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Objective To investigate the differences in dosimetry between conformal radiotherapy (CRT),field-in-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (FIF-IMRT),and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) after breast-conserving surgery for left-sided breast cancer.Methods A total of 31 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery for left-sided breast cancer were randomly selected,and the plans for CRT,FIF-IMRT,and IMRT were developed.The dose-volume histogram (DVH) was used for self-control study,and the non-parametric test was used to compare the differences in target volume and doses to organs at risk (OARs).Results All the three methods met the requirements of the prescribed doses.The CRT group had a higher V105 of the target volume and higher heart V30 and Dmax (P=0.000,0.000,0.000).The IMRT group had higher V5 and Dmean (P=0.000,0.000),as well as a higher lung V5 and a lower lung V40 (P=0.000,0.000).The FIF-IMRT group had the lowest Dmean (P=0.000),and the IMRT group had significantly higher Dmean and Dmax of the right lung and the spinal cord than the other two groups (P=0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000).The FIF-IMRT group had a significantly lower single hop count than the other two groups (P=0.000).Conclusions CRT has a good dose distribution in the target volume,but greatly injures the surrounding tissues.FIF-IMRT can well protect OARs and cause less damage to the device.
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Objective To observe the efficacy and adverse effects of conventionally fractionated (CF) versus hypofractionated (HF) three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 65 patients with HCC suitable for 3DCRT from 2008 to 2012.These patients were randomly divided into HF group (n =32) and CF group (n =32).The HF group received 3DCRT at a total dose of 45-55 Gy (3-4 Gy/fraction,3-5 fractions/week),while the CF group at a total dose of 40-56 Gy (2 Gy/fraction,5 fractions/week).Results The follow-up rate was 100％.For the HF group and CF group,the short-term response rates were 72％ vs.55％ (P =0.034),the 1-year local control rates were 72％ vs.55％ (P=0.034),the 1-year overall survival rates were 59％ vs.45％ (P=0.042),and the numbers of individuals with grade 1-2 acute gastrointestinal reactions,deterioration of liver function,and radiation hepatitis were 14 vs.11,8 vs.8,and 1 vs.0,respectively (P =0.237).Conclusions HF 3DCRT is superior to CF 3DCRT in the treatment of HCC.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the outcomes and toxicities of elderly nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with conventional radiotherapy alone.MethodsFrom January 1995 to December 1998,95 newly diagnosed nasopharyngeai carcinoma with age ≥65 years treated in our hospital.The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.Kaplan-Meier method was used for analysis of local-regional control survival and distant metastasis-free survival. The Logrank test was used for univariate prognostic analysis and Cox regression was used for multivariable prognostic analysis.ResultsThe follow-up rate was 98％.The 3-,5- and 8-year local-regional control (LRC) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 89％,87％,84％ and 85％,79％,79％,respectively. The most common acute toxicities were grade1-2 leukopenia (36％),skin reaction (64％) and mucositis (66％).The most frequent late toxicities were hearing impairment (8％),trismus ( 10％ ) and radiation-induced cranial neuropathy (5％).In univariate analysis,interruption of radiotherapy ( χ2 =7.45,P =0.006 ) and regional neck lymph nodes response (χ2 =4.17,P=0.041 ) was the prognostic factors for LRC,T stage (χ2 =4.16,P=0.032),N stage ( χ2 =4.66,P =0.031 ) and interruption of radiotherapy ( χ2 =9.42,P =0.002 ) was the prognostic factors for DMFS. In multivariable analysis,interruption of radiotherapy and the regional neck lymph nodes response were the prognostic factors for LRC (χ2=6.19,P=0.013 and χ2=12.16,P=0.002;respectively),N stage and radiotherapy interruption were prognostic factors for DMFS.(χ2=15.06,P =0.000 and χ2 =21.62,P =0.000 ; respectively ).ConclusionsConventional radiotherapy alone for elder NPC can produce satisfactory results with acceptable treatment-relative toxicities.Our experience showed that the early N stage,without radiotherapy interruption and good regional lymph nodes response had a good longterm prognosis.
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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.
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Objective To investigate the tendency of quality of life in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with conventional radiotherapy. Methods Quality of life in NPC patients was assessed using FACT-H&N and NPC-QOL Patients were divided into nine groups according to the treatment period :before treatment group, 0 -20 Gy group, 20 -50 Gy group, > 50 Gy group, 0 -6 months after treatment group, 6 - 12 mouths group, 1 -2 years group, 2 -3 years group and 3 -5 years group. Scores of FACT-H&N and NPC-QOL were compared between the either two groups. Results 450 NPC patients were assessed. The total score of FACT-H&N decreased during the treatment and then increased six months after the treatment. The tendencies of physical and functional well-being were similar. The social/family and emotional well-being did not change significantly along with the treatment but the scores of head and neck well-being and NPC-QOL decreased obviously. Xerotomia was aggravated from the initiation of treatment and became the most severe at 6 - 12 months after treatment. 50% - 60% of the patients with disease-free reported severe xerotomia at 3 -5 years after radiotherapy. Incidence of severe trismus increased up to 14% at 3 -5 years after treatment. Conclusions Quality of life of NPC patients with conventional radiotherapy deteriorates during the treatment period, but recovers to the normal level six months after the treatment. Xerotomia and trismus can affect the quality of life of NPC patients.
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Objective To estimate and compare the equivalent dose between the intensity modula-ted radiotherapy (IMRT) and conventional radiotherapy (CR) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods The peripheral equivalent dose of NPC patients was measured by TLD during IMRT and CR. The whole-body equivalent dose was calculated. Results When prescribed tumor dose of 70 Gy was given, the mean number of accelerator output units were 25235 MU and 8575 MU, and the whole-body e-quivalent dose were 73.65 mSy and 15.28 mSy for IMRT and CR, respectively. Conclusion The equiva-lent dose in IMRT is 4.8 times higher than that in CR for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Objective To evaluate the dose distribution of the target volume and the cranial base in nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC ) treated with facial-cervical fields, and to analyze the differences of dose distribution using different isoeenters with the CT-simulator and treatment planning system (TPS). Methods Eleven patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated by conventional radiotherapy as their primary treatment. All patients were simulated by the conventional simulator and the field borders were marked with thin lead wires on the mask. Then the patients were scanned by the CT-sim with the same immobilization. The planning CT images were transferred to the TPS and the field borders were copied on the DRR, and then GTV and the cranial base were contoured on the coronal CT slices. Two isoeenters were chosen, including one in front of the 1 st cervical vertebra to measeure the depth of the nasopharynx and the other in front of the 3rd cervical vertebra to measure the depth of the upper neck. The prescription dose of 36 Gy was given in 18 fractions. Dose distributions of GTV and the cranial base were calculated with TPS. Results The actual dose of 95% volume of GTV was 33.31 -35.54 Gy (median 34.83 Gy) and 31.43 -33.36 Gy (median 32.44 Gy) when the isoeenters were set in the nasopharynx and the superior neck, respectively. The corre-sponding actual dose of 95% volume of the cranial base was 17.76 - 34.60 Gy ( median 30.28 Gy ) and 16.52 -32.60 Gy (median 28.52 Gy), respectively. Conclusions For NPC patients treated with conven-tional radiotherapy using facial-cervical fields, the actual dose of GTV and the cranial base is lower than the prescribed dose whenever the isocenter is set in the nasopharynx or the upper neck,which is more significant in the latter. The isocenter should be set in the nasopharynx when the conventional radiotherapy is applied and a boost of 4- 8 Gy should be given when the cranial base is involved.
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Objective To prospectively assess the influence of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and conventional radiotherapy on quality of life (QOL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) for clinical guidance. Methods From May 2007 to May 2008, 102 HNC patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty-two patients were treated with IMRT and 50 with conventional radiotherapy. In patients with IMRT, at least one parotid gland was spared, and the contralateral submandibular gland was spared in 24 patients. The parotid and submandibular gland were not spared in patient with conventional radiotherapy.QOL was assessed using EORTC QLQ C30 and HN35 questionnaires at 4 time points (before radiotherapy,end of radiotherapy, 2 months and 6 months after radiotherapy). A change of 10% in scores of the instru-ment range had been previously demonstrated to be clinically significant. Results In the study, 94% (31/33) of the QOL domains were worse after IMRT or conventional radiotherapy, including 49% (16/33) with significant difference (U=2.72-5.98, all values of P<0.01) and 33% (11/33) with clinical signifi-cance. At 2 months after radiotherapy, 12% (4/33) of the domains showed clinically significant improve-ment, however, 15% (5/33) of the domains did not show any improvement (U=3.10-5.93,all value of P < 0.01). Continuous improvement in most domains of QOL was shown at 6 months after radiotherapy. Clini-cally and statistically significant improvement were shown in 21% (7/33) of the domains, and some were even better than pretreatment except in dry mouth and sticky saliva scales (U=4.49 , P<0.01 and U=4.87 ,P <0.01). Compared with conventional radiotherapy, the dry mouth and sticky saliva caused by IM-RT were milder (U=4.57,P <0.01 and U=5.57, P < 0.01) and continuous improvement were shown over time after radiotherapy (U=7.23, P <0.01 and U = 7.57, P < 0.01). Similar improvement weren't shown in patients with conventional radiotherapy. Conclusions QOL in HNC patients is significant worse after ra-diotherapy. QOL can be improved continuously over time after treatment except dry mouth and sticky saliva which are the main factors affecting QOL. IMBT, causing less dry mouth and sticky saliva when compared with conventional radiotherapy, has benefits for the preservation of QOL.