• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.339-348
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• 1997

Purpose : To evaluate the role of postoperative radiation therapy after curative resection of sigmoid colon cancer Materials and Methods : From 1988 to 1993, a total of 93 Patients with curative resectable sigmoid colon cancer of modified Astler-Coiler (MAC) stage B2, B3, C2, C3 was divided into two groups on the basis of those who received radiation treatment and those who did not. Forty-three patients who treated by surgery alone were classified as postop RT (-) group The remaining 50 patients who underwent postoperative radiotherapy were classified as postop RT (+) group. In all patients in Postop RT (+) group. radiation therapy was delivered using 4 or 10 MV linear accelerators to treat the tumor bed with approximately 5cm margin to a total dose 50.4-61Gy(median 54Gy) in 1.8Gy per fraction. Thirty-two patients were treated. with 5-Fluorouracil based adjuvant chemotherapy at least 3 cycles. but these was no significant difference between two groups. Treatment failure Pattern, 5-year local failure-free survival rates (LFFS), and 5-year disease-free survival rates (DFS) were compared between two groups. Result : Five year LFFS and DFS were $85.1\%,\;68.5\%$, respectively, In Postop RT (-) group, LFFS was $76.2\%$ compared with $91.7\%$ in Postop RT (+) group. Improved LFFS and DFS were seen for patients with stage C3 sigmoid colon carcinoma with postoperative radiation therapy compared with postop RT (-) group (P=0.01, p=0.06 respectively), in stage B3, LFFS washigher in postop RT (+) group than that in Postop RT (-) group. although itwas not significant. Especially, local control was higher in stage 74 inpostop RT (+) group than that in postop RT (-) group, Conclusion : This studv showed significantly improved LFFS and DFS in MAC Stage C3 and improved tendency of LFFS and DFS in MAC Stage B3 disease. Large scale prospective study is required to verify the role of adjuvant radiation therapy in resectable sigmoid colon cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate effect of postoperative radiotherapy on survival and local control for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods : Ninety two NSCLC patients with N1or N2 involvement who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy following surgery with curative intent from May 1987 to October 1999 were retrospectively analyzed. Age of the patients was ranged from 32 to 78 years. According to TNM Stage, 35 patients had Stage II and 57 had Stage III disease. There were 49 patients with N1 involvement and 43 patients with N2 involvement. Fifty six patients were noted to have $T1\~2$ tumors and 36 patients to have $T3\~4$ tumors. Delivered total dose was ranged from 40 to 60 Gy. Majority of patients received 50 Gy or 50.4 Gy. Follow-up period was ranged from 9 month to 7 years with median follow-up of 26 months. Results : Overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years for entire group of patients were $46\%\;and\;38\%$, respectively. Corresponding disease free survival rates were $44\%\;and\;36\%$. There was significant difference in survival between patients with Stage II and Stage III disease ($50\%\;vs\;28\%$ at 5-year). Five year survival rates for N1 and N2 patients were $52\%\;and\;20\%$, respectively (p<0.05). These were $40\%\;and\;34\%$ for patients with $T1\~2$ tumors and $T3\~4$ tumors. There were documented local relapses in $13\%$ of the patients. For patients with N1 and N2 Stage, local relapse rates were $8\%\;and\;18\%$, respectively. Conclusion : Our study confirms that postoperative radiotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer improves local control. However, influence of postoperative radiotherapy on long-term survival is less clear. More effective systemic treatment to prevent distant metastasis should be investigated in future study to improve long-term survival.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.219-226
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to analyze the results of radiotherapy administered to patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer, with or without neck dissection. Materials and Methods: From January 1986 to December 2005, 88 patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer were treated with curative intent. The age of the patients ranged from 35 to 74 years (median age, 59 years). There were 74 male and 14 female patients. Distribution of patients by N status was as follows: N1, 4 patients; N2a, 10 patients; N2b, 48 patients; N2c, 8 patients; N3, 18 patients. Fifty-one patients underwent neck dissection and 37 patients had only a biopsy (31 patients had fine-needle aspiration and 6 patients had an excisional biopsy). All patients received radiotherapy. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 154 months, with a median time of 32 months. Results: The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate at 5 years were 43.9% and 41.7%, respectively. The factors associated with the OS rate were neck dissection, and a subsequent primary tumor. Factors associated with the DFS rate were N stage, neck dissection, and a subsequent primary tumor. Neck failure was noted in 15 patients, distant metastases in 18 patients, and a subsequent primary tumor in 8 patients. Conclusion: With comprehensive radiotherapy given to the bilateral neck and the potential mucosal sites, good survival rates can be obtained in patients with neck node metastases from an unknown primary cancer. However, considering the side effects, a randomized trial is required to determine the optimal radiotherapy volume.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 1998

Purpose : Treatment of choice for uterine cervix cancer stage IIB is radiotherapy. We analyzed survivals, Prognostic factors, patterns of failure and complications. Materials and Methods : This is a retrospective analysis of 167 patients with stage IIB carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with curative external pelvic and high dose rate intracavitary radiotherapy at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital from August 1985 to August 1994. All the patients followed up from 3 to 141 months(mean 60 months) and age of patients ranged from 31 to 78 years at presentation(mean : 55 years). Results : Overall complete response rate was $84\%$. The response rate for squamous cell carcimoma and adenocarcinoma were $86\%$ and $60\%$, respectively. Overall 5-years survival rate and disease free survival rate was 62 and $59\%$, respectively Mass size and treatment response were significant Prognostic factors for survival Pathologic type and parametrial involvement were marginally significants Prognostic factors. Local failure was 43 cases, distant metastasis was 14 cases and local failure plus distant metastasis was 3 cases, and most of local failures occurred within 24 months, distant metastasis within 12 months after treatment Twenty eight($16.8\%$) patients developed late rectal and urinary complications There were tendency to increasing severity and frequency according to increased fractional dose and total(rectal and bladder) dose. Conclusions : Survival rate was significantly related to tumor size and radiotherapy response. Tumor size should be considered in the clinical s1aging. To increased survival and local control, clinical trials such as decreasing duration of radiotherapy or addition of chemotherapy is needed. To detect early recurrence, regular follow up after RT is important. Because total rectal and bladder dose affected late complications. meticulous vaginal packing is needed to optimize dose of normal tissues and to decrease late complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for patients with pathological stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at a single institution. Materials and Methods: From 2000 to 2007, 88 patients diagnosed as having pathologic stage III NSCLC after curative resection were treated with PORT. There were 80 patients with pathologic stage IIIA and eight patients with pathologic stage IIIB in the AJCC 6th staging system. The majority of patients (n=83) had pathologic N2 disease, and 56 patients had single station mediastinal LN metastasis. PORT was administered using conventional technique (n=76) or three-dimensional conformal technique (n=12). The median radiation dose was 54 Gy (range, 30.6 to 63 Gy). Thirty-six patients received chemotherapy. Radiation pneumonitis was graded by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group system, and other treatment-related toxicities were assessed by CTCAE v 3.0. Results: Median survival was 54 months (range, 26 to 77 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) rates were 45% and 38%, respectively. The number of metastatic lymph nodes was associated with overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.037; p-value=0.040). The 5-year locoregional recurrence free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) rates were 88% and 48%, respectively. Multiple stations of mediastinal lymph node metastasis was associated with decreased DFS and DMFS rates (p-value=0.0014 and 0.0044, respectively). Fifty-one relapses occurred at the following sites: 10 loco-regional, 41 distant metastasis. Grade 2 radiation pneumonitis was seen in three patients, and symptoms were well tolerated with anti-tussive medication. Grade 2 radiation esophagitis was seen in 11 patients. There were no grade 3 or more severe complications associated with PORT. Conclusion: Our retrospective data show that PORT for pathological stage III NSCLC is a safe and feasible treatment and could improve loco-regional control. The number of metastatic lymph nodes and stations of mediastinal lymph node metastasis were analyzed as prognostic factors. Furthermore, efforts are needed to reduce distant metastasis, which is a major failure pattern of advanced stage NSCLC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 1996

Purpose : We tried to evaluate the clinical characteristics, the treatment methods, the results of treatments, and the Patterns of failure in ovarian dysgerminoma retrospectively According to the results we would like to suggest the proper management guideline of stage la ovarian dysgerminoma patients who want to maintain fertility. Materials and Methods : Between 1975 and 1990, 34 patients with ovarian dysgerminoma were treated at the Yonsei University Hospital. The case records of these patients have been reviewed for presenting symptoms, treatment methods, local control and survival following treatment. Excluded from analysis were five patients with mixed ovarian germ cell tumors and gonadoblastomas (46,XY) Treatment results of the twenty nine patients were analysed by each treatment modality. Twenty one patients were treated with surgery and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (group 2). The other eight patients were treated with operation alone (group 2). The median age of twenty-nine patients was 23 years with a range of 8 to 39 years. Presenting symptoms were abdominal mass (20) pelvic discomfort or pain (5) et al. Radiotherapy was performed by 10MV LINAC or Co-60 teletherapy unit. The total radiation dose of the whole abdomen was 20-25 Gy/3weeks, 1-1.5 Gy/fraction with a boost to the whole pelvis 10-15 Gy/l-2weeks 1.8-2.0 Gy/fraction. Advanced stage disease (stage II or stage III) patients received prophylactic mediastinal and supraclavicular irradiation to a dose of 16-26 Gy. Median duration of follow-up of living patients was 80 months (range 13-201 months). Results : All of the twenty one patients of group 1 were alive without disease ($100\%$). Among the eight patients who were not treated with radiotherapy (group 2), six patients developed local recurrence. Four Patients referred with recurrent disease were treated with salvage radiotherapy. Three of four patients were salvaged and one Patient who had recurrent intra-abdominal disease died of progressed carcinomatosis at 11 months after salvage radiotherapy. The other two patients with recurrence were salvaged with chemotherapy (1 patient) or re-operation (1 Patient). Twenty eight patients remained alive without disease at last follow up, so the 5 year local control rate and 5 year overall survival rate for all groups were $96.6\%$ (28/29), respectively. Among thirteen patients with stage la unilateral tumors seven patients were treated with postoperative radiotherapy and the other six patients were treated with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alone. Five patients who did not received radiotherapy developed local failure but all of the recurrent ovarian dysgerminomas were salvaged with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or re-operation. So all the 13 patients with stage la ovarian dysgerminoma were free of disease from 20-201 months (median 80 months). Conclusion : The authors consider external irradiation to be an effective treatment as a complement to surgery in ovarian dysgerminoma. For those patients with disease presenting in stage la tumors who wish to maintain fertility, unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alone may be curative and spare ovarian function considering excellent salvage rate of recurrent ovarian dysgerminoma in present study.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 1997

Purpose : Radical gastrectomy is main treatment of gastric cancer. But the result is not satisfactory with surgery alone. Most of pattern of failure remain locoregional recurrence. To improve 5 year survival postoperative chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy has been used. We analyzed patients with stage III and IV stomach cancer who had radical operation and received postoperative radiation therapy combined with or without chemotherapy retrospectively. Material and Method : From March 1985 to June 1993, 68 patients treated with curative resection and received postoperative adiuvant radiotherapy with 36Gy or more were evaluated. Median age was 60 years(range 28-66 yrs) . Patients were followed from 3 to 133 months with median follow up of 48 months. Thirty seven patients had non signet ring adenocarcinoma, 29 signet ring cell, 2 other cell. Patients with stage IIIA, IIIB, IV disease were 19, 25 and 24 respectively Chemotherapy was given to all patients except two. Results : Five-year overall survival and disease-free survival rate were 36.6% and 33.6%, respectively. Prognostic factor affecting survival were assessed. High ratio of jnvolved/dissected Iymph node, signet ring histology showed Poor Prognosis with statistical significance. Presence of residual tumor after surgery, stageIV. split course of radiation therapy, age, number of involved Iymph node, number of Iymph node dissection and grade of tumor affected survival without statistical significance, Type of chemotherapy did not affect survival. Recurrence was documented in 34 patients. High recurrence was seen in omentum and peritoneum with 23.5%, and remnant stomach, anastomosis site, A-loop and I-loop had also high recurrence with 13.2%. In field locoregional recurrence was 20.7% and total distant metastases were 39.7%. Total intraabdominal failure was 47.1% and extraabdominal failure was 13.2%. Treatment toxicity was considered to be acceptable. 22.1% of patients had grade 3 and only 1 patient had grade 4 leukopenia. Six Patients(8.8%) had weigh loss more than 10%. Conclusion : Treatment toxicity was acceptable with combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Locoregional recurrence was relatively low compared to distant failure with addition of irradiation. Peritoneal and omental seeding was high Five-rear surival was increased with combined modality. Radiation may eradicate minimal residual disease and improve survival, To evaluate role of radiation Prospective randomized study employing chemotherapy alone and chemotherapy plus radiation is necessary. Futhermore to reduce intraabdominal failure, role of intraabdominal chemotherapy in addition to combined chemotherapy plus radiation has to be explored.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.213-225
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• 1989

An analysis has been made of two hundred seven patients who were treated at the department of Radiation Oncology of Korea University Hospital for lung cancer from January 1981 through December 1986. There were 137 patients of nonsmall cell carcinoma (137/207, 66%), 26 patients of small cell carcinoma (26/207, 12.5%) and 44 patients of unproven histology. By aims of treatment, there were 104 patients (104/207, 50%) treated for cure, 89 patients (89/207, 42.9%) for palliation and 14 patients treated postoperatively. In 22 out of 207 patients, chemotherapy was done with radiotherapy, 12 of which were patients with small cell carcinoma. Stage II patients were 49 (49/207, 23.6%), stage III patients were 157 (157/207, 75.8%) and one patient had an occult cancer The tumor was initial Iy measured by CAT scan and chest X-rays in the 165 (165/207, 79.7%) patients, among which 117 patients had tumor diameter more than 5cm and 48 patients less than 5cm. Radiation therapy was given with Cobalt 60 teletherapy unit and the treatment volume encompassed primary tumor and the mediastinum. For curative aim, daily tumor dose of 180 cGy was given up to the range of 5,400~6,120cGy/30~34F/6~7 week period and for palliative aim, daily tumor dose of 300 cGy was given up to the range of 3,600~4,500 cGy/12~15F/2~3 week period. Postoperatively, mediastinum was treated for total dose of 5,040 cGy/28F/5.5 week period. 123 patients (123/207, 59%) were followed up after completion of radiotherapy for 14 months to 7 years. Local tumor response to the irradiation was measured by chest X-ray taken at one month follow up and was evaluated for response rate, if they were regressed more than 50% or less than 50% of the initial tumor size. The treatment results were as follows; 1. The median survival time was 8.5 months and survival rates for 1 year, 2 year and 5 year was 25%, 3.5% and 1% of nonsmall cell lung ca of 74 evaluable patients. 2. More than 50% of local tumor response rate was obtained in about half of overall cases; 90.5% for small cell ca, 50% for squamous cell ca, 25% for adenoca and 57% for large cell ca. 3. Response rate more than 50% was seen in the 50% of the patient group with tumor diameter more than 5cm and in the 55% of those with tumor diameter less than 5cm. 4. By total raidation dose given, patient group which was given 5,400~6,120 cGy equivalent dose or higher showed tumor response rate more than 50% in 53% of the patients, whereas the group with dose less than 5,400cGy equivalent, in 25% of the patients. 5. Survival rate for 6 month, 1 year and 2 year was compared between the group of local tumor response rate more than 50% vs. group with response rate less than 50%; 74% vs. 43%, 33% vs, 23%, 10% vs. 1%, respectively. 6. Local failure was seen in 21%(44/207) of the patients, which occured mostly within 15 months after completion of radiation therapy. Distant metastases were seen in 49.7%(103/207) of the patients, of which 43 cases were found before initiation of radiotherapy. The most common metastatic sites were bone and brain. In this sutdy, 1 year,2 year and S year survival rates were somewhat poor compared to the other studies. It mainly seems to be due to the poor general status of the patients and the far-advanced stage of the disease. In nonsmall cell cancer patients who had limited local disease and had small primary tumor size, we observed better local response. In addition, dose higher than 6,000 cGy group showed better tumor control than lower dose group. Survival rate was better for the local control group. For imporvement of local control of the lung cancer and hence, the survival of the patients with lung cancer, proper radical radiotherapy with high dose for localized disease is needed. New modality of treatment such as high LET beam in radiation therapy or drugs for the advanced disease as well as early diagnosis is also needed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2002

Purpose : The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness, survival rate and complications of radiation therapy and chemoradiation treatment in hypopharyngeal cancer. Methods and Materials : From January 1984 to December 1999, 56 patients who had hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with curative radiation therapy were retrospectively studied. Twenty four patients $(42.9\%)$ were treated with radiation therapy alone (Group I) and $32\;(57.1\%)$ treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation (Group II). Total radiation dose ranged from 40.5 to 83. 5 Gy (median 67.9 Gy). Radiotherapy was given with conventional technique in 9 patients $(16.4\%)$, with hyperfractionation I ($1.15\~1.2$ Gy/fr., BID) in 26 $(47.2\%)$, hyperfractionation II (1.35 Gy/fr., BID) in 18 $(32.7\%)$, and accelerated fractionation (1.6 Gy/fr., BID) in 2 $(3.6\%)$. In chemotherapy, 5-FU ($1,000\;mg/m^2$ daily for 5 consecutive days) and cisplatin ($100\;mg/m^2$ on day 1) were administered in a cycle of 3 weeks interval, and a total of 1 to 3 cycles (average 2..3 cycles) were given prior to radiation therapy. Follow up duration was $1\~195$ months (median 28 months). Results : Overall 2 and 5 year survival rates were $40.6\%\;and\;27.6\%;\;50.0\%\;and\;30.0\%$ in Group I, and $36.4\%\;and\;26.3\%$ in Group II, respectively. Complete local control rates in Group I and II were $70.0\%\;and\;67.7\%$, respectively. The response to radiotherapy and nodal stage were statistically significant prognostic factors. The complication rate was increased in Group II and was decreased in hyperfractionation. Conclusion : The response to radiotherapy and nodal stage were valid factors to indicate the degree of control over the hypopharyngeal cancer. The induction cisplatin, 5-Fu chemotherapy was not valid in terms of local control rate and survival rate, but did contribute to an increased complication rate. The use of hyperfractionation was valid to reduce the late radiation complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.632-638
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• 1996

A retrospective analysis of primary mediastinal tumors and cysts was performed on 42 patients who underwent surgical resection at our institution from january, 1985 to December, 1995. The patients consisted of 27 males and 15 females. The mean age was 40 years with a range of 10 month to 76 years. The patients were composed of thymlc tumor 12 cases (28.6 %), germ cell tumor 8 cases (19.0 %), primary cyst 7 cases (16.7 %), neurogenic tumor 6 cases (14.3 %) and other miscellanious tumor 9 cases. Overall, 3) (78.6 %) of the tumors were histologically benign, and 9 (21.4 %) were malig- nant. The noted clinical manifestations were respiratory symptoms such as chest pain, dyspnea and coughing. All of the patients with malignancy and 55 oyo of the patients with benign tumor were symptomatic on presentation. All of the patients were operated for tis ue diagnosis and curative resection. All the benign tumors ex- cept two cases of sarcoidosis were performed adequate curative resection. A few patients with malignant unresectable tumors were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy There were 7 (18 %) postoperative complications without mortality. In conclusion, Mediastinal tumors have long fascinated the thoracic surgeon because of their variety and unpredictability of diagnosis prior to exploration. We consider that active surgery and various combined modality can be accomplished with satisfactory result.