $B_{2+3}$ and 5580cGy in $C_{2+3}$. Within 4 weeks after radical surgery. 5-FU$(400mg/m^2/day)\;and\;Leucovorin(20mg/m^2/day)$ were administered by intravenous injection for 4 days during the first and fifth week of radiation therapy. The median follow up was 19 months with a range 2 to 47 months. Results : The 2 year overall survival and disease free survival rates were $78.6\%\;and\;70.8\%$, respectively. The 2 year overall survival was $93.0\%\;in\;B_{2+3}$ and $76.2\%\;in\;C_{2+3}$(p=0.11) The 2 year disease free survival was $79.4\%\;in\;B_{2+3}\;and\;69.2\%\;in\;C_{2+3}(p=0.13)$. The overall failure rate was $21.42\%$(6/28) including $10.72\%$(3/28) locoregional recurrence, $3.62\%$(1/28) distant metastasis and $7.12\%$(2/28) locoregional recurrence with distant metastasis. The overall locoregional recurrence rate was $17.92\%$(5/28). The 2 year locoregional recurrence rates were $13.32\%(2/15)\;and\;23.12\%$(3/13) for respectively for $B_{2+3}\;and\;C_{2+3}$ The difference between the locoregional recurrence of $B_{2+3}\;and\;C_{2+3}$ patients was not significant(p=0.07). Complications developed in 13 patients$(46.42\%)$, including 8 dermatitis, 7 loose stool, 6 leukopenia, 4 tenesmus, 2 diarrhea. In Univariate analysis, there was no statistically significant factor except for tumor grade in locoregional recurrence, disease free survival and overall survival rate(p=0.04, 0.05, 0.04). Conclusion : This study sugges1s that postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy is effective in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Therefore these results need to be confirmed with a long term follow-up and larger number of patients with the further clinical trials including prospective controlled studies.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1996

Purpose: We tried to evaluate the role of conventional radiotherapy alone or with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oropharyngeal cancer in terms of survival rates and to identify prognostic factors affecting survival by retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods: Forty seven patients of oropharyngeal cancer were treated by conventional radiotherapy in our hospital from Nov. 1985 to APr. 1993. Of these, twenty six patients were treated by conventional radio-therapy alone, and 21 patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy of mostly two or more cycles of cisplatin and pepleomycin. The Patient characteristics of radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group were not different generally. Radiotherapy was performed by 6MV-LINAC and the total radiation doses of Primary tumors were 54.0-79.2 Gy and cervical lymph nodes were 55.8-90.0 Gy with a fraction size of 1.8 or 2.0 Gy per day. The range of follow-up periods was 3-102 months and median was 20 months. The range of a9e was 33-79 years old and median was 58 years old. Results : Overall 3-year actuarial survival rate (3YSR) of all patients was $39\%$. The 3YSRS of stage I (n=5), II (n=11), III (n=12) and IV (n=19) were 60, 55, 33 and $32\%$, respectively The 3YSRS of Tl+2, T3+4 and No, N+ were 55, $18\%$ (p=0.005) and 43, $36\%$ (p>0.1), respectively. There was no difference in 3YSRS between radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (38 vs $43\%$, p>0.1). According to the original site of primary tumor, the 3YSRS of tonsil (n=32), base of tongue (n=8), soft palate or uvula (n=6) and pharyngeal wall (n=1) were 36 38, 67 and $0\%$, respectively The Patients of soft palate or uvular cancer had longer survival than other primaries but the difference was not significant statistically (p>0.1). Of 32 patients of tonsillar cancer, 22 Patients who had primary extension to adjacent tissue showed inferior survival rate to the ones who had not Primary extension, but the difference was marginally significant statistically (24 vs $60\%$, p=0.08). On Cox multivariate analysis in entire patients with variables of age, T stage, N stage, total duration of radiotherapy, the site of primary tumor and the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, only T stage was a significant Prognostic factor affecting 3YSR. Conclusion : The difference of 3YASRS of conventional radiotherapy alone group and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group was not significant statistically. These treatments could be effective in oropharyngeal cancer of early stage, especially such as soft palate, uvular or tonsillar cancer which did not extend to adjacent tissue. But in order to improve the survival of patients of most advanced oropharyngeal cancer, other altered fractionated radiotherapy such as hyperfractionation rather than conventional fractionation or multi-modal approach combining radiotherapy and accessible surgery or concurrent chemotherapy might be beneficial.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 1997

Purpose : To evaluate the loss of bone mineral contents(BMC) in lumbar spine within the radiation field for cervical cancer treatment, BMC in the irradiated patient group was compared with that of a normal control group. Method and materials : Measurements of BMC in the trabecular bone in lumbar spines(L3-L5) were performed in the both patient and normal control groups. Investigators used dual-energy quantitative computerized tomography(DEQCT) using Photon energy of 120 and 80kVp, The numbers of Patient and control groups were 43 in each with age distribution of fifth to seventh decade of women. The numbers of control group were 22 in fifth, 10 in sixth and 11 in seventh decade, those of patient group were 14 in filth, 14 in sixth, and 15 in seventh decade of women. The radiation field was extended to L5 spine for Pelvic irrdiation with 45-54Gy of external radiation dose and 30Gy of high dose rate brachytherapy in cervical cancer, Results : The BMC is decreased as increasing age in both control and patient groups. BMC in lumbar spine of patient group was decreased by about $13\%\;to\;40\%$ maximally. The BMC of L3 and L4 a region that is out of a radiation field for the Patient group demonstrated $119.5\pm30.6,\;117.0\pm31.7\;for\;fifth,\;83.3\pm37.8,\;88.3\pm46.8\;for\;sixth\;and\;61.5\pm18.3,\;56.2\pm26.6mg/cc$ for seventh, Contrasted by the normal control group has shown $148.0\pm19.9,\;153.2\pm23.2\;for\;fifth,\;96.1\pm30.2,\;105.6\pm26.5\;for\;sixth\;and\;73.9\pm27.9,\;77.2\pm27.2mg/cc$ for seventh decade, respectively The BMG of patient group was decreased as near the radiation field, while the lower lumbar spine has shown more large amounts of BMC in the normal control group. In Particular, the BMC of L5 within the radiation field was significantly decresed to $33\%,\;31\%,\;40\%$ compared with the control group of the fifth, sixth and seventh decades, respectively. Conclusion : The pelvic irradiation in cervical cancer has much effected on the loss of bone mineral content of lumbar spine within the radiation field, as the lower lumbar spine has shown a smaller BMC in Patient group with Pelvic irradiation in contrast to that of the normal control groups.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2000

Purpose : Although using the high energy Photon beam with conventional Parallel-opposed beams radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, radiation-induced xerostomia is a troublesome problem for patients. We conducted this study to explore a new parotid gland sparing technique in 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT) in an effort to prevent the radiation-induced xerostomia. Materials and Methods : We peformed three different planning for four clinically node-negative nasopharyngeal cancer patients with different location of tumor(intracranial extension, nasal cavity extension, oropharyngeal extension, parapharyngeal extension), and intercompared the plans. Total prescription dose was 70.2 Gy to the isocenter. For plan-A, 2-D parallel opposing fields, a conventional radiotherapy technique, were employed. For plan-B, 2-D parallel opposing fields were used up until 54 Gy and afterwards 3-D non-coplanar beams were used. For plan-C, the new technique, 54 Gy was delivered by 3-D conformal 3-port beams (AP and both lateral ports with wedge compensator; shielding both superficial lobes of parotid glands at the AP beam using BEV) from the beginning of the treatment and early spinal cord block (at 36 Gy) was peformed. And bilateral posterior necks were treated with electron after 36 Gy. After 54 Gy, non-coplanar beams were used for cone-down plan. We intercompared dose statistics (Dmax, Dmin, Dmean, D95, DO5, V95, VOS, Volume receiving 46 Gy) and dose volume histograms (DVH) of tumor and normal tissues and NTCP values of parotid glands for the above three plans. Results : For all patients, the new technique (plan-C) was comparable or superior to the other plans in target volume isodose distribution and dose statistics and it has more homogenous target volume coverage. The new technique was most superior to the other plans in parotid glands sparing (volume receiving 46 Gy: 100, 98, 69$\%$ for each plan-A, B and C). And it showed the lowest NTCP value of parotid glands in all patients (range of NTCP; 96$\~$100$\%$, 79$\~$99$\%$, 51$\~$72$\%$ for each plan-A, B and C). Conclusion : We conclude that the new technique employing 3-D conformal radiotherapy at the beginning of radiotherapy and cone down using non-coplanar beams with early spinal cord block is highly recommended to spare parotid glands for node-negative nasopharygeal cancer patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.138-149
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• 2000

Purpose : It was studied that the relationship between radiation dose, dose rate and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes. Methods and Materials : Peripheral lymphocytes were irradiated in vitro with 6 MeV X-ray at dose ranges from 50 cGy to 800 cGy. The variations of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations were observed according to different radiation dose rate from 20 cGy/min to 400 cGy/min at constant total dose of 400 cGy which it was considered as factor to correct biological radiation dose measurement. Results : The yields of lymphocytes with chromosomal aberrations (dicentric chromosome, ring chromosome, acentric fragment pairs) are 0% at 50 cGy, 9% at 100 cGy, 20% at 200 cGy, 27% at 300 cGy, 55% at 400 cGy, 88% at 600 cGy, and 100% at 800 cGy. The value of Ydr is 0.000 at 50 cGy, 0.093 at 100 cGy, 0.200 at 200 cGy, 0.354 at 300 cGy, 0.612 at 400 cGy, 2.040 at 600 cGy, and 2.846 at 800 cGy. The relationship between radiation (D) and the frequency of dicentrlc chromosomes and ring Chromosomes (Ydr) can be expressed as Ydr=0.188${\times}$10$^{-2}$ D/Gy+0.422${\times}$10$^{-4}$/Gy$^{2}$${\times}$D$^{2}$ The Value of Qdr is 0.000 at 50 cGy, 1.000 at 100 cGy, 1.000 at 200 cGy, 1.333 at 300 cGy, 1.118 at 400 cGy, 2.318 at 600 cGy, and 2.846 at 800 cGy. When 400 cGy is irradiated with different dose rate each of 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 160, 240, 320, and 400 cGy/min, Ydr is each of 0.982, 0.837, 0.860, 0.732, 0.763, 0.966, 0.909, 1.006, and 0.806, and Qdr is each of 1.839, 1.555, 1.654, 1.333, 1.381, 1.750, 1.6000, 1.710, and 1.318. Conclusion : There are not the significant variations of Ydr and Qdr values according to different dose rate. And so radiation damage is influenced by total exposed radiation doses and is influenced least of all by different dose rate when it is acute single exposure.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2000

Purpose :The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix is low. Traditionally, Low Dose Rate (LDR) brachytherapy has been used as a standard modality in the treatment for patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the effects of the High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in the patients with adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix compared with the LDR. : From January 1971 to December 1992, 106 patients of adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix were treated with radiation therapy in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University with curative intent. LDR brachytherapy was carried out on 35 patients and 71 patients were treated with HDR brachytherapy. In LDR Group, 8 patients were in stage I, 18 in stage II and 9 in stage III. External radiation therapy was delivered with 10 MV X-ray, daily 2 Gy fractionation, total dose 40$\~$46Gy (median 48 Gy). And LDR Radium intracavitary irradiation was peformed with Henschke applicator, 22$\~$59 Gy to point A (median 43 Gy). In HDR Group, there were 16 patients in stage 1, 38 in stage II and 17 in stage III. The total dose of external radiation was 40$\~$61 Gy(median 45 Gy), daily 1.8$\~$2.0 Gy. HDR Co-60 intracavitary irradiation was peformed with RALS (Remote Afterloading System), 30 $\~$ 57 Gy(median 39 Gy) to point A, 3 times a week, 3 Gy per fraction. Conclusion : The 5-year overall survival rate in LDR Group was 72.9$\%$, 61.9$\%$, 45.0$\%$ in stage I, II, III, respectively and corresponding figures for HDR were 87.1$\%$, 58.3$\%$, 41.2$\%$, respectively (p>0.05). There was no statistical difference in terms of the 5-year overall survival rate between HDR Group and LDR Group in adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. There was 11$\%$ of late complication rates in LDR Group and 27$\%$ in HDR Group. There were no prognostic factors compared HDR with LDR group. The incidence of the late complication rate in HDR Group stage II, III was higher than that in LDR Group(16.7$\%$ vs. 31.6$\%$ in stage II, 11.1$\%$ vs. 35.3$\%$ In stage III, p>0.05). Although the incidence of radiation induced late complication rate was higher in HDR Group stage II and III patients than that in the LDR Group, statistical significance was not detected and within acceptable level. Conclusion : There was no difference in terms of 5-year survival rate and failure pattern in the patients with adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with HDR and LDR brachytherapy. Even late complication rates were higher in the HDR group It was an acceptable range. This retrospective study suggests that HDR brachytherapy seems to replace the LDR brachytherapy in the adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. However, further studies will be required to refine the dose rate effects.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2000

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate treatment results, toxicity and efficacy of hypefractionated radiation therapy combined with paclitaxel for paraaortic node recurrence in cervix cancer. Materials and Methods: Between September 1997 to March 1999, 12 patients with paraaortic node recurrence in cervix cancer who previously received radical or postoperative radiotherapy were treated with hypefractionated radiation therapy combined with paclitaxel. Of these, 2 patients who irradiated less than 30 Gy were excluded, 10 patients were eligible for this study. Median age was 51 years. Initial FIGO stage was 1 stage IBI, 2 stage IIA, 7 stage IIB. For initial treatment, 7 patients received radical radiotherapy and 3 received postoperative radiotherapy. The paraaortic field encompassed the gross recurrent disease with superior margin at T12, and inferior margin was between L5 and S1 with gap for previously pelvic radiation field. The radiation field was initially anterior and posterior opposed field followed by both lateral field. The daily dose was 1.2 Gy, twice daily fractions, and total radiotherapy dose was between 50.4 and 60 Gy(median, 58.8 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy was done with paclitaxel as a radiosensitizer. Dose range was from 20 mg/m$^{3}$ to 30 mg/m$^{3}$ (median, 25 mg/m$^{3}$), and cycle of chemotherapy was from 3 to 6 (median, 4.5 cycle). Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 21 months. Results : Interval between initial diagnosis and paraaortic node recurrence was range from 2 to 63 months (median, 8 months). The 1 year overall survival rate and median survival were 75$\%$ and 9.5 months, respectively. The 1 year disease free survival rate and median disease free survival were 30$\%$ and 7 months, respectively. At 1 month after treatment, 4 (40$\%$) achieved a complete response and 6 (60$\%$) experienced a partial response and all patients showed response above the partial response. There was distant metastasis in 6 patients and pelvic node recurrence In 2 patients after paraaortic node irradiation. There was 2 patients with grade 3 to 4 leukopenla and 8 patients with grade 1 to 2 nausea/ vomiting which was usually tolerable with antlemetic drug. There was no chronic complication in abdomen and pelvis during follow up period. Conclusion : hypefractionated radiation therapy combined with paclitaxel chemotherapy diosensitizer showed high response rate and few complication rate in paraaortic node recurrence in cervix cancer Therefore, present results suggest that hypefractionated radiation therapy combined with paclitaxel chemotherapy can be used as optimal treatment modality in this patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.126-132
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to evaluate the prognostic factors for the pathologic N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who were treated by postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 112 pN2 NSCLC patients who underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) From January 1999 to February 2008. Seventy-five (67%) patients received segmentectomy or lobectomy and 37 (33%) patients received pneumonectomy. The resection margin was negative in 94 patients, and it was positive or close in 18 patients. Chemotherapy was administered to 103 (92%) patients. Nine (8%) patients received PORT alone. The median radiation dose was 54 Gy (range, 45 to 66), and the fraction size was 1.8~2 Gy. Results: The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 60.2% and the disease free survival (DFS) rate was 44.7% for all the patients. Univariate analysis showed that the patients with multiple-station N2 disease had significantly reduced OS and DFS (p=0.047, p=0.007) and the patients with an advanced T stage ($\geq$T3) had significantly reduced OS and DFS (p<0.001, p=0.025). A large tumor size ($\geq$5 cm) and positive lymphovascular invasion reduced the OS (p=0.035, 0.034). Using multivariate analysis, we found that multiple-station N2 disease and an advanced T stage ($\geq$T3) significantly reduced the OS and DFS. Seventy one patients (63.4%) had recurrence of disease. The patterns of failure were loco-regional in 23 (20.5%) patients, distant failure in 62 (55.4%) and combined loco-regional and distant failure in 14 (12.5%) patients. Conclusion: Multiple involvement of mediastinal nodal stations for the pN2 NSCLC patients with PORT was a poor prognostic factor in this study. A prospective study is necessary to evaluate the N2 subclassification and to optimize the adjuvant treatment.