• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2017

Purpose: The role of radiotherapy (RT) was largely deserted after the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy, but still survival rates are disappointingly low. This study focuses on assessing the clinical efficacy of RT in relation to chemotherapy resistance. Materials and Methods: From October 2002 to January 2015, 44 patients were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and treated with palliative RT for persistent or recurrent EOC. All patients received initial treatment with optimal debulking surgery and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. The biologically effective dose (BED) was calculated with ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ set at 10. Ninety-four sites were treated with RT with a median BED of 50.7 Gy (range 28.0 to 79.2 Gy). The primary end-point was the in-field local control (LC) interval, defined as the time interval from the date RT was completed to the date any progressive or newly recurring disease within the RT field was detected on radiographic imaging. Results: The median follow-up duration was 52.3 months (range 7.7 to 179.0 months). The 1-year and 2-year in-field LC rates were 66.0% and 55.0%, respectively. Comparisons of percent change of in-field tumor response showed similar distribution of responses among chemoresistant and chemosensitive tumors. On multivariate analysis of predictive factors for in-field LC analyzed by sites treated, $BED{\geq}50Gy$ (hazard ratio, 0.4; confidence interval, 0.2-0.9; p = 0.025) showed better outcomes. Conclusion: Regardless of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, RT can be a feasible treatment modality for patients with persistent of recurrent EOC. The specific role of RT using updated approaches needs to be reassessed.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2022

A 12-year-old spayed female beagle dog was presented with pollakiuria and stranguria. Abdominal ultrasonography identified irregular a marginated, hyperechoic mass in the urethra and trigon area of the bladder. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous mass in the trigone area leading to a urethra. There was no evidence of regional or distant metastasis. Cytologic analysis suspected transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The patient was treated with piroxicam, mitoxantrone, and once weekly fractionated radiation therapy (RT) with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). A follow-up CT scan at 6 months after RT revealed a reduction in tumor size. At 17 months after the start of RT, the patient became severely anorectic and lethargic. Ultrasound examination revealed a hyperechoic mass in the apex area of bladder while the trigone area of the bladder and urethra appeared normal. Multiple hypoechoic nodules of various sizes were found in the liver and spleen. The patient was humanely euthanized at the request of the owner. A combination of piroxicam, mitoxantrone, and hypofractionated RT with VMAT protocol was well tolerated. This case described tumor response and survival time of a canine TCC treated with piroxicam, mitoxantrone, and once weekly palliative RT using computer-assisted planning and VMAT.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.6-16
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• 2013

Recent estimates for colon cancer incidence in Korea have been increased and continue to rank as the second most common in male and the third in female. Although colonoscopy has been known as the best screening tool for colon cancer, 20-25% of patients with colon cancer was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. During the past 10 years, intensive clinical studies helped to establish the value of palliative treatment for colon cancer with metastasis. The introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin has led to a significant increase in tumor response and median survival. In advanced colon cancer, impressive prolongation or overall survival can be achieved through sequential application of combined systemic chemotherapy. In addition, targeted manipulation of molecular tumor mechanisms with new substances such as monoclonal antibodies against the epidermal growth factor receptor or vascular endothelial growth factor shows promising effects. Progress in the systemic treatment of colon cancer is evident, not only because of the significant increase in life expectancy in advanced colon cancer.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.102-109
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• 1992

Bone metastases represent an important and frequent clinical problem in patients with advanced cancers. Especially, painful bone metastases are common features in these patients. Radiotherapy is an effective tool for palliative aim of painful metastatic osseous lesions. Various treatment results have been previously reported. The present retrospective study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of palliative irradiation on pain relief, with the goal of selecting appropriate irradiation dose schedule. Radiotherapy consisted of 5times a week with a various fractional dose between 180 and 400cGy. The response of pain relief and the survival time after completion of radiotherapy are related to total dose and most of the patients have shown a similar response by the end of radiotherapy. The higher dose and the more aggressive multimodality treatment, the better pain control and the longer survival time.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2021

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a dye approved for use in clinical diagnostics. ICG remains in the intravascular space following intravenous administration, due to its ability to rapidly bind to the plasma proteins, and its therapeutic potential has been studied in well-vascularized cutaneous tumors. Here we have evaluated the clinical response of a subconjunctival tumor to photothermal therapy (PTT) using an ICG-enhanced near-infrared diode laser and its adverse effects, in a rabbit. 22 male New Zealand white rabbits with subconjunctival tumors were enrolled (control group 6, laser-only group 8, laser-with-ICG group 8). Rabbits in the laser-with-ICG group received ICG (twice, 2 mg/kg each time, intravenously) directly followed by irradiation with a diode laser (λ = 810 nm). Rabbits in the laser-only group were irradiated with the diode laser. ICG angiography, ultrasonography, and pathologic examination were performed to evaluate PTT response at specific time points (0, 2, and 4 weeks after PTT). Two weeks after initial treatment, the eight rabbits treated by laser with ICG showed a 100% response rate. There was no clinical response in both laser-only and control groups. ICG-PTT is a potential and effective palliative therapeutic modality for subconjunctival tumors.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1984

One hundred and twenty patients with brain metastases were seen and evaluated in the Dept. of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between 1979 and 1983. Of these, 90 Patients received whole brain irradiation with 2,000 ra4 in 1 week or 3,000 rad in 2 weeks for Palliative Purpose and 30 patients failed to complete the planned treatment. Carcinoma of the lung(44 cases), choriocarcinoma(11 cases), breast(8 cases) were common Primary tumors of 90 patients receiving planned treatment. Symptomatic subjective response was obtained in $92\%$ of Patients and meurologic functional improvement was obtained in $42\%$ of patients. Median survival was 6.4 months in patients with complete treatment an·d less than 2 months in Patients with incomplete treatment, overall survival rate at 1 year and 2 year were $26\%,\;16\%$ in Patients with complete treatment and $8\%,\;0\%$ in patients with incomplete treatment. Primary site, extent of metastases and interval from diagnosis of primary tumor to brain metastases were identified as prognostic factors.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.123-128
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• 1984

To determine the effectiveness of radiotherapy for pain control in metastatic bone disease, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment results in 126 patients who received short-course radiotherapr(2,000 rad/1wk vs 3,000 rad/2wks) in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital from Feb. 1979 to July 1983. Pain relief was obtained in $82\%$ of patients and complete Pain relief was obtained in $35.3\%$ of patients. The incidence of metastatic bone tumor was highest in spine and pelvis, $43.7\%\;and\;26.3\%$>, respectively. Primary sites of metastasia were lung, breast, unknown primary, stomach, uterine cervix, in order of frequency. There was no significant difference in the response to treatment between 2,000 rad in 1 week and 3,000 rad in 2 weeks.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.90-95
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• 1995

Effective relief of dysphagia in unresectable esophageal cancer patients not only prolong survival but also is prerequisite for other treatment modalities.We tried surgical resection in 4 patients who had unresectable esophageal cancer,managed initially with esophageal prosthesis then followed by chemotherapy with good response. Curative resection was possible in 2 patients and palliative resection in one and exploration only in one case.Curatively resected patients are alive without recurrence for 57 months,8 months,each.Other non-curatively resected patients died after 10 months,7 months. Above results suggest that initial esophageal prosthesis to relieve dysphagia followed by chemotherapy in unresectable esophageal cancer may provide another chances for curative resection that promise better survival and need more clinical experience and trial.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2016

Purpose: Little is known regarding the factors associated with the willingness of family caregivers of terminal cancer patients to participate in a bereaved survey. This study aimed to ascertain the pre-loss factors that predict actual participation in a bereaved survey. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study using data from two multi-center surveys at the end-of-life and after loss. In order to identify the pre-loss factors associated with participating in the bereaved survey, we used a step-wise multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 185 bereaved individuals, 30 responded to the survey (response rate: 16.2%). There were differences between the participation group and the non-participation group regarding religion, economic status, and perceived quality of care as assessed by the Quality Care Questionnaire-End of Life. A final multivariate model revealed that bereaved individuals who professed a religion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=5.01; P=0.008), had a high income (aOR=4.86, P=0.003), and satisfied with the care for familial relationship (aOR=4.49, P=0.003) were more likely to engage in the bereaved survey. Conclusion: Our finding suggests that improving the quality of end-of-life care may promote actual participation in a bereaved survey through easing post-loss distress. More attention should also be paid to those bereaved individuals who are hesitant to participate in a bereaved survey.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2011

Purpose: The Assessing Care Of Vulnerable Elders project has developed indicators for the quality of the end-of-life (EOL) care. However, family members of cancer patients may have a different view on the quality indicators (QIs) established by health care experts. We evaluated the QIs from the family members' perspective. Methods: The information used in this study was gathered by surveying family members of cancer patients who were admitted to the inpatient hospice ward in Korea. A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 120 potential respondents from July to October 2009. We included 69 responses in this study (effective response rate, 57.5%). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS for Win ver. 14.0, with independent t-test and Pearson's chi-square test. Results: Among QIs for good hospice care, families agreed the most on "Medical examination by the palliative care team or specialist" (88.4%) and "Dying in the family's presence" (88.4%). They agreed the least on "Discussing cardiopulmonary resuscitation with patients" (15.9%). Among QIs for bad hospice care, "Occurrence of fall or pressure ulcer are undesirable" showed the highest agreement rate (94.2%). The lowest agreement rate was 11.6% on "Dying in the hospital is undesirable." In addition, women, patients who were aware of their prognoses, and people with a high socioeconomic status tended to agree more on the QIs. Conclusion: Patients' families did not agree on some of the QIs recommended by previous studies. Family members' characteristics were related to their opinions on QIs.