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Objective To study the irradiation dose of organs at risk (OAR) in involved field radiation and extended field radiation in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who received intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods A total of 40 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer were treated with IMRT. The involved field, extended field, and OAR were outlined to generate IMRT plans. The conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) of planning target volume (PTV) and the irradiation parameters of OAR were evaluated for the two plans. Paired t-test was used for comparison of irradiation parameters. Results The PTV of both plans received the prescribed dose. There were no significant differences in CI and HI of PTV between the two groups (P = 0.317, 0.130). There were significant differences in average lung dose, lung V5, lung V20, lung V30, spinal cord Dmean, heart Dmean, heart Dmax, heart V30, heart V40, and heart V60 between the two groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion Compared with the extended field, the involved field can reduce the irradiation dose of ORA in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer, thus reducing the risk of radiation.
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Objective:To investigate the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and influencing factors of intensity-modulated radiotherapy±chemotherapy (IMRT±C) for the upper thoracic esophageal cancer.Methods:The medical records of 168 patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer who met the inclusion criteria from January 2011 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The RFS was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate prognostic analysis was performed by Cox models. The recurrence factors were identified by the Logistics model. Results:The 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates were 67.8%, 38.0%, and 20.4%, respectively, and the median RFS was 21.9 months. The locoregional recurrence rate was 47.6%(80/168). The recurrence sites were local esophagus ( n=63), regional lymph nodes ( n=7), and local esophagus+ regional lymph node recurrence ( n=10). Multivariate analysis showed that hoarseness, cTstaging, combined with chemotherapy, 95%PTV 1 exposure dose and GTV average exposure dose were the influencing factors of RFS ( P=0.029, <0.001, 0.031, 0.038, 0.020). Logistics model showed that cTstaging, cNstaging, short-term efficacy, irradiationmethod, GTV maximum transverse diameter and PTV average exposure dose were the influencing factors of recurrence ( P=0.046, 0.022, 0.001, <0.001, 0.012, 0.001). Conclusions:Patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer treated with radical IMRT combined with/without chemotherapy have a higher locoregional recurrence rate, and the recurrence rate is mainly the esophagus. The independent factors that affect RFS are different from the risk factors of recurrence.
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Objective:To evaluate the effects of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radical radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) on the long-term prognosis of patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer.Methods:From January 2011 to December 2014, a retrospective analysis was performed in 172 patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer who were eligible for IMRT. First, the prognosis of all the patients was evaluated using single factor and multivariate analyses. According to the different irradiation method of the patients, the patients were divided into two groups, one of which received conventional IMRT (C-IMRT) and the other of which received SIB-IMRT. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was applied to match the two groups of patients and to determine the treatment efficacy of patients after PSM, prognostic factors, failure modes, and side effects. SPSS19.0 statistical software was used to conduct statistical analysis.Results:The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) times of all the patients were 30 months and 20 months, respectively. The fact whether the surrounding tissues and organs of esophageal lesions were invaded, clinical node staging (cN staging), chemotherapy, and GTV-maximum transverse diameter were observed to be independent influencing factors of OS and PFS in all the patients ( P<0.001, P=0.013, 0.005, 0.002; P<0.001, P=0.017, 0.034, 0.002). In addition, the independent influencing factors of PFS showed short-term efficacy ( P=0.036). After PSM, there were 54 patients in each of the two groups. The result of multivariate analysis showed that the fact whether the surrounding tissues and organs of esophageal lesions were invaded, cN staging, cTNM staging, prescribed dose, GTV-maximum transverse diameter, and irradiation method were independent factors affecting the OS ( P<0.001, P=0.008, 0.014, 0.021, 0.010, 0.008). Similarly, the fact whether the surrounding tissues and organs of esophageal lesions were invaded, cN staging, and GTV-maximum transverse diameter were observed to be independent factors that affect the PFS of patients ( P<0.001, P=0.044, 0.013). The difference in the total failure rate (70.4% vs. 50.0%) and the local regional recurrence rate (61.1% vs. 31.5%) between the C-IMRT and SIB-IMRT groups after treatment was significant ( χ2=4.68, 9.53, P=0.031, 0.002). The incidence of radiation pneumonitis of grade ≥ 1 in the C-IMRT group was significantly higher than that of the SIB-IMRT group ( χ2=6.16, P=0.046), whereas the leukocyte suppression of grade ≥ 2 in the C-IMRT group was significantly lower than that in the SIB-IMRT group ( χ2=12.77, P=0.005). Conclusions:As shown by the result of this study, compared with C-IMRT, SIB-IMRT can improve the OS of patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer to a certain extent. Whether SIB-IMRT can improve the PFS of patients requires further research.
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Objective To compare the clinical value of chest CT and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis of 90 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer lymph node metastasis diagnosed and treated in our hospital from July 2015 to June 2019. All patients underwent chest CT and MRI scans after admission, and the lesion tissue samples were taken for pathological examination after surgery. Physical examination, with pathological diagnosis results as the gold standard, analyze the sensitivity and specificity of chest CT and MRI. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MRI scan was 88.73%, 94.74%, 98.44%, and 69.23%, respectively, which were higher than 69.01%, 52.63%, 84.48%, and 31.25% of the chest CT scan. In the distribution of lymph node metastasis, the middle of the thorax was the largest, and the proportions of the upper, middle, and lower thoraxes were 26.67%, 60.00%, and 13.33%, respectively. The uppermost mediastinal and paratracheal lymph nodes had the largest metastases in the upper thorax, the paratracheal and subcarinal lymph nodes in the middle thoracic segment had the most metastasis, and the next to the cardia and left gastric artery lymph nodes in the lower thorax had the largest metastases. The accuracy of MRI diagnosis is higher than that of chest CT. Conclusion Both chest CT and MRI can diagnose lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal cancer. The diagnostic value of MRI in diagnosing lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal cancer is better than chest CT. The diagnostic accuracy of MRI in each part of the lymph node is higher than that of chest CT, which can show the lymph nodes more clearly in transfer situation.
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Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effect of minimally invasive small incision surgery on early thoracic esophageal cancer patients and its impact on pain. Methods A total of 160 patients with early thoracic esophageal cancer who were treated in our hospital from March 2016 to March 2017 were randomly divided into the conventional surgery group and the minimally invasive small incision surgery group. Patients in the conventional surgery group were treated with routine operation,and pa-tients in the minimally invasive small incision surgery group were treated with minimally invasive small incision surgery. Vital capacity ( VC),forced expiratory volume 1(FEV1),visual analogue scale(VAS),hospitalization time,operation time and intraoperative bleed-ing volume were counted. Growth hormone(GH)was detected by ELISA. The levels of cortisol(Cor) and interleukin-8( IL-8) were measured by immunoassay and adverse reactions. Results The levels of VC and FEV1 in the minimally invasive small incision group were significantly higher than those in the conventional surgery group. The bleeding volume,operation time and hospitalization time were shorter than those in the conventional surgery group. The levels of GH and Cor,VAS score and incidence of adverse reaction rate were lower than those in the conventional surgery group,and the level of IL-8 was also higher in than that in the conventional surgery group. The difference was statistically significant(P<0. 05). Conclusion Minimally invasive small incision surgery is effective on the treatment of early thoracic esophageal cancer,relieving pain and reducing adverse reactions.
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Objective To compare the dosimetric differences in heart and lung among three radiotherapy techniques in the treatment of thoracic esophageal cancer. Methods A total of 15 thoracic esophageal cancer patients treated in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital during the period of January 2015 to February 2016 were enrolled in this retrospective dosimetric study. Three radiotherapy treatment plans, including intensity-modulated radiotherapy ( IMRT) , volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy ( VMAT) with Raystation 4. 0v TPS, and tomotherapy (TOMO) plans with TomoTTM v2. 0. 5 TPS were generated for each patient with a prescribed dose of 60 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction. Dosimetric differences in planning target volume ( PTV) , heart, cardiac subunits and lung were compared. Results The mean volumes of PTV, heart and lung were (399 ±355), (671 ±274) and (3907 ±1717)cm3, respectively. Compared with VMAT and IMRT, TOMO reduced the maximum dose of PTV, heart, left atrium and lung ( H=10. 889, 7. 433, 12. 080, 11. 401, P <0. 05). No difference was observed in conformity or homogeneity among these three plans. Conclusions TOMO reduced the maximum dose to PTV, heart, left atrium and lung compared with VMAT and IMRT, However, no difference in conformity and homogeneity was observed. The impact of dosimetric advantage of TOMO needs further verification due to the interaction between heart and lung for thoracic esophageal cancer patients.
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<b>Background:</b> Patients having thoracic esophagectomy, a standardized treatment for esophageal cancer patients in Japan, are known to have various postsurgical signs and symptoms for a period of time. The current status of nursing interventions at outpatients need to be clarified. <b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed at identifying the nurses' interventions for cancer patients at the outpatient setting who previously had thoracic radical esophagectomy. <b>Methods:</b> Patients who had esophagectomy at a cancer center hospital in Japan were prospectively observed and interviewed by outpatient nurses between January 2009 and December 2010. Their documented responses in medical record were prospectively investigated and were qualitatively analyzed via content analysis method. This study was approved by the study hospital's research ethics committee. <b>Results and discussion:</b> The data analysis of nursing interventions for 66 patients yielded 372 extracts, 12 categories, and 74 codes. Nurses were assessing patients' signs and symptoms affected by postsurgical changes, and were utilizing patients' active self-monitoring skills. The results also showed the significance of facilitating postsurgical recovery in relation to nutritional intake and physical activity in patients' daily life. <b>Implications:</b> Based upon the study results, the development of a systematic program is underway, which facilitates esophageal cancer patients' postsurgical recovery.
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<b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed at identifying difficulties among post thoracic esophagectomy cancer patients during outpatient follow-up. <b>Methods:</b> Patients who had radical esophagectomy at a cancer center hospital in Japan were prospectively observed and were interviewed by a certified nurse assigned at esophageal surgical outpatient division. Their responses were documented in medical records and were analyzed by content analysis method. This study was approved by the study hospital's research ethics committee. <b>Results:</b> The data from 66 patients were obtained. Content analysis yielded 221 extracts, 25 categories, and 65 codes of difficulties, including: concerns or signs/symptoms associated with dietary intake, physical activity, and anxiety. <b>Implications:</b> The majority of post-thoracoabdominal esophagectomy patients experienced multiple dysfunctions and symptoms after discharge. The results underscore the significance of nurses' role in assessing and instructing patients to address these issues.
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Objective To compare volumetric size, conformity index (CI), degree of inclusion (DI) of internal gross target volumes (IGTV) delineated on 4D-CT-MIP and PET-CT images for primary thoracic esophageal cancer. Methods Fifteen patients with thoracic esophageal cancer sequentially underwent enhanced 3D-CT, 4D-CT and PET-CT simulation scans. IGTVMIP was obtained by contouring on 4D-CT maximum intensity projection ( MIP). The PET contours were determined with nine different threshold methods (SUV≥2?0, 2?5, 3?0, 3?5), the percentages of the SUVmax(≥20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%) and manual contours. The differences in size, conformity index (CI), degree of inclusion ( DI) of different volumes were compared. Results The volume ratios ( VRs) of IGTVPET2. 5 to IGTVMIP , IGTVPET20% to IGTVMIP, IGTVPETMAN to IGTVMIP were 0?86, 0?88, 1?06, respectively, which approached closest to 1. The CIs of IGTVPET2?0,IGTVPET2.5,IGTVPET20%,IGTVPETMAN and IGTVMIP which were 0?55, 0?56, 0?56, 0?54,0?55, respectively, were significantly larger than other CIs of IGTVPET and IGTVMIP (Z= -3?408-2?215,P 0?05). Conclusions The targets delineated based on SUV threshold setting of≥2?5, 20% of the SUVmax and manual contours on PET images correspond better with the target delineated on maximum intensity projection of 4D-CT images than other SUV thresholding methods.
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Objective To compare the dosimetric characteristics of intensity-modulated arc therapy( IMAT ),fixed-gantry intensity-modulated radiotherapy ( IMRT ) and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for the thoracic esophageal cancer.Methods A total of 15 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer were enrolled.3D-CRT,5-field IMRT( IMRT5 ),7-field IMRT( IMRT7 ),9-field IMRT ( IMRT9 ),single arc ( Arc1 ) and double arc ( Arc2 ) RapidArc plans were generated for each patient.All plans were prescribed 40 Gy in 20 fractions and 19.6 Gy in 14 fractions to PTV at 95％ isodose line.Results RapidArc and all IMRT treatment plans in dosimetric parameters of target volumes were obviously better compared to 3-dimentional conformal treatments( t =5.77,3.52,P ＜ 0.05 ).The result of V95 of PTV for 3D-CRT,IMRT5,IMRT7,IMRT9,Arc1 and Arc2 plans was 91.55 ±2.90,96.66 ±1.05,96.87 ± 1.23,96.81 ± 1.16,94.98 ± 1.41 and 95.93 ± 1.32,respectively.The best conformation index in PTV was observed in the RapidArc plans ( t =3.76,10.01,P ＜ 0.05 ),and the best homogeneity index in PTV was observed in the IMRT plans( t =3.93,3.37,P ＜ 0.05 ).In terms of organ sparing,no statistical difference was observed between IMRT and RapidArc plans( P ＞ 0.05 ),while 3D-CRT provided the lowest number of V1 cGy and V5 cGy for total lung.Compared with the IMRT treatment plans,the number of monitor units was lower in all 3D-CRT and RapidArc cases with differences of 75％.Conclusions All the IMRT and RapidArc plans could offer high quality treatment for patients.3D-CRT might show advantage in low-dose region to organs at risk.Compared with IMRT,no obvious advantage in PTV dosimetric parameters could be observed in RapidArc plans.