• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.285-291
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• 1991

One hundred and twenty six patients with early uterine cervical cancer who had been treated at Departmen of Radiation Oncology of Korea University Hospital from Jan.1981 to Dec.1988 were analysed retrospectively by the treatment result and pattern of of failures. All patients had stage Ia to IIa disease and were grouped whether they had combination of operation and postop irradiation or radiation therapy alone. 1) Sixty six patients belonged to the combination treatment group and 60 patients to the radiation alone group. 2) Combination group consisted of $18.1\%$(12/66) stage Ia, $71.2\%$(47/66) stage Ib and $10.6\%$ (7/66) stage IIa patients. There were no stage Ia, 18.8$\%$(l1/60) stage Ib and 81.6$\%$(49/60) stage IIa patients for RT alone gronp. 3) There were total 23$\%$(29/126) treatment failures,13 patients in combination group and 16 patients in RT alone group. In 66 patients of combination group, they were found to have 5 locoregional failures, 7 distant failures and 1 at both sites. In 60 patients of RT alone group, 9 locoreginal failure and 7 distant failures occured. Eighty six percent (25/29) of total failures appeared within 18 month after completion of treatment. About 60$\%$ of the patients with regional recurrences which were located at pelvic side wall or pelvic lymph nodes paesented their recurrent disease after 1 year of completion of treatment, whereas same percent of distant failures appeared within 6 month. 5) In RT alone group, the first sites of distant failure were mostly para-aortic lymph node and/or left supraclavicular lymph node (71.4$\%$,5/7). In combination group, various sites such as inguinal lymph node, mediastinal lymph node, liver, lung and bone appeared first or at the same time with para-aortic and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. 6) Logistic regression analysis was done for multivariate analysis of the factors contributing to locoregional and distant failures. In combination group, adequacy of the resection margin and the presence of positive pelvic node were found to be the most significant factors (p=0.0423 & 0.0060 respectively). In RT alone group, less than complete regression of the tumor at the end of treatment was the only significant contributing factor for the treatment failures (p=0.0013) with good liklihood ratio.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2019

Purpose: Internal mammary lymph node (IMN) involvement is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. This study investigated the treatment outcomes of initial clinically IMN-positive breast cancer patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), including IMN irradiation, following primary breast surgery. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 95 breast cancer patients with clinically detected IMNs at diagnosis treated with surgery and RT between June 2009 and December 2015. Patients received adjuvant RT to the whole breast/chest wall and regional lymph node (axillary, internal mammary, and supraclavicular) areas. Twelve patients received an additional boost to the IMN area. Results: The median follow-up was 43.2 months (range, 4.5 to 100.5 months). Among 77 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 52 (67.5%) showed IMN normalization and 19 (24.6%) showed a partial response to IMN. There were 3 and 24 cases of IMN failure and any recurrence, respectively. The 5-year IMN failure-free survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were 96%, 70%, and 84%, respectively. IMN failure-free survival was significantly affected by resection margin status (97.7% if negative, 87.5% for close or positive margins; p = 0.009). All three patients with IMN failure had initial IMN size ≥1 cm and did not receive IMN boost irradiation. The median age of the three patients was 31 years, and all had hormone receptor-negative tumors. Conclusion: RT provides excellent IMN control without the support of IMN surgery. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy, including IMN boost for breast cancer patients, is a safe and effective technique for regional lymph node irradiation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.454-458
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• 2002

Purpose : Bacillus Calmette-$Gu\acute{e}rin$(BCG) lymphadenitis is one of the most common complications of BCG vaccination. The involved lymph nodes usually subside spontaneously, but they may become enlarged and form an abscess. Treatment of these infants is controversial. The Pan American Health Organization recommends local isoniazid or rifampicin instillation for patients with suppurative BCG lymphadenitis. Methods : The study group comprised 37 patients who presented with BCG lymphadenitis over the last three years. BCG lymphadenitis was diagnosed if the affected patient developed an ipsilateral axillary or supraclavicular lymphadenitis, with no other identifiable cause for the lymphadenitis. We used rifampicin instillation therapy for patients with suppurative BCG lymphadenitis. Results : Lymphadenitis regressed spontaneously in three patients. Thirty four patients showed a progression to abscess formation. Among 34 patients with suppurative lymphadenitis, drainage developed spontaneously during the follow-up period in nine patients before therapy. Twenty five patients received needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation therapy. Reaspiration was performed in seven patients. One of these patients still has large lymph nodes after the second attempt. Conclusion : Needle aspiration and local rifampicin instillation therapy into the node is a safe and effective form of treatment for suppurative BCG lymphadenitis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5557-5563
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• 2014

Background: This study investigated the survival benefit of radiotherapy (RT) of the supra- and infraclavicular lymphatic drainage area in Chinese women with T1-2N1M0 breast cancer receiving mastectomy. Methods: A total of 593 cases were retrospectively reviewed from 1998 to 2007. The relationship between supra- or infraclavicular fossa relapse (SCFR) and post-operative RT at the supra-/infraclavicular lymphatic drainage area was evaluated. Results: The majority of patients (532/593; 89. 8%) received no RT while 61 patients received RT. The median follow-up was 85 months. Among patients without RT, 54 (10. 2%) developed recurrence in the chest wall or ipsilateral SCFR. However, none of the 61 patients who underwent RT demonstrated SCFR. One patient who received RT (1. 6%) experienced recurrence in the chest wall. Univariate analysis revealed that age and molecular subtype (both P < 0. 05) were two prognostic factors related to supraclavicular and infraclavicular fossa relapse-free survival (SFRFS). Multivariate analysis revealed that only Her-2 positive status (P = 0. 011) was an independent predictor of SFRFS. RT had no influence on distant metastasis (P = 0. 328) or overall survival (P = 0. 541). SCFR significantly affected probability of distant metastasis (P < 0. 001) and overall survival (P < 0. 001). Conclusion: Although RT was not significantly associated with SFRFS, postoperative RT was significantly associated with a lower locoregional (i. e., supraclavicular/infraclavicular and chest wall) recurrence rate. SCFR significantly influenced distant metastasis-free survival, which significantly influenced the overall survival of T1-2N1M0 breast cancer patients after mastectomy. Thus, prophylactic RT is recommended in T1-2N1M0 breast cancer patients, especially those who have Her-2 positive lesions.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2017

Purpose: A purpose of this study was to compare dose of junction between breast and SCL fields in radiation therapy by MLC located at the junction. Materials and Methods: With 6 MV of 21EX-S equipped with 120-leaf Millennium MLC, treatment plans were designed with 30 patients who underwent radiation therapy using TFT. Plan 1 where the MLC was all used at the junction. In plan 2 and plan 3, MCLs were retracted 5 mm from breast and SCL, respectively. Plan 4 with all of MLC retracted at the junction were designed. In all of the plans, collimator angle for SCL field was divided into $0^{\circ}$ and $270^{\circ}$. To verify junction dose, the dose at 3cm depth of junction was compared with average value by MapCHECK. Results: In case of the SCL field with $0^{\circ}$ collimator angle, average value of D3cm was 4131.1, 4215.9, 4351.4, and 4423.0 cGy. In case of the SCL field with $270^{\circ}$ collimator angle, average value of D3cm was 4044.3, 4246.7, 4291.1, and 4441.2 cGy. In plan1 and 3, change in average dose depending on collimator angle was changed more significantly than paln2 and 4. Dose measured at 3cm depth of junction was similar to treatment plan. Conclusion: In radiation therapy plan for breast cancer with SCL, retracting MLCs from junction between breast and SCL fields will lead to decrease effect of dose of the junction.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.316-322
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• 2002

Objective : A retrospective study was peformed to evaluate whether postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can improve survival and decrease recurrence as compared with surgery alone in resected esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods : From Jan. 1985 to Dec. 1993, among 94 esophageal cancer Patients treated with surgery, fifty-one patients were included in this study. Transthoracic esophagectomy was peformed in 35 patients and transhiatal esophagectomy in 16. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was peformed 4 weeks after surgery in 26 among 38 patients in stage II and III. A total dose of $30\~60\;Gy$ in 1.8 Gy daily fraction, median 54 Gy over 6 weeks, was delivered in the mediastinum+both supraclavicular lymph nodes or celiac lymph nodes according to the tumor location. Forty-seven patients$(92\%)$ had squamous histology. The median follow-up period was 38 months. Results : The overall 2-year and 5-year survival and median survival were $56.4\%,\;36.8\%$ and 45 months. Two-year and 5-year survival and median survival by stage were $92\%,\;60.3\%$ for stage I, $63\%,\;42\%$ and 51 months for stage II and $34\%,\;23\%$ and 19 months for stage III (p=0.04). For stage II and III patients, 5-year survival and median survival were $22.8\%$, 45 months for the surgery alone group and $37.8\%$, 22 months for the postoperative RT group (p=0.89). For stage III patients, 2-year survival and median survival were $0\%$, 11 months for the surgery alone group and $36.5\%$, 20 months for the postoperative RT group (p=0.14). Local and distant failure rates for stage II and III were $50\%,\;16\%$ for the surgery alone and $39\%,\;31\%$ for the postoperative RT group. For N1 patients, local failure rate was $71\%$ for the surgery alone group and $37\%$ for the postoperative RT group (p=0.19). Among 10 local failures in the postoperative RT group, in-field failures were 2, marginal failures 1, out-field 5 and anastomotic site failures 2. Conclusion : There were no statistically significant differences in either the overall survival or the patterns of failure between the surgery alone group and the postoperative RT group for resected stage II and III esophageal cancer. But this study showed a tendency of survival improvement and decrease in local failure when postoperative RT was peformed for stage III or N1 though statistically not significant. To decrease local failure, a more generous radiation field encompassing the supraclavicular, mediastinal, and celiac lymph nodes and anastomotic site in postoperative adjuvant treatment should be considered.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.170-175
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• 2004

Purpose : We experienced 7 patients with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease(KFD) who had presented a prolonged fever and lymphadenopathy. The clinical and the laboratory aspects of the patients were analyzed. Methods : The medical records of the 7 KFD patients, who were confirmed by excisional lymph node biopsy from January 1996 through December 2003, were retrospectively analyzed. Results : The mean age of the children was $11.4{\pm}2.8$ years(ranging from 8 to 15 years). The male to female ratio was 1.3 : 1. The median duration of the fever prior to admission and the total duration of the fever were 12 days(ranging from 5 to 65 days) and 27 days(ranging 9 to 75 days), respectively. One patient had supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, 5 had cercical involvement, and 1 had axillary lymphadenopathy. All the histologic findings of the lymph nodes biopsies showed the characteristic findings consistent with KFD such as paracortical necrosis with karyorrhexis and an increase in the number of phagocytic histiocytes and atypical lymphocytes. As for the laboratory findings, leukopenia($3,800{\pm}700/mm^3$), anemia(hemoglobin, $11.0{\pm}1.2g/dL$), an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate($42{\pm}17mm/hr$), and a relatively low C-reactive protein level($1.3{\pm}0.9mg/dL$) were noted. Four patients received conservative therapy with antipyretics, and 3 patients were treated with prednisolone. Conclusion : KFD is a rare disease, yet should be considered in the differential diagnosis for older children with prolonged fever and lymphadenopathy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.277-284
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• 2008

Background: In principle, cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTBL) is a medical disease that may require surgical treatment, particularly in young women who complain of psychosocial and cosmetic problems. We encountered 13 cases of aggravated CTBL treated surgically despite the appropriate course of antituberculous chemotherapy. We report the clinical characteristis of these cases. Methods: The clinical data of 13 patients with aggravated CTBL requiring surgical treatment from January 2000 to December 2006 at the Department of Chest Medicine, Internal Medicine and Plastic Surgery, National Medical Center was reviewed retrospectively. Results: Twelve of the 13 cases (92%) were female. The most common age was 21~30 years (69%). Multiple nodes were palpated in 11 cases (85%). The supraclavicular lymph nodes were sites the most commonly involved (54%). The other involved sites in the order of decreasing frequency were the jugular chain, posterior cervical, submandibular and infraauricular lymph nodes. A palpable mass was the most commonsymptom. Neck pain was reported in 3 cases (23%). General symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, anorexia and night sweats were noted in 5 cases (38%). Respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, hemoptysis, dyspnea and chest pain were observed in 4 cases (31%). Pulmonary tuberculosis was noted in 11 cases (85%). Other extrapulmonary tuberculosis coexisted in 4 cases (31%). This suggests that surgical CTBLs may be manifestations of a systemic disease and might be difficult to treat. Most cases (92%) were stages 2 and 3 at the initial diagnostic period but all cases fell into stage 4 and 5 when reassesed before surgery. The average duration of anti-TB chemotherapy before and after surgery was 10.2 and 15.2 months, respectively. The 13 patients were followed up until June. 2008. Among them, 2 cases had newly developed CTBL and the other 11cases showed no recurrence. Conclusion: In principle, CTBL is the medical disease. However, despite the appropriate course of anti-TB chemotherapy, CTBL can progress to a more advanced stages and grow rapidly to a large-sized or fistulous mass with a persistent abscess. Surgical treatment may be inevitable for patients with psychosocial and cosmetic problems caused by these masses, particularly in young women.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2019

Purpose : To evaluate the effectiveness of Jaw-tracking(JT) technique in Intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) and Volumetric-modulated arc therapy(VMAT) for radiation therapy of esophageal cancer by analyzing volume dose of perimetrical normal organs along with the low-dose volume regions. Materials and Method: A total of 27 patients were selected who received radiation therapy for esophageal cancer with using $VitalBeam^{TM}$(Varian Medical System, U.S.A) in our hospital. Using Eclipse system(Ver. 13.6 Varian, U.S.A), radiation treatment planning was set up with Jaw-tracking technique(JT) and Non-Jaw-tracking technique(NJT), and was conducted for the patients with T-shaped Planning target volume(PTV), including Supraclavicular lymph nodes(SCL). PTV was classified into whether celiac area was included or not to identify the influence on the radiation field. To compare the treatment plans, Organ at risk(OAR) was defined to bilateral lung, heart, and spinal cord and evaluated for Conformity index(CI) and Homogeneity index(HI). Portal dosimetry was performed to verify a clinical application using Electronic portal imaging device(EPID) and Gamma analysis was performed with establishing thresholds of radiation field as a parameter, with various range of 0 %, 5 %, and 10 %. Results: All treatment plans were established on gamma pass rates of 95 % with 3 mm/3 % criteria. For a threshold of 10 %, both JT and NJT passed with rate of more than 95 % and both gamma passing rate decreased more than 1 % in IMRT as the low dose threshold decreased to 5 % and 0 %. For the case of JT in IMRT on PTV without celiac area, $V_5$ and $V_{10}$ of both lung showed a decrease by respectively 8.5 % and 5.3 % in average and up to 14.7 %. A $D_{mean}$ decreased by $72.3{\pm}51cGy$, while there was an increase in radiation dose reduction in PTV including celiac area. A $D_{mean}$ of heart decreased by $68.9{\pm}38.5cGy$ and that of spinal cord decreased by $39.7{\pm}30cGy$. For the case of JT in VMAT, $V_5$ decreased by 2.5 % in average in lungs, and also a little amount in heart and spinal cord. Radiation dose reduction of JT showed an increase when PTV includes celiac area in VMAT. Conclusion: In the radiation treatment planning for esophageal cancer, IMRT showed a significant decrease in $V_5$, and $V_{10}$ of both lungs when applying JT, and dose reduction was greater when the irradiated area in low-dose field is larger. Therefore, IMRT is more advantageous in applying JT than VMAT for radiation therapy of esophageal cancer and can protect the normal organs from MLC leakage and transmitted doses in low-dose field.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.109-114
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• 1996

PURPOSE : To investigate the effect of asymmetric jaws for delivering a uniform accurate dose of radiation to the junctions. METHODS & MATERIALS : A linear accelerator with a set of asymmetric jaws(varian 600C, 2100C, 2100CD with 4mev, 10mev, 10mev). Dose disribution was measured at the junctions with films in phantom. Total $10{\times}20cm^2$ with each $10{\times}10cm^2$ in deviation of ${\pm}1mm$ jaws. RESULTS : Film dosimetry showed the accuracy of asymmetric jaws depending on the machine. CONCLUSION : Understanding the mechanical characteristics of the use of half-beam at the junctions, without hot or cold regions.