The role of transoralsonography guiding fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal masses identified on the images of treated patients with malignant carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the role of transoralsonography guiding fine?needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal masses identified on the CT, MRI or PET?CT images of treated patients with malignant carcinoma. Methods From 2002 to 2013,this study recruited fifty?five patients with a history of cancer, of which 50 were treated with radiation treatment, including 46 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 3 esophagus squamous cell carcinoma and1 lung apex carcinoma. There were 4 patients with a history of 1 thyroid papillary carcinoma, 1 buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma,1 glottis squamous cell carcinoma and 1 sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma treated with surgery. The rest one patient with nasal olfactory neuroblastoma was treated by postoperative radiation. The enlarged retropharyngeal lymph nodes in 44 cases and parapharyngeal masses in 10 cases were identified on CT or MRI imges. The enlarged retropharyngeal lymph node in the rest case was identified on PET?CT. With transoral ultrasound examination, all lesions were with hypo?intensity echo. Cystic areas were noted on occasion. Biopsy was performed in all cases. Results After cytology examination, carcinoma cells were detected in 37 retropharyngeal lymph nodes, with a detection rate of 82% (37/ 45). In the 10 parapharyngeal masses, carcinoma cells were detected in 3 lesions, with a detection rate of 30%. Conclusions Transor alsonography guiding fine?needle aspiration biopsy can be useful in the cytopathology diagnosis of retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal masses identified on the CT, MRI or PET?CT images of treated patients with malignant carcinoma,which facilitates, early diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Nasal endoscope, MRI, and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of primary head and neck tumor / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of multiple diagnostic methods in the head and neck tumor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ninety-six patients without definite pathological diagnosis referred from other hospitals were included in this retrospective study. All patients had a biopsy or fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the suspected region after detailed medical history enquiry, physical examination and imaging examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients had ultrasound-guided FNA except 4 patients who had direct FNA. One hundred and seventy-one patients (87.2%) were confirmed to have tumor cells by pathological diagnosis, among them, 31 patients by biopsy of primary region alone, 106 by FNA, and 34 by both. The positive rate of FNA was 71.4% (140/196) for the whole group, 71.1% (123/173), 66.7% (10/15) and 87.5% (7/8) for retropharyngeal lymph node subgroup, parapharyngeal space subgroup and oropharynx subgroup.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined use of endoscope, MRI, and ultrasound-guided FNA is useful for the diagnosis of head and neck tumor.</p>

The role of Magnetic resonance sialography in evaluating radiation-induced xerostomia for patients with early stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of magnetic resonance sialography (MRS) as a noninvasive tool in evaluating major salivary gland function before and after radiotherapy (RT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Methods From August 2009 to June 2010,patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱa (AJCC/UICC 2002) nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled.All the patients were treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy alone.MRS with salivary stimulation was performed in patients before and after RT on a 3.0T MR scanner.An MRS categorical scoring system was used to compare the visibility of ducts pre-RT and post-RT.The relationship between MRS score and EORTC Core QOL and EORTC Head and Neck QOL was analyzed.Spearman rank correlation test was performed to analyze the non-stimulated and stimulated MRS findings and the clinical severity of xerostomia.Results All 10 enrolled patients completed planned treatment.The mean dose of the parotid glands and submandibular glands were (37.99 + 3.70) Gy and (55.65 + 2.99) Gy,respectively.Good-quality MRS images were obtained.The visibility scores of both the parotid and submandibular ducts were increased after secretion stimulation.Irradiation decreased the visualization of the salivary ducts and attenuated the response to secretion stimulation.There were specific correlations between post-RT secretion response of the parotid gland and EORTC QLQ scales ( global QOL scale in QLQ-C30 ( rs =0.636,P =0.048 ) and xerostomia scale in QLQ H&N35 ( rs =- 0.694,P =0.026) ).Conclusions MRS can be used as a non-invasive way to evaluated of the functional changes of major salivary glands before and after RT and as a promising approach for investigating radiation-induced xerostomia.

Comparing treatment outcomes of different chemotherapy sequences during radio-chemotherapy for stage N3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with stage N3 disease are prone to develop distant metastasis even treated with standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CRT).The aim of this study is to compare the ettlcacy of difierent chemotherapy sequences in these patients.Methotis All patients with histologically proven,carcinoma of the nasopharynx treated between July 1999 and November 2003 were restaged according to the AJCC 2002 stage classification system.A total of 114 patients had AJCC N3 diseases were analyzed retrospectively.Patients were treated by conventional RT technique using 6 MV photons or 60 Coγ-ray with 1.8-2.0 Gy per fraction,5 fractions a week,to a planned dose of 70 Gy.The prophylactic irradiation dose of the neck wss 54-60 Gy.Any positive lymph node was boosted to a total dose of 60-68 Gy.All patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy of difierent sequences but 9 patients RT alone.CRT regimen was delivered in 37 patients,neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)+CRT regimen in 53 patients and CRT+adjuvant chemotherapy(AC)regimen in 15 patients.Results The prophylactic irradiation dose of the neck wss 54-60 Gy.Any positive lymph node was boosted to a total dose of 60-68 Gy.All patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy of difierent sequences but 9 patients received RT alone.CRT regimen was delivered in 37 patients,neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)+CRT regimen in 53 patients and CRT+adjuvant chemotherapy(AC)regimen in 15 patients.Results The median follow up time was 54 months(3-117months).The 5-year overall survival rate was 59.1%in whole groups,and with 17%,51%,68%and 71%in RT,CRT,NACT+CRT and CRT+AC group,respectively(X2=15.44,P=0.001).The 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 83%,77%,88%and 93%in RT,CRT,NACT+CRT and CRT+AC group,respectively(X2=2.34,P=0.505).The 5-year metastasis-free survival rates were 17%,54%,72%and 80%in RT,CRT,NACT+CRT and CRT+AC group,respectively(X2=19.28,P=0.000).Conclusions The NACT+CRT and CRT+AC regimens were more effective than CRT alone for N3 disease in the current study.Large prospective,randomized clinieal studies are warranted.

Megavoltage cone-beam CT in the evaluation of set-up errors in head and neck cancers treated with precision radiotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To evaluate set-up errors by megavoltage cone-beam CT in head and neck cancers treated with precision radiotherapy. Methods From April 2007 to March 2008, 22 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (15 patients) ,parotid carcinoma (4 patients) and brain glioma (3 patients) were enrolled, among whom 7 patients underwent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and 15 received intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The radiation dose was 56. 0 -70.4 Gy in 28 -32 fractions within 6 -7 weeks. Megavoltage cone-beam scan was performed weekly before treatment. The isocenter displacement was calculated by comparing megavoltage cone-beam CT and planning CT in left-right (LR), cranio-caudal (CC), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions. Results Totally 129 sets of megavoltage cone-beam CT images were obtained for 22 patients. The frequency of isocenter shift more than 0. 3 cm,0. 4 cm and 0. 5 cm were 28,15 and 9, respectively. The maximum mean set-up error was found in CC, which was about 0. 1 cm more than that in LR and AP. The frequency of isocenter shift direction was almost identical in LR and CC, which was more frequent (about 75%) in the posterior direction. Conclusions During the course of radiation of brain tumor and head and neck cancer, the enlarging tendency of set-up errors has been found in all the three directions. The isocenter shift in AP was more frequent to the posterior direction.

Feasibility of a second course irradiation after ?-knife radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the feasibility of ?-knife as the only treatment or a second course radiotherapy after ?-knife radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Methods From Jan.1998 to Feb.2004,2 recurrent NPC patients and 8 newly diagnosed patients with lesions in nasopharynx and skull base received ?-knife radiotherapy.Among the latter 8 newly untreatment patients,2 had poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the nasopharynx,while the other 6 patients had been misdiagnosed as nasopharyngeal tumors other than NPC,including 3 clivus chordoma and 2 caverous sinus meningioma diagnosed by MR imaging,and 1 nasopharyneal fibroangioma by direct nasopharyngoscopic examination.After ?-knife radiotherapy,all the 6 non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were pathologically proved to have nasopharyngeal carcinoma.The treatment of this cohort were: 8 untreated patients with ?-knife radiotherapy first as the only treatment,2 recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with ?-knife radiotherapy as salvage treatment.Treatment after the initial ?-knife radiotherapy for these patients were: 2 no further treatment,3 with induction chemotherapy followed by conventional radiotherapy,2 with conventional radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy,2 with conventional radiotherapy alone and 1 with chemotherapy alone.The chemotherapy regimen consisted of DDP 30?mg/m~2+5-Fu 500?mg/m~2,d1-3,3 week per cycle,totally 2-3 cycles.The radiotherapy regimen consisted of two opposing faciocervical portals or preauricular plus anterior nasal portals to a total dose of 60-70?Gy within 6-7 weeks for the primary lesion and 5060?Gy for the neck nodes with the residual primary lesion boosted with 500-750 ?cGy. Results No primary lesion of the 8 newly diagnosed patients for whom the ?-knife has been given first as the only treatment was controlled.In the 2 recurrent NPC patients,shrinkage of tumor and relief of symptoms were observed after ?-knife radiotherapy.Among 8 newly diagnosed patients,6 misdiagnosed ones received chemotherapy and radiotherapy before ?-knife radiotheryapy gave survival intervals of 6.0,2.5,2.0 and 1.0 years,while one patient who was refused of radiotherapy died of distant metastasis,and the other patient who received chemotherapy alone died of uncontrolled primary lesion.Conclusions ?-knife radiotherapy alone must not be chosen as the initial only treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.For recurrent NPC,?-knife radiotherapy is indicated,preferably followed by a second course conventional radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.Giving the green light for the radiation-induced complications of the second course conventional radiotherapy after ?-knife radiotherapy awaits further observation.

Late side reactions of long-term survivors after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

15-20 years accounted for 11%,12%,14% and 10% , respectively. 260 patients had grade 3 and 4 other injuries, including 55 skin, 79 muscles/soft tissue, 36 mucosa, 79 xerostomia and 11 trismus. Among 320 patients who suffered from caries of teeth, it involved all teeth in 192 patients. Two patients had mandible necrosis. 225 patients had decline of hearing. Among 672 ears in 336 patients,194 ears had severe deafness. The overall side reaction occurrence rate was 84.5%. Conclusions Different late side reactions do exist in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients(84.5%) with long-term survival after radiotherapy, and some patients suffer side reactions so serious as to affect their quality of life. Cranial nerve injuries are not rare, and it may occur anytime after radiation, but it dose not stop as the patients survive along.

Limitation of 1999 image-based nodal classification of the neck in nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To evaluate the limitation of image-based classification and delineation of cervical nodes proposed in 1999. Methods 259 consecutive nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients received contrast-enhanced transverse CT scan from July to November in 2003, the scanning range extended from the skull base to the inferior border of the clavicle, with thickness set at 5?mm per slice from the skull base to the oropharynx, and 1?cm per slice from the oropharynx to the clavicle. Interpretation of the images and assessment of the involved nodes distribution were performed by both radiation oncologists together with diagnostic radiologists according to 1999 image-based classification and delineation of the neck. Then we evaluated whether this classification could fully cover all the lymphatic drainage areas of the neck. Results 218 cases had nodal involvements. Nodal distributions were 0 in levelⅠA, 6 in levelⅠB, 136 in level ⅡA, 171 in level ⅡB, 78 in level Ⅲ, 20 in level Ⅳ, 33 in level VA, 27 in level VB,0 in level Ⅵ and Ⅶ, 5 in supraclavicle and 102 in retropharyngeal space, respectively. Among another 57 cases who belonged to none of the above levels, 2 cases had lesions in the preauricular area, the rest 55 medial to the border of internal carotid artery, 2?cm from inferior to the skull base to the hyoid bone. Conclusions The 1999 image-based classification of the neck nodes,being essentially rational, did not fully cover the retropharyngeal space. It would be better to shift the inferior boundary of the retropharyngeal space to the level of the hyoid bone.

Radiation-induced cranial nerve palsy and its causative factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

7000?cGy). The cumulative incidence of cranial nerve Ⅸ-Ⅻ palsies increased in patients with advanced N stage. Patients in the first group of treatment field had the highest risk to progress cranial nerve Ⅸ-Ⅻ palsies, followed by the second group, and the third group had the lowest risk. Only 1 in 34 patients with brachytherapy developed cranial nerve palsy. Conclusions Our retrospective data show that the radiation-induced cranial nerve palsy is a common complication in NPC patients after radiotherapy and the incidence seems to increase with the duration of the follow-up. Factors that potentially affect the injury of cranial nerve Ⅰ-Ⅶ and Ⅸ-Ⅻ are different, because of the different anatomy. Controlling the doses to the nasopharyngeal region and using faciocervical fields may help to lower the incidence of cranial nerve palsy.