• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the survival rate, local failure rate and patterns of failure, and analyze the prognostic factors affecting local relapse of ductal carcinoma in situ treated with breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy Materials and Methods: From June 1995 to December 2001, 96 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ treated with breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The operations were either local or wide excision in all patients, with an axillary lymph node dissection performed in some patients. Radiation dose to the whole breast was 50.4 Gy, over 5 weeks, with 1.8 Gy daily fractions, with additional doses ($10\~14$ Gy) administered to the primary tumor bed in some patients with close ($\leq$2 mm) or positive resection margin. The median follow-up period was 43 months (range $10\~102$ months). Results: The 5-year local relapse free survival and overall survival rates were 91 and $100\%$ respectively. Local relapse occurred in 6 patients ($6.3\%$). Of the 6 recurrences, one was invasive ductal cell carcinoma. With the exception of one, all patients recurred 2 years after surgery. There was no regional recurrence or distant metastasis. Five patients with local recurrence were salvaged with total mastectomy, and are alive with no evidence of disease. One patient with recurrent invasive ductal cell carcinoma will receive salvage treatment. On analysis of the prognostic factors affecting local relapse, none of the factors among the age, status of resection margin, comedo type and nuclear grade affected local relapse. Operation extent also did not affect local control (p=0.30). In the patients with close resection margin, boost irradiation to the primary tumor bed did not affect local control (p=1.0). Conclusions: The survival rate and local control of the patients with ductal carcinoma in situ treated with breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy were excellent. Close resection margin and boost irradiation to the primary tumor bed did not affect local relapse, but further follow-up with much more patients is needed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2010

Purpose: To retrospectively assess the advantages and side effects of prophylactic Paraaortic irradiation in cervical cancer patients with common iliac nodal involvement, the results for survival, patterns of failure, and treatment-related toxicity. Materials and Methods: From May 1985 to October 2004, 909 patients with cervical carcinoma received postoperative radiotherapy at the Seoul National University Hospital. Among them, 54 patients with positive common iliac nodes on pathology and negative Paraaortic node were included in the study. In addition, 44 patients received standard pelvic irradiation delivered 50.4 Gy per 28 fractions (standard irradiation group), and chemotherapy was combined in 16 of them. The other 10 patients received pelvic irradiation at a dose of 50.4 Gy per 28 fractions in addition to Paraaortic irradiation at 45 Gy per 25 fractions (extended irradiation group). In addition, all of them received chemotherapy in combination with radiation. Follow-up times for pelvic and Paraaortic irradiation ranged from 6 to 201 months (median follow-up time, 58 months) and 21 to 58 months (median follow-up time, 47 months), respectively. Results: The 4-year overall survival, disease free survival, and distant metastasis free survival in the standard irradiation group and extended irradiation group were 67.2% vs. 90.0% (p=0.291), 59.0% vs. 70.0% (p=0.568) and 67.5% vs. 90.0% (p=0.196), respectively. The most common site of first failure for the standard irradiation group was the paraaortic lymph node, while no paraaortic failure was observed in the extended irradiation group. Relatively, hematologic toxicity grade 3 or greater was common in the extended irradiation group (2/10 extended vs. 2/44 standard), while gastrointestinal toxicity of grade 3 or greater was lower (2/10 extended vs. 6/44 standard), and urologic toxicity of grade 3 or greater was observed in the standard irradition group only (0/10 vs. 3/44). Conclusion: Concurrent chemotherapy and prophylactic Paraaortic irradiation in patients with common iliac nodal involvement showed slightly improved clinical outcomes aside from increased hematologic toxicity, which was statistically insignificant. Considering the relatively small number of patients and short follow-up times, additional studies are needed to obtain more conclusive outcomes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Purpose: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) and to investigate the prognostic factors for thymoma when treated with RT. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 21 patients with thymoma and also received RT from March 2002 to January 2008. The median follow-up time was 37 months (range, 3 to 89 months). The median patient age was 57 years (range, 24 to 77 years) and the gender ratio of males to females was 4：3. Of the 21 patients, complete resections (trans-sternal thymectomy) and R2 resections were performed in 14 and 1 patient, respectively. A biopsy was performed in 6 patients (28.7%). The WHO cell types in the 21 patients were as follows: 1 patient (4.8%) had type A, 10 patients (47.6%) had type B1-3, and 10 patients (47.6%) had type C. Based on Masaoka staging, 10 patients (47.6%) were stage II, 7 patients (33.3%) were stage III, and 4 patients (19.1%) were stage IVa. Three-dimensional RT was adminstered to the tumor volume (planned target volume), including the anterior mediastinum and the residual disease. The total RT dose ranged from 52.0 to 70.2 Gy (median dose, 54 Gy). Consistent with the WHO criteria, the response rate was only analyzed for the 6 patients who received a biopsy only. The prognostic factors analyzed for an estimate of survival included age, gender, tumor size, tumor pathology, Masaoka stage, the possibility of treatment by performing surgery, the presence of myasthenia gravis, and RT dose. Results: The 3-year overall survival rate (OS) and the progression free survival rate (PFS) were 80.7% and 78.2%, respectively. Among the 10 patients with WHO cell type C, 3 of 4 patients (75%) who underwent a complete resection and 3 of 6 patients (50%) who underwent a biopsy survived. Distant metastasis developed in 4 patients (19.1%). The overall response rate in the 6 patients who received biopsy only were as follows: partial remission in 4 patients (66.7%), stable disease in 1 patient (16.6%), and progressive disease in 1 patient (16.6%). Acute RTOG radiation pneumonitis occurred in 1 patient (4.8%), grade 2 occurred in 2 patients (9.5%), grade 3 occurred in 1 patient (4.8%), and grade 4 occurred in 1 patient (4.8%). A univariate analysis revealed that the significant prognostic factors for OS were age (${\geq}60$, 58.3%; <60, 100%; p=0.0194), pathology (WHO cell type A-B3, 100%; C, 58.3%; p=0.0194) and, whether the patient underwent surgery (yes, 93.3%; no, 50%; p=0.0096). Conclusion: For the 15 patients who received surgery, there was no local failure within the radiation field. In patients with WHO cell type C, surgical procedures could have resulted in a more favorable outcome than biopsy alone. We report here our clinical experience in 21 patients with thymoma who were treated by radiation therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6627-6632
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• 2015

Background: We conducted a study exploring the clinical safety and efficacy of decitabine in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), combined with a complex karyotype. Materials and Methods: From April 2009 to September 2013, a total of 35 patients with AML/MDS combined with a complex karyotype diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included for retrospective analysis. All patients were treated with decitabine alone ($20mg/m^2$ daily for 5 days) or combination AAG chemotherapy (Acla 20mg qod*4d, Ara-C $10mg/m^2$ q12h*7d, G-CSF $300{\mu}g$ qd, the dose of G-CSF adjusted to the amount in blood routinely). Results: In 35 patients, 15 exhibited a complete response (CR), and 6 a partial response (PR), the overall response rate (CR+PR) being 60% (21 of 35). Median disease-free survival was 18 months and overall survival was 14 months. In the 15 MDS patients with a complex karyotype, the CR rate was 53.3% (8 of 15); in 20 AML patients with complex karyotype, the overall response rate was 65% (13 of 20). The response rate of decitabine alone (22 cases) was 56.5% (13 of 22), while in the combination chemotherapy group (13 cases), the effective rate was 61.5% (8 of 13)(P>0.05). There are 15 patients with chromosome 7 aberration, after treatment with decitabine, 7 CR, 3 PR, overall response rate was 66.7% (10 of 15). Of 18 patients with 3 to 5 kinds of chromosomal abnormalities, 66.7% demonstrated a response; of 17 with more than 5 chromosomal abnormalities, 52.9% had a response. In the total of 35 patients, with one course (23 patients) and ${\geq}$two courses (12 patients), the overall response rate was 40.9% and 92.3% (P<0.05). Grade III to IV hematological toxicity was observed in 27 cases (75%). Grade III to IV infections were clinically documented in 7 (20%). Grades I to II non-hematological toxicity were infections (18 patients), haematuria (2 patients), and bleeding (3 patients). With follow-up until September 2013, 7 patients were surviving, 18 had died and 10 were lost to follow-up. In the 6 cases who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) all were still relapse-free survivors. Conclusions: Decitabine alone or combination with AAG can improve outcome of AML/MDS with a complex karyotype, there being no significant difference decitabine in inducing remission rates in patients with different karyotype. Increasing the number of courses can improve efficiency. This approach with fewer treatment side effects in patients with a better tolerance should be employed in order to create an improved subsequent chance for HSCT.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.120-125
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to present the preliminary results of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for the treatment of tonsillar cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients who underwent IMRT for tonsillar cancer at Asan Medical Center between November 2002 and February 2007. Seven patients (58%) received definitive treatment, and five (42%) were treated in the postoperative setting. Among the definitively treated patients, 6 patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) was used in nine patients. The prescribed dose was 72 Gy at 2.4 Gy/fraction for the definitively treated cases and 61.6 Gy at 2.2 Gy/fraction for the postoperative cases. The median follow-up period was 34 months. Results: All twelve patients completed treatment without interruption, and eleven showed a complete response. One patient had persistent loco-regional disease after treatment. The three-year estimates of loco-regional control, disease-free survival and overall survival were 91.7%, 91.7%, and 100%. The worst acute mucositis was Grade 1 in four patients, Grade 2 in five patients, Grade 3 in two patients and Grade 4 in one patient. Grade 3 xerostomia was observed in six patients. Conclusion: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy was shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality for tonsillar cancer. Further studies with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate the ultimate tumor control and late toxicity of IMRT for treating tonsillar cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.173-180
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• 2009

Purpose: To investigate the role of radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinomas of the external auditory canal and middle ear. Materials and Methods: A series of 35 patients who were treated at a single institution from 1981 through 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen patients were treated by radiotherapy alone; four by surgery only and 18 by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy. The total radiation dose ranged from 39~70 Gy (median, 66 Gy) in 13~35 fractions for radiotherapy alone and 44~70 Gy (median, 61.2 Gy) in 22~37 fractions for the combined therapy. Clinical end-points were the cause of specific survival (CSS) and local relapse-free survival (LRFS). The median follow-up time was 2.8 years (range, 0.2~14.6 years). Results: The 3-year CSS and LRFS rate was 80% and 63%, respectively. Based on a univariate analysis, performance status and residual disease after treatment had a significant impact on CSS; performance status and histologic grade for LRFS. Patients treated by radiotherapy alone had more residual disease following the course of treatment compared to patients treated with the combined therapy; 69% vs. 28%, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that radiation alone was not an inferior treatment modality for CSS compared to the combined therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal and middle ear. However, local failure after radiotherapy is the main issue that will require further improvement to gain optimal local control.

• 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 $(\geq5\;cm)$.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2006

Purpose: To determine treatment policy for early stage endometrial carcinoma, we analyzed the results of postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: From Oct. 1994 to Aug. 2002, 42 patients with FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma received postoperative radiotherapy. All patients received curative surgery and pelvic lymph node dissection was done in 25 patients. Based on the FIGO staging system, 3 were at stage IA, 21 were at stage IB and 18 were at stage IC. Histologically, there were 14 grade 1, 16 grade 2, and 12 grade 3. Nineteen patients received intracavitary brachytherapy and 23 patients did whole pelvic radiotherapy. The median period of follow-up was 41 months (22 to 100 months). Results: Five-year overall survival, disease-free survival, local control, and regional control rates of all patients were 85.0%, 87.9%, 100%, and 97.5%, respectively. All failures were distant metastases in 5 patients and two patients had simultaneous regional recurrences. There was no intrapelvic failure in patients who received intracavitary radiotherapy. Grade 3 chronic complications were found in 1 patient (4.3%), who received whole pelvic radiotherapy. Conclusion: We achieved high rates of loco-regional control and survival by curative surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. However, we need to select the type of radiotherapy based on the risk factors for recurrence to reduce the treatment-related complication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.675-679
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• 2005

Background: Clinical reports on replacement of all three (AV + MV + TV) valves are rare. Material and Method: From January 1992 to December 2003, 38 patients received triple valve replacement (aortic, mitral, tricuspid) at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Mean age of patients was $49.5\pm10.7 (28\~69)$ years, and 24 patients $(63.1\%)$ were female. Rheumatic valve disease was the most common cause of operation (n=37). Preoperative New York Heart Association functional class were II in 4, III in 24 and IV in 10. Fifteen patients (group 1) received triple valve replacement at their first operation. Twenty three patients (group 2) received one or more operations before tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). Seven patients received tricuspid valve annuloplasty at first operation and received TVR later. Result: Six patients died at hospital after operation $(15.8\%)$ and all these patients were in group 2. All patients in group I survived and were discharged. Three patients $(9.4\%)$ died during follow up periods. Most of the survivors had improved functional class (I in 22, II in 8, III in 1, IV in 1). During follow up period, there were 4 valve related complications. The 10-year survival rate was $68.8\%$ and survival rate for free from valve related event at 10 years was $85.5\%$. Conclusion: After triple valve replacement, most patients showed improvement of symptoms. And during follow up period, valve related complications and survival were acceptable. Therefore, if indicated, triple valve replacement is recommended before the patients' conditions get worse.