Steep dose-response relationship for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer using hypofractionated high-dose irradiation by real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with pathologically proven, peripherally located, Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer who had undergone stereotactic body radiotherapy using real-time tumor tracking radiotherapy during the developmental period. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 41 patients (25 with Stage T1 and 16 with Stage T2) were admitted to the study between February 2000 and June 2005. A 5-mm planning target volume margin was added to the clinical target volume determined with computed tomography at the end of the expiratory phase. The gating window ranged from +/-2 to 3 mm. The dose fractionation schedule was 40 or 48 Gy in four fractions within 1 week. The dose was prescribed at the center of the planning target volume, giving more than an 80% dose at the planning target volume periphery. RESULTS: For 28 patients treated with 48 Gy in four fractions, the overall actuarial survival rate at 3 years was 82% for those with Stage IA and 32% for those with Stage IB. For patients treated with 40 Gy in four fractions within 1 week, the overall actuarial survival rate at 3 years was 50% for those with Stage IA and 0% for those with Stage IB. A significant difference was found in local control between those with Stage IB who received 40 Gy vs. 48 Gy (p = 0.0015) but not in those with Stage IA (p = 0.5811). No serious radiation morbidity was observed with either dose schedule. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that 48 Gy in four fractions within 1 week is a safe and effective treatment for peripherally located, Stage IA non-small-cell lung cancer. A steep dose-response curve between 40 and 48 Gy using a daily dose of 12 Gy delivered within 1 week was identified for Stage IB non-small-cell lung cancer in stereotactic body radiotherapy using real-time tumor tracking radiotherapy.     

三维适形放疗非小细胞肺癌预后因素分析

目的回顾性分析非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)三维适形放疗(3DCRT)疗效及其预后因子。方法接受3DCRT的178例NSCLC中男136例,女42例,中位年龄65岁。放疗剂量2～3 Gy/次,6次/周,总剂量60～75Gy。对相关指标进行单因素、多因素分析,并用预后指数模型综合评价放疗疗效。结果中位随访期16个月(14～38个月),1、2年生存率分别为62.4%、39.7%,中位生存时间16个月。单因素分析显示性别、疗前体重下降、病理类型、T分期、原发肿瘤最大横径、GTV体积、照射总剂量对生存期有影响。多因素分析显示疗前体重下降、病理类型、GTV体积和照射总剂量为独立的预后因子,综合以上4种因素的预后指数模型能较好地区分不同的预后亚组。结论疗前体重下降、病理类型、GTV体积及照射总剂量是NSCLC患者3DCRT的独立预后因子,预后指数模型比单个因素能更好地反映3DCRT预后。     

Late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LCAF).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of late course accelerated fractionated (LCAF) radiotherapy in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The end-points were local control, radiation-induced complications, and factors influencing survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 1995 and April 1998, 178 consecutive NPC patients were admitted for radiation treatment. The radiation beam used was (60)Co gamma or 6 MV X rays. For the first two-thirds of the treatment, two daily fractions of 1.2 Gy were given to the primary lesion, with an interval of > or =6h, 5 days per week to a total dose of 48 Gy/40 fractions, over a period of 4 weeks. For the last third of the treatment, i.e., beginning the 5th week of treatment, an accelerated hyperfractionated schedule was carried out. The dose per fraction was increased to 1.5 Gy, 2 fractions per day with an interval of > or =6h, the total dose for this part of the protocol was 30 Gy/20 fractions over 2 weeks. Thus the total dose was 78 Gy in 60 fractions in 6 weeks. RESULTS: All patients completed the treatment. Acute mucositis: none in 2 cases, Grade 1 in 43 cases, Grade 2 in 78 cases, Grade 3 in 52 cases, and Grade 4 in 3 cases. Local control rate: the 5 year nasopharyngeal local control rate was 87.7%, and the cervical lymph nodes local control rate was 85.7%. The 5-year distant metastasis rate was 26.1%, and 5 year survivals were 67.9%, 16 (9%) patients had radiation-induced cranial nerve palsy, 7(4%) patients had temporal lobe or brainstem damage. CONCLUSIONS: With this treatment schedule, patients' tolerance was good, local control and 5 year survivals were better than conventional fractionation schedules, and radiation-related late complications did not increase, as 5-year survival rates of conventional fractionation radiotherapy were only 58%. Randomized clinical trials are being carried out to further confirm the efficacy of LCAF for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.     

放化疗同步治疗肺癌脑转移38例临床分析

目的:观察长春瑞滨(NVB)、顺铂(DDP)加用卫萌(Vm-26)联合脑部放射治疗肺癌脑转移患者的疗效、不良反应和生存率。方法:Vm-260·1,静脉滴入,d1~d3;NVB25mg/m2,静脉滴入,d1、d8;DDP20mg/m2,静脉滴入,d1~d3;21d为1个周期,脑部放疗于第1个周期化疗开始后第5天开始,每次DT1·8~2·0Gy,1次/d,每周5次,1~2个病灶者全脑放疗DT40Gy后缩野追加至DT60Gy,≥3个转移灶者给予全颅放疗DT45Gy。结果:治疗后90%患者神经系统症状改善,对脑转移灶的客观有效率为71·1%(27/38),对肺原发灶的有效率为42·1%(16/38),主要不良反应为骨髓抑制和脱发,中位生存期11·01个月,1年生存率39·5%(15/38)。结论:同步放、化疗治疗肺癌脑转移患者有效率和生存率均较高,且患者耐受性好。肿瘤防治杂志,2005,12(19):1502-1504     

食管癌三维适形放射治疗的随访结果

[目的]探讨三维适形放射治疗（3D-CRT）食管癌的生存情况及局部控制情况。[方法]回顾性分析2000年10月至2004年12月期间182例食管癌病人接受3D-CRT的随访结果。治疗方法：采用三野以上多野共面照射为主，少数病例用非共面照射；剂量50～70Gy／5～7周，2Gy／次，每周5次（有8例采用后程加速超分割方案）。[结果]全组中位生存时间21个月；1、2、3、5年总生存率分别为71.2％、47．5％、36．6％、29．5％；1、2、3、5年无病生存率分别为55．9％、38％、31．8％、26．6％；1、2、3、5年局部控制率70.3％、62．8％、56．1％、54．5％；食管肿瘤未控或复发仍是死亡的第一原因，占死因的46．6％。[结论]三维适形放射治疗食管癌可取得较好的生存率和局部控制率。     

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with protracted infusion of 5-FU and cisplatin for postoperative recurrent or residual esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: We carried out the present study to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CT-RT) for postoperative recurrent esophageal cancer, which are, at present, unclear. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2002, 16 patients with postoperative loco-regional recurrence of esophageal cancer, and two patients with incompletely resected esophageal cancer were treated with concurrent CT-RT. Patients received protracted infusion of 5-FU 250-300 mg/m(2) on days 1 to 14, 1 hour infusion of cisplatin 10 mg/body on days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12, and a concurrent radiotherapy (RT) dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks. This treatment schedule was repeated twice with a gap of 1 week, for a total RT dose of 60 Gy administered over 7 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 13 (72%) completed the CT-RT protocol. A total RT dose of 60 Gy was administered for all except two patients, and doses of chemotherapy were reduced for five patients. Although grade 3 hematological toxicities were frequently noted, non-hematological toxicities of grades 3 and 4 were few. Of the 18 tumors, five (28%) showed complete response (CR). For patients without prior chemotherapy, the CR rate was 40% (4/10). The 2-year survival rate of 13 patients without distant metastases was 19%, with a median survival time of 9.5 months. CONCLUSION: The concurrent CT-RT protocol appears feasible and effective for patients with postoperative recurrent or residual esophageal cancer.     

An accelerated radiotherapy scheme using a concomitant boost technique for the treatment of unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: We designed a phase II trial for evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of an accelerated concomitant boost radiotherapy scheme for the treatment of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Thirty patients with unresectable stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC were prospectively enrolled in this protocol. All patients were scheduled to receive 15 fractions of conventional radiotherapy in doses of 1.8 Gy, to a total of 27 Gy. For the last 10 treatment days, an accelerated concomitant boost schedule was started that was composed of 1.8 Gy/fraction/day, 5 days/week to the large field and 1.8 Gy/fraction/day to the boost field 6 h apart, to a total dose of 63 Gy/35 fractions/5 weeks. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 13 months (range, 5-50 months; 3-year overall, disease-free, loco-regional disease-free and metastasis-free survivals were 23%, 19%, 19% and 23%, respectively). The most common acute toxicity was esophagitis in 31% of patients with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) criteria grade 1, and in 54% with grade 2. Radiation pneumonitis developed in 16% of patients with RTOG/EORTC grade 1. Three-year actuarial rate of late pulmonary and skin-subcutaneous toxicity were 12% and 16%, respectively. No late radiotherapy complications of spinal cord or esophagus were recorded. CONCLUSION: Overall survival, local control and freedom from local progression were comparable with the results reported with pure hyperfractionated radiotherapy. The overall rate of acute and late toxicity was acceptable.     

Radical irradiation of T2 Grade III and T3 bladder cancer—Tumor response and prognosis

A retrospective review was undertaken of the records of 69 patients treated by radical irradiation between 1972 and 1977 for T2 Grade III and T3 bladder cancer. Twenty-six of the patients were treated to a tumor dose of 54 Gy in 2 Gy fractions using five daily fractions per week and 24 of the patients were treated to a tumor dose of 48.6 Gy in 3.47 Gy fractions given tri-weekly. The tumor response and its relationship to patient five year survival with bladder conservation was determined. Tumor response was assessed on the basis of the documented gross cystoscopy findings between 6 and 12 months after radiotherapy. This could be done in 63 of the 69 patients. The complete response rate was 43%. The five year survival rate with bladder conservation for all the patients in the study was 24% ; for those with a complete response at cystoscopy, 54%; and for those failing to achieve a complete response, 5.8%. A statistically significant improvement in survival with bladder conservation for patients with complete response was found in both subgroups of uniformly treated patients. A 17% incidence of severe late gastrointestinal tract complications was noted in the subgroup of patients treated with large radiation fractions. These results confirm the prognostic value of the tumor response at cystoscopy after radical radiotherapy, expand the total dose or TDF range over which it has been observed and document its occurrence with an unconventional radiation fractionation schedule.     

三维适形放疗治疗局部晚期胰腺癌疗效分析

目的 评价三维适形放疗(3-DCRT)治疗局部晚期胰腺癌的疗效和毒副反应.方法 采用3-DcRT治疗局部晚期胰腺癌28例,具体方案:2-3 Gy/次,5次/周,共15-25次,总剂量45～50 Gy.治疗结束后评价疗效和毒副反应.结果 28例均顺利完成治疗,其中CR 3例,PR 4例,SD 16例,PD 5例,有效率2...     

Continuous accelerated 7-days-a-week radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer: long-term results of phase III clinical trial

PURPOSE: To update 5-year results of a previously published study on special 7-days-a-week fractionation continuous accelerated irradiation (CAIR) for head-and-neck cancer patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred patients with squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck in Stage T(2-4)N(0-1)M(0) were randomized between two definitive radiation treatments: accelerated fractionation 7 days a week including weekends (CAIR) and conventional 5 days a week (control). Hence the overall treatment time was 2 weeks shorter in CAIR. RESULTS: Five-year local tumor control was 75% in the CAIR group and 33% in the control arm (p < 0.00004). Tumor-cure benefit corresponded with significant improvement in disease-free survival and overall survival rates. Confluent mucositis was the main acute toxicity, with the incidence significantly higher in CAIR patients than in control (respectively, 94% vs. 53%). When 2.0-Gy fractions were used, radiation necrosis developed in 5 patients (22%) in the CAIR group as a consequential late effect (CLE), but when fraction size was reduced to 1.8 Gy no more CLE occurred. Actuarial 5-year morbidity-free survival rate was similar for both treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Selected head-and-neck cancer patients could be treated very effectively with 7-days-a-week radiation schedule with no compromise of total dose and with slight 10% reduction of fraction dose (2 Gy-1.8 Gy), which article gives 1 week reduction of overall treatment time compared with standard 70 Gy in 35 fractions over 47-49 days. Although this report is based on the relatively small group of patients, its results have encouraged us to use CAIR fractionation in a standard radiation treatment for moderately advanced head-and-neck cancer patients.     

后程加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的临床研究

目的研究后程加速超分割放射治疗食管癌的疗效.方法1997年10月～1999年10月我院治疗食管癌患者120例,随机分为两组:常规分割放疗(CFR)组60例,每天1次,每次2 Gy,每周5次,总肿瘤剂量70Gy;后程加速超分割放疗(LCAHR)组60例,常规分割放疗40 Gy后改为每天2次,每次1.5Gy,每次间隔6 h,每周10次,总肿瘤剂量70Gy.结果LCAHR组和CFR组1,2,3年生存率分别为73.3%、53.3%、40.0%和63.3%、53.3%、50.0%;LCAHR组和CFR组1,2,3年局控率分别为56.6%、26.7%、16.7%和36.7%、30.0%、26.7%,两组差异有显著性(P＜0.05).结论后程加速超分割放射治疗食管癌照射方法优于常规分割放疗.患者能耐受,值得临床进一步研究.     

Palliative percutaneous radiotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer

Percutaneous radiotherapy is an effective tool for the palliative treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). About two thirds of patients experience a notably improvement of symptoms after palliative radiotherapy. A whole variety of very different radiation schedules like a single fraction of 10 Gy, 2 fractions of 8.5 Gy, 10 fractions of 3 Gy, 25 fractions of 2 Gy, and others have been used for palliation. The effects of these different schedules have been compared in a total of 11 randomized trials of which 10 reported survival data and form subject of this review. According to these studies, an increase in total irradiation dose does not substantially prolong median survival, but results in a significant better 1-year survival. A comprehensive review of the data reveals that patients with poor performance status (ECOG score > or = 3) do not benefit from higher doses, but patients with good performance status do benefit. Patients with poor performance status, and patients with large distant tumour burden regardless of their performance status, are efficiently treated by a short course of relatively low dose radiotherapy. Schedules like 2 x 8.5 Gy and 4 x 5 Gy are most appropriate in this situation. For patients with good performance status the choice of the optimal radiation schedule is less clear. Schedules with total doses between 30 and 45 Gy in 2.5-3.0 Gy fractions should be preferred in these situations.     

内外照射加化疗联合治疗食管癌临床分析

目的 分析外照射、腔内近距离治疗及化疗治疗食管癌的疗效及其与外照射比较。方法 １２０例食管癌随机分成４组,每组３０例。Ⅰ组为外照射,Ⅱ组为外照射加腔内照射,Ⅲ组为外照射加化疗,Ⅳ组为内照射加化疗。外照射采用＾６０Ｃｏ治疗,２Ｇｙ／次,５次／周,总剂量６０－７４Ｇｙ;腔内照射６－８Ｇｙ／次,１次／周,总量１８～２４Ｇｙ;化疗用卡铂,１００ｍｇ／ｄ,５次／周,总量１０００ｍｇ。结果 Ⅱ～Ⅳ组的１,２,３年生存率高于Ⅰ组（Ｐ〈０．０５）。Ⅰ～Ⅳ组的３年生存率分别为１３．３％、３６．７％、４０．０％和４６．７％,死于肿瘤复发及未控分别为７２．２％、４０．０％、４３．７％和３８．４％（Ｐ〈０．０５）,远处转移率无明显差异。结论 外照射与近距离治疗和化疗的综合治疗可提高食管癌局部控制率和１,２,３年生存率。     

Toxicity of high-dose radiotherapy combined with daily cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer: results of the EORTC 08912 phase I/II study. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer

The purpose of this work was to study the feasibility of concurrent chemoradiation in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 40 patients with inoperable NSCLC were treated with escalating doses of radiotherapy and cisplatin (cDDP). The radiation dose was increased step by step from 60.5 to 66 Gy in daily fractions of 2.75 Gy. Chemotherapy was also increased step by step from 20 to 24 daily doses of cDDP 6 mg/m(2) and given concurrently with radiotherapy. A dose of 40 Gy/2 Gy/20 fractions (fx) was given to the EPTV (elective planning target volume) which included the gross tumour volume with a margin of 2 cm and part of or the entire mediastinum. During each session a boost dose of 0.75 Gy was given simultaneously to the BPTV (boost planning target volume), which encompassed the GTV (gross tumour volume) with a margin of 1 cm, for the first 20 fx, so the total dose to the tumour was 55 Gy. Cisplatin 6 mg/m(2) was given 1 h prior to radiotherapy at each fraction. From then on the dose of radiation to the BPTV and the dose of cDDP were increased step by step. In group I the BPTV was irradiated with two extra fractions of 2.75 Gy to a total dose of 60. 5 Gy without cDDP. In group II the same total dose of 60.5 Gy was given but the last two fractions were combined with cDDP. In group III four extra fractions of 2.75 Gy were given to the BPTV to a total dose of 66 Gy, only two of these fractions combined with cDDP. Finally, in group IV a total dose of 66 Gy was given in 24 fractions, all fractions combined with cDDP. All patients were planned by means of a CT-based conformal treatment planning. The maximal length of the oesophagus receiving >/=60.5 Gy was 11 cm. 40 patients were evaluable for acute and late toxicity and for survival. Acute toxicity grade >/=3 (common toxicity criteria, CTC) was rarely observed; nausea/vomiting in 3 patients (8%), leucopenia in 2 patients (5%), thrombocytopenia in 2 patients (5%), whilst 2 patients (5%) suffered from severe weight loss. Late side-effects (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, EORTC/RTOG) were: oesophageal toxicity >/=grade 3 in 2 patients (5%) and radiation pneumonitis grades 1 (3%) and 2 (3%) in 1 patient each. Overall actuarial 1- and 2-year survival was 53% and 40%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year local disease-free interval was 65% and 58% respectively. Radiotherapy at a dose of 66 Gy/2.75 Gy/24 fx combined with daily cDDP 6 mg/m(2) given over 5 weeks is feasible and results in a good local disease-free interval and a good survival rate. This treatment schedule is at present being tested as one of the two treatment arms of EORTC phase III study protocol 08972/22973.     

X刀立体定向放射治疗非小细胞肺癌的临床研究

目的观察X刀立体定向放射治疗非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的近期、远期疗效及其并发症,探讨X刀立体定向放疗在非小细胞肺癌治疗中的应用价值。方法75例符合条件的NSCLC患者随机分为两组,X刀治疗组38例,应用X刀立体定向放疗,剂量4~6Gy/次,每日或隔日1次,共治疗8~10次,使GTV边缘剂量达45~55Gy。常规放疗组37例,常规分割放疗,每次1.8~2.0Gy,每日1次,每周5次,总照射剂量60~65Gy。结果X刀组总有效率(CR PR)为86.8%,明显优于常规放疗组的62.1%,两组差异有非常显著性(P<0.05)。X刀组1,2,3年生存率分别为87.5%、60.0%和35.0%;常规放疗组分别为58.3%、27.8%和16.7%,两组间1,2,3年生存率比较差异均有显著性。结论与常规放疗相比,X刀立体定向放疗可以在较好保护周围正常组织的同时,提高肿瘤照射区的放射剂量,从而增加非小细胞肺癌的局部控制率,提高远期生存率。     

非小细胞肺癌三维适形放疗剂量递增的临床研究

目的通过临床剂量递增获得非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）三维适形放射治疗的最大耐受剂量并观察其疗效。方法对84例Ⅰ～Ⅲ期NSCLC采用三维适形放射治疗（3D-CRT）,不进行区域淋巴结预防性照射。在CTV照射患者60Gy（2Gy/次,1次/天,5天/周）后,开始对GTV进行剂量递增。2～4Gy/次,递增次数为3～11次。根据肺V20和将患者分为V20〈25%组和V2025%～36%组,两组患者再根据总剂量分剂量亚组,观察放射性损伤发生率和疗效。以≥15%的患者出现3级以上急性放射性肺损伤（RTOG）为限制剂量递增标准。结果全组84例。V20〈25%组45例,剂量亚组分别为70Gy、74Gy、78Gy、82Gy。3级放射性肺炎发生率为4.4%（2/45）。V2025%～36%组39例,剂量亚组分别为66Gy、70Gy、74Gy、78Gy。3级放射性肺炎发生率为5.1%（2/39）。全组中位生存时间14个月,1、2年总生存率分别为69.5%、52.8%,1、2年局部控制率分别为79.7%、53.6%。随着剂量增加,1、2年生存率和局部控制率有所增高,但统计学检验均无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。结论采用3DCRT治疗NSCLC时,提高局部放射剂量应考虑正常肺组织所受照射的剂量和体积。当V20〈25%时,可以安全地递增到82Gy,其放射性损伤可以接受;当V20为25%～36%时,可以递增到76Gy。但当V20〉30%时,增加到更高的放射剂量应谨慎,而提高局部剂量对生存率和局部控制率的意义仍有待进一步研究。     

立体定向放射治疗胸部肿瘤初步结果

目的：探讨立体定向放射治疗在胸部肿瘤治疗中的应用。方法：自1999年9月--2002年8月，对36例经病理证实的胸部肿瘤进行了立体定向放射治疗。其中原发性肺癌22例，转移性肺癌12例，纵隔肿瘤2例。其中鳞癌16例，腺癌15例，小细胞癌2例，胚胎性癌1例，胸腺瘤1例，软组织肉瘤1例。原发性肿瘤放疗先采用普通外照射50Gy／25次／5周，结束后即行立体定向放射治疗，对于不规则形病灶使用多叶光栅，球形病灶采用圆形限光筒。5-6个共面或非共面野，每次4Gy，每周照射3次，共4-5次。转移性肿瘤单纯立体定向放射治疗，1-4个拉弧照射，每次4Gy，每周3次，共7-10次。立体定向放疗时肿瘤体积为1．85cm^3至104．61cm^3(中位体积24．96cm^3)。结果：治疗结束后2个月拍摄胸部CT片进行疗效评价。可评价疗效的34例中，CR13例，PR14例，NC5例，PD2例。中位随访时间为24个月。一年和二年生存率分别为74.1％和38．4％。毒副反应主要为放射性肺损伤。其中急性放射性肺炎1级17例，2级10例，3级1例，5级2例(该2例肿瘤体积均超过60cm^3且为非共面照射)。晚期放射性肺纤维化1级20例，2级8例。结论：立体定向放射治疗作为普通外照射的补充在胸部肿瘤的治疗中近期疗效较好，远期疗效有待进一步观察。但要注意照射技术，照射体积不宜过大，适当调整非共面照射角度，避免正常肺组织的受照容积过大。     

Long-term results of hypofractionated radiotherapy and hormonal therapy without surgery for breast cancer in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate early and late reactions, local control, disease-free survival, cause-specific survival, and overall survival of elderly breast cancer patients treated with definitive once-a-week hypofractionated radiotherapy together with hormonal therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 1999, 115 patients with a median age of 83 presenting with 124 non-metastatic breast carcinoma were treated with definitive once weekly hypofractionated radiotherapy associated with hormonal therapy. The main reasons for adopting this schedule were patient refusal of surgery, very old age, locally advanced case, and/or comorbid disease. Radiation was delivered as once-a-week, 6.5 Gy for a total breast dose of 32.5 Gy in five fractions, followed with 1-3 fractions of 6.5 Gy to the tumour site. The median follow-up was 41 months. RESULTS: Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy led to 56% reduction of the tumour volume. Late reactions occurred in 46 patients; they were mild to moderate in 87% of these patients. The Kaplan-Meier rate was 52% of patients, with 6% experiencing grade 3 reactions. The 5-year local progression-free rate was 78%. The corresponding cause-specific survival was 71%, and was influenced by T classification, nodal status, oestrogen receptors and the total dose. The first three factors retained an independent prognostic impact on multivariate analysis. The 5-year overall survival was 38%. It was affected by the T classification, lymph node involvement and the performance status (PS). Using a multivariate analysis, only T classification and PS were identified as independent factors regarding overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Definitive hypofractionated radiotherapy allows a good local control, with acceptable toxicity. This schedule associated with hormonal therapy is a good alternative to surgery in non-operable old patients and in case of patient refusal to surgery and to standard fractionation.     

Accelerated hyperfractionation in patients with non-small cell bronchogenic cancers as a cost-effective and user- and patient-friendly schedule

We developed an accelerated hyperfractionation schedule with acceptable effect and toxicity in non-small cell bronchogenic carcinomas. An evolutionary institutional pilot was initiated in March 1995 as a modification of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9205, thrice-daily fractionation schedule. Twenty-nine patients with bronchogenic and 7 with head and neck cancers had treatment initiated and completed. A dose of 1.2 Gy was delivered to a mediastinal plus tumor field concomitantly with synchronous boost of 0.6Gy to a limited volume of gross tumor (twice daily for 27 treatments days in 4 weeks) with a total dose being 75.60 Gy to the primary gross tumor and 50.4 Gy to the elective volume. The bronchogenic cancers were stages IB (medically unresectable, n = 3), IIB (n = 4), IIIA (n = 4), or IIIB (n = 18). Eleven patients had squamous cell cancers, 13 adenocarcinomas, 1 large cell, and 2 carcinomas not specified. With 12 months median follow-up, tolerance has been excellent without any patient complaining of at least Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) grade 3 esophagitis; treatment interruptions occurred in only one patient after 8 days. Weight loss occurred in 12 patients, averaging 4.8% for these patients and 2% overall. Seven patients had a complete response and 20 a partial response. Median survival was 12 months, 1-year survival 58%, 2-year 21%, and 3-year 18%. Seven patients with bronchogenic cancer are still alive. Seven head and neck cancer patients were treated, in which five had base of tongue tumors stage T2 to 4, NO to N1. Pharyngitis and mucositis were problematic in at least four patients. The outcomes are comparable with other RTOG experience. Hyper-fractionated synchronous concomitant boost of total tumor dose to 75.6 Gy in 4 weeks for bronchogenic patients was well tolerated and acceptable to physicians and patients.     

Results of low- and high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for T3 mobile tongue cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment results of low-dose-rate (LDR) and high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) for T3 mobile tongue cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1974 and 1992, 61 patients with T3 mobile tongue cancer were treated with LDR ISBT using (192)Ir hairpins with or without single pins. In addition, between 1991 and 1999, 14 patients were treated with HDR ISBT. For nine patients treated with ISBT alone, the total dose was 59-94 Gy (median 72 Gy) within one week in LDR ISBT and 60 Gy/10 fractions/5 days in HDR ISBT. For 66 patients treated with a combination therapy of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and ISBT, the total dose was 12.5-60 Gy (median 30 Gy) of EBRT and 50-112 Gy (median 68 Gy) within 1 week in LDR ISBT or 32-60 Gy (median 48 Gy)/8-10 fractions/5-7 days in HDR ISBT. RESULTS: The 2- and 3-year local control rates of all patients were both 68%. The 2- and 3-year local control rates of patients treated with LDR ISBT were both 67%, and those with HDR ISBT were both 71%. The local control rate of patients treated with HDR ISBT was similar to those with LDR ISBT. CONCLUSIONS: ISBT for T3 mobile tongue cancer is effective and acceptable. The treatment result of HDR ISBT is almost similar to that of LDR ISBT for T3 mobile tongue cancer.