• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.21-35
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• 2024

Herein, we provide a concise review of the critical role of motion management in radiation therapy, with a focus on photon radiation therapy, real-time control of respiratory motion, and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The dynamic nature of human anatomy, particularly in regions prone to movement such as the thoracic and abdominal areas, poses significant challenges in accurately targeting tumors during radiation therapy. This review explores the implications of organ and tumor motion, emphasizing the necessity for precise treatment delivery. We assess the advancements in four-dimensional (4D) imaging techniques such as 4D computed tomography, which provide time-resolved images for enhanced treatment planning. The review highlights various motion management strategies, including motion-encompassing methods, respiratory-gating, breath-hold techniques, and real-time tumor tracking, discussing their implementation and impact on treatment efficacy. The role of IGRT in lung SBRT is particularly emphasized, showcasing how real-time imaging and advanced targeting techniques enhance the precision of high-dose radiation delivery while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This comprehensive review aims to underscore the significance of integrating motion management in radiation therapy, highlighting its pivotal role in improving treatment accuracy, reducing toxicity, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in cancer care.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.165-176
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• 2004

Purpose: Firstly, to analyze facto in terms of radiation treatment that might potentially cause subfrontal relapse in two patients who had been treated by craniospinal irradiation (CSI) for medulloblastoma, Secondly, to explore an effective salvage treatment for these relapses. Materials and Methods: Two patients who had high-risk disease (T3bMl, T3bM3) were treated with combined chemoradiotherapy CT-simulation based radiation-treatment planning (RTP) was peformed. One patient who experienced relapse at 16 months after CSI was treated with salvage surgery followed by a 30.6 Gy IMRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy). The other patient whose tumor relapsed at 12 months after CSI was treated by surgery alone for the recurrence. To investigate factors that might potentially cause subfrontal relapse, we evaluated thoroughly the charts and treatment planning process including portal films, and tried to find out a method to give help for placing blocks appropriately between subfrotal-cribrifrom plate region and both eyes. To salvage subfrontal relapse in a patient, re-irradiation was planned after subtotal tumor removal. We have decided to treat this patient with IMRT because of the proximity of critical normal tissues and large burden of re-irradiation. With seven beam directions, the prescribed mean dose to PTV was 30.6 Gy (1.8 Gy fraction) and the doses to the optic nerves and eyes were limited to 25 Gy and 10 Gy, respectively. Results: Review of radiotherapy Portals clearly indicated that the subfrontal-cribriform plate region was excluded from the therapy beam by eye blocks in both cases, resulting in cold spot within the target volume, When the whole brain was rendered in 3-D after organ drawing in each slice, it was easier to judge appropriateness of the blocks in port film. IMRT planning showed excellent dose distributions (Mean doses to PTV, right and left optic nerves, right and left eyes: 31.1 Gy, 14.7 Gy, 13.9 Gy, 6.9 Gy, and 5.5 Gy, respectively. Maximum dose to PTV: 36 Gy). The patient who received IMRT is still alive with no evidence of recurrence and any neurologic complications for 1 year. Conclusion: To prevent recurrence of medulloblastoma in subfrontal-cribriform plate region, we need to pay close attention to the placement of eye blocks during the treatment. Once subfrontal recurrence has happened, IMRT may be a good choice for re-irradiation as a salvage treatment to maximize the differences of dose distributions between the normal tissues and target volume.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.562-574
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• 2021

MRI has the advantages of having excellent soft-tissue contrast and providing functional information without any harmful ionizing radiation. Although previous technical limitations restricted the use of chest MRI, recent technological advances and expansion of insurance coverage are increasing the demand for chest MRI. Recognizing the need for guidelines on appropriate use of chest MRI in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Radiology has composed a development committee, working committee, and advisory committee to develop Korean chest MRI justification guidelines. Five key questions were selected and recommendations have been made with the evidence-based clinical imaging guideline adaptation methodology. Recommendations are as follows. Chest MRI can be considered in the following circumstances: for patients with incidentally found anterior mediastinal masses to exclude non-neoplastic conditions, for pneumoconiosis patients with lung masses to differentiate progressive massive fibrosis from lung cancer, and when invasion of the chest wall, vertebrae, diaphragm, or major vessels by malignant pleural mesothelioma or non-small cell lung cancer is suspected. Chest MRI without contrast enhancement or with minimal dose low-risk contrast media can be considered for pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism. Lastly, chest MRI is recommended for patients with pancoast tumors planned for radical surgery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2009

Background: Despite the benefits of home oxygen therapy in patients suffering chronic respiratory failure, previous reports in Korea revealed lower compliance to oxygen therapy and a shorter time for oxygen use than expected. However, these papers were published before oxygen therapy was covered by the national insurance system. Therefore, this study examined whether there were some changes in compliance, using time and other clinical features of home oxygen therapy after insurance coverage. Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of patients prescribed home oxygen therapy in our hospital from November 1, 2006 to September 31, 2008. The patients were interviewed either in person or by telephone to obtain information related to oxygen therapy. Results: During study period, a total 105 patients started home oxygen therapy. The mean age was 69 and 60 (57%) were male. The mean oxygen partial pressure in the arterial blood was 54.5 mmHg and oxygen saturation was 86.3%. Primary diseases that caused hypoxemia were COPD (n=64), lung cancer (n=14), Tb destroyed lung (n=12) and others. After oxygen therapy, more than 50% of patients experienced relief of their subjective dyspnea. The mean daily use of oxygen was 9.8${\pm}$7.3 hours and oxygen was not used during activity outside of their home (mean time, 5.4${\pm}$3.7 hours). Twenty four patients (36%) stopped using oxygen voluntarily 7${\pm}$4.7 months after being prescribed oxygen and showed a less severe pulmonary and right heart function. The causes of stopping were subjective symptom relief (n=11), inconvenience (n=6) and others (7). Conclusion: The prescription of home oxygen has increased since national insurance started to cover home oxygen therapy. However, the mean time for using oxygen is still shorter than expected. During activity of outside their home, patients could not use oxygen due to the absence of portable oxygen. Overall, continuous education to change the misunderstandings about oxygen therapy, more economic support from national insurance and coverage for portable oxygen are needed to extend the oxygen use time and maintain oxygen usage.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2005

Purpose : Many authors have been introduced field in field technique and 3-D conformal radiotherapy that increased the tumor dose as well as decreased the dose of abutting critical organ. These technique have multiple beam direction and small beam segments even below 10 MU(monitor unit)for each field. we have confirmed the influence of low MU on dose output and beam stability. Materials and Methods : To study the dose output, the dose for each field was always 90MU, but it divided into different segment size: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 segments, 90, 45, 30, 18, 9, 6 MU the measurements were carried out for X-ray energy 4 MV, 6 MV, 10 MV of three LINAC(Varian 600C, 2100C, 2100C, 2100C/D), in addition each measurement was randomly repeated three times for each energy. To study the field symmetry and flatness, X-omat V films were irradiated. After being developed, films were scanned and analyzed using densitometer. Results : Influence of low MU on dose is slightly more increase output about $1.2{\sim}2.9%$ in cGy/mu than 90MU, but may not changed beam quality(flatness or symmetry), Output stability depends on dose rate(PRF)rather than beam energy, field size. Conclusion : Presented result are under the limits(out put<3%, flatness<${\pm}3%$, symmetry<2%). The 3 accelerators are safe to use and to perform conformal radiotherapy treatments in small segments, small MU around 10MU. but Even if the result presented here under the limits, continuous adjustments and periodic QA should be done for use of small MU

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.757-765
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• 2000

Background : Angiogenesis plays a critical role in human tumor growth and metastasis. Microvessel count as a measure of tumor angiogenesis, has been significantly correlated with invasive and metastatic patterns in breast. prostate and cutaneous carcinomas. Materials and Methods : Fifty patients with curatively resected non-small cell lung cancer were evaluated. Tumor tissues embedded in paraffin block were stained by anti CD 31 (PECAM, platelet endothelial cellular adhesion molecule) using immunohistochemical method to assess microvessel count. Microvessels were counted in the most active areas of neovascularization(microscopy, 200$\times$). Results: 1) Mean microvessel count was 47.1$\pm$17.7(per 200$\times$field) in total 50 cases. 2) Mean microvessel count of adenocarcinoma (54.4$\pm$19.9) was significantly higher than that of squamous cancer (43.9$\pm$16.2) (p<0.05), but there were no relationship between microvessel count and TNM stages. 3) Median survival time, 2-year and 5-year survival rates of the low microvascular group (microvessel count<45, 22 cases) were 61 months, 80% and 40%, respectively, and those of the high microvascular group(microvessel count$\geq$45, 28 cases) were 46 months, 75% and 12%, respectively. As results, prognosis of low microvascular group is statistically significantly superior to that of the high microvascular group (p=0.0162, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank). Conclusion : Angiogenesis assessed by microvessel count can be used as one of the significant prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.307-315
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• 1996

Purpose : The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with the carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with curative radiation therapy to evaluate the prognostic factors that would affect the results of the therapy and to get the critical ideas in determining more aggressive treatment schedule. Methods and Materials : From January 1987 to December 1988. Four hundreds and sixty patients with uterine cervical carcinomas treated with radiotherapy at KCCH were registered to this retrospective study. One hundred and three patients were treated with external radiation therapy alone, and 357 patients were treated with external radiation followed by low dose rate intracavitary radiation therapy. The follow-up rate was 88% and median follow-up duration was 48 months. Results : The overall 5 year survival rate of the patients was 67.7%, and when classified by FIGO stages, 5 year survival rates were 81.2%, 76.3%, 73.1%, 50%. 52.3%, 11.5% for stages Ib, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IVa respectively. Tumor size(p=0.0002), endocervical growth pattern(p=0.003), lymph node invasion(p=0.0001), mean hemoglobin level(p=0.0001), and pathologic cell type(p=0.0001) were significant prognostic factors and decrease in survival for young age patient group was marginally important (p=0.03). Conclusion : Significant prognostic factors in the radiation therapy of the uterine cervical carcinoma were tumor size, growth pattern of tumor, lymph node invasion, pathologic cell type, hemoglobin level of patients during treatment and lower survival rate in young age group was obvious, too. Patients with large size tumor(${\geq)$4cm), especially combined with endocervical growth patterns or advanced stages(III or more) need more aggressive treatment to improve the outcome of treatment. And positive feature of lymph node invasion affected the result of therapy, so improvement in the diagnostic and therapeutic trial is essential.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 1998

Background & Objectives: Frameless fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy(FFSRT) is a modification of stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS) with radiobiologic advantage of fractionation without losing mechanical accuracy of SRS. Local recurrence of head and neck cancer at or near skull base benefit from reirradiation. Main barrier to successful palliation is dose limitation secondary to normal tissue tolerance. We try to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FFSRT as a new modality of reirradaton in these challenging patients. Materials & Methods: Seven patients with recurrent head & neck cancer involving at or near skull base received FFSRT from September 1995 to November 1997. Six patients with nasopharyngeal cancer had received induction chemotherapy and curative radiation therapy. One patient with maxillary sinus cancer had received total maxillectomy and postoperative radiation therapy as a initial treatment. Follow-up ranged from 11 to 32 months with median of 24 months. Three of 7 patients received hyperfractionated radiation therapy(1.1-1.2Gy/fraction, bid, total 19.8-24Gy) just before FFSRT. All patients received FFSRT(3-5Gy/fraction, total 15-30Gy/5-10fractions). Chemotherapy(cis-platin $100mg/m^2$) were given concurrently with FFSRT in four patients. Second course of FFSRT were given in 4 patients with progression or recurrence after initial FFSRT. Because IF(irregularity factor; ratio of surface area of target to the surface area of sphere with same volume as a target) is too big to use conventional stereotactic RT using multiple arc method for protection of radiation damage to critical normal tissue, all patients received FFSRT with conformal method using irregular static ports. Results: Five of 7 patients showed complete remission in follow-up CT &/or MRI. Three of these five patients who developed marginal, in-field, and out-field recurrences, respectively. Another one of complete responders has been dead of G-I bleeding without evidence of local recurrence. One partial responder who showed progressive disease 15 months after initial FFSRT has received additional FFSRT, and then he is well-being with symptomatic improvement. One minmal responder who showed progression of locoregional disease 9 months after $1^{st}$ FFSRT has received 2nd FFSRT, and then he is alive with stable disease. Five of 7 case had showed direct invasion to skull base and had complaint headache and various symptoms of cranial nerve involvement. Four of these five case showed improvement of neurologic symptoms after FFSRT. No significant neurologic complicaltion related to FFSRT was observed during follow-up periods. Tumor volumes were ranged from 3.9 to 50.7 cc and surface area ranged from 16.1 to $114.9cm^2$. IF ranged from 1.21 to 1.74. The average ratio of volume of prescription isodose shell to target volume was 1.02 that indicated the improvement of target coverage and dose distribution with FFSRT with conformal method compared to target coverage with FFSRT with multiple arc method. Conclusion: Our initial experience suggests that FFSRT with conformal method was relatively effective and safe modality in the treatment of recurrent head and neck cancer involving at or near skull base. Treatment benefit included good palliation of symptoms and reasonable radiographic response. However, more experience and additional follow-up are needed to better assess its ultimate role in treating these challenging patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2004

Purpose : Although Improve of CT, MRI Radio-diagnosis and Radiation Therapy Planing, but we still use ICRU38 Planning system(2D film-based) broadly. 3-Dimensional ICR plan(CT image based) is not only offer tumor and normal tissue dose but also support DVH information. On this study, we plan irradiation-goal dose on CTV(CTV plan) and irradiation-goal dose on ICRU 38 point(ICRU38 plan) by use CT image. And compare with tumor-dose, rectal-dose, bladder-dose on both planning, and analysis DVH Method and Material : Sample 11 patients who treated by Ir-192 HDR. After 40Gy external radiation therapy, ICR plan established. All the patients carry out CT-image scanned by CT-simulator. And we use PLATO(Nucletron) v.14.2 planing system. We draw CTV, rectum, bladder on the CT image. And establish plan irradiation-$100\%$ dose on CTV(CTV plan) and irradiation-$100\%$ dose on A-point(ICRU38 plan) Result : CTV volume($average{\pm}SD$) is $21.8{\pm}26.6cm^3$, rectum volume($average{\pm}SD$) is $60.9{\pm}25.0cm^3$, bladder volume($average{\pm}SD$) is $116.1{\pm}40.1cm^3$ sampled 11 patients. The volume including $100\%$ dose is $126.7{\pm}18.9cm^3$ on ICRU plan and $98.2{\pm}74.5cm^3$ on CTV plan. On ICRU planning, the other one's $22.0cm^3$ CTV volume who residual tumor size excess 4cm is not including $100\%$ isodose. 8 patient's $12.9{\pm}5.9cm^3$ tumor volume who residual tumor size belows 4cm irradiated $100\%$ dose. Bladder dose(recommended by ICRU 38) is $90.1{\pm}21.3\%$ on ICRU plan, $68.7{\pm}26.6\%$ on CTV plan, and rectal dose is $86.4{\pm}18.3\%,\;76.9{\pm}15.6\%$. Bladder and Rectum maximum dose is $137.2{\pm}50.1\%,\;101.1{\pm}41.8\%$ on ICRU plan, $107.6{\pm}47.9\%,\;86.9{\pm}30.8\%$ on CTV plan. Therefore CTV plan more less normal issue-irradiated dose than ICRU plan. But one patient case who residual tumor size excess 4cm, Normal tissue dose more higher than critical dose remarkably on CTV plan. $80\%$over-Irradiated rectal dose(V80rec) is $1.8{\pm}2.4cm^3$ on ICRU plan, $0.7{\pm}1.0cm^3$ on CTV plan. $80\%$over-Irradiated bladder dose(V80bla) is $12.2{\pm}8.9cm^3$ on ICRU plan, $3.5{\pm}4.1cm^3$ on CTV plan. Likewise, CTV plan more less irradiated normal tissue than ICRU38 plan. Conclusion : Although, prove effect and stability about previous ICRU plan, if we use CTV plan by CT image, we will reduce normal tissue dose and irradiated goal-dose at residual tumor on small residual tumor case. But bigger residual tumor case, we need more research about effective 3D-planning.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-52
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to understand home hospice care status and problem in Korea, and ultimately to develop the home hospice standard. This study was conducted as a part of a study on the institutionalization of the home hospice in Korea. A focus group interview with representatives of seven home hospice agency where have provided home hospice service for years was conducted. All of the participants agreed to the essential components for home hospice service including 24 hour on call service, multidisciplinary team visiting, and periodical team meeting. Visiting frequency was 1-3 times per week mostly by nurses. And they agreed requisitely to fulfill an office for home visiting nurses, storage space, and home visiting bags. The obstacles of providing home hospice were 1) no reimbursement system, 2) difficulties to change medication at home, 3) lack of inpatient beds for symptom control. Standardization of home hospice is critical to improve service quality and to develop reimbursement system. The findings of this study could be used as a basic data to develop home hospice standards and guidelines.