Post-mastectomy radiation therapy in breast reconstruction: a patterns of care study of the Korean Radiation Oncology Group

Purpose@#The details of breast reconstruction and radiation therapy (RT) vary between institutions; therefore, we sought to investigate the practice patterns of radiation oncologists who specialize in breast cancer. @*Materials and Methods@#We identified the practice patterns and inter-hospital variations from a multi-center cohort of women with breast cancer who underwent post-mastectomy RT (PMRT) to the reconstructed breast at 16 institutions between 2015 and 2016. The institutions were requested to contour the target volume and produce RT plans for one representative case with five different clinical scenarios and answer questionnaires which elicited infrastructural information. We assessed the inter-institutional variations in RT in terms of the target, normal organ delineation, and dose-volume histograms. @*Results@#Three hundred fourteen patients were included; 99% of them underwent immediate reconstruction. The most irradiated material was tissue expander (36.9%) followed by transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (23.9%) and silicone implant (12.1%). In prosthetic-based reconstruction with tissue expander, most patients received PMRT following partial deflation. Conventional fractionation and hypofractionation RT were used in 66.6% and 33.4% patients, respectively (commonest: 40.05 Gy in 15 fractions [17.5%]). Furthermore, 15.6% of the patients received boost RT and 53.5% were treated with bolus. Overall, 15 physicians responded to the questionnaires and six submitted their contours and RT plans. There was a significant variability in target delineations and RT plans between physicians, and between clinical scenarios. @*Conclusion@#Adjuvant RT following post-mastectomy reconstruction has become a common practice in Korea. The details vary significantly between institutions, which highlights an urgent need for standard protocol in this clinical setting.

Post-mastectomy radiation therapy in breast reconstruction: a patterns of care study of the Korean Radiation Oncology Group

Purpose@#The details of breast reconstruction and radiation therapy (RT) vary between institutions; therefore, we sought to investigate the practice patterns of radiation oncologists who specialize in breast cancer. @*Materials and Methods@#We identified the practice patterns and inter-hospital variations from a multi-center cohort of women with breast cancer who underwent post-mastectomy RT (PMRT) to the reconstructed breast at 16 institutions between 2015 and 2016. The institutions were requested to contour the target volume and produce RT plans for one representative case with five different clinical scenarios and answer questionnaires which elicited infrastructural information. We assessed the inter-institutional variations in RT in terms of the target, normal organ delineation, and dose-volume histograms. @*Results@#Three hundred fourteen patients were included; 99% of them underwent immediate reconstruction. The most irradiated material was tissue expander (36.9%) followed by transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (23.9%) and silicone implant (12.1%). In prosthetic-based reconstruction with tissue expander, most patients received PMRT following partial deflation. Conventional fractionation and hypofractionation RT were used in 66.6% and 33.4% patients, respectively (commonest: 40.05 Gy in 15 fractions [17.5%]). Furthermore, 15.6% of the patients received boost RT and 53.5% were treated with bolus. Overall, 15 physicians responded to the questionnaires and six submitted their contours and RT plans. There was a significant variability in target delineations and RT plans between physicians, and between clinical scenarios. @*Conclusion@#Adjuvant RT following post-mastectomy reconstruction has become a common practice in Korea. The details vary significantly between institutions, which highlights an urgent need for standard protocol in this clinical setting.

Gene Promoter Hypermethylation in Tumors and Plasma of Breast Cancer Patients / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: To measure the hypermethylation of four genes in primary tumors and paired plasma samples to determine the feasibility of gene promoter hypermethylation markers for detecting breast cancer in the plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA was extracted from the tumor tissues and peripheral blood plasma of 34 patients with invasive breast cancer, and the samples examined for aberrant hypermethylation in cyclin D2, retinoic acid receptor beta (RARbeta), twist and high in normal-1 (HIN-1) genes using methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and the results correlated with the clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: Promoter hypermethylation was detected at high frequency in the primary tumors for cyclin D2 (53%), RARbeta (56%), twist (41%) and HIN-1 (77%). Thirty-three of the 34 (97%) primary tumors displayed promoter hypermethylation in at least one of the genes examined. The corresponding plasma samples showed hyperme thylation of the same genes, although at lower frequencies (6% for cyclin D2, 16% for RARbeta, 36% for twist, and 54% for HIN-1). Overall, 22 of the 33 (67%) primary tumors with hypermethylation of at least one of the four genes also had abnormally hypermethylated DNA in their matched plasma samples. No significant relationship was recognized between any of the clinical or pathological parameters (tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, stage, or Ki-67 labeling index) with the frequency of hypermethylated DNA in the primary tumor or plasma. CONCLUSION: The detection of aberrant promoter hypermethylation of cancer-related genes in the plasma may be a useful tool for the detection of breast cancer.

Electromagnetic Fields in General Hospital / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are ubiquitous in modern society including medical field. As the technology of medical instruments and telecommunications has developed rapidly, it has influenced on our lives in many ways. Modern medical practice requires high quality medical equipments, which have a great deal of electromagnetic interference and susceptibility. The purpose of this study were to evaluate electromagnetic condition under usual clinical condition and to suggest a practical guideline in general hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The actual state of the electromagnetic interference in the medical field was studied under usual clinical conditions including operating rooms, intensive care units, magnetic resonance imaging unit, and hyperthermia unit. RESULTS: There was considerable noise as a result of electromagnetic fields from medical equipments including electrosurgical units and hyperthermia unit, and cellular phones, which could induce serious functional derangements of functioning medical devices. CONCLUSION: It will be necessary to evaluate the individual electromagnetic situations under various medical conditions and to define a limited zone for cellular phone as well as reposition medical equipments to secure a safer medical practice and to minimize electromagnetic interference.

Brain metastasis: Clinical characteristics and prognosis / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Brain metastasis is a common complication in cancer patients. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, treatment outcome and prognostic factors for patients with metastatic brain tumor. METHODS: The records of 97 patients with metastatic brain tumor during the period from January 1991 to November 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common primary tumor is lung cancer (61 cases, 63%) followed by metastatic cancer unknown primary site (15 cases, 16%), gastrointestinal cancer (13 cases, 13%), breast cancer (6 cases, 6%) and renal cancer (2 cases, 2%). There were 44 patients with a single brain metastasis and 53 patients with multiple brain metastases. The median survival was 3.0 months and one-year survival rate was 8% irrespective of treatment. Favorable prognostic factors which affect survival were ambulatory status (p<0.01) and functional neurologic class 1, 2 (p<0.01). Median survival was 3.7 months for patients with steroid therapy and 1.1 months with no therapy (p<0.01). Median survival was 4.8 months for patients with steroid therapy plus whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and 2.2 months with steroid therapy alone (p<0.01). Additional chemotherapy did not appear to affect the survival. The patients treated with surgery had median survival time of 8.8 months compared with 2.5 months for patients treated with steroid therapy plus WBRT (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In present study, we confirmed that whole brain irradiation and corticosteroid administration are effective palliative treatment for patients with metastatic brain tumor. Initial performance status and neurological function were identified as important prognostic factors. Although confounded by the limitations of retrospective study, more aggressive treatments including surgery and chemotherapy could be regarded to have a significant role to achieve better treatment outcome in some selected cases.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Orbit and Ocular Adnexa: Clinical Analysis of 22 Cases / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting in the eye is a rare disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, treatment outcome and complications of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the eye. METHODS: We designed retrospective, observational case study. The participants included 22 consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the orbit and ocular adnexa treated at the Yeungnam University Hospital between 1992 and 2001. RESULTS: There were 16 males (73%) and 6 females (27%). The median age at ocular presentation was 47. The most common presenting complaint was slowly growing mass at the eye. Histopathologic studies revealed extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, MALT type in 19 cases (86%), B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma in one case, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in one case, and lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma/immunocytoma in one case. The stages of lymphomas were IA(E) in 17 cases (82%), IIA(E) in 2 cases (9%), IIIA(E) in 2 cases (9%). Radiotherapy alone was employed in 17 cases, chemoradiotherapy was done in 3 cases, chemotherapy alone was administered in one case. Nineteen out of 21 cases (90%) achieved a complete remission, and 5 year survival rate was approximately 90%. Subgroup analysis of the patients with lymphomas in stage IA(E) revealed that complete response rate was 100% and 5 year survival rate was 100% CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy alone can produce durable remission in the majority of the patients with localized extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, MALT type. However, combination chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy should be considered in the patients with aggressive lymphomas or indolent lymphomas with systemic manifestation.

Inductoin of Radioresistance by Overexpression of Glutathione S-Transferase K1 (hGSTK1) in MCF-7 Cells / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the effects of x-irradiation on the expression of the novel glutathione S-transferase K1 gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human glutathione S-transferase K1 (hGSTK1) DNA was purified and ligated to a pcDNA3.1/Myc-His(+) vector for the overexpression of hGSTK1 gene. MCF-7 cells were transfected with or without the recombinant hGSTK1 gene, and irradiated with 6 MV x-ray. After incubation of 14 days, cell survival was measured and compared. The expression of hGSTK1 and the effect of x- irradiation on hGSTK1 expression were also estimated in MCF-7 cells transfected with or without the hGSTK1 gene by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Following 2 to 12 Gy of x-irradiation, the cell survivals were higher in the MCF-7 cells transfected with the hGSTK1 gene than in those without transfection. Despite the higher cell survival in the hGSTK1-transfected cells, RT-PCR for hGSTK1 mRNA revealed no significant differences according to radiation dose, fractionation, and time after irradiation. CONCLUSION: The MCF-7 cells transfected with the hGSTK1 gene showed higher cell survival than those without transfection of the gene. The hGSTK1 gene might be associated with the radiosensitivity of MCF-7 cell line and further analysis should be needed.

Evaluation of Treatment Response Using Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Metastatic Spines / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluated the usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnatic resonance imaging for monitoring the response to radiation therapy in metastatic bone marrow of the spines. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-one patients with metastatic bone marrow of the spine were examined with MRI. Diffusion-weighted and spin-echo MRI were performed in 10 patients before and after radiation therapy with or without systematic chemotherapy, and performed in 11 patiemts after radiation therapy alone. Follow up spin-echo and diffusion-weighted MRI were obtained at 1 to 6 months after radiation therapy according to patients' condition. The diffusion-weighted imaging sequence was based on reversed fast imaging with steady-state precession(PSIF). Signal intensity changes of the metastatic bone marrows before and after radiation therapy on conventional spin-echo sequence MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI were evaluated. Bone marrow contrast ratios and signal-to-noise ratio before and after radiation therapy of diffusion-weighted MRI were analyzed. RESULTS: All metastatic bone marrow of the spinal bodies were hyperintense to normal bone marrow of the spinal bodies on pretreatment diffusion-weighted MRI and positive bone marrow contrast ratio(p<0.001). and hypointense to normal spinal bodies on posttreatment diffusion-weighted MRI and negative bone marrow contrast ratio(p<0.001). The signal to noise ratio after treatment decreased comparing with those of pretreatment. Decreased signal intensity of the metastatic bone marrows on diffusion-weighted MRI began to be observed at average more than one month after the initiation of the radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: tThese results suggest that diffusion-weighted MRI would be an excellent method for monitoring the response to therapy of metastatic bone marrow of the spinal bodies. However, must be investigated in a larger series of patients with longer follow up period.

Design of a New Applicator for High-Dose Rate Vaginal Brachytherapy / 영남의대학술지

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to develop a new vaginal applicator(Shin's Applicator) for 2-channel high-dose rate vaginal brachytherapy to evaluate uniformity of surface dose, and to present 3-dimensional dose distribution of the applicator. METHODS: Shin's Applicator was inexpensively constructed using human soft tissue equivalent acrylic bar. We evaluated dose uniformity along the applicator surface using film densitometer and performed vaginal intracavitary brachytherapy after insertion of the applicator using HDR brachytherapy planning software and brachytherapy unit(Ralstron-20B). RESULTS: Shin's Applicator allows improved dose distribution than the existing 1-channel cylinder and achieves diminished urinary bladder and rectal dose by 20%. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results, it can be concluded that Shin's Applicator may be an improved form of a vaginal applicator. Furthermore, it can be suggested that this applicator has an advantage, for it prevents vaginal stenosis after radiation therapy and can be used as a disposable vaginal dilator. Further follow up examination with radiological study may be helpful to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of this applicator.

Alternative splicing in 5'-untranslational region of STK-15 gene, encoding centrosome associated kinase, in breast cancer cell lines

Centrosomes maintain genomic stability by establishing the bipolar spindles during cell division and, execute accurate segregation of chromosomes during mitosis. In this study, we have demonstrated that there are three forms of STK-15 gene in breast cancer cell lines. Alternative splice positions are located in 5'-untranslated region of STK15 gene. The results of in vitro translation experiments revealed that the alternative splicing in the 5'-untranslated region of STK15 had no effect on protein translation. The differential expression patterns of these alternatively spliced STK15 in breast cell lines and primary tumors therefore suggest that STK15 gene transcription may be differentially regulated or stabilized in these cells.

Development of Multichannel On-line Thermometry System / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: Measurement of body temperature is an important parameter inpatient management in many clinical condition. Failure to reach minimal acceptable and has necessitated the application of additional therapy. The authors developed a new, simple, accurate thermometry system, which could be used to undertake precise temperature measurement for various clinical conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new thermometry system using a specially designed temperature detecting and display system was developed. This system contains a temperature detecting sensor(LM 35CZ), which enables multiple serual checking of heat, data collection and processing computer, and 3-dimensional display system. It provides realtime volumetric visualization of temperature of a defined volume and stores and prints the data. RESULTS: With this system, temperature can be measured at multiple interesting sites simultaneously , demonstrated as a 3-dimensional temperature distribution and stored. In well-controlled, systematic experiments a significant correlation has been observed between standard temperature using this system at carious measuring points. CONCLUSION: This thermonetry system is a real-time measurement system, which can demonstrate 3-dimensional heat distribution in experimental phantom and human body and can be used for diagnosing abnormal conditions. In addition, this system reduces the nursing staff work load, providing them more time for long term care to patients.

The Effects of Steroid on Acute Lung Injury in the Mouse Induced by Whole Lung Irradiation / 대한치료방사선과학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate ultrastructural changes of the mouse lung induced by whole lung gamma irradiation and to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of steroid against acute lung injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty ICR mice were used and whole lung was irradiated with telecobalt machine. Whole lung doses were 8 and 12Gy, and 10mg of methyl prednisolone was administrated intraperitoneally for two and four weeks. At the end of the observation period, mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The lungs were removed and fixed inflated. Histopathological examination of acute radiation injuries were performed by light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: Control group with 8Gy is characterized by damage to the type I pneumocyte and the endothelial cell of the capillary, edema of alveolar wall and interstitium, and fibroblast proliferation. Control group with 12Gy is characterized by more severe degree of type I pneumocyte damage and more prominant inflammatory cell infiltration. Destructed cell debris within the alveolar space were also noted. After steroid administration, 8Gy experimental group showed decreased degree of inflammatory reactions but fibroblast proliferation and basal lamina damages were unchanged. Experimental group with 12Gy showed lesser degree of inflammatory reactions similar to changes of 8Gy experimental group. CONCLUSION: These studies suggest that the degree of interstitial edema and inflammatory changes were related to radiation dose but proliferation of the fibroblast and structural changes of basal lamina were not related to radiat- ion dose. Experimental administration of steroid for 2 to 4 weeks after whole lung irradiation suggest that steroid can suppress alveolar and endot- helial damages induced by whole lung irradiation but proliferation of the fibroblast and structural changes of basal lamina were not related to administration of steroid.

Sequential Combination Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy of an Isolated Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Larynx: Report of A Case / 영남의대학술지

No abstract available.

Computerzation of Radiation Oncology Practice Using Order-Communicating System / 영남의대학술지

Recently there has been attempts to develop hospital information system including order communicating system, patient tracing system, tumor registry system, office automation system and picture archiving and communication system(PACS). The authors devloped a practical system that was operated via order communication system of Yeungnam University Hospital. The system provided us the 'speed, accuracy, reliability, retention, economy and wide applicability through practical test. So we believed that this system would be one of standard computerized programs in radiation oncology practice and providing widely usable data for clinical statistics, medical record, tumor registry system and clinical researches.

Therapeutic Results of Radiotherapy in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancers / 영남의대학술지

Total 55 patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with radiation therapy at Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yeungnam University Hospital, between May-1 1986 and April-30 1993 were retrospectively analyzed by clinical characteristics, failure patterns follow up duration and survival ratio according to prognostic factors. Obtained results were as follows : 1. Male to female ratio was 17.3 2. Sixth and seventh decades were predominant age group. 3. The patients were 8 in stage I-II, 34 in stage IIIA, 13 in stage IIIb, respectively. 4. Forty five patients out of 55 were squamous cell carcinoma. 5. Primary tumor were originated from upper lobe bronchi predominantly. 6. The size of the primary tumor, lymph node involvement and the degree of differentiation were important in evaluation of prognosis. 7. In conclusion, for patients with poor prognostic factors systemic chemotherapy and multidisciplinary approach were recommended for better treatment outcome and improvement of survival.

Radition effect on colony formation of hela.S3(SC) cell line / 영남의대학술지

Since discovery of X-rays, radiotherapy has evolved into one of the most scientific branches of medicine and has established its role as the primary line or the secondary line of attack, after surgery,. in the treatment of malignant cancers. Nowadays its importance is illustrated by the fact that as many as 70 per cent of all pastients with cancer will receive radiation therapy at sometime during their disease process. Biologic effects-of X-rays began to be apparant soon after the discovery by Roentgen in 1895. In clinical radiotherapy, the biologic endpoint of most importance is loss of cellular reproductive ability or clonogenicity. One of the commonest ;nays to assess cell survival is to use an in vitro plating assay. We analyzed radiation effect on colony formation of HaLa. S3(SC) cell line and obtained results are as follows The plating efficiency is 0.464. The shape of cell survival curve is similar to multi-target plus single hit component model. Estimated values of Do, Dq, and extrapolation number are 150 cGy, 80 cGy and 1.7 respectively. We reported these experimental data with review of literature.

Conservative surgery and definitive radiotherapy in early breastr cancer / 영남의대학술지

Local excision and axillary dissection followed by radiation therapy to the breast has been shown to achieve equivalent local control and survival as mastectomy in an prospective randomized trials. We analyzed 28 cases of early breast cancer in order to evaluate the therapeutic effects of conservative f surgery and definitive radiotherapy in the management of early breast cancer as possible alternative of simple mastectomy, retrospectively. Obtained results were as follows 1. Treatment related acute side reactions are more prominant in the case of chemoradiotherapy group than radiotherapy alone group. 2. There were no cases of primary, regional or systemic failures on the last follow up examination. 3. Cosmetic results after treatment were satisfactory in 26 cases out of 28 cases on the last follow up examination. 4. There were no demonstrable differences of tumor control and cosmetic results between the treatment groups. Although, these results suggested that definitive radiotherapy after local excision would be a possible and desirable alternative instead of total mastectomy in the management of early breast cancers, analyzed cases were too small and follow up period was too short to evaluate the therapeutic effect of primary radiotherapy after local excision, exactly.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme using Yeungnam Localization Device :Technical note and Clinical trial / 대한치료방사선과학회지

Authors performed a stereotactic radiosurgery with multiple noncoplanar convergent photon beams of linear accelerator (NELAC-1018 18MeV, NEC) using a specially designed Yeungnam localization device for two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. One patient had 2cmsized and the other 4cm sized mass on the CT images. After single session of treatment with 15 and 20 Gy, headache was improved in a few days after radiosurgery with no remarkable untoward reactions. Our experience with these two patients were encouraging and we found that our localization device, which is easily adjustable and inexpensive, could be a valuable tool for stereotactic radiosurgery particularly in the treatment of recurrent brain tumor.

Radiation therapy of nasopharyngeal cancers / 영남의대학술지

Radiotherapeutically, nasopharyngeal caner is an important disease in Korea. Because of its blind anatomic location, early detection is relatively uncommon. Clinically, most of cases are locally advanced and nodal involvements are common. Recently better understanding of nature of the disease and improvement of radio – therapy technique permit better treatment result, including locoregional control and survival rate, and minimal normal tissue damages comparing with previously published date. We analyzed 31 patients of pathologically proven and previously untreated naso – pharyngeal carcinoma with different treatment techniques, retrospectively. Minimal and maximal follow up period of the survivor is 6 months and 68 months, respectively. Thirteen patients with squamous cell carcinoma are included in this analysis. The median age is 49 years (range from 20 to 64 years). Twenty two patients are stage III. Eleven patients are treated with radiotherapy alone and 20 are treated with combined modalities treatment. The degree of response after radiotherapy are categorized by 3-classes, i,e. complete response, partial response. In spite of similarities of complete response rate and 1-year survival rate between two different treatment techniques, those patients with undifferentiated carcinoma appear to benefit from the adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, systemic failure is more suggest that adjuvant therapy in the radiotherapeutic management of nasopharyngeal cancer needs additional research according to histologic types and future extensive clinical trials.

Pallative effect of radiation therapy in management of symptomatic osseous metastases / 영남의대학술지

Bone metastases represent an important and frequent clinical problem in patients with advanced cancers. Especially, painful bone metastases are common features in these patients. Radiotherapy is an effective tool for palliative aim of painful metastatic osseous lesions. Various treatment results have been previously reported. The present retrospective study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of palliative irradiation on pain relief, with the goal of selecting appropriate irradiation dose schedule. Radiotherapy consisted of 5 times a week with a various fractional dose between 180 and 400cGy. The response of pain relief and the survival time after completion of radiotherapy are related to total dose and most of the patients have shown a similar response by the end of radiotherapy. The higher dose and the more aggressive multimodality treatment, the better pain control and the longer survival time.