• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) followed by radiotherapy (RT) in treatment-na$\ddot{i}$ve patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Eligibility criteria were as follows: newly diagnosed with HCC, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C, Child-Pugh class A or B, and no prior treatment for HCC. Patients with extrahepatic spread were excluded. A total of 59 patients were retrospectively enrolled. All patients were treated with TACE followed by RT. The time interval between TACE and RT was 2 weeks as per protocol. A median RT dose was 47.25 $Gy_{10}$ as the biologically effective dose using the ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ = 10 (range, 39 to 65.25 $Gy_{10}$). Results: At 1 month, complete response was obtained in 3 patients (5%), partial response in 27 patients (46%), stable disease in 13 patients (22%), and progressive disease in 16 patients (27%). The actuarial one- and two-year OS rates were 60.1% and 47.2%, respectively. The median OS was 17 months (95% confidence interval, 5.6 to 28.4 months). The median time to progression was 4 months (range, 1 to 35 months). Grade 3 or greater liver enzyme elevation occurred in only two patients (3%) after RT. Grade 3 gastroduodenal toxicity developed in two patients (3%). Conclusion: The combination treatment of TACE followed by RT with two-week interval was safe and it showed favorable outcomes in treatment-na$\ddot{i}$ve patients with locally advanced HCC. A prospective randomized trial is needed to validate these results.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2014

Purpose: To report the results of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for unresectable primary or recurrent cholangiocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 through August 2013, 58 patients with unresectable primary (n = 28) or recurrent (n = 30) cholangiocarcinoma treated by SBRT were retrospectively analyzed. The median prescribed dose was 45 Gy in 3 fractions (range, 15 to 60 Gy in 1-5 fractions). Patients were treated by SBRT only (n = 53) or EBRT + SBRT boost (n = 5). The median tumor volume was 40 mL (range, 5 to 1,287 mL). Results: The median follow-up duration was 10 months (range, 1 to 97 months). The 1-year, 2-year overall survival rates, and median survival were 45%, 20%, and 10 months, respectively. The median survival for primary group and recurrent group were 5 and 13 months, respectively. Local control rate at 1-year and 2-year were 85% and 72%, respectively. Disease progression-free survival rates at 1-year and 2-year were 26% and 23%, respectively. In univariate analysis, ECOG performance score (0-1 vs. 2-3), treatment volume (<50 vs. ${\geq}50mL$), and pre-SBRT CEA level (<5 vs. ${\geq}5ng/mL$) were significant in overall survival rate. In multivariate analysis, ECOG score (p = 0.037) and tumor volume (p = 0.030) were statistically significant. In the recurrent tumor group, patients with >12 months interval from surgery to recurrence showed statistically significant higher overall survival rate than those with ${\leq}12$ months (p = 0.026). Six patients (10%) experienced ${\geq}$grade 3 complications. Conclusion: SBRT can be considered as an effective local modality for unresectable primary or recurrent cholangiocarcinoma.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2020

Purpose: This retrospective study compares higher-dose whole-brain radiotherapy (hdWBRT) with reduced-dose WBRT (rdWBRT) in terms of clinical efficacy and toxicity profile in patients treated for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Materials and Methods: Radiotherapy followed by high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based chemotherapy was administered to immunocompetent patients with histologically confirmed PCNSL between 2000 and 2016. Response to chemotherapy was taken into account when prescribing the radiation dose to the whole brain and primary tumor bed. The whole brain dose was ≤23.4 Gy for rdWBRT (n = 20) and >23.4 Gy for hdWBRT (n = 68). Patients manifesting cognitive disturbance, memory impairment and dysarthria were considered to have neurotoxicity. A median follow-up was 3.62 years. Results: The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 70.0% and 48.9% with rdWBRT, and 63.2% and 43.2% with hdWBRT. The 3-year OS and PFS among patients with partial response (n = 45) after chemotherapy were 77.8% and 53.3% with rdWBRT, and 58.3% and 45.8% with hdWBRT (p > 0.05). Among patients with complete response achieved during follow-up, the 3-year freedom from neurotoxicity (FFNT) rate was 94.1% with rdWBRT and 62.4% with hdWBRT. Among patients aged ≥60 years, the 3-year FFNT rate was 87.5% with rdWBRT and 39.1% with hdWBRT (p = 0.49). Neurotoxicity was not observed after rdWBRT in patients aged below 60 years. Conclusion: rdWBRT with tumor bed boost combined with upfront HD-MTX is less neurotoxic and results in effective survival as higher-dose radiotherapy even in partial response after chemotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.430-440
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• 2018

Background : Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disturbance in hospitalized patients and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Tolvaptan, a vasopressin receptor antagonist, is increasingly used for the treatment of euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tolvaptan for the management of hyponatremia. Methods : This study was a retrospective evaluation of 106 patients who received at least one dose of tolvaptan for hyponatremia at a single tertiary academic hospital between January 2014 and June 2015. The primary endpoint was the change in serum sodium concentration after tolvaptan administration within 24 hours, with secondary endpoints of overcorrection and adverse effects. Results : The mean initial dose of tolvaptan was $20.2{\pm}7.2mg$ and the median duration of treatment was 15 days (range, 1-261 days). The maximal changes in sodium levels at 24 and 48 hours were $8.2{\pm}4.7mmol/L$ and $10.5{\pm}15.3mmol/L$, respectively. Of 99 patients in whom sodium concentrations were followed up, sodium overcorrection was observed in 26 (26.3%) patients, which was associated with concomitant use of an enzyme inhibitor (odds ratio [OR] = 4.80, 95% Cl: 1.27-18.15). However, sex, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, a daily dose of tolvaptan, and concomitant use of hypertonic saline did not show any significant difference in overcorrection. The most commonly reported adverse effects were mild and related to aquaresis, such as polyuria, thirst, and constipation. However, severe adverse effects such as hyperkalemia, hypotension, and one death related to osmotic demyelination were also reported. Conclusions : Tolvaptan is effective for treating hyponatremia. Nevertheless, the drug should be used cautiously due to serious adverse effects related to sodium overcorrection.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.156-163
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate long-term local control rate and toxicity in patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for pituitary adenomas. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients treated with EBRT for pituitary adenoma at Korea University Medical Center from 1996 and 2006. Thirty-five patients had hormone secreting tumors, 25 patients had non-secreting tumors. Fifty-seven patients had received postoperative radiotherapy (RT), and 3 had received RT alone. Median total dose was 54 Gy (range, 36 to 61.2 Gy). The definition of tumor progression were as follows: evidence of tumor progression on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, worsening of clinical sign requiring additional operation or others, rising serum hormone level against a previously stable or falling value, and failure of controlling serum hormone level so that the hormone level had been far from optimal range until last follow-up. Age, sex, hormone secretion, tumor extension, tumor size, and radiation dose were analyzed for prognostic significance in tumor control. Results: Median follow-up was 5.7 years (range, 2 to 14.4 years). The 10-year actuarial local control rates for non-secreting and secreting adenomas were 96% and 66%, respectively. In univariate analysis, hormone secretion was significant prognostic factor (p = 0.042) and cavernous sinus extension was marginally significant factor (p = 0.054) for adverse local control. All other factors were not significant. In multivariate analysis, hormone secretion and gender were significant. Fifty-three patients had mass-effect symptoms (headache, dizziness, visual disturbance, hypopituitarism, loss of consciousness, and cranial nerve palsy). A total of 17 of 23 patients with headache and 27 of 34 patients with visual impairment were improved. Twenty-seven patients experienced symptoms of endocrine hypersecretion (galactorrhea, amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, decreased libido, gynecomastia, acromegaly, and Cushing's disease). Amenorrhea was abated in 7 of 10 patients, galactorrhea in 8 of 8 patients, acromegaly in 7 of 11 patients, Cushing's disease in 4 of 4 patients. Long-term complication was observed in 4 patients; 3 patients with cerebrovascular accident, 1 patient developed dementia. Of these patients, 3 of 4 received more than 60 Gy of irradiation. Conclusion: EBRT is highly effective in preventing recurrence and reducing mass effect of non-secreting adenoma. Effort to improve tumor control of secreting adenoma is required. Careful long-term follow-up is required when relatively high dose is applied. Modern radiosurgery or proton RT may be options to decrease late complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.379-385
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• 1997

Purpose : Ovarian dysgerminoma is a highly radiosensitive malignant tumor occurring in young age group. The conventional treatment was total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy followed by radiotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed the treatment results of Patients who had received radiotherapy in the era before chemotherapy was widely used. Material and Method : Twenty two patients with ovarian dysgerminoma were treated at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between August, 1980 and May, 1991. Four patients were excluded from this study, because three patients received incomplete treatment and one received combined chemotherapy. Sixteen patients received postoperative radiotherapy and two patients had radical radiotherapy as tumor was unresectable. Median follow-up period was 99 months (range, 51-178) Median age was 22 years (range, 11-42). Among the postoperatively treated patients, three Patients were in stage IA, eight in stage IC, two in stage II, and three in stage III. One patient had Turner's syndrome. Radiotherapy was performed with high energy photon (telecobalt unit or linear accelerator, either 6MV or 10MV), The radiation dose to the whole abdomen was 1950-2100cGy (median, 2000) and 1050-2520cGy was added to the whole pelvis, the total dose to the whole pelvis was 3000-4500cGy (median, 3500). Prophylactic Paraaortic area irradiation was done in six Patients (dose range, 900-1500cGy). One patient who had positive Paraaortic node, received radiation dose of 1620cGy, followed by additional 900cGy to the gross mass with shrinking field. Total dose to the paraaortic node was 4470cGy. Six patients, including one who had paraaortic node metastasis, received Prophylactic irradiation to mediastinum and supraclavicular area (2520cGy). Of the two patients with unresectable tumors who received radical radiotherapy, one was in stage III and the other was in stage IV with left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. The stage III patient received radiation to the whole abdomen (2000cGy), followed by boost to whole pelvis (2070cGy) and paraaortic area (2450cGy). Stage IV patient received radiation to the whole abdomen (2000cGy), followed by radiation to the whole pelvis and paraaortic area (2400cGy), mediastinum (2520cGy) , and left supraclavicular area (3550cGy) .Results : The 5 year local control rate was $100\%$ in patients who received postoperative adiuvant radiotherapy after total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Only one patient in stage III who did not receive prophylactic irradiation to mediastinum developed mediastinal metastasis. but was salvaged by chemotherapy. So. the 5 year overall survival rate uras also $100\%$. Two patients who received radiation only, are alive without disease at 112 and 155 months. Conclusion : Postoperntive adjuvant radiotherapy as well as radical radiotherapy in unresectable ovarian dysgerminoma was very effective. aut chemotherapy is also an effective treatment modality We now recomrneifd chemotherapy for Patients who need to save their ovarian functien and reserve radiotherapv fov chemo-resistant tumor or recurrence alter che motherapy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 1995

Purpose : To evaluate our clinical experience with the combination of teletherapy and intraluminal brachytherapy in patients with unresectable or inoperable esophageal cancers. Materials and Methods : From Nov 1989 to Mar 1993, twenty patients with esophageal cancer were treated with radical radiotherapy and intraluminal brachytherapy at Yonsei Cancer Center. All patients had squamous histolgy and stage distribution was as follows: stage II, 4($20{\%}$)patients; III, 15 ($75{\%}$)patients; IV, 1($5{\%}$)patients. A dose of S-12Gy/1-3weeks with intraluminal brachytherapy (3-5Gy/fraction) to 5mm from the outside of the esophageal tube using high dose rate Iridium-192 remotely afterloading brachytherapy machine was given 2 weeks after a total dose of 59-64Gy with external radiotherapy. Induction chemotherapy using cisplatin and 5-FU was performed in 13 patients with median 3 cycles(1-6 cycles), Response rate, local control rate, survival and complications were analysed retrospectively. Results : Two-year overall survival rate and median survival were $15.8{\%}$ and 13.5 months. Response rates were as follows complete remission(CR) 5($25{\%}$): partial remission a(PRa) 7($35{\%}$): partial remission b(PRb) 7($35{\%}$), no response(NR) 1($5{\%}$). Patterns of failure were as follows; local failure 13($65{\%}$), local and distant failure 3($15{\%}$), distant failure 0($0{\%}$). Ultimate local control rate was $20{\%}$. Treatment related complications included esophageal ulcer in two patients and esophageal stricture in one. Conclusion : Though poor local conrol rate, median survival was improved as compared with previous results of radiation therapy alone(8months) and chemoradiation combined treatment(11 months) in Yonsei Cancer Center High-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy following external irradiation is an effective treatment modality with acceptable toxicity in esophageal cancer.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 2020

Removing radioactive concrete is crucial in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. However, this process generates radioactive aerosols, exposing workers to radiation. Although large amounts of radioactive concrete are generated during decommissioning, studies on the internal exposure of workers to radioactive aerosols generated from the cutting of radioactive concrete are very limited. In this study, therefore, we calculate the internal radiation doses of workers exposed to radioactive aerosols during activities such as drilling and cutting of radioactive concrete, using previous research data. The electrical-mobility-equivalent diameter measured in a previous study was converted to aerodynamic diameter using the Newton-Raphson method. Furthermore, the specific activity of each nuclide in radioactive concrete 10 years after nuclear power plants are shut down was calculated using the ORIGEN code. Eventually, we calculated the committed effective dose for each nuclide using the IMBA software. The maximum effective dose of ¹⁵²Eu constituted 83.09% of the total dose; moreover, the five highest-ranked elements (¹⁵²Eu, ¹⁵⁴Eu, ⁶⁰Co, ²³⁹Pu, ⁵⁵Fe) constituted 99.63%. Therefore, we postulate that these major elements could be measured first for rapid radiation exposure management of workers involved in decommissioning of nuclear power plants, even if all radioactive elements in concrete are not considered.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 1996

Purpose : This paper reports a dosimetric study of 88 patients treated with a combination of external radiotherapy and high dose rate ICR for FIGO stage IIB carcinoma of the cervix. The purpose is to investigate the correlation between the radiation doses to the rectum, external radiation dose to the whole pelvis, ICR reference volume, TDF BED and the incidence of late rectal complications, retrospectively. Materials and Methods : From November 1989 through December 1992, 88 patients with stage IIB cervical carcinoma received radical radiotherapy at Department of Radiation Oncology in Yonsei University Hospital. Radiotherapy consisted of 44-54 Gy(median 49 Gy) external beam irradiation plus high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy with 5 Gy per fraction twice a week to a total dose of 30 Gy on point A. The maximum dose to the rectum by contrast(r, R) and reference rectal dose by ICRU 38(dr, DR) were calculated. The ICR reference volume was calculated by Gamma Dot 3.11 HDR planning system, retrospectively The time-dose factor(TDF) and the biologically effective dose (BED) were calculated. Results : Twenty seven($30.7\%$) of the 88 patients developed late rectal complications:12 patients($13.6\%$) for grade 1, 12 patients($13.6\%$) for grade 2 and 3 patients($3.4\%$) for grade 3. We found a significant correlation between the external whole pelvis irradiation dose and grade 2, 3 rectal complication. The mean dose to the whole pelvis for the group of patients with grade 2, 3 complication was Higher, $4093.3\pm453.1$ cGy, than that for the patients without complication, $3873.8\pm415.6$ (0.05$7163.0\pm838.5$ cGy, than that for the Patients without rectal complication, $0772.7\pm884.0$ (p<0.05). There was no correlation of the rate of grade 2, 3 rectal complication with the iCR rectal doses(r, dr), ICR reference volume, TDF and BED. Conclusion : This investigation has revealed a significant correlation between the dose calculated at the rectal dose by ICRU 38(DR) or the most anterior rectal dose by contrast(R) dose to the whole pelvis and the incidence of grade 2, 3 late rectal complications in patients with stage IIB cervical cancer undergoing external beam radiotherapy and HOR ICR. Thus these rectal reference points doses and whole pelvis dose appear to be useful Prognostic indicators of late rectal complication in high dose rate ICR treatment in cervical carcinoma.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2014

Purpose: To review the results of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) for residual non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following surgical resection and evaluate multiple clinicopathologic prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 58 patients, who completed scheduled PORT for positive resection margin, among 658 patients treated with PORT from January 2001 to November 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Radiation therapy was started at 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Chemotherapy was also administered to 35 patients, either sequentially or concurrently with PORT. Results: The median age of patients was 63 years (range, 40 to 82 years). The postoperative pathological stage I NSCLC was diagnosed in 10 (17.2%), stage II in 18 (31.0%), and stage III in 30 patients (51.7%). Squamous cell carcinoma was identified in 43, adenocarcinoma in 10, large cell in 1, others in 4 patients. Microscopic residual disease (R1) was diagnosed in 55 patients (94.8%), and the remaining three patients were diagnosed with gross residual disease (R2). The median dose of PORT was 59.4 Gy (range, 50.0 to 64.8 Gy). Chemotherapy was administered to 35 patients (60%), and the median follow-up time was 22.0 months (range, 6.0 to 84.0 months). The 3-year locoregional relapse-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 82.1% and 52.9%, respectively. The median overall survival was 23.8 months (range, 6.0 to 84.1 months), and the 3-year overall survival rate was 58.2%. Chemotherapy did not influence the failure pattern or survival outcome. Conclusion: PORT is an effective modality for improving local tumor control in incompletely resected NSCLC patients. Major failure pattern was distant metastasis despite chemotherapy.