Relative biological effectiveness of 125I sources in a murine brachytherapy model

The relative biological effectiveness of 125I and 192Ir has been determined in a murine brachytherapy model that uses a clonogenic cell assay as the end point. Removable 125I or 192Ir sources were implanted at right angles to the surface of RIF-1 tumors grown in the flanks of C3H/He mice. After irradiation for 1-5 days, mice were sacrificed and isodosed annuli of irradiated tumor tissue were sampled for the clonogenic cell assay. The slopes and intercepts of the two radiation survival curves for implanted sources with activities of 10 to 50 Gy for 125I (dose rate = 39.8 +/- 4.3 cGy/hr) and 192Ir (dose rate = 42.3 +/- 2.7 cGy/hr) were identical; the relative biological effectiveness was 1.     

Long-term outcomes after external beam irradiation and brachytherapy boost for base-of-tongue cancers

PURPOSE: To assess long-term efficacy and toxicity associated with external beam irradiation (EBRT) and interstitial (192)Ir implantation for the treatment of squamous carcinoma of the base of tongue. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between April 1975 and December 1993, 41 patients with base-of-tongue carcinomas were treated with (192)Ir interstitial implants after EBRT at Stanford University. One patient had Stage I, 6 had Stage II, 7 had Stage III, and 27 had Stage IV tumors. Twenty-eight patients had cervical lymph node involvement at diagnosis. All received EBRT to a median dose of 50 Gy (range 48.9-68 Gy) to the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes before brachytherapy. Interstitial implant was performed 2-4 weeks after EBRT. Intraoperatively, nylon catheters were placed via steel trocars into the base of tongue, glossotonsillar groove, and pharyngo-epiglottic fold using a catheter looping technique. Twenty-three of 28 node-positive patients also underwent simultaneous neck dissections. Postoperatively, the (192)Ir seeds were inserted and allowed to remain in place for approximately 35 h to achieve a median tumor dose of 26 Gy (range 20-34 Gy) to a median volume of 73 cc. Survival, local control, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 62 months (range 9-215) for all patients and 90 months for alive patients, the 5-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimate was 66%. The 5-year local control rate was 82%, with 7 patients recurring locally, 2 of whom were salvaged with surgery. Nodal control was achieved in 93% of patients with either EBRT alone or in combination with neck dissection. The 5-year freedom from distant metastasis rate was 83%. Acute complications included transient bleeding (5%) and infection (8%). Late complication included soft-tissue necrosis/ulceration (7%), osteoradionecrosis (5%), and xerostomia. CONCLUSION: Base-of-tongue carcinoma can be effectively treated with EBRT and (192)Ir implant boost. Local control is excellent and complication rates are acceptable.     

OER and RBE for 125I and 192Ir at low dose rate on mammalian cells

The oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) for 125I and 192Ir as well as the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) at low dose rates (40-80 cGy h-1) were determined for B16 melanoma cells in culture. The OER was found to be 2.1 +/- 0.03 for 125I and 2.7 +/- 0.04 for 192Ir. The RBE for 125I relative to 192Ir was determined as 1.8 +/- 0.03 under aerated conditions and as 2.4 +/- 0.03 under hypoxia.     

高剂量率192铱后装机腔内加外照射治疗宫颈癌60例临床分析

目的:探讨高剂量率192铱后装腔内加体外照射治疗宫颈癌的疗效及副作用等。方法:2005年3月至2007年1月本院放疗中心共60例宫颈癌患者,采用8MV-X线直线加速器全盆照射,开始体外全盆腔照射,5次/周,2Gy/次,剂量25-40Gy;然后中间挡铅,4个野照射,5次/周,2Gy/次,宫旁剂量20-25Gy:同时腔内治疗,1次/周,6Gy/次,剂量为35-40Gy。腔内治疗采用ZL-HDR18铱高剂量率后装治疗机,全部病例均宫颈阴道同时进行。腔内治疗每周1次,A点剂量36-40GY/6-7F/6-7w,腔内治疗当日停体外照射,治疗时间56-77天。结果:CR+PR 100%,随访超过3年,随访率达95%,3年生存率Ⅱ期88.3%,Ⅲ期82.9%;早期放射性直肠反应发生率为12.4%,膀胱反应发生率5.2%;晚期放射性直肠炎发生率13.8%,膀胱炎3.8%。结论:高剂量率192铱后装机腔内加体外治疗宫颈癌的疗效满意,患者生存率较高,耐受好,并发症少。     

高剂量率^192铱后装机腔内加外照射治疗宫颈癌60例临床分析

目的：探讨高剂量率^192铱后装腔内加体外照射治疗宫颈癌的疗效及副作用等。方法：2005年3月至2007年1月本院放疗中心共60例宫颈癌患者,采用8MV-X线直线加速器全盆照射,开始体外全盆腔照射,5次/周,2Gy/次,剂量25-40Gy;然后中间挡铅,4个野照射,5次/周,2Gy/次,宫旁剂量20-25Gy：同时腔内治疗,1次/周,6Gy/次,剂量为35-40Gy。腔内治疗采用ZL-HDR18铱高剂量率后装治疗机,全部病例均宫颈阴道同时进行。腔内治疗每周1次,A点剂量36-40GY/6-7F/6-7w,腔内治疗当日停体外照射,治疗时间56-77天。结果：CR＋PR 100%,随访超过3年,随访率达95%,3年生存率Ⅱ期88.3%,Ⅲ期82.9%;早期放射性直肠反应发生率为12.4%,膀胱反应发生率5.2%;晚期放射性直肠炎发生率13.8%,膀胱炎3.8%。结论：高剂量率^192铱后装机腔内加体外治疗宫颈癌的疗效满意,患者生存率较高,耐受好,并发症少。     

3D conformal HDR brachytherapy and external beam irradiation combined with temporary androgen deprivation in the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment outcome of 3D conformal high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy and external beam irradiation (EBRT) combined with temporary androgen deprivation for patients with localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and September 1999 we treated 102 patients with stage T1-3 N0 M0 prostate cancer. Stage T1-2 was found in 71, T3 in 31 patients. Median pretreatment PSA level was 15.3 ng/ml. After ultrasound-guided transrectal implantation of four afterloading needles, CT based 3D brachytherapy planning was performed. All patients received four HDR implants using a reference dose per implant of 5 or 7Gy. Time between each implant was 14 days. After brachytherapy EBRT followed up to 39.6 or 45.0 Gy. All patients received temporary androgen deprivation, starting 2-19 months before brachytherapy, ending 3 months after EBRT. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 2.6 years (range 2.0-4.1 years). Actuarial biochemical control rate was 87% at 2 years and 82% at 3 years. In 14 patients we noted biochemical failure, in five patients clinical failure. Overall survival was 90%, disease specific survival 98.0% at 3 years. Acute grade 3 toxicity occurred in 4%, late grade 3 toxicity in 5%. One patient developed a prostatourethral-rectal fistula as late grade 4 toxicity. The conformal quality of 300 HDR implants was analyzed using dose volume histograms. CONCLUSIONS: 3D conformal HDR brachytherapy and EBRT combined with temporary androgen deprivation is an effective treatment modality for prostate cancer with minimal associated toxicity and encouraging biochemical control rates after a median follow-up of 2.6 years.     

Iridium-192 transperineal interstitial brachytherapy for locally advanced or recurrent gynecological malignancies

Purpose: To assess treatment outcome for patients with locally advanced or recurrent gynecological malignancies treated with continuous low-dose-rate (LDR) remote afterloading brachytherapy using the Martinez Universal Perineal Interstitial Template (MUPIT).

Materials and Methods: Between 7/85 and 6/94, 69 patients with either locally advanced or recurrent malignancies of the cervix, endometrium, vagina, or female urethra were treated by 5 different physicians using the MUPIT with (24 patients) or without (45 patients) interstitial hyperthermia. Fifty-four patients had no prior treatment with radiation and received a combination of external beam irradiation (EBRT) and an interstitial implant. The combined median dose was 71 Gy (range 56–99 Gy), median EBRT dose was 39 Gy (range 30–74 Gy), and the median implant dose was 32 Gy (range 17–40 Gy). Fifteen patients with prior radiation treatment received an implant alone. The total median dose including previous EBRT was 91 Gy (range 70–130 Gy) and the median implant dose was 35 Gy (range 25–55 Gy).

Results: With a median follow-up of 4.7 yr in survivors, the 3-yr actuarial local control (LC), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) for all patients was 60%, 55%, and 41% respectively. The clinical complete response rate was 78% and in these patients the 3-year actuarial LC, DSS, and OS was 78%, 79%, and 63% respectively. On univariate analysis for local control, disease volume and hemoglobin were found to be statistically significant. On multivariate analysis, however, only disease volume remained significant (p = 0.011). There was no statistically significant difference in local control whether patients had received any prior treatment with radiation (p = 0.34), had recurrent disease (p = 0.13), or which physician performed the implant (p = 0.45). The grade 4 complication rate (small bowel obstruction requiring surgery, fistulas, soft tissue necrosis) for all patients was 14%. With a dose rate less than 70 cGy/hour, the grade 4 complication rate was 3% vs. 24% with dose rate ≥ 70 cGy/hour (p = 0.013).

Conclusion: Patients with locally advanced or recurrent gynecological malignancies treated with the remote afterloader LDR MUPIT applicator can expect reasonable rates of local control that are not operator-dependent. Complication rates with this approach are acceptable and appear to be related to the dose rate.     

Malignant obstructive jaundice: treatment with external-beam and intracavitary radiotherapy

Eleven patients with obstructive jaundice from unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, metastatic porta hepatis adenopathy, or direct compression from a pancreatic malignancy were treated at the Stanford University Medical Center from 1978-1983 with an external drainage procedure followed by high-dose external-beam radiotherapy and by an intracavitary boost to the site of obstruction with Iridium192 (Ir192). A median dose of 5000 cGy was delivered with 4-6 Mv photons to the tumor bed and regional lymphatics in 9 patients, 1 patient received 2100 cGy to the liver in accelerated fractions because of extensive intrahepatic disease, and 1 patient received 7000 "equivalent" cGy to his pancreatic tumor bed and regional lymphatics with neon heavy particles. An Ir192 wire source later delivered a 3100-10,647 cGy boost to the site of biliary obstruction in each patient, for a mean combined dose of 10,202 cGy to a point 5 mm from the line source. Few acute complications were noted, but 3/11 patients (27%) subsequently developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding from duodenitis or frank duodenal ulceration 4 weeks, 4 months, and 7.5 months following treatment. Eight patients died--5 with local recurrence +/- distant metastasis, 2 with sepsis, and 1 with widespread systemic metastasis. Autopsies revealed no evidence of biliary tree obstruction in 3/3 patients. Mean survival time from initial laparotomy and bypass was 16.1 months, and from radiotherapy completion was 8.3 months. Evolution of radiation treatment techniques for biliary obstruction in the literature is reviewed. High-dose external-beam therapy followed by high-dose Ir192 intracavitary boost is well tolerated and provides significant palliation. Survival of these aggressively managed patients approaches that of patients with primarily resectable tumors.     

192Ir or 125I prostate brachytherapy as a boost to external beam radiotherapy in locally advanced prostatic cancer: a dosimetric point of view.

PURPOSE: This work aims at comparing the dosimetric possibilities of 125I or 192Ir prostate brachytherapy (Bt) as a boost to external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced adenocarcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From 1/1997 to 12/2002, 260 patients were treated. Until 12/2001 a low dose rate (LDR) treatment with 192Ir wires was used, later replaced by a high dose rate (HDR) delivered with an 192Ir stepping source technology. For the present work, we selected 40 patients including the last 20 treated, respectively, by LDR and HDR. The planning CT Scans of all these 40 patients were transferred into the 3D Prowess system for 125I permanent implants design according to the Seattle method. The reference data for dosimetric comparisons were the V100 and the prescribed dose for 192Ir as well as the dose delivered with 125I techniques to the 192Ir V100. We compared V100-150 data as well as doses to the organs at risks (OR) and cold spots (CS). RESULTS: The V100 is 85.3+/-8% for 192Ir LDR and 96+/-2% for HDR techniques (P < 0.0001). In comparison with 125I, the 192Ir LDR mode induces higher hyperdosage volumes inside the CTV but also more CS, while maximal doses to urethra and rectum are, respectively, 17 and 39% less with 125I (P < 0.0001). In comparison with the 192Ir HDR mode, 125I Bt induces higher hyperdosage volumes and slightly more CS deliberately planned around the bladder neck. If delivered doses to urethra are identical, those to the 20% anterior part of the rectum are 33% less with 125I (P < 0,0001). The 125I Bt technique was only possible in 24 out of the 40 patients studied due to pelvic bone arch interference. CONCLUSIONS: At the present time, there is no evident dosimetric superiority of one Bt method when all the criteria are taken into account. However, improving Bt techniques to implant any prostatic size could found the superiority of the 125I or permanent implants. 125I indeed allows large hyperdosage volumes inside the CTV in comparison with 192Ir HDR techniques while lowering doses to OR and minimizing CS.     

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by radical radiotherapy alone: Ten-year experience of a single institution

PURPOSE: To report on our experience in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by radical radiotherapy alone in our institution during the last decade. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From January 1990 to May 1999, 905 NPC patients were treated and were studied retrospectively. Radical radiotherapy was given to this cohort by conventional technique in a routine dose of 70-72 Gy to the primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. In case of residual primary lesion, a boost dose of 8-24 Gy was delivered by either 192Ir afterloading brachytherapy, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, conformal radiotherapy, or small external-beam fields. RESULTS: The 5-year and 10-year local-regional control, overall survival, and disease-free survival rates were 81.7% and 76.7%, 76.1% and 66.5%, 58.4% and 52.1%, respectively. In case of residual primary lesions after a dose of 70-72 Gy of conventional external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT), an additional boost was able to achieve a local control of 80.8%, similar to that obtained with primary lesions that completely disappeared at 70-72 Gy (82.6%, p = 0.892). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment results of radical EBRT followed by a boost dose to the residual primary tumor for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in our institution are promising.     

Radiation dose escalation for localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND:

In the current study, the effects of dose escalation for localized prostate cancer treatment with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or permanent transperineal brachytherapy (BRT) in comparison with conventional dose 3‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT) were evaluated.

METHODS:

This study included 853 patients; 270 received conventional dose 3D‐CRT, 314 received high‐dose IMRT, 225 received BRT, and 44 received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) + BRT boost. The median radiation doses were 68.4 grays (Gy) for 3D‐CRT and 75.6 Gy for IMRT. BRT patients received a prescribed dose of 144 Gy with iodine‐125 (I‐125) or 120 Gy with palladium‐103 (Pd‐103), respectively. Patients treated with EBRT + BRT received 45 Gy of EBRT plus a boost of 110 Gy with I‐125 or 90 Gy with Pd‐103. Risk group categories were low risk (T1‐T2 disease, prostate‐specific antigen level ≤10 ng/mL, and a Gleason score ≤6), intermediate risk (increase in value of 1 of the factors), and high risk (increase in value of ≥2 factors).

RESULTS:

With a median follow‐up of 58 months, the 5‐year biochemical control (bNED) rates were 74% for 3D‐CRT, 87% for IMRT, 94% for BRT, and 94% for EBRT + BRT (P <.0001). For the intermediate‐risk group, high‐dose IMRT, BRT, or EBRT + BRT achieved significantly better bNED rates than 3D‐CRT (P <.0001), whereas no improvement was noted for the low‐risk group (P = .22). There was no increase in gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity from high‐dose IMRT compared with conventional dose 3D‐CRT, although there was more grade 2 genitourinary (GU) toxicity (toxicities were graded at the time of each follow‐up visit using a modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group [RTOG] scale). BRT caused more GU but less GI toxicity, whereas EBRT + BRT caused more late GU and GI toxicity than IMRT or 3D‐CRT.

CONCLUSIONS:

The data from the current study indicate that radiation dose escalation improved the bNED rate for the intermediate‐risk group. IMRT caused less acute and late GU toxicity than BRT or EBRT + BRT. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Treatment of recurrent gynecologic malignancies with iodine-125 permanent interstitial irradiation

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of permanent 125I interstitial radiotherapy for unresectable retroperitoneal recurrences of gynecologic malignancies. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective review of 20 patients treated between 1979 and 1993 was performed to evaluate survival and morbidity associated with the interstitial 125I technique. RESULTS: Nineteen tumors were located on the lateral pelvic wall and one in the para-aortic region. Eight patients, not previously irradiated, received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) along with 125I interstitial implants placed at the time of celiotomy. Nineteen (95%) are dead of disease at 1-69 months of follow-up. The median survival was 7.7 months for patients treated with 125I alone and 25.4 months for those treated with both 125I and EBRT. One patient is alive without evidence of disease 69 months after 125I implantation. Fistulas, bowel obstructions, and fatal complications occurred only among patients previously irradiated. CONCLUSIONS: When used in a previously irradiated field, 125I interstitial radiotherapy has major morbidity and is unlikely to be associated with cure or long-term survival. In radiotherapy-naive patients with unresectable isolated recurrent gynecologic malignancies, 125I implants and EBRT are feasible and occasionally may contribute to long-term disease-free survival.     

Consideration of role of radiotherapy for lymph node metastases in patients with HCC: retrospective analysis for prognostic factors from 125 patients

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of radiotherapy (RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with abdominal lymph node (LN) metastasis at our institution in the past 7 years. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We identified 125 patients with HCC metastasis to regional LNs treated with or without external beam RT (EBRT) between 1998 and 2004. Clinical characteristics collected included alpha-fetoprotein status, gamma-glutamyltransferase, status of intrahepatic tumors (size and number), previous therapy for intrahepatic tumors, metastatic LN status (location, number, and size), tumor thrombi, and Child-Pugh classification. Of the 125 patients, 62 received local limited EBRT and were classified as the EBRT group. They received locoregional LN irradiation. The tumor dose ranged from 40 to 60 Gy in daily 2.0-Gy fractions, 5 times weekly. Another 63 patients, who did not receive EBRT, were selected from hospitalized patients in the same period and were classified as the non-EBRT group. The parameters studied included survival rates and tumor response to EBRT both as demonstrated by clinical symptoms and as seen on CT. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the survival rates, and the Cox regression model was used to identify predictors of outcome. RESULTS: After EBRT, partial responses and complete responses were observed in 37.1% and 59.7% of patients, respectively. The median survival was 9.4 months (95% confidence interval 5.8-13.0) for the EBRT group and 3.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9) for the non-EBRT group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that multiple intrahepatic primary tumors, occurrence of tumor thrombi, no therapy for intrahepatic tumors, and greater Child-Pugh classification were related to a poorer prognosis in all patients. In the EBRT group, the survival periods decreased as the distance of LN involvement from the liver increased (following the natural flow of lymph) and was also associated with the intrahepatic primary tumor size. The incidence of death resulting from LN-related complications was lower in the EBRT group. CONCLUSION: Lymph node metastasis from HCC is sensitive to EBRT. EBRT with 25 fractions of 2 Gy is an effective palliative treatment for patients with LN metastases from HCC presenting with good performance status and may prolong overall survival.     

Results of definitive irradiation in a series of 305 epidermoid carcinomas of the anal canal

PURPOSE: To evaluate our data concerning the prognostic factors for locoregional control, survival, late complications, and sphincter conservation in a series of epidermoid cancers of the anal canal without clinical evidence of metastasis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between June 1972 and January 1997, 305 patients were treated with curative-intent radiotherapy (RT). The T stage according to the 1987 International Union Against Cancer classification was T1 in 26, T2 in 141, T3 in 104, and T4 in 34. Forty-nine patients had nodal involvement at presentation. The pretreatment anal function score, according to our in-house system, was 0 for 22 patients, 1 for 182, 2 for 74, 3 for 7, and 4 for 11 patients; for 9 patients, scores were unavailable. The treatment started with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in 303 patients (median dose 45 Gy). After a rest period of 4-6 weeks, a boost of 20 Gy was delivered by EBRT in 279 patients and by interstitial (192)Ir brachytherapy in 17 patients. Seven patients received only one course of EBRT (mean dose 49.5 Gy), and 2 patients were treated with interstitial (192)Ir brachytherapy alone (55 Gy and 60 Gy). Concomitant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and either mitomycin C or cisplatin) was delivered to 19 patients. The mean follow-up was 103 months (median 84). RESULTS: At the end of RT, the local tumor clinical complete response rate was 96% for T1, 87% for T2, 79% for T3, and 44% for T4. Of the 61 locally progressive tumors, 27 (44%) were salvaged with abdominoperineal resection. The rate of local tumor relapse was 12%. Among 37 local tumor relapses, 20 (54%) were salvaged with abdominoperineal resection and one with interstitial (192)Ir brachytherapy. The overall local control rate (with or without salvage local therapy) was 84%. The local control rate with good anal function (score 0 or 1) was 56.5%. Of 181 available patients with their anus preserved, 94% had good anal function. For a subgroup of 15 patients with a tumor length of <2 cm and without nodal involvement, the clinical complete response rate after RT completion was 100%, the local control rate with or without local salvage treatment was 100%, and among 13 available patients with their anus preserved, the anal function score was good in 12 patients (92%). The 10-year disease-free survival rate was 74%. After multivariate analysis, three independent predictive factors significantly influenced disease-free survival: the interval between the two courses of RT (>38 days vs. < or =38 days, p = 0.0025), pretreatment anal function score (0 vs. 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 vs. 4, p = 4.4.10(-6)), and clinical complete response after RT completion (no complete response vs. complete response, p = 2.5.10(-14)). CONCLUSION: We confirm the excellent results with RT in T1 and T2 lesions. However, to improve survival without colostomy with good anal sphincter function, chemoradiotherapy should be preferred for tumors > or =2 cm in length and for locally advanced tumors.     

160例Ⅱb期宫颈癌术前光子线+术中电子线照射的远期疗效分析

目的 分析官颈癌Ⅱb期患者应用术前外照射+192Ir腔内照射+手术及术中电子线照射的远期疗效.方法 对160例应用术前外照射+192Ir腔内照射+手术及术中电子线照射的宫颈癌Ⅱb期患者资料进行回顾分析.全部患者术前先全盆腔接受了20 Gy分10次外照射和192Ir近距离腔内放疗,1周后全盆腔接受了12 MeV电子线18～20 Gy照射.结果 随访率为98.1%.随访满5、10年患者分别为143、135例.5年和10年生存率、无瘤生存率、局部控制率分别为89.4%、86.3%、96.3%和84.4%、81.0%、95.0%.放射性直肠炎、膀胱炎发生率分别为5.0%、0.6%.放疗后肾孟积水、下肢水肿发生率分别为6.3%、1.3%.结论 宫颈癌Ⅱb期患者应用术前外照射+192Ir腔内照射+手术及术中电子线照射可提高患者生存率,且对肿瘤原发部位局部控制效果好,放疗副反应少.     

Radical radiotherapy incorporating a brachytherapy boost for the treatment of carcinoma of the thoracic oesophagus: results from a cohort of patients and review of the literature

The optimal treatment for potentially curable carcinoma of the oesophagus unsuitable for surgical resection is unresolved. An intraluminal brachytherapy boost (ILBT) can be used following external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CRT). ILBT increases the dose to the tumour volume substantially while reducing the lung dose but the corresponding high dose to the oesophageal wall may cause increased complications. We report the outcomes of 32 consecutive patients treated with radical radiotherapy. A dose of 45-55 Gy in 20-25 fractions with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) followed by an ILBT boost. Earlier in the series a low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy technique using 125Iodine seeds delivering a dose of 20-22 Gy at 25-40 cGy/h was used. This was later superseded by high dose rate (HDR) treatments delivering 8.5-10 Gy in one fraction at 1 cm from the catheter. Patients of age below 76 years, of good performance status and with no other medical contraindication were considered for concurrent chemotherapy (CRT) using a planned regime of cisplatin (80 mg/m2 day 1) and 5-flurouracil (1 g/m2 days 1 to 4) in the first and last weeks of radiotherapy (13 patients). The EBRT and ILBT were well tolerated but 8/13 (62%) patients had dose modifications of chemotherapy in one or both cycles due to advanced age, co-morbidity or toxicity. The median follow-up period of surviving patients was 37 months (range 35-39) and the median overall survival for the whole group was 9 months. The overall survival at 1 year was 34.4% (17.6-51.2%), 15.6% (2.8-28.4%) at 2 and 3 years. Local recurrence-free survival at 1 year was 35.3% (15.9-54.7%) and 24.5% (8.3-44.6%) at 2 and 3 years (Fig. 2). Though symptom relief was good there were six cases of ulceration, six of stricture and two fistulae. Biological equivalent for tumour response (BED Gy,10) and late radiation effects (BED Gy3) were calculated for the different radiotherapy regimens using equations derived from the linear quadratic model. In this series no advantage was found in terms of local control or survival for patients receiving radiotherapy doses resulting in a BED Gy10 greater than 75% of the maximum. Similarly, no significant increase in complications was noted in those patients receiving doses resulting in a BED Gy3 > 75% of the maximum. The merits and hazards of the ILBT boost used in radical radiotherapy are discussed and the relevant literature reviewed.     

Re-resection with brachytherapy for locally recurrent soft tissue sarcoma arising in a previously radiated field

PURPOSE: The use of further radiotherapy among patients with soft tissue sarcoma that recurs in a previously irradiated area is controversial. Presented is a review of our 7-year experience with brachytherapy for recurrent soft tissue sarcoma. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 26 patients who underwent perioperative brachytherapy between 1990 and 1997 for recurrent soft tissue sarcoma. In all cases, the sarcoma recurred within a previously irradiated field. After-loading brachytherapy catheters were placed at the time of surgical extirpation of the sarcoma within a single-plane implant by use of 1-cm intercatheter spacing. Insertion of the radioactive 192Ir wire was delayed until the fifth to seventh postoperative day to allow initial wound healing. The prescribed dose rate for the 192Ir wire ranged between 50 and 80 cGy an hour, and the dose was specified at 0.5 cm from the plane of the implant. The anatomic locations treated included lower extremity (N = 10), upper extremity (N = 7), trunk (N = 7), and head and neck (N = 2). RESULTS: Total tumor extirpation, confirmed by negative frozen section margins, was accomplished in all cases. The mean dose of external-beam irradiation received before brachytherapy was 55.6 Gy +/- 1.8 Gy (range, 30.0 to 70.3 Gy). The mean dose of radiation prescribed at the implant procedure was 47.2 Gy +/- 1.6 Gy (range, 11.0 to 50.0 Gy). A tissue transfer flap was placed over the bed of resection in 13 cases. Complications occurred in five patients including, three with wound breakdown, one with osteonecrosis, and with neuralgia. Operative intervention was required in four of the five patients with complications; each of the patients requiring operative intervention for wound-related complications had undergone primary wound closure without tissue transfer. Recurrence of disease occurred in 13 patients: nine local and four distant metastases. The median follow-up was 16 months (range, 2 to 73 months). The 5-year local recurrence-free, distant recurrence-free, disease-free, and overall survival rates after brachytherapy were 52%, 75%, 33%, and 52%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Re-irradiation of recurrent soft tissue sarcoma by brachytherapy in conjunction with resection can be performed with acceptable complication rates. Local control can be achieved for the majority of patients who would otherwise require more radical surgical procedures.     

External beam irradiation plus (192)Ir implant after breast-preserving surgery in women with early breast cancer

PURPOSE: To provide more information for the clinician and to analyze the impact of the boost with brachytherapy on the local disease-free survival (LDFS), disease-free survival (DFS), specific overall survival (OS), and cosmesis, a retrospective study of external radiation therapy and (192)Ir implantation in early breast cancer at Institut Català d'Oncologia has been undertaken. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1986 to 1996, 530 patients were selected for this study with a median follow-up period of 39.5 months (range, 10-115 months). External radiation therapy (combined with brachytherapy) was administered postoperatively to the breast in all patients. Mean given dose was 48.7 Gy (range, 42-52 Gy) with external radiation therapy to the breast, and 16.8 Gy (range, 10-27 Gy) was the mean dose with brachytherapy. Variables have been tested for cosmesis. Univariate and multivariate analysis have also been carried out. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 54 years (range, 28-81 years). Stages were distributed as follows: 350 patients (66%) in Stage I, 173 in Stage II (32.8%), and 7 in Stage III (1.1%). Pathologic distribution was 445 patients with infiltrating ductal carcinoma (84%), 20 patients with infiltrating lobular carcinoma (4%), and 65 patients (12%) of a miscellaneous group. OS for the entire group was 89.4% and 85.9% at 5 and 7 years respectively. Probability of DFS was 81.7% and 70.1% at 5 and 7 years. The LDFS was 94.9% and 91.7% at 5 and 7 years. The MFS probability was 85.5% and 76.9% at 5 and 7 years, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that age (older than 52 years), premenopausal status, moderate and high histologic grades (Grades II-III), and presence of intraductal comedocarcinoma were prognostic factors for local relapse. Multivariate analysis for local disease-free survival demonstrated that only perineural or muscular infiltration remain as prognostic factors. Tumor dose bed of 70 Gy or higher had a negative impact in breast subcutaneous fibrosis, whereas dose rate lower than 65 cGy/h was better for skin color at 2 years. CONCLUSION: We conclude that patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing external radiotherapy and LDR brachytherapy can be effectively managed. Overall survival, long-term local control, and cosmetic control are excellent.     

Ic期子宫内膜癌患者中MPA和EBRT的联合疗效

Objective: To report the comparative effect of combined medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and external beam pelvic radiotherapy (EBRT) with EBRT alone on local or distant recurrences, overall survival and treatment related toxicities in patients with stage Ic grade 3 endometrial cancer. Methods: A retrospective review of 80 International Federation of Gyne-cology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage Ic grade 3 endometrial carcinoma patients treated between October 1994 and October 2004 at Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, China was performed. All patients underwent surgery, of which 40 patients in arm I received combined MPA and EBRT while in arm II 40 patients received only adjuvant EBRT after surgery. The median dose of EBRT in arm I was 50 Gy (range 36-54 Gy) and in arm II was 45.2 Gy (range 43.2-50.4 Gy). Multivariate analysis was performed for the prognostic factors and Kaplan-Meier method was used for overall survival. Results: Of the 80 eligible patients, 40 in each group could be evaluated. The follow-up times ranged from 4-98 months with a median of 45 months. The overall survival rates at five years were 73% among patients treated with combined MPA and EBRT and 28.2% among patients treated with EBRT alone (P < 0.001). The rate of distant metastasis was significantly higher among patients treated with EBRT alone group than combined MPA and EBRT (55% vs 25%, P = 0.006) while no difference in loco regional recur-rence rates was observed in both treatment groups. Most of the side effects observed in the combined MPA and EBRT group. Age (P < 0.001) and the presence of progesterone receptors (P = 0.003) were independent significant prognostic factors for overall survival in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: We has been concluded that the addition of progestagen to external beam pelvic radiotherapy significantly improved survival and reduced distant metastasis among women with stage Ic grade 3 endometrial cancer.     

转移及复发性骨肿瘤的放射性125I粒子植入治疗初探

目的探讨放射性^125I粒子组织间种植治疗转移及复发性骨肿瘤的技术方法和疗效。方法对14例转移及复发性骨肿瘤患者行肿瘤内^125I粒子植入治疗，粒子植入数目为3～145颗，粒子活度为18．5～29．6MBq（0．5～0．8mCi），肿瘤匹配周边剂量为115～145Gy。术后行质量验证并观察患者临床指标改善情况。结果随访7～29个月（平均12．4个月）。^125I粒子治疗90％肿瘤靶体积接受的最小剂量（D90）中位值为108．12Gy（27～166Gy），10例脊柱或椎旁肿瘤患者脊髓的中位D90为31．9Gy（6．2～74．0Gy）。粒子植入前伴有疼痛的12例患者，术后疼痛完全缓解率达82％，止痛有效率为92％。10例脊柱或椎旁肿瘤患者中，70％的患者疗后行走能力改善或恢复正常。1年局部控制率为82％，1年生存率为53％，围手术期无3级以上严重并发症发生。结论放射性^125I粒子植入安全、高效，是治疗转移及复发性骨肿瘤的一种有前途的新方法。