• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2014

비인두암에서 시행되는 방사선 치료 이후에 구강건조증과 피부 변화는 흔하게 볼 수 있는 합병증 중 하나이다. 비인두암의 좋은 예후를 고려할 때, 그러한 치료와 관련된 독성들은 상대적으로 오랫동안 문제를 야기하며 삶의 질 저하를 불러온다. 특히 류마티스 관절염, 루푸스와 같은 결합조직 질환을 가진 환자들에게서 방사선 치료를 시행하였을 때, 빈번하게 심각한 독성이 관찰된다. 본 증례는 성인형 스틸씨 병에서 병발된 비인두암의 치료로 항암방사선 동시치료를 실시한 결과, 비교적 경미한 구강 건조, 점막염, 불면증 등의 합병증이 관찰되었으나, 완전 관해가 획득되었다. 이에 저자들은 과거에 보고된 적 없는 성인형 스틸씨 병에 병발한 비인두암의 치료 경험을 다른 결합조직질환들에서 방사선 치료의 문헌들과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2018

Background: We analyzed changes in the doses, structure volumes, and dose-volume histograms (DVHs) when data were transferred from one commercial treatment planning system (TPS) to another commercial TPS. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for nasopharyngeal cancer were generated with the Eclipse system using 6-MV photon beams. The computed tomography (CT) images, dose distributions, and structure information, including the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs), were transferred from the Eclipse to the MRIdian system in digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) format. Thereafter, DVHs of the OARs and PTVs were generated in the MRIdian system. The structure volumes, dose distributions, and DVHs were compared between the MRIdian and Eclipse systems. Results and Discussion: The dose differences between the two systems were negligible (average matching ratio for every voxel with a 0.1% dose difference criterion = $100.0{\pm}0.0%$). However, the structure volumes significantly differed between the MRIdian and Eclipse systems (volume differences of $743.21{\pm}461.91%$ for the optic chiasm and $8.98{\pm}1.98%$ for the PTV). Compared to the Eclipse system, the MRIdian system generally overestimated the structure volumes (all, p < 0.001). The DVHs that were plotted using the relative structure volumes exhibited small differences between the MRIdian and Eclipse systems. In contrast, the DVHs that were plotted using the absolute structure volumes showed large differences between the two TPSs. Conclusion: DVH interpretation between two TPSs should be performed using DVHs plotted with the absolute dose and absolute volume, rather than the relative values.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2010

Purpose: There are various beam parameter in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The aim of this study is to investigate how various dose rate affect the parotid in treatment plan of IMRT. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 10 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who have undergone IMRT. CT images were scanned 3 mm of thickness in the same condition and the treatment plan was performed by Eclipse (Ver.7.1, Varian, Palo Alto, USA). The parameters for planning used 6 MV energy and 8 beams under the same dose volume constraint. The variation of dose rates were used 300, 400, 500 MU/min. The mean dose of both parotid was accessed from the calculated planning among the 10 patients. The mean dose of parotid was verificated by 2D diode array (Mapcheck from Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, Florida). Also, Total monitor unit (MU) and beam-on time was analysed. Results: According to the dose rate, the mean dose of parotid was increased by 0.8%, 2.0% each, when dose rate was changed from 300 MU/min to 400, 500 MU/min, moreover Total MU was increased by 5.4% and 10.6% each. There was also a dose upward trend in the dose measurement of parotid by 2D diode array. However, beam - on time difference of 1~2 minutes was no signigicant in the dose rate increases. Conclusion: From this study, when the dose rates increase, there was a signigicant increase of Total MU and the parotid dose accordingly, however the shortened treatment time was not significant. Hence, it is considered that there is a significant decrease of late side effect in parotid radiation therapy, if the precise dose rate in IMRT is used.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.53-65
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• 2001

Purpose : To improve the local control of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer, we have implemented 3-D conformal radiotherapy and forward intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to used of compensating filters. Three dimension conformal radiotherapy with intensity modulation is a new modality for cancer treatments. We designed 3-D treatment planning with 3-D RTP (radiation treatment planning system) and evaluation dose distribution with tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). Material and Methods : We have developed a treatment plan consisting four intensity modulated photon fields that are delivered through the compensating tilters and block transmission for critical organs. We get a full size CT imaging including head and neck as 3 mm slices, and delineating PTV (planning target volume) and surrounding critical organs, and reconstructed 3D imaging on the computer windows. In the planning stage, the planner specifies the number of beams and their directions including non-coplanar, and the prescribed doses for the target volume and the permissible dose of normal organs and the overlap regions. We designed compensating filter according to tissue deficit and PTV volume shape also dose weighting for each field to obtain adequate dose distribution, and shielding blocks weighting for transmission. Therapeutic gains were evaluated by numerical equation of tumor control probability and normal tissue complication probability. The TCP and NTCP by DVH (dose volume histogram) were compared with the 3-D conformal radiotherapy and forward intensity modulated conformal radiotherapy by compensator and blocks weighting. Optimization for the weight distribution was peformed iteration with initial guess weight or the even weight distribution. The TCP and NTCP by DVH were compared with the 3-D conformal radiotherapy and intensitiy modulated conformal radiotherapy by compensator and blocks weighting. Results : Using a four field IMRT plan, we have customized dose distribution to conform and deliver sufficient dose to the PTV. In addition, in the overlap regions between the PTV and the normal organs (spinal cord, salivary grand, pituitary, optic nerves), the dose is kept within the tolerance of the respective organs. We evaluated to obtain sufficient TCP value and acceptable NTCP using compensating filters. Quality assurance checks show acceptable agreement between the planned and the implemented MLC(multi-leaf collimator). Conclusion : IMRT provides a powerful and efficient solution for complex planning problems where the surrounding normal tissues place severe constraints on the prescription dose. The intensity modulated fields can be efficaciously and accurately delivered using compensating filters.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2006

Purose: This study is to evaluate the xerostomia following 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT) in nasopharynx cancer patients using the xerostomia questionnaire score (XQS). Materials and Methods: Questionnaire study was done on 51 patients with nasopharynx cancer who received 3D CRT from Dec. 2000 to Aug. 2005. 3D CRT technique is based on 'serial shrinking field' concept by 3 times of computed tomography (CT) simulation. Total target dose to the primary tumor was 72 Gy with 1.8 Gy daily fractions. Xerostomia was assessed with 4-questions XQS, and the associations between XQS and time elapsed after RT, age, sex, stage, concurrent chemotherapy, and parotid dose were analyzed. Results: Concurrent chemotherapy was given to 40 patients and RT alone was given to 11 patients. The median time elapsed after 3D CRT was 20 ($1{\sim}58$) months and the mean XQS of all 51 patients was $8.4{\pm}1.9\;(6{\sim}14)$. XQS continuously and significantly decreased over time after 3D CRT ($X^2$=-0.484, p<0.05). There was no significant difference in XQS according to sex, age, and stag. However, XQS of concurrent chemotherapy patients was significantly higher than RT alone patients (P=0.001). XQS of patients receiving total mean parotid dose ${\ge}35 Gy$ was significantly higher than <35 Gy (p=0.05). Decreasing tendency of XQS over time after 3D CRT was observed. Concurrent chemotherapy and total mean parotid dose ${\ge}35 Gy$ were suggested to adversely affect radiation-induced xerostomia.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of a commercial ion chamber array for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA) was performed IMRT patient-specific QA Materials and Methods: A use of IMRT patient-specific QA was examined for nasopharyngeal patient by using 6MV photon beams. The MatriXX (Wellhofer Dosimetrie, Germany) was used for IMRT QA. The case of nasopharyngeal cancer was performed inverse treatment planning. A hybrid dose distribution made on the CT data of MatriXX and solid phantom all of the same gantry angle (0$^\circ$). The measurement was acquired with geometrical condition that equal to hybrid treatment planning. The $\gamma$-index (dose difference 3%, DTA 3 mm) histogram was used for quantitative analysis of dose discrepancies. An absolute dose was compared at the high dose low gradient region. Results: The dose distribution was shown a good agreement by gamma evaluation. A proportion of acceptance criteria was 95.8%, 97.52%, 96.28%, 98.20%, 97.78%, 96.64% and 92.70% for gantry angles were 0$^\circ$, 55$^\circ$, 110$^\circ$, 140$^\circ$, 220$^\circ$, 250$^\circ$ and 305$^\circ$, respectively. The absolute dose in high dose low gradient region was shown reasonable agreement with the RTP calculation within $\pm$3%. Conclusion: The MatriXX offers the dosimetric characteristics required for performing both relative and absolute measurements. If MatriXX use in the clinic, it could be simplified and reduced the IMRT patient-specific QA workload. Therefore, the MatriXX is evaluated as a reliable and convenient dosimeter for IMRT patient-specific QA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.365-371
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• 2012

The radiation therapy treatment technique is developed from 3D-CRT, IMRT to Tomotherapy. and these three technique was most widely using methods. We find out a comparison normal tissue doses and tumor dose of 3D-CRT, IMRT(Linac Based), and Tomotherapy on Head and Neck Cancer. We achieved radiological image used the Human model phantom (Anthropomorphic Phantom) and it was taken CT simulation (Slice Thickness : 3mm) and GTV was nasopharngeal region and PTV(including set-up margin) was GTV plus 2mm area. and transfer those images to the radiation planning system (3D-CRT - ADAC-Pinnacle3, Tomotherapy - Tomotherapy Hi-Art System). The prescription dose was 7020 cGy and measuring PTV's dose and nomal tissue (parotid gland, oral cavity, spinal cord). The PTV's doses was Tomotherapy, Linac Based - IMRT, 3D-CRT was 6923 cGy, 6901 cGy and 6718 cGy its dose value was meet TCP because its value was up to the 95% based on 7020 cGy, Nomal tissue (parotid gland, oral cavity, spinal cord) was 1966 cGy(Tomotherapy), 2405 cGy(IMRT), 2468 cGy(3D-CRT)[parotid gland], 2991 cGy(Tomotherapy), 3062 cGy(IMRT), 3684 cGy (3D-CRT)[oral cavity], 1768 cGy(Tomotherapy), 2151 cGy(IMRT), 4031 cGy(3D-CRT)[spinal cord] its value did not exceeded NTCP. All the treatment techniques are equated with tumor and nomal tissue doses. The 3D-CRT was worse than other techniques on dose distribution, but it is reasonable in terms of TCP and NTCP baseline Tomotherapy, IMRT -dose distribution was relatively superior- was hard to therapy to claustrophobic patients and patients with respiratory failure. Particularly, in case on Tomotherapy, it take MVCT before treatment so dose measurement will be unnecessary radiation exposure to patients. Conclusion, Tomotherapy was the best treatment technique and 2nd was IMRT, and 3rd 3D-CRT. But applicable differently depending on the the patient's condition even though dose not matter.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2001

Purpose : This study tried to evaluate the effectiveness of combined treatment using radiation therapy and concurrent cisplatin as a radiosensitizer in the management of locally advanced head and neck cancer. Materials and methods : From January 1995 to August 1998, 29 evaluable patients with locally advanced head & neck cancels (AJCC stage $II\~IV$) were received curative radiation therapy $(total\;70\~75.6\;Gy/35\~42\;fractions,\;1.8\~2\;Gy/fraction)$ and concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy ($100\;mg/m^2$, D1, D22, D43). The neck dissections were peformed for residual lymphadenopathy. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 55 months (median 24 months). Results : Twenty-one $(72.4\%)$ patients achieved clinical complete responses. The partial response and minimal response rates were $17.2\%\;and\;10.4\%$, respectively. Locoregional failure rate was $27.6\%$, and included 6 patients with local failures, 4 patients with regional failures, and 2 patients with combined local and regional failures. Four of 29 patients $(13.8\%)$ developed distant metastasis. The disease free survival rate at 3 years was $60\%$. Nasopharyngeal primary tumors or complete responders showed significantly higher disease free survival rate. The grade 3 mucositis and nausea/vomiting was noted in $34.5\%$, respectively. Major prolongation of radiation therapy duration was inevitable in three patients. Twenty-one patients $(72.4\%)$ completed 3 courses of cisplatin and 5 patients received 2 courses of cisplatin. Three patients received only one course of cisplatin due to nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity, and then changed to 5-FU regimen. Conclusions : Concurrent cisplatin-radiation therapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer showed high response rate, reasonable locoregional control, and survival rate. As expected, acute toxicities were increased, but compliance to treatment was acceptable. Assessment of the effect of the combination in this setting requires further accrual and follow-up.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2010

연구목적 : 비인두암 환자들을 대상으로 방사선치료 시 삼차원입체조형치료기법과 용적세기조절회전치료기법을 비교하고 이하선을 포함한 정상조직 보호에 있어 그 차이점을 알아 보고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 비인두암 환자 5명을 대상으로 치료계획용 CT(computed tomography)를 시행 후 삼차원입체조형방사선치료계획 과 용적세기조절회전치료계획을 시행하였다. 이를 바탕으로 얻은 선량분포, conformity index(CI) 그리고 선량체적 히스토그램을 통해 손상위험장기(organ at risk)와 계획용표적체적(planning target volume)을 비교 분석하였다. 결 과 : 분석결과 이하선에 조사되는 평균선량이 용적세기조절회전치료계획에서는 43.9%로 삼차원입체조형치료계획에서의 89.4% 보다 유의하게(p=0.043) 감소하였다. 계획용표적체적 conformity index의 경우 용적세기조절회전치료계획 (CI=1.06)에서 삼차원입체조형치료계획(CI=2.55) 보다 유의하게(p=0.043) 향상된 결과를 보였다. 결 론 : 비인두암 환자에서 용적세기조절회전 치료계획 시 삼차원입체조형치료계획 보다 유의하게 이하선에 평균선량이 줄었고 계획용 표적체적에 대한 conformity도 유의하게 향상되는 결과를 보였다. 본 연구가 적은 수의 환자를 대상으로 하였으나 용적세기조절회전치료기법을 시행 시 구강건조증의 발생을 줄일 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. 향후 더 많은 환자군을 대상으로 한 임상연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.