• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.557-566
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• 2004

Background : To find out effectiveness of multimodality treatments based on induction chemotherapy(CTx) in patients with clinical stage IIIA NSCLC Methods : From 1997 to 2002, 74 patients with clinical stage IIIA NSCLC underwent induction CTx at the hospital of Chungnam National University. Induction CTx included above two cycles of cisplatin-based regimens(ectoposide, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, or taxol) followed by tumor evaluation. In 30 complete resection group, additional 4500-5000cGy radiotherapy(RTx) was delivered in 15 patients with pathologic nodal metastasis. 29 out of 44 patients who were unresectable disease, refusal of operation, and incomplete resection were followed by 60-70Gy RTx in local treatment. Additional 1-3 cycle CTx were done in case of induction CTx responders in both local treatment groups. Results : Induction CTx response rate were 44.6%(complete remission 1.4% & partial response 43.2%) and there was no difference of response rate by regimens(p=0.506). After induction chemotherapy, only 33 out of resectable 55 ones(including initial resectable 37 patients) were performed by surgical treatment because of 13 refusal of surgery by themselves and 9 poor predicted reserve lung function. There were 30(40.5%) patients with complete resection, 2(2.6%) persons with incomplete resection, and 1(1.3%) person with open & closure. Response rate in 27 ones with chest RTx out of non-operation group was 4.8% CR and 11.9% PR. In complete resection group, relapse free interval was 13.6 months and 2 year recur rate was 52%. In non-complete resection(incomplete resection or non-operation) group, disease progression free interval was 11.2 months and 2 year disease progression rate was 66.7%. Median survival time of induction CTx 74 patients with IIIA NSCLC was 25.1months. When compared complete resection group with non-complete resection group, the median survival time was 31.7 and 23.4months(p=0.024) and the 2-year overall survival rate was 80% and 41%. In the complete resection group, adjuvant postoperative RTx subgroup significantly improved the 2-year local control rate(0% vs. 40%, p= 0.007) but did not significantly improve overall survival(32.2months vs. 34.9months, p=0.48). Conculusion : Induction CTx is a possible method in the multimodality treatments, especially followed by complete resection, but overall survival by any local treatment(surgical resection or RTx) was low. Additional studies should be needed to analysis data for appropriate patient selection, new chemotherapy regimens and the time when should RTx be initiated.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 1986

RTOG proposed a multivariate modelling system predicting the response of head and neck cancers to radiation therapy in 1984. The aim of this study was to veri(y whether PPC (Probaility of primary clearance calculated by a multivariate modelling system) had any correlation with the survival in the patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx following radiation therapy Analysing 81 patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx treated with radiotherapy between January 1, 1971 and December 31, 1983 at Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center the actuarial 5 year survival rate was $36\%$ and median survival was 39 months. The survivals for Group 1 (27 who had more than $80\%$ of PPC), Group 2 (20 who had between 71 and $80\%$ of PPC), and Group 3 (29 who had less than $71\%$ of PPC) were $66\%$ (median survival months : more than 72), $27\%$ (31), and $4\%$ (12) respectively. There was a definite correlation between PPC and survival among the three groups.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2014

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. Although, gemcitabine is the current standard regimen as first-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, effective regimens of second-line chemotherapy after gemcitabine failure have not been established yet. We report a case of gemcitabine refractory pancreatic cancer treated with second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX regimen. A 57-year-old-woman visited our hospital for pancreatic body mass detected by computed tomography (CT). The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy and the pathologic results after surgery demonstrated adenocarcinoma. Follow-up was performed after surgery and CT and positron emission tomography (PET) 4 months after surgery revealed multiple hepatic metastases. The patient underwent first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine and erlotinib for recurred pancreatic cancer. However, CT after 7 cycles of the chemotherapy showed the progression of multiple hepatic metastases and switch to second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRINOX was initiated. CT after 16 cycles of the FOLFIRINOX showed the complete remission of multiple hepatic metastases. The patient was admitted for infective endocarditis with septic pneumonia 17 months after the initiation of FOLFIRINOX. However, the patients died from the progression of septic embolism and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 1987

The ultimate goal of radiotherapy is to result in complete local control of tumor while sparing the surrounding normal tissues as much as possible. Since the development of CT in 1970s, patient's anatomical normal tissues and the site and extent of infiltration of tumor were identified almost accurately. In addition, the isodose distribution of delivered radiation to target tumor was shown in each cross-section. In the treatment planning of head and neck cancers, CT-reconstruction provided almost 3-dimensinonal inter-relationship between tumor and normal tissues. The utilization of imaging system of the CT scanner made it possible to illustrate in superposition the patient structure image, the radiation beams, and the isodose distributions. Thus it was possible to deliver radiation enough to control the local disease, and to avoid unnecessary administration of radiation to normal tissue such as spinal cord. CT-reconstructed image in axial, sagittal, and coronal planes suggested 3-dimensional radiotherapy treatment planning be possible and practical instead of conventional 2-dimensional planning at coronal plane.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 1986

From January,1981 to December,1985,22 patients with locally unresectable carcinoma of the pancreas were treated in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital. Radiation was given in two spl it courses; each consisting of 2000 cGy over two weeks sepatated by two-week rest period. 5-FU was administered on the first three days of each radiation therapy course. FAM (5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, mitomycin) was administered for maintenance chemotherapy. For pain control, complete relief was obtained in $22\% (4/18)$ of patients and partial relief in 39% (7/18). Median survival was 31 weeks. Pretreatment performance status was the only statistically significant prognostic factor.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and prognostic factors for patients treated with postoperative radiation therapy following surgery or with radiation therapy alone for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 132 esophageal cancer patients treated with postoperative radiation therapy following surgery or patients who were treated with radiation therapy alone at our institution from 1989 to 2006. Thirty-five patients had stage II disease, 88 patients had stage III disease and nine patients had stage IV disease. Tumors were located at the upper esophagus in 18 patients, the mid esophagus in 81 patients and the distal esophagus in 33 patients. Sixty patients were treated with radiation therapy alone and 72 patients were treated with postoperative radiation therapy following surgery. Eight patients received a dose less than 40 Gy and 78 patients received a dose of 40 to 50 Gy. The remaining 46 patients received a dose of 50 to 60 Gy. The majority of patients who underwent postoperative radiation therapy received a dose of 45 Gy. Results: Actuarial survival rates for all of the patients at two years and five years were 24% and 5%, respectively. The median survival time was 11 months. Survival rates for patients who underwent postoperative RT at two years and five years were 29% and 8%, respectively. The corresponding survival rates for patients who received radiation alone were 18% and 2%, respectively. Survival rates at two years and five years were 43% and 15% for stage II disease, 22% and 2% for stage III disease and 0% and 0% for stage IV disease, respectively; these findings were statistically significant. Two-year survival rates for patients with upper, middle and distal esophageal cancer were 19, 29% and 22%, respectively. Although there was a trend of slightly better survival for middle esophageal tumors, this finding was not statistically significant. Complete response to radiation was achieved in 13 patients (22%) and partial response to radiation was achieved in 40 patients (67%) who received radiation alone. No response to radiation was noted in seven patients (12%). A statistically significant difference in survival rates was seen between patients that had a complete response and patients that had a partial response. Two-year survival rates for patients that had a complete response versus patients that had a partial response were 31% and 17%, respectively. There were no survivors for patients with no response as determined at two-year follow-up. Conclusion: We conclude that radiation therapy is an effective treatment for esophageal cancer. Stage and response to radiation therapy were noted to be prognostic factors. A more effective treatment modality is needed to improve long term survival because of the relatively dismal prognosis for this tumor.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-165
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• 2008

Purpose: In cases of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT) is the leading therapeutic modality. However, much controversy exists about the chemotherapeutic regimens and radiation methods. Materials and Methods: During concurrent chemoradiotherapy, three or four cycles of gemcitabine ($500\;mg/m^2$) and cisplatin ($30\;mg/m^2$) were administered every two weeks while 50.4 Gy of irradiation was administered in 28 fractions (once/day, 5 treatment days/week) to the tumor site, mediastinum, and the involved lymph node region. In addition, a booster irradiation dose of 18 Gy in 10 fractions was administered to the primary tumor site unless the disease progressed. Two or three cycles of consolidation chemotherapy were performed with gemcitabine ($1,200\;mg/m^2$, $1^{st}$ and 8th day) and cisplatin ($60\;mg/m^2$) every three weeks. Results: A total of 29 patients were evaluable for modality response. Response and treatment toxicities were assessed after concurrent chemoradiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, respectively. One patient (4%) achieved a complete response; whereas 20 patients (69%) achieved a partial response after concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Following the consolidation chemotherapy, three patients (10.3%) achieved complete responses and 21 patients (72.4%) achieved partial responses. The median follow-up period was 20 months (range $3{\sim}39$ months) and the median survival time was 16 months (95% CI; $2.4{\sim}39.2$ months). The survival rates in one, two, and three years after the completion of treatment were 62.7%, 43.9%, and 20%, respectively. Complications associated to this treatment modality included grade 3 or 4 esophagitis, which occurred in 15 patients (51.7%). In addition, an incidence of 24% for grade 3 and 14% for grade 4 neutropenia. Lastly, grade 2 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 6 patients (22%). Conclusion: The response rate and survival time of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with biweekly gemcitabine ($500\;mg/m^2$) and cisplatin ($30\;mg/m^2$) were encouraging in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. However, treatment related toxicities were significant, indicating that further modification of therapy seems to be warranted.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 1998

Purpose : Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura nephritis(HSPN) accompanied by nephrotic syndrome(NS) is known to have a poor prognosis and effective treatment is still controversial, even though both corticosteroids and immunosuppresant have been used for therapy. Cyclosporine A(CsA) is a well known immunosuppresant and widely used in renal transplantation and glomerular diseases especially steroid resistant. The aims of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CsA and to compare CsA with previously reported our data of rifampin(RFP) and azathioprine(AZA) in children with HSPN accompanied by NS. Methods : 37 HSPN patients with NS confirmed by renal biopsy were selected. Of these, 17 patients were treated with CsA(5 mg/kg/day) fur 6-8 months, 7 children were treated with RFP(10-20 mg/kg/day) for 9-12 months and 13 patients were treated with AZA(2 mg/kg/day) fur 8 months. Along with these regimens, low dose oral prednisolone(0.5-1 mg/kg, qod) was also used. Sequential renal biopsy was done in all patients 1 month after termination of treatment. Results : Complete remission rate of nephrotic syndrome was $58.8\%$ in CsA, $57.1\%$ in RFP and $38.4\%$ in AZA group after 17, 22, 11 months of mean follow-up period. Overall remission rate including partial remission was $88.2\%$ in CsA, $85.7\%$ in RFP and $84.6\%$ in AZA group. Disappearance rate of hematuria was $58.8\%$ in CsA, $57.1\%$ in RFP and $46.2\%$ in AZA group. Improvement of grade of clinical status was observed in 17 out of 17 CsA, 7 out of 7 RFP and 10 out of 13 AZA group. Improvement of pathologic class on sequencial renal biopsy was shown in 5 CsA($29.4\%$), none RFP($0\%$) and 2 AZA group($12.4\%$). Improvement on histologic immune-deposition was seen in 15 CsA($88.2\%$), 6 RFP($85.9\%$) and 4 AZA group($30.8\%$). Conclusion : In conclusion, Both CsA and RFP treated groups showed better result in complete remission rate of nephrotic syndrome and significant improvement of histologic immune-deposition compared with AZA treated group(p=0.004). So, we recommend CsA and REP rather than AZA for immunosuppresant treatment in HSPN with nephrotic syndrome.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2002

Purpose : We intended to decrease late CNS reaction after radical radiotherapy for an intracranial germinoma by using combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy and involved-field radiotherapy. The efficacy in terms of its acute toxicity and short-term relapse patterns was analyzed. Materials and Methods : Eighteen patients were treated with combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy between 1995 and 2001. The chemotherapy regimen used was the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) 9921A (cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, VP-16, vincristine) for 5 patients younger than 16 years, BEP (bleomycin, VP-16, cisplatin) for 12 patients, and EP (VP-16, cisplatin) for 1 patient. The radiotherapy covered the whole craniospinal axis for 5 patients, the whole brain for 1, and the partial brain (involved field) for 12. the primary lesion received tumour doses between 3,960 and 5,400 cGy. Results : The male to female ratio was 16:2 and the median age was 16 years old. The tumors were located in the pineal gland in 12 patients, in the suprasellar region in 1, in the basal ganglia In 1, in the thalamus in 1. Three patients had multiple lesions and ventricular seedings were shown at MRI. In 3 patients, tumor cells were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and MRI detected a spinal seeding in 2 patients. The response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was complete remission in 5 patients, partial remission in 12, and no response in 1. However, after radiotherapy, all except 1 patient experienced complete remission. The toxicity during or after chemotherapy greater than or equal to grade III was remarkable; hematologic toxicity was observed in 11 patients, liver toxicity in none, kidney toxicity in none, and gastrointestinal toxicity in one. One patient suffered from bleomycin-induced pneumonitis. Radiotherapy was therefore stopped and the patient eventually died of respiratory failure. The other 17 are alive without any evidence of disease or relapse during an average of 20 months follow-up. Conclusion : A high response rate and disease control was experienced, which was the same as observed other studies and the morbidity from chemotherapy-induced toxicity was similar. With these results, the results from adjuvant chemotherapy and involved-field radiotherapy cannot be concluded to be equal to those from extended-field radiotherapy. The long term follow-up study on later complications are required in order to draw definite conclusions on the optimal management with minimum side effects.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.377-386
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• 1994

Purpose: The role of radiotherapy in the management of patients with locoregional recurrent cervix cancer after radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Methods and materials: Twenty-eight patients treated with radiotherapy for locoregional recurrence after primary surgery for carcinoma of the cervix between 1989 and 1993 were analyzed. The median follow-up of survivors was 15 months (ranged 7-43 months). Eight patients had their disease confined to the vagina and 19 patients($68\%$) had pelvic mass as part of their locoregional recurrent disease. Within 24 months after the initial surgery, $82\%$ of recurrences manifested themselves. All patients had whole pelvic irradiation with or without intracavitary radiotherapy(ICR). Results: Complete response(CR) was achieved in 18 patients($54\%$). Five of eighteen patients($28\%$) with initial CR developed second locoregional recurrence. Response to radiotherapy correlated strongly with tumor volume, site of recurrence and total radiation dose. The overall 2 year survival rate was $43\%$ and the disease free survival was $31\%$. Survival rate was significantly influenced by the factors of interval from operation to recurrence, size and site of recurrent tumor, radiation dose, response of radiotherapy, lymph node status as initial presentation, The principal cause of death was lung metastasis($36\%$). Conclusion: Radiotherapy is an excellent modality for control of locoregional recurrent cervix cancer. To improve local control and survival rate, whole pelvic external radiotherapy in addition to ICR with more than 75.0Gy at the depth of 1.0cm from vaginal mucosa is needed and frequent follow up and early detection of recurrence is suggested as well.