• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1996

Purpose: The traditional approach with surgery and/or radiotherapy(RT) for advanced head and neck cancer Provides anticipated cure rates of $10-65\%$ depending on stages and sites. Recently, combined modality with chemotherapy have been extensively investigated in attempts to improve survival and local control. We retrospectively analysed our experience of 31 patients with advanced head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods : November 1983 to October 1994. 31 Patients with Stage III and IV squamous cell head and neck cancer were treated with RT. Sixteen patients were treated with RT alone, and IS patients were treated with combined RT plus chemotherapy. All patients were treated with 4-MV LINAC and radiation dose ranged from 5000 cGy to 7760 cGy (median 7010 cGy). In combined group, 7 patients were treated with cisplatin plus 5-FU 2 patients were treated with methotrexate plus leucovorin plus 5-FU plus cisplatin or carboplatin, and 6 patients were treated with cisplatin as a radiosensitizer. Results : Median follow up period was 16 months (range 4-134 months). The major responses (CR+PR) were noted in 10 patient ($66.6\%$) of the RT alone group and 14 patient ($93.3\%$) of the chemoradiation group. There was no statistical difference in CR rate between the two groups The overall survival rates at 5 years were $23.4\%$ in the radiation alone group, $23.5\%$ in the chemoradiation group Disease-free survival rates at 3 years were $44.5\%$ in the radiation alone group, $40\%$ in the chemoradiation group. There was no statistical differences in overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates between the two groups. Local recurrences occurred in $71.5\%$ of the radiation alone group, $72.7\%$ of the chemoradiation group and distant metastasis occurred in $14.4\%$ of radiation alone group, $9.1\%$ of the chemoradiation group. The frequencies of complications were comparable in both groups except hematologic toxicity Conclusion : Total response rates in the combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy was relatively higher than radiotherapy alone. But our result failed to show any survival benefit of the combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The accrual of large number of patients and long term follow-un may be necessary to confirm the present result of combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 1996

Purpose : To evaluate the role of combination therapy of external radio-therapy and chemotherapy in the management of advanced esophageal cancer as a primary treatment compared with radiation therapy alone. Materials and Methods : A retrospective review of evaluable 55 esophageal cancer patients referred to the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Paik Hospital for the external radiotherapy between Jul, 1983 and Dec. 1994 was undertaken. Combined therapy patients (A group) were 30 and radiation alone patients (B group) were 25. Median age was 60 years old in A group (ranges : 42-81) and 65 years old in B group (ranges : 50-81). The male patients were 53. The fifty patients had squamous cell carcinomas. Radiation doses of 2520-6480c0y were delivered over a period of 4-7weeks, using 4MV LINAC. Chemotherapy was administered in bolus injection before, after, or during the course of external radiotherapy. The local control rate and patterns of failure according to both treatment modalities and 1, 2 year survival rates according to prognostic factors (stage, tumor length, radiation dose etc.) were analysed. Resuts : Median follow up Period was 7 months (range : 2-73 months). Median survival was 7.5 months (20 days-29 months) in A group and 5 months (20 days-73 months) in B group. The 1, 2 YSRs were $26.7\%$, $8.9\%$ in A group, $12.7\%$, $4.3\%$ in B group (p>0.05), respectively. The 1, 2 YSRs according to stage(II/III), tumor length (5cm more or less). radiation dose (5000cGymore or less) of A and B group were analyzed and the differences of survival rates of both treatments were not statistically significant. But among group B, patients who received 5000cGy or more showed significant survival benefits (p<0.05). The treatment response rates of A and B group were $43.8\%$. $25.0\%$, respectively. Complete response rate of $25.0\%$ in A and $8.3\%$ in B were achieved. The local failure and distant metastsis were $52.4\%$. $23.8\%$ in A group, $64.3\%$, $14.3\%$ in 8 group, respectively. The combination therapy revealed more frequent leukopenia and nausea/vomiting than radiation alone group, but degree of side effects was only mild to moderate. Conclusion : The combined external radiotherapy and chemotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer appears to improve the response rate, local control rate and survival rate, but the improvement was not statistically significant. The side effects of combined modalities were mild to moderate without significant morbidity. Therefore it may be worthwhile to continue the present combined external radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the management of advanced esophageal cancer to confirm our result.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2020

Purpose: This retrospective study compares higher-dose whole-brain radiotherapy (hdWBRT) with reduced-dose WBRT (rdWBRT) in terms of clinical efficacy and toxicity profile in patients treated for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Materials and Methods: Radiotherapy followed by high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based chemotherapy was administered to immunocompetent patients with histologically confirmed PCNSL between 2000 and 2016. Response to chemotherapy was taken into account when prescribing the radiation dose to the whole brain and primary tumor bed. The whole brain dose was ≤23.4 Gy for rdWBRT (n = 20) and >23.4 Gy for hdWBRT (n = 68). Patients manifesting cognitive disturbance, memory impairment and dysarthria were considered to have neurotoxicity. A median follow-up was 3.62 years. Results: The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 70.0% and 48.9% with rdWBRT, and 63.2% and 43.2% with hdWBRT. The 3-year OS and PFS among patients with partial response (n = 45) after chemotherapy were 77.8% and 53.3% with rdWBRT, and 58.3% and 45.8% with hdWBRT (p > 0.05). Among patients with complete response achieved during follow-up, the 3-year freedom from neurotoxicity (FFNT) rate was 94.1% with rdWBRT and 62.4% with hdWBRT. Among patients aged ≥60 years, the 3-year FFNT rate was 87.5% with rdWBRT and 39.1% with hdWBRT (p = 0.49). Neurotoxicity was not observed after rdWBRT in patients aged below 60 years. Conclusion: rdWBRT with tumor bed boost combined with upfront HD-MTX is less neurotoxic and results in effective survival as higher-dose radiotherapy even in partial response after chemotherapy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2002

Purpose : To determine the optimal radiation dose in a localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck in the treatment setting for combined chemoradiotherapy. Materials an Methods :Fifty-three patients with stage I and II diffuse large ceil non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the head and neck, who were treated with combined chemoradiotherapy between 1985 and 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. The median age was 49 years, and the male-to-female ratio was approximately 1.6. Twenty-seven patients had stage 1 disease and 26 had stage II. Twenty-three patients had bulky tumors $(\geq5\;cm)$ and 30 had non-bulky tumors (<5 cm). The primary tumors arose mainly from an extranodal organ $(70\%)$, most cases involving Waldeyer's ring $(90\%)$. All patients except one were initially treated with $3\~6$ cycles of chemotherapy, which was followed by radiotherapy. Radiation was delivered either to the primary tumor area alone $(9\%)$ or to the primary tumor area plus the bilateral neck nodes $(91\%)$ with a minimum dose of 30 Gy $(range\;30\~60\;Gy)$. The failure patterns according to the radiation field were analyzed, and the relationship between the dose and the in-field recurrence was evaluated. Results : The 10-year overall survival and the 10-year disease free survival rates were similar at $75\%\;and\;76\%$, respectively. A complete response (CR) after chemotherapy was achieved in 44 patients $(83\%)$. Subsequent radiotherapy showed a CR in all patients. Twelve patients $(23\%)$ had a relapse of the lymphoma after the initial treatment. Two of these patients had a recurrence inside the radiation field. No clear dose response relationship was observed and no significant prognostic factors for the in-field recurrences were identified because of the small number of in-field recurrences. However, for patients with tumors <5 cm in diameter, there were no in-field recurrences after a radiation dose 30 Gy. The 2 in-field recurrences encountered occurred in patients with a tumor $\geq5\;cm$. Conclusion .A dose of 30 Gy is sufficient for local control in patients with a non-bulky (<5 cm), localized, diffuse large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when combined with chemotherapy. An additional boost dose in the primary site is recommended for patients with bulky tumors $(\geq5\;cm)$.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2020

Radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy (RILSP) is an uncommon complication of pelvic radiotherapy that can result in different degrees of sensory and motor deficits. An age 59 female with cervical cancer, who had received combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy two years before, presented with bilaterally symmetric lower-extremity weakness and tingling sensation. The magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse T2 bright signal intensity and mild enhancement along the bilateral lumbosacral plexus with no space-occupying masses. RILSP was diagnosed after the exclusion of malignant and inflammatory plexopathies.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.359-368
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• 2001

Purpose : To determine the long-term results of bladder-preserving approach by transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB), systemic chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer Methods and materiaals : From 1991 Jan. through 1994 Dec., 25 patients with muscle invading clinical stage T2 to T4NxM0 bladder cancer were treated with induction by maximal TURB and (arm 1, n=4) three cycles of chemotherapy [MVAC(methotrexate, vincristine, adriamycin, ciplatin)] followed by 64.8 Gy of radiation with concomitant cisplatin, or two cycles of chemotherapy [MCV (methotrexate, ciplatin, vincristine)] after irradiation with concomitant cisplatin (arm 2, n=14), or concurrent chemoradiation only (arm 3, n=7). Tumor response was scored as a clinical complete response (CR) when the cystoscopic tumor-site biopsy and urine cytology results were negative. Those with less than a CR underwent cystectomy. The median follow-up of all patients was 70 months. Resulst : Most treatment toxicities were mild to moderate. Grade 3 acute hematologic toxicity and chronic cystitis were observed in only 1 and 2 patients, respectively. Overall 5 year survival was $67.3\%$. Complete remission rate was $80\%$ (20/25). Sixty-three percent of all survivors retained their bladders. In multivariate analysis, prognostic factors that significantly affect survival were T-stage (p=0.013) and Complete remission (p=0.002). Conclusion : Combined modality therapy with TURB, chemotherapy, and radiation has a $67.3\%$ overall 5 year survival rate. This result is similar to cystectomy-based studies for patients of similar clinical stages.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 1996

Purpose : To improve treatment modality and results by analysis of clinical characteristics, local control, survival and recurrence rate in limited stage small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods : patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer were treated with combined radiation and chemotherapy from Feb. 1986 to Dec. 1992 at the National Medical Center We followed up on 21 patients ($81\%$), who were mostly irradiated with 4,000-5.000cGy ($75\%$ of all Patients) in the results by the analysis retrospectively. Survival rate was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method Results : Mean survival of irradiated patients with limited small cell lung cancer was 12 months. 1-rear and 2-rear survival rate were $65.3\%$ and $15.4\%$ Tumor response rate and median survival after combined chemotherapy and irradiation were the following: $50\%$ and 15 months of complete response, and $23\%$ and 11 months of partial response respectively. Response rates by radiation dose were $66\%$ for below 4,000cGy $69\%$ for between 4,000-5,000cGy and $86\%$ for above 5,000cGy. 21 of all patients showed treatment failure($81\%$) which as appeared 9 of local failure.9 of distant failure and 3 of local and distant failure. Conclusion : Local response rate after induction chemotherapy alone in limited stage of small cell lung cancer was $54\%$. Furthermore it was increased to $73\%$ after adding of radiation. We have to increase radiation dose above 5,000cGy and need to try new effective chemotherapy agents for the improvement of local control and survival rate and also will try concurrent chemoradiotherapy in near time.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 1995

Purpose: We tried to evaluate the role of conventional radiotherapy alone or with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the hypopharyngeal cancer by retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods: Between Jul.1985 and Sep.1992, 42 patients of hypopharyngeal cancer were treated by conventional radiotherapy alone or combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The male to female ratio was 20:1 with a median age of 58 years, Twelve Patients were treated by conventional radiotherapy alone and 30 patients were treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results: Seven Patients were Stage I,II and the patients with stage III and IV were 10 and 25, respectively at the time of presentation. The overall survival and disease-specific survival rates at 24 months were $12.9\%$ and $15.5\%,$respectively Two-year survival rates of stage I+II and III+IV patients were $50\%$ and $6.3\%,$ respectively(p(0.05). Sixteen Patients$(38\%)$ revealed CR and 26 patients$(62\%)$ revealed less than CR at the end of radiotherapy and their 2-year survival rates were $31.3\%\;and\;0\%,$ respectively(p(0.05). On univariate analysis, stage, T-stage, N-stage and treatment response were the significant prognostic factors, but only stage and treatment response were significant on multivariate analysis Conclusion : This conventional radiotherapy alone or with neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not seem to be sufficient in the treatment of most advanced hypopharyngeal cancer Therefore other treatment modalities such as hyperfractionation or concurrent chemoradiotherapy should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1381-1387
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• 2001

Objective : Endodermal sinus tumor or yolk sac tumor is an uncommon malignant germ-cell neoplasm. This tumor was originally described as a germ cell tumor of the ovary or the testis. Intracranial endodermal sinus tumor is extremely rare and usually develop in the pineal or suprasellar regions. The authors evaluated the effect of adjuvant therapy(chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy) and radical removal of intracranial endodermal sinus tumors. Material and Methods : Between 1996 and 2001, four patients of intracranial endodermal sinus tumor were diagnosed with tumor marker(AFP) and biopsy. Three patients were treated with surgical removal and chemotherapy with cisplatin($20mg/m^2$), etoposide($100mg/m^2$) and bleomycin($15mg/m^2$) as well as external beam radiation therapy. We compared the management problems for these tumors. Result : In all three patients the tumor size and the level of tumor marker decresed during initial adjuvant therapy. However, Tumors showed regrowth with elevated AFP of serum and CSF possibly related to delayed chemotherapeutic treatment or inadequate administration of chemotherapeutic drugs due to severe bone marrow suppression. An additional chemotherapy and external radiation therapy were given, but tumors could not be controlled with leptomeningeal seeding. Conclusion : Radiotherapy is considered to be less effective. The combination chemotherapy with PVB(cisplatin, vinblastine, bleomycine) or PE(cisplatin, etoposide) is considered to be value in prolongation of the survival rate. But the role of chemotherapy in this tumor has not yet been clarified due to bone marrow suppression and drug resistance. Further study with large series of this tumor is necessary to establish the optimal management.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate retrospectively the survival outcome, patterns of failure, and complications in patients treated with postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2006, 80 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received postoperative concurrent CRT were included. Pathological staging was IB-II in 9%, IIIA in 38%, IIIB in 33%, and IV in 21%. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy of radiation. Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of a continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin on the first 4 days and last 3 days of radiotherapy. Results: The median follow-up period was 48 months (range, 3 to 83 months). The 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional recurrence-free survivals were 62%, 59%, and 80%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, significant factors for disease-free survival were T stage (hazard ratio [HR], 0.278; P = 0.038), lymph node dissection extent (HR, 0.201; P = 0.002). and maintenance oral chemotherapy (HR, 2.964; P = 0.004). Locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis occurred in 5 (6%) and 18 (23%) patients, respectively. Mixed failure occurred in 10 (16%) patients. Grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 4 (5%) and one (1%) patient, respectively. Grade 3 nausea and vomiting developed in 8 (10%) patients. Intestinal obstruction developed in one (1%). Conclusion: The survival outcome of the postoperative CRT in advanced gastric cancer was similar to those reported previously. Our postoperative CRT regimen seems to be a safe and effective method, reducing locoregional failure without severe treatment toxicity in advanced gastric cancer patients.