• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2020

Purpose: Definitive radiotherapy remains a primary treatment option for early stage glottic cancer. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has emerged as the standard treatment technique for advanced head and neck cancers, whereas three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) has remained standard for early glottic cancers. We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify predictors of IMRT use and effect on outcome in these patients. Materials and Methods: We queried the NCDB from 2004-2015 for squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx staged Tis-T2N0 treated with radiation alone. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of IMRT. Cox regression was used to identify factors predictive of overall survival. Propensity matching was conducted to account for indication bias. Results: We identified 15,627 patients, of which 11% received IMRT. IMRT use rose from 2% in 2004 to 16% in 2015. Predictors of IMRT include: increased comorbidity, T2 stage, urban location, chemotherapy, treatment at an academic center, and later treatment year. Predictors of improved survival were female gender, higher income, lower stage, no chemotherapy, academic facility, and more remote year. There was no difference in survival between 3D-CRT and IMRT across all stages. Conclusions: The rate of IMRT use for early stage glottic laryngeal cancer has increased over time. There was no difference in outcome in patients receiving IMRT versus 3D-CRT across the cohort.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.81-87
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• 2006

목적: 3차원 입체조형 방사선치료를 시행 받은 코인두암 환자에서 설문조사를 이용하여 구강건조증의 시간경과에 따른 변화양상을 분석하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 2000년 12월부터 2005년 8월까지 코인두암 환자에서 3차원 입체조형 방사선치료를 적용한 환자 51명을 설문조사의 대상으로 하였다. 3차원 입체조형 방사선치료는 3회의 컴퓨터 단층촬영(Computed tomography: CT)모의치료를 이용한 3단계 치료계획을 시행하는 순차적 조사영역 축소방법을 사용하였고, 총 선량 72 Gy를 목표로 하였다. 구강건조증은 일상생활에서 중요한 4가지 항목으로 구성된 설문점수(xerostomia questionnaire score: XQS)를 측정하였으며, 방사선치료 후 경과시간, 성별, 나이, 병기, 항암치료의 병용유무, 그리고 이하선의 평균 방사선량 등에 따르는 차이를 분석하였다. 결과: 항암치료를 병용한 환자가 40명, 방사선치료 단독환자가 11명이었으며, 방사선치료 후 설문조사까지 경과 시간은 중앙값 20 ($1{\sim}58$)개월이었다. 전체 환자에서 XQS 점수의 평균은 8.4점(최하 6점, 최고 14점, 표준편차 1.9)이었다. 방사선치료 후 경과시간에 따라 XQS 점수는 통계적으로 유의하게 감소하는 경향을 보였다($X^2$=-0.484, p<0.05). 성별, 나이, 병기에 따라 XQS 점수의 차이는 없었고, 항암치료를 병용한 환자에서 방사선치료 단돈 환자와 비교하여 XQS 점수가 유의하게 높았다(p=0.001). 전체 이하선의 평균선량은 35 Gy 미만에서 35 Gy 이상보다 XQS 점수가 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다(p=0.05). 결론: 코인두암 환자에서 3차원 입체조형 방사선치료 후 측정한 XQS 점수는 방사선치료 후 시간경과에 따라 감소하는 양상을 보였으며, 항암치료를 병용함으로써 더 악화되는 경향이 있고, 이하선에 조사되는 평균선량을 35Gy 미만으로 하는 것이 구강건조증 증상완화에 도움이 될 수 있겠다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.69-76
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• 1996

목적 : electronic portal imaging device(EPID)를 이용하여 폐암 환자에서 시행한 검증 영상을 분석하여 3차원 입체 조형치료계획 시 자세 오차(set-up error)와 종양의 이동 거리를 고려한 적절한 차폐 여유를 평가해 보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 1995년 연세암센터 치료방사선과에 내원하여 EPID가 장착된 Clinac 2100C/D를 이용하여 치료받은 폐암 환자 10명을 대상으로 하였다. 환자 1인 당 1 port에 대한 검증 영상을 매일 얻어 random 오차와 systematic 오차를 구했고, 치료 1회 당 중복 영상을 얻어 종양의 움직임을 구했다. 매일 얻은 검증 영상은 103개이었고, 중복 영상은 10개이었다. 결과 : 전체 10 명의 환자의 x 축, y 축으로의 평균 이동은 각각 1.41 mm, 1.78 mm 이었고 systematic 이동은 표준편차가 x 축, y 축으로 각각 4.63 mm, 4.11 mm이었다. random 이동은 각 환자의 평균 이동으로부터 x 축, y 축으로 표준편차가 각각 4.17 mm, 3.31 mm 이었다. 호흡에 의한 y 축으로의 이동은 평균 12.2 mm이었고, 표준편차는 4.03 mm 이었다. 결론 : 폐암 환자에서 3차원 방사선치료를 시행하려고 할 경우 치료 계획 시 clinical target volume에서 x, y 축으로 각각 10 mm, 25 mm 정도의 여유가 필요하다고 보이며, 치료 초기에 각 환자별로 매일 EPID를 이용하여 얻은 검증 영상과, 중복 영상으로 차폐 여유를 적절히 조절해 주어야 할 것이다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.43-48
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• 2012

Purpose: To develop the dose volume histogram (DVH) management software which guides the evaluation of radiotherapy (RT) plan of a new case according to the biological consequences of the DVHs from the previously treated patients. Materials and Methods: We determined the radiation pneumonitis (RP) as an biological response parameter in order to develop DVH management software. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of lung cancer patients treated with curative 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). The biological event was defined as RP of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grade III or more. Results: The DVH management software consisted of three parts (pre-existing DVH database, graphical tool, and $Pinnacle^3$ script). The pre-existing DVH data were retrieved from 128 patients. RP events were tagged to the specific DVH data through retrospective review of patients' medical records. The graphical tool was developed to present the complication histogram derived from the preexisting database (DVH and RP) and was implemented into the radiation treatment planning (RTP) system, $Pinnacle^3$ v8.0 (Phillips Healthcare). The software was designed for the pre-existing database to be updated easily by tagging the specific DVH data with the new incidence of RP events at the time of patients' follow-up. Conclusion: We developed the DVH management software as an effective tool to incorporate the phenomenological consequences derived from the pre-existing database in the evaluation of a new RT plan. It can be used not only for lung cancer patients but also for the other disease site with different toxicity parameters.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.168-176
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of current study is to evaluate the response of the patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) or hepatic vein thrombosis (HVT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). In addition, survival of patients and potential prognostic factors of the survival was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients with PVT or HVT in HCC, referred to our department for radiotherapy, were retrospectively reviewed. For 3D-CRT plans, a gross tumor volume (GTV) was defined as a hypodense filling defect area in the portal vein (PV) or hepatic vein (HV). Survival of patients, and response to radiation therapy (RT) were analyzed. Potential prognostic factors for survival and response to RT were evaluated. Results: The median survival time of 47 patients was 8 months, with 1-year survival rate of 15% and response rate of 40%. Changes in Child-Pugh score, response to RT, Eastern cooperative oncology group performance status (ECOG PS), hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) positivity, and additional post RT treatment were statistically significant prognostic factors for survival in univariate analysis (p = 0.000, p = 0.018, p = 0.000, p = 0.013, and p = 0.047, respectively). Of these factors, changes in Child-Pugh score, and response to RT were significant for patients' prognosis in multivariate analysis (p = 0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively). Conclusion: RT could constitute a reasonable treatment option for patients with PVT or HVT in HCC with acceptable toxicity. Changes in Child-Pugh score, and response to RT were statistically significant factors of survival of patients.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.196-202
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• 2003

3차원 입체조형방사선치료(3D conformal radiation therapy; 3D-CRT) 및 세기조절방사선치료(intensity modulated radiation therapy; IMRT) 에서와 같은 정밀 방사선 치료기술이 보다 효과적으로 이루어지기 위해서는 환자자세 오차를 최소화해야 한다. 치료계획용적(PTV)을 정할 때 필요한 마진을 최대한 줄여 줌으로써 치료 병변에 선량을 집중시키고, 정상조직의 선량은 감소시킬 수 있게 되기 때문이다. 이러한 목적 하에 조사문 사진(portal film)을 치료계획시 얻은 기준 영상에 정합시켜 환자자세 오차를 정량적으로 분석할 수 있는 프로그램 도구를 개발하고자 하였다. 현재 본원에서 치료 위치 확인을 위해서는 치료 계획 시행 중에 얻은 모의치료 사진과 치료시 EC-L 필름(KODAK사, 미국)을 사용하여 찍은 조사문 사진을 주로 사용하고 있다. 이 외에도, 모의치료시 영상을 디지털 캡춰한 영상이나, 치료계획으로부터 얻은 디지털화재구성영상(digitally reconstructed radiograph; DRR)도 기준 영상으로 이용할 수 있도록 하였다. 프로그램 제작 툴로는 IDL5.4 (RSI사, 미국)를 사용하였다. 조사문사진의 가장 큰 단점인 영상 대조도를 증가시키기 위해, histogram-equalization, adaptive histogram equalization, 특히 CLAHE (contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization) 등의 영상처리 기능을 구현하였다. 영상 정합 방법으로는 기준 영상에 골반입구(pelvic inlet) 와 같은 위치에 윤곽선을 그리고, 이를 조사문 사진 상에 중첩시킨 다음, 조사문 사진의 동일 해부학적 위치에 일치되도록 이동하여 그 오차를 수치화하였다. 조사문 사진에 CLAHE 필터를 적용한 결과, 치료면 확인을 위해 이중 조사된 영역의 대조도를 월등히 향상시킬 수 있었다. 전후면과 측면 영상을 위 과정을 사용하여 정합시킴으로, 전후, 좌우, 상하 방향으로의 환자자세 차이를 정량화 할 수 있었다. 또한, CLAHE 영상처리 기법을 이용하여 조사문 사진의 화질을 현저하게 향상시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 또한 'view-box' 방식과 비교하여 치료 환자자세의 정확도를 수치화 시킴으로써 계통오차(systemic error)와 임의오차(random error) 등의 정량적 분석이 가능해졌다. 더 나아가 환자자세오차를 교정하는 프로토콜을 도입한다면, 보다 정확한 치료에 도움이 될 것으로 기대한다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2018

Purpose: To compare the dose distribution of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) to left chest wall. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seven patients were randomised for PMRT in 3DCRT group (n = 64) and IMRT group (n = 43). All patients received 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Planning target volume (PTV) parameters-$D_{near-max}$ ($D_2$), $D_{near-min}$ ($D_{98}$), $D_{mean}$, $V_{95}$, and $V_{107}$-homogeneity index (HI), and conformity index (CI) were compared. The mean doses of lung and heart, percentage volume of ipsilateral lung receiving 5 Gy ($V_5$), 20 Gy ($V_{20}$), and 55 Gy ($V_{55}$) and that of heart receiving 5 Gy ($V_5$), 25 Gy ($V_{25}$), and 45 Gy ($V_{45}$) were extracted from dose-volume histograms and compared. Results: PTV parameters were comparable between the two groups. CI was significantly improved with IMRT (1.127 vs. 1.254, p < 0.001) but HI was similar (0.094 vs. 0.096, p = 0.83) compared to 3DCRT. IMRT in comparison to 3DCRT significantly reduced the high-dose volumes of lung ($V_{20}$, 22.09% vs. 30.16%; $V_{55}$, 5.16% vs. 10.27%; p < 0.001) and heart ($V_{25}$, 4.59% vs. 9.19%; $V_{45}$, 1.85% vs. 7.09%; p < 0.001); mean dose of lung and heart (11.39 vs. 14.22 Gy and 4.57 vs. 8.96 Gy, respectively; p < 0.001) but not the low-dose volume ($V_5$ lung, 61.48% vs. 51.05%; $V_5$ heart, 31.02% vs. 23.27%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: For left sided breast cancer, IMRT significantly improves the conformity of plan and reduce the mean dose and high-dose volumes of ipsilateral lung and heart compared to 3DCRT, but 3DCRT is superior in terms of low-dose volume.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare dosimetric characteristics of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and two types of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) which are step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiotherapy (s-IMRT) and modulated arc therapy (mARC) for thoracic esophageal cancer and analyze whether IMRT could reduce organ-at-risk (OAR) dose. Materials and Methods: We performed 3D-CRT, s-IMRT, and mARC planning for ten patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. The dose-volume histogram for each plan was extracted and the mean dose and clinically significant parameters were analyzed. Results: Analysis of target coverage showed that the conformity index (CI) and conformation number (CN) in mARC were superior to the other two plans (CI, p = 0.050; CN, p = 0.042). For the comparison of OAR, lung V5 was lowest in s-IMRT, followed by 3D-CRT, and mARC (p = 0.033). s-IMRT and mARC had lower values than 3D-CRT for heart $V_{30}$ (p = 0.039), $V_{40}$ (p = 0.040), and $V_{50}$ (p = 0.032). Conclusion: Effective conservation of the lung and heart in thoracic esophageal cancer could be expected when using s-IMRT. The mARC was lower in lung $V_{10}$, $V_{20}$, and $V_{30}$ than in 3D-CRT, but could not be proven superior in lung $V_5$. In conclusion, low-dose exposure to the lung and heart were expected to be lower in s-IMRT, reducing complications such as radiation pneumonitis or heart-related toxicities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.5989-5993
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• 2013

Background: Radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Importance of tumor coverage and challenges posed by its unique and critical location are well evident. Therefore we aimed to evaluate our radiation treatment plan through dose volume histograms (DVHs) to find planning target volume (PTV) dose coverage and factors affecting it. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study covered 45 histologically proven nasopharyngeal cancer patients who were treated with definitive 3D-CRT and chemotherapy between Feb 2006 to March 2013 at the Department of Oncology, Section Radiation Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. DVH was evaluated to find numbers of shrinking field (phases), PTV volume in different phases and its coverage by the 95% isodose lines, along with influencing factors. Results: There were 36 males (80%) and 9 females (20%) in the age range of 12-84 years. Stage IVA (46.7%) was the most common stage followed by stage III (31.1). Eighty six point six-percent received induction, 95.5% received concurrent and 22.2% received adjuvant chemotherapy. The prescribed median radiation dose was 70Gy to primary, 60Gy to clinically positive neck nodes and 50Gy to clinically negative neck regions. Mean dose to spinal cord was 44.2Gy and to optic chiasma was 52Gy. Thirty seven point eight-percent patients completed their treatment in three phases while 62.2% required four to five phases. Mean volume for PTV3 was $247.8cm^3$ (50-644.3), PTV4 $173.8cm^3$ (26.5-345.1) and PTV5 $119.6cm^3$ (18.9-246.1) and PTV volume coverage by 95% isodose lines were 74.4%, 85.7% and 100% respectively. Advanced T stage, intracranial extension and tumor volume > $200cm^3$ were found to be important factors associated with decreased PTV coverage by 95% isodose line. Conclusions: 3D CRT results in adequate PTV dose coverage by 95% isodose line. However advanced T stage, intracranial extension and large target volume require more advanced techniques like IMRT for appropriate PTV coverage.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.224-231
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• 2019

Purpose: To investigate the patterns of recurrence in patients with neuroblastoma treated with radiation therapy to the primary tumor site. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with high-risk neuroblastoma managed with definitive treatment with radiation therapy to the primary tumor site between January 2003 and June 2017. These patients underwent three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy or intensity-modulated radiation therapy. A total of 14-36 Gy was delivered to the planning target volume, which included the primary tumor bed and the selected metastatic site. The disease stage was determined according to the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS). We evaluated the recurrence pattern (i.e., local or systemic), progression-free survival, and overall survival. Results: A total of 40 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma were included in this study. The median patient age was 4 years (range, 1 to 11 years). Thirty patients (75%) had INSS stage 4 neuroblastoma. At the median follow-up of 58 months, there were 6 cases of local recurrence and 10 cases of systemic recurrence. Among the 6 local failure cases, 4 relapsed adjacent to the radiation field. The other 2 relapsed in the radiation field (i.e., para-aortic and retroperitoneal areas). The main sites of distant metastasis were the bone, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. The 5-year progression-free survival was 70.9% and the 5-year overall survival was 74.3%. Conclusion: Radiation therapy directed at the primary tumor site provides good local control. It seems to be adequate for disease control in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma after chemotherapy and surgical resection.