Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

Background@#In patients with early-stage breast cancer, the treatment results of hypofractionated radiation therapy (RT) and conventional RT are evaluated in efficacy and cost. @*Methods@#We retrospectively evaluated 280 patients with early-stage (Tis-2N0M0) breast cancer (including 100 hypofractionated RT patients) with regards to treatment outcomes according to the RT schedule. The median whole-breast RT dose was 42.56 Gy/16 fractions for hypofractionated RT and 50.4 Gy/28 fractions for conventional RT. Most patients (n = 260, 92.9%) additionally received a tumor bed boost RT. We used propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to balance the baseline risk factors for recurrence. The co-primary endpoints of this study were disease-free survival (DFS) and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR).DFS or IBTR was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test. @*Results@#Total 89 pairs of matched patients (1:1 matching, n = 178) were finally evaluated.The median follow-up was 23.6 months. After matching, the 3-year DFS was 100% in the hypofractionated RT group and 98.4% in the conventional RT group; there was no significant difference in DFS between the groups (P = 0.374). Furthermore, the IBTR did not differ between the hypofractionated RT and conventional RT groups (P = 0.374) after matching. The 3-year overall survival was not different between two groups (both 100%). Hypofractionated RT saved 26.6% of the total cost of RT compared to conventional RT. Additionally, the acute skin toxicity rate (≥ grade 2) was also not significantly different between the groups (hypofractionated RT: 10.1% vs. conventional RT: 2.2%). @*Conclusion@#Hypofractionated RT showed good IBTR and DFS, which were compatible to those in conventional RT in breast cancer. Hypofractionated RT is expected to be used more widely because of its low cost and convenience.

Maximum standardized uptake value at pre-treatment PET in estimating lung cancer progression after stereotactic body radiotherapy

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the feasibility of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on baseline 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) as a predictive factor for prognosis in early stage primary lung cancer treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven T1-3N0M0 primary lung cancer patients treated with curative SBRT between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Four patients (14.8%) treated with SBRT to address residual tumor after wedge resection and one patient (3.7%) with local recurrence after resection were included. The SUVmax at baseline PET/CT was assessed to determine its relationship with prognosis after SBRT. Patients were divided into two groups based on maximum SUVmax on pre-treatment FDG PET/CT, estimated by receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 17.7 months (range, 2.3 to 60.0 months). The actuarial 2-year local control, progressionfree survival (PFS), and overall survival were 80.4%, 66.0%, and 78.2%, respectively. With regard to failure patterns, 5 patients exhibited local failure (in-field failure, 18.5%), 1 (3.7%) experienced regional nodal relapse, and other 2 (7.4%) developed distant failure. SUVmax was significantly correlated with progression (p = 0.08, optimal cut-off point SUVmax > 5.1). PFS was significantly influenced by pretreatment SUVmax (SUVmax > 5.1 vs. SUVmax ≤ 5.1; p = 0.012) and T stage (T1 vs. T2-3; p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: SUVmax at pre-treatment FDG PET/CT demonstrated a predictive value for PFS after SBRT for lung cancer.

Hypoxic Brain Injury with Bilateral Dentate Gyrus Involvement

No abstract available.

Adverse effect of excess body weight on survival in cervical cancer patients after surgery and radiotherapy

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the effects of body mass index (BMI) on survival in cervical cancer patients who had undergone surgery and radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 70 cervical cancer patients who underwent surgery and RT from 2007 to 2012. Among them, 40 patients (57.1%) had pelvic lymph node metastases at the time of diagnosis. Sixty-seven patients (95.7%) had received chemotherapy. All patients had undergone surgery and postoperative RT. Median BMI of patients was 22.8 kg/m² (range, 17.7 to 35.9 kg/m²). RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 52.3 months (range, 16 to 107 months). Twenty-four patients (34.3%) showed recurrence. Local failure, regional lymph nodal failure, and distant failure occurred in 4 (5.7%), 6 (8.6%), and 17 (24.3%) patients, respectively. The 5-year actuarial pelvic control rate was 83.4%. The 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 85.1% and 65.0%, respectively. The presence of pelvic lymph node metastases (n = 30) and being overweight or obese (n = 34, BMI ≥ 23 kg/m²) were poor prognostic factors for CSS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.045, respectively). Of these, pelvic lymph node metastasis was an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.030) for CSS. CONCLUSION: Overweight or obese cervical cancer patients showed poorer survival outcomes than normal weight or underweight patients. Weight control seems to be important in cervical cancer patients to improve clinical outcomes.

A Case of Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Associated with Rifampin Therapy Presenting as Fanconi-like Syndrome / 전남의대학술지

No abstract available.

A Case of Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Associated with Rifampin Therapy Presenting as Fanconi-like Syndrome / 전남의대학술지

No abstract available.

Correction: Adverse effect of excess body weight on survival in cervical cancer patients after surgery and radiotherapy

The authors noticed that the original version of this paper contains typographical error in Fig. 2.

Efficacy of Dose-Escalated Radiotherapy for Recurrent Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy (RT) on progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with recurrent colorectal cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 22 patients with recurrent colorectal cancer treated with RT between 2008 and 2014. The median radiation dose for recurrent disease was 57.6 Gy (range, 45-75.6 Gy). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of RT: patients underwent RT without previous history of irradiation (n = 14) and those treated with secondary RT (reirradiation: n = 8) at the time of recurrence. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 24.9 months (range, 4.5-66.6 months). Progression was observed in 14 patients (including 8 with loco-regional failure and 9 with distant metastases). Distant metastases were related to the RT dose (<70 Gy, P = 0.031). The 2-year loco-regional control (LRC), PFS, and overall survival (OS) rates were 74.6%, 45.1%, and 82.0%, respectively. The LRC rate was not different between the patients treated with RT for the first time and those treated with reirradiation (P = 0.101, 2-year LRC 79.5% vs. 41.7%). However, reirradiation was related to poor PFS (P = 0.022) and OS (P = 0.002). An escalated RT dose (≥70 Gy) was associated with a higher PFS (P = 0.014, 2-year PFS 63.5% vs. 20.8%). CONCLUSION: Salvage RT for locally recurrent colorectal cancer can be offered when surgery is impossible. Dose-escalated RT shows a possible benefit in reducing the risk of progression.

Association between obesity and local control of advanced rectal cancer after combined surgery and radiotherapy

PURPOSE: The association between metabolism and cancer has been recently emphasized. This study aimed to find the prognostic significance of obesity in advanced stage rectal cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 111 patients who were treated with combined surgery and RT for clinical stage 2-3 (T3 or N+) rectal cancer between 2008 and 2014. The prognostic significance of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m²) in local control was evaluated. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 31.2 months (range, 4.1 to 85.7 months). Twenty-five patients (22.5%) were classified as obese. Treatment failure occurred in 33 patients (29.7%), including local failures in 13 patients (11.7%), regional lymph node failures in 5, and distant metastases in 24. The 3-year local control, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival rates were 88.7%, 73.6%, and 87.7%, respectively. Obesity (n = 25) significantly reduced the local control rate (p = 0.045; 3-year local control, 76.2%), especially in women (n = 37, p = 0.021). Segregation of local control was best achieved by BMI of 25.6 kg/m² as a cutoff value. CONCLUSION: Obese rectal cancer patients showed poor local control after combined surgery and RT. More effective local treatment strategies for obese patients are warranted.

Being Overweight or Obese Increases the Risk of Progression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer after Surgical Resection

This study aimed to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and progression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 50 patients with TNBC who underwent breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy between 2007 and 2014. All patients were classified according to BMI (median 23.5 kg/m2, range 17.2-31.6 kg/m2): 31 patients (62%) were classified as being overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) and 19 patients (38%) were classified as having a normal body weight (BMI < 23 kg/m2). The median follow-up for patients was 31.1 months (range, 6.7-101.9 months). Progression occurred in 7 patients (14%), including 5 ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences, 2 regional lymph node metastases, and 5 distant metastases. Progression was significantly correlated with overweight or obese patients (P = 0.035), while none of the normal weight patients showed progression. The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 85.0% and 87.7%, respectively. DFS was significantly reduced in overweight or obese patients compared to that in normal weight patients (P = 0.035). However, OS was not significantly compromised by being overweight or obese (P = 0.134). In conclusion, being overweight or obese negatively affects DFS in TNBC patients.

Kidney Transplant Patient with a Facial Redness / 대한이식학회지

Posttransplant erythrocytosis (PTE) is a common complication of renal transplantation, which can occur in approximately 10% to 15% of renal transplant patients and usually affects males with relatively good renal function. It is also associated with an increased incidence of thromboembolic events. Clinical manifestations of PTE include malaise, headache, plethora, lethargy, and dizziness. It is correlated with use of cyclosporin, gender, posttransplant renal function, and type of antihypertensive medication. The angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is preferred as an initial treatment for PTE because these agents are effective and reasonably safe in the majority of patients with PTE, and can also provide a necessary antihypertensive effect for kidney transplant patients. We report here on a 35-year-old male who had erythrocytosis after renal transplantation. After renal transplantation, his level of hemoglobin was 21 g/dL. We treated this patient with ARB and his symptoms and signs have been completely relieved.

Thrombotic microangiopathy resulting from neglected blood pressure control

Hypertensive nephrosclerosis is usually associated with chronic hypertension, which increases the risk of progressive renal disease. Among the causes of malignant hypertension, thrombotic microangiopathy is complicated and is associated with renal dysfunction at the time of diagnosis. In this case, a young man with hypertension presented with renal failure and thrombocytopenia in the emergency department. This case emphasizes the importance of early recognition of renal failure and thrombocytopenia among patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Management and Evaluation Prior to Transplantation of Deceased Donor / 대한이식학회지

The number of people awaiting organ transplantation continues to exceed the number of organs available for transplantation, especially at a time when kidney transplantation is recognized as the best treatment option for end stage renal disease. There may be many reasons for this disparity of organ supply and demand, including the lack of consent, absence of an experienced coordinator team to help in closing the widening gap between organ supply and demand, and an unstandardized critical care management of potential organ donors. According to the report of the Korean Organ Transplant Registry in March 2014, due to a serious organ shortage in Korea, kidneys of deceased donors with low initial estimated glomerular filtration rate of <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (21.2%) and expanded criteria donors (18.3%) are frequently used, and the number of wife donors and ABO-incompatible transplants for blood type O recipients is increasing. Because the number of donor organs compared with the demand is very restricted, proper management of deceased donors in the intensive care unit has been recognized as a critical determinant for a successful transplantation. Therefore, for successful transplantation of harvested organs, many medical doctors who play an integral role in the transplantation process should understand the pathophysiology of brain death-related systemic changes and well-designed management guidelines should be used prior to transplantation of deceased donors. This article reports on brain death-related systemic changes and proper management for preservation of function of donor organs.

Evaluation of the Korean Network for Organ Sharing Expanded Donor Criteria in Deceased Donor Renal Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the propriety of expanded donor criteria in Korea and to identify the preoperative factors influencing allograft survival and function. METHODS: We studied 404 patients who received deceased renal transplants from five transplantation centers of 2, 3 territory from 2000 to 2010. Differences in 1-year graft function, delayed graft function (DGF) rate, and graft survival rate between the standard criteria donor (SCD) and expanded criteria donor (ECD) were compared retrospectively. The preoperative factors influencing graft function and graft survival were analysed. RESULTS: SCD showed significantly better 1-year graft function than ECD (P=0.011). No differences in 1-year acute rejection rate were observed between SCD (13.2%) and ECD (16.9%) (P=0.449). Significantly higher DGF rate was observed for ECD (25.4%) than for SCD (14.1%) (P=0.022). Graft type had no significant influence on 5-year graft survival (SCD 94.5% vs. ECD 93.7%) (P =0.835). Advanced donor age (P=0.001), donor hypertension history (P=0.047), high serum creatinine (P=0.002), and cerebral infarction as cause of death (P=0.004) had a negative influence on 1-year allograft function. Significantly low graft survival was observed for advanced donor age (P =0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Graft function, DGF rates of ECD were poorer than those of SCD. Graft survival rate of ECD was comparable to that of SCD kidney. Korean Network for Organ Sharing expanded criteria may underestimate the organ quality of deceased kidney and modification may be needed in order to expand the potential donor pool through nationwide study.

Decreased serum level and increased urinary excretion of vascular endothelial growth factor-C in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Interstitial tonicity increases vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), a lymphangiogenic factor in salt-induced hypertension. Therefore, it can be assumed that changes of serum VEGF-C level may be associated with increasing blood pressure. However, there is no report about the changes of serum VEGF-C levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aims of this study were to investigate the changes of serum and urine VEGF-C levels in patients with CKD stage 3-4 and to evaluate the relationship between blood pressure and serum VEGF-C levels in the patients with CKD stage 5 and hemodialysis. METHODS: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was assessed by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Blood pressure and VEGF-C levels (serum and urine) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in nine patients with stage 3-4 CKD, 41 hemodialysis patients, and eight healthy individuals. RESULTS: The median serum level of VEGF-C in patients with stage 3-4 CKD and stage 5 hemodialysis significantly decreased in comparison with healthy individuals. Urinary VEGF-C excretion increased in patients with stage 3-4 CKD compared with healthy control patients. For 41 hemodialysis patients, the serum level of VEGF-C in patients with stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension with hemodialysis did not significantly increase when compared with prehypertension hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that circulating levels of VEGF-C were decreased in patients with CKD, and the decrease of VEGF-C in patients with stage 3-4 CKD coincided with an increase in the urinary excretion of VEGF-C.

Molecular regulation of kidney development / 대한해부학회지

Genetically engineered mice have provided much information about gene function in the field of developmental biology. Recently, conditional gene targeting using the Cre/loxP system has been developed to control the cell type and timing of the target gene expression. The increase in number of kidney-specific Cre mice allows for the analysis of phenotypes that cannot be addressed by conventional gene targeting. The mammalian kidney is a vital organ that plays a critical homeostatic role in the regulation of body fluid composition and excretion of waste products. The interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells are very critical events in the field of developmental biology, especially renal development. Kidney development is a complex process, requiring inductive interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells that eventually lead to the growth and differentiation of multiple highly specialized stromal, vascular, and epithelial cell types. Through the use of genetically engineered mouse models, the molecular bases for many of the events in the developing kidney have been identified. Defective morphogenesis may result in clinical phenotypes that range from complete renal agenesis to diseases such as hypertension that exist in the setting of grossly normal kidneys. In this review, we focus on the growth and transcription factors that define kidney progenitor cell populations, initiate ureteric bud branching, induce nephron formation within the metanephric mesenchyme, and differentiate stromal and vascular progenitors in the metanephric mesenchyme.

Serial MR Imaging of Magnetically Labeled Humen Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells in Acute Renal Failure Rat Model

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for tracking intravenously injected superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in an acute renal failure (ARF) rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HUVECs were labeled with SPIO and poly-L-lysine (PLL) complex. Relaxation rates at 1.5-T MR, cell viability, and labeling stability were assessed. HUVECs were injected into the tail vein of ARF rats (labeled cells in 10 rats, unlabeled cells in 2 rats). Follow-up serial T2*-weighted gradient-echo MR imaging was performed at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after injection, and the MR findings were compared with histologic findings. RESULTS: There was an average of 98.4+/-2.4% Prussian blue stain-positive cells after labeling with SPIO-PLL complex. Relaxation rates (R2*) of all cultured HUVECs at day 3 and 5 were not markedly decreased compared with that at day 1. The stability of SPIO in HUVECs was maintained during the proliferation of HUVECs in culture media. In the presence of left unilateral renal artery ischemia, T2*-weighted MR imaging performed 1 day after the intravenous injection of labeled HUVECs revealed a significant signal intensity (SI) loss exclusively in the left renal outer medulla regions, but not in the right kidney. The MR imaging findings at days 3, 5 and 7 after intravenous injection of HUVECs showed a SI loss in the outer medulla regions of the ischemically injured kidney, but the SI progressively recovered with time and the right kidney did not have a significant change in SI in the same period. Upon histologic analysis, the SI loss on MR images was correspondent to the presence of Prussian blue stained cells, primarily in the renal outer medulla. CONCLUSION: MR imaging appears to be useful for in vivo monitoring of intravenously injected SPIO-labeled HUVECs in an ischemically injured rat kidney.

Masked Hydronephrosis

No abstract available.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and coexisting hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an acute viral disease with fever, hemorrhage and renal failure caused by hantavirus infection. Hantavirus induces HFRS or hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS progression to a life-threatening pulmonary disease is found primarily in the USA and very rarely in South Korea. Here, we report a case of HFRS and coexisting HPS.

An Overlooked Cause of Impaired Consciousness in a Hemodialysis Patient

No abstract available.