Treatment results of maxillary sinus carcinoma. A retrospective study

The treatment results of a total of 617 cases with maxillary sinus carcinoma mainly treated by radiotherapy at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital between 1967 and 1983 were reviewed. The overall actuarial 5-year survival rate was 36.2%. The cases were divided into 3 groups by period of the treatment modalities corresponding each 5-year survival rate of 24.1% on 217 patients for 1967 to 1971, 40.0% on 155 patients for 1972 to 1975, and 44.6% on 245 patients for 1976 to 1983. The treatment results have improved in 5-year survival rate as modifying treatment modality. The actuarial 5-year local control rate was 60.0% for T1 on 9 patients, 43.1% for T2 on 181 patients, 31.7% for T3 on 246 patients, and 19.2% for T4 on 181 patients, respectively. For more detailed analysis of the results, the cases were divided into 4 groups according to the initial treatment; the group 1 was treated by radiotherapy alone (RT), the group 2 by radiotherapy combined with intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (RT + 5-FU), the group 3 by radiotherapy combined with surgical removal of the tumor mass through curettage under the general anesthesia (RT + OP) and the group 4 by multidisciplinary procedure combined with radiotherapy, 5-FU regional infusion and curettage (RT + 5-FU + OP). In the T2 cases, the 5-year actuarial local control rate was 25.5% for RT on 51 patients, 45.0% for RT + 5-FU on 55 patients, 58.2% for RT + OP on 23 patients and 51.5% for RT + 5-FU + OP on 52 patients, respectively. In the T3 cases, the rate was 13.2% for RT on 85 patients, 33.6% for RT + 5-FU on 78 patients, 52.3% for RT + OP on 31 patients and 45.9% for RT + 5-FU + OP on 52 patients, respectively. In the T4 cases, the rate was 7.6% for RT on 77 patients, 27.2% for RT + 5-FU on 52 patients, 17.8% for RT + OP on 20 patients and 31.5% for RT + 5-FU + OP on 32 patients, respectively. The combination therapy with 5-FU regional infusion and/or curettage had successfully improved the local control rate. On the T2 and T3 cases of RT + OP, an additive effect of 5-FU infusion was not significant, and also on the T4 cases of RT + 5-FU, any usefulness of curettage could not be found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue: results of treatment in 115 cases

Between 1976 and 1986, we treated 115 patients (mean age 53.8 years) with base of tongue carcinomas. The staging system used was the UICC TNM classification of 1979. Seventy per cent of the tumours were T3 or T4 and 42% had N2 or N3 lymph node. Locoregional treatment was irradiation alone (98/115) or surgery and post-operative radiotherapy (17/115). Sixty-seven patients received induction chemotherapy. Actuarial survival of the entire group at 3 and 5 years was 25 and 23%, respectively, and 3-year actuarial survival rates for T1, T2, T3 and T4 lesions were 42, 48, 20 and 17%, respectively. The local control rate at the primary site was 55% and 78% in the neck. Distant metastases occurred in 10% of patients and 8% had a second primary. Nodal status was the only other prognostic factor. The local control rate obtained with irradiation alone was not good. For limited T1 and T2 tumours, interstitial therapy or surgery should improve the local control rate.     

Postoperative versus definitive chemoradiation in early-stage anal cancer

Background and purpose

The goal of the present study was to comparatively assess the results of definitive chemoradiation (CRT) with or without previous macroscopically complete resection in patients with early-stage node-negative (T1–2 N0) anal carcinoma.

Patients and methods

A total of 20?patients with T1–2 N0 anal carcinoma who received radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy following incidental R0/1 tumor resection (S/CRT group) were selected. These were matched to 20?comparable patients who underwent definitive chemoradiation without previous surgery (CRT group). Major objectives of this analysis were treatment outcomes in terms of locoregional tumor control (LRC), overall survival (OS), colostomy-free survival, and toxicity.

Results

Patients treated postoperatively received significantly lower RT doses (median 54.0?Gy vs. 59.7?Gy; p?Conclusion This matched-pair comparison of incidental R0/1 resection plus dose-reduced CRT with standard definitive CRT of early-stage anal cancer shows similar treatment results. Thus, dose-reduced RT with or without chemotherapy may be considered in R0/1 resected patients with T1–2 N0 anal carcinoma.     

Outcomes of radiation therapy for maxillary sinus carcinoma

PURPOSE: We evaluated the outcome of radiation therapy for maxillary sinus carcinoma treated in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1984 to 2001, 48 patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma were irradiated with or without chemotherapy and surgery. Patients ranged from 20-89 years of age (median, 68 years) and included 29 men and 19 women. The clinical T factors for these patients, according to the UICC classification (1997), were T2(n = 2), T3(n = 13), and T4(n = 29). Lymph node involvement was observed in 13 patients. The follow-upperiod ranged from 2.5 to 150 months (median, 25 months). The total radiotherapy dose ranged from 40 Gy to 72.8 Gy. Forty-three patients underwent surgery. Intra-arterial chemotherapy was delivered in 39 patients, and systemic chemotherapy was delivered in 7 patients. Fourteen patients were classified as "unresected" (radiation therapy with or without antrostomy), and 34 patients as "resected" (partial, total, or extended total maxillectomy with pre- or postoperativeirradiation). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate(OS), cause-specific survival rate(CSS), and local control rate(LC) of all patients were 52%, 64%, and 75%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the "uaresected" and "resected" groups in OS, CSS, or LC. Local recurrence was observed in 12 patients. In the "resected" group, for local control, it was important to reduce viable tumor before maxillectomy. Preoperative > or = 60 Gy irradiation was considered to be effective to reduce tumor viability. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the "unresected" and "resected" groups in OS, CSS, or LC. In the "resected" group, preoperative irradiation > or = 60 Gy was considered to be effective for local control. In radical treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma, maxillectomy is not always necessary. Concurrent chemoradiation therapy with or without antrostomy is a reasonable treatment strategy.     

Esthesioneuroblastoma in Childhood and Adolescence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Only 3% of all malignant intranasal tumors are esthesioneuroblastomas (ENB) and only 20% of these rare neuroectodermal tumors are diagnosed up to 20 years of age. Radiotherapy and surgery are established treatment modalities for these patients, but the role of chemotherapy, especially in a multimodal approach, is not well defined. To investigate the influence of radio- and chemotherapy, the treatment and course of the disease in children and adolescents with ENB were analyzed retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 19 unselected patients (nine male and ten female) diagnosed with ENB < or = 20 years of age were included in this analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 14.0 years (range, 5-20 years). The tumors were Kadish stage B in 4/19 patients and stage C in 15/19 patients. 17 patients underwent surgery, either without further therapy (n = 4), followed by radiotherapy (n = 1) or as part of multimodal regimens (n = 12). Two patients received radio- and chemotherapy without surgery. Complete resection (R0) was achieved in 15 out of 17 patients with surgery including all five patients with preoperative chemotherapy due to unresectable primary at diagnosis. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 73% +/- 12% and the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) 55% +/- 13%. None of the four patients with stage B experienced tumor progression so far, whereas seven out of 15 patients with stage C did (5-year EFS 47% +/- 14%; not significant). Patients with Kadish stage C and multimodal treatment strategies combing surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy had a significantly better outcome than patients with stage C and less than three treatment modalities (65% +/- 17% vs. 20% +/- 18%; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: These data indicate a benefit of multimodal treatment regimens combining surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy for pediatric patients with ENB Kadish stage C. Chemotherapy appears to improve resectability, EFS, and OS. Radiotherapy is an integral part in the management of children and young adolescents with ENB in Kadish stage B and C.     

Effect of radiation therapy alone or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy on tumor and symptom control of recurrent rectal cancer

Purpose

To define the value of radiotherapy alone or in combination with other treatment modalities in salvage and/or palliation of locally recurrent rectal cancer with or without concomitant distant metastases.

Patients and Method

A series of 280 patients, treated between 1975 and 1990 was retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 166 patients had a local recurrence only (group 1), 114 presented with simulteneously distant metastases (group 2). In group 1, 50 patients had only radiotherapy, 20 had radiation in combination with surgery, 68 patients had radiation and chemotherapy, and 28 patients had a combination of all 3 treatment modalities. In group 2 these numbers were 41, 7, 59 and 7, respectively. The median follow-up time was 11 months (1 to 118).

Results

The 2- and 5-year survival of group 1 were 33% and 12%. In group 2 the 2-year survival was 9%. The 2- and 5-year symptom-free survival for both groups were 18%/12% and 1%/0%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival and symptom-free survival between treatment including concomitant 5-FU or 5-FU once a week and treatment without chemotherapy. In the combined treatments which included surgery there was a longer survival and symptom-free survival. In both groups a subanalysis of the patients who had radiation only showed a dose-response relationship for symptom-free survival. This was not the case for survival.

Conclusion

In local recurrence of rectal cancer without detectable distant metastases, radiotherapy and/or surgery have value toward survival and symptom-free survival. Further intense efforts in preventing the local recurrence by improving primary treatment are warranted.     

晚期肺癌三维适形放疗31例临床分析

目的探讨晚期肺癌三维适形放疗方式及预后。方法对31例晚期肺癌患者资料进行回顾性分析。根据放疗方法的不同分为普通放疗(RT)+三维适形放疗(3DCRT)组10例、单纯三维适形放疗组21例,分析不同放疗方法的生存质量和生存率。结果 RT+3DCRT组、单纯3DCRT组的治疗有效率分别为90%,95.2%;1年生存率分别为20%、12.9%;相互比较均无显著性差异,但生存质量均有明显提高。结论 3DCRT可使晚期肺癌患者局部控制率提高,生活质量改善。     

Radiotherapy of epidermoid anal canal cancer

Forty-eight patients with anal canal cancers were treated with surgery and irradiation or irradiation alone during the period 1970-1982. All cases were treated by external megavoltage equipment. The overall 5-year survival was 50%, and the local recurrence rate 33%. According to the therapy, four major groups were analysed: radical surgery followed by post-operative irradiation (5-year survival 43%, local recurrence rate 38%), incomplete major surgery and post-operative irradiation with very inferior prognosis (none of the patients surviving beyond 52 months). Two groups of patients had sphincter-saving procedures: local surgery followed by irradiation (5-year survival 78%, local recurrence rate 22%) and primary irradiation (5-year survival 57%, local recurrence rate 14%). Lymph node positive patients showed a median survival of 24.5 months against 52 months in N0 cases (5-year survival 21% against 50%). Side-effects of radiotherapy were transient and mild, and no late severe sequelae were seen. The data indicate that post-operative external radiotherapy seems insufficient and unable to decrease the local recurrence rate, especially when surgery is incomplete. Both spincter-saving surgery and radiotherapy, as well as primary irradiation, are effective treatment modalities. These data are analysed and future aspects considering combined radiochemotherapy are discussed.     

Do elderly patients benefit from surgery in addition to radiotherapy for treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression?

Background

Treatment of elderly cancer patients has gained importance. One question regarding the treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) is whether elderly patients benefit from surgery in addition to radiotherapy? In attempting to answer this question, we performed a matched-pair analysis comparing surgery followed by radiotherapy to radiotherapy alone.

Patients and methods

Data from 42 elderly (age >?65 years) patients receiving surgery plus radiotherapy (S?+?RT) were matched to 84 patients (1:2) receiving radiotherapy alone (RT). Groups were matched for ten potential prognostic factors and compared regarding motor function, local control, and survival. Additional matched-pair analyses were performed for the subgroups of patients receiving direct decompressive surgery plus stabilization of involved vertebrae (DDSS, n?=?81) and receiving laminectomy (LE, n?=?45).

Results

Improvement of motor function occurred in 21% after S?+?RT and 24% after RT (p?=?0.39). The 1-year local control rates were 81% and 91% (p?=?0.44), while the 1-year survival rates were 46% and 39% (p?=?0.71). In the matched-pair analysis of patients receiving DDSS, improvement of motor function occurred in 22% after DDSS?+?RT and 24% after RT alone (p?=?0.92). The 1-year local control rates were 95% and 89% (p?=?0.62), and the 1-year survival rates were 54% and 43% (p?=?0.30). In the matched-pair analysis of patients receiving LE, improvement of motor function occurred in 20% after LE?+?RT and 23% after RT alone (p?=?0.06). The 1-year local control rates were 50% and 92% (p?=?0.33). The 1-year survival rates were 32% and 32% (p?=?0.55).

Conclusion

Elderly patients with MSCC did not benefit from surgery in addition to radiotherapy regarding functional outcome, local control of MSCC, or survival.     

化疗并后程加速超分割放疗中晚期食管癌

目的观察同期化疗并后程加速超分割放疗(后超组)和同期化疗并常规分割放疗治疗食管癌(常规组)的疗效和毒性,寻找更有效的局部控制率和降低远处转移率并提高生存率的治疗方法.方法选择病变长度≤12 cm、无远处转移证据的中晚期食管癌分后超组和常规组各40例.两组化疗方案相同.后超组放疗第1～28天,为常规分割放疗,缩野后行加速超分割放疗,总剂量为67 Gy/38次,共42 d.常规组放疗为全程常规分割放疗,总剂量为70 Gy/35次,共49 d.结果近期疗效后超组Ⅰ+Ⅱ级31例占77.5%,Ⅲ+Ⅳ级9例占22.5%,常规组Ⅰ+Ⅱ级22例占55.0%,Ⅲ+Ⅳ级18例占45.0%(P＜0.05).后超组和常规组1,2年局部控制率分别为77.14%、51.86%和55.21%、31.28%(P=0.049);后超组和常规组1,2年生存率分别为72.22%、48.64%和54.09%、27.33%(P=0.041).急性放射性食管炎后超组明显重于常规组,且持续时间长.白细胞下降、胃肠道不良反应及放射性肺炎两组比较,其差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论(1)同期化疗并后程加速超分割放疗的放射性食管炎虽有所增加,但多数患者能耐受;(2)同期化疗并后程加速超分割放疗较同期化疗并常规分割放射治疗提高了近期疗效、局控率及生存率.     

Locally advanced cervix cancer: chemotherapy prior to definitive surgery or radiotherapy. A single institutional experience

Primary or neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to definitive local therapy has potential advantages for locally advanced cervix cancer. It can downstage a cancer and allow definitive local therapy to be technically possible (surgery), or potentially more effective (radiotherapy). It can also eradicate subclinical systemic metastases. This report reviews a single institution's experience of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to definitive local therapy for cervix cancer over a 13-year period. One hundred and six patients were treated with this intent. The patients were analysed for their response to chemotherapy, treatment received, survival, relapse and toxicity. The chemotherapy was feasible and the majority of patients had a complete or partial response (58.5%). Eight patients did not proceed to local treatment. Forty-six patients had definitive surgery and 52 had definitive radiotherapy. The 5-year overall survival was 27% and the majority of patients died with disease. The first site of relapse was usually in the pelvis (46.2%). Late complications that required ongoing medical therapy (n=6) or surgical intervention (n=2) were recorded in eight patients (7.5%). On univariate analysis stage (P=0.04), tumour size (P=0.01), lymph node status (P=0.003), response to chemotherapy (P=0.045) and treatment (P=0.003) were all significant predictors of survival. On multivariate analysis, tumour size (P < 0.0001) and nodal status (P=0.02) were significant predictors of survival. Despite the impressive responses to chemotherapy of advanced cervix cancer, there is evidence from randomized trials that it does not improve or compromise survival prior to radiotherapy. As its role prior to surgery remains unclear, it should not be used in this setting outside a prospective randomized trial.     

The management of stage I lymphomas of the B-cell type with special reference to the role of radiation therapy

Fifty-one patients with clinical stage I B-cell lymphomas were treated between 1980 and 1988. For the entire group, the actuarial 5-year survival rate and 5-year freedom from relapse rate were 78% and 64%, respectively. Primary site, tumor bulk and performance status were the prognostic factors. Twenty-three patients were intensively treated with local radiotherapy alone, because (1) they had histologically low grade (7 patients) or follicular large cell (1 patients) tumors, (2) Waldeyer's ring was the site of the primary (11 patients) or (3) the tumor was less than 4 cm in maximum diameter (4 patients). Among them, only one patient died due to lymphoma (5-year survival rate: 95%), and 19 remained disease free (5-year freedom from relapse rate: 80%). In contrast, of the remaining 23 patients treated with both radiation therapy and combination chemotherapy (VEMP or CHOP), the 5-year survival rate and 5-year freedom from relapse rate were 70% and 54%, respectively. These results suggest that high-risk patients should be treated with more aggressive combination chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy. However, low-risk patients with stage I B-cell lymphomas can be treated by local radiotherapy alone.     

Radical radiotherapy compared with surgery for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue

PURPOSE: This study reports on T3/T4 base of tongue (BOT) tumors treated at the Erasmus MC (Rotterdam) with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (BT). Local control, survival, and functional outcome are compared to results obtained in similar patients treated at the Vrije University Medical Center (VUMC, Amsterdam) by surgery and postoperative RT (PORT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: At Rotterdam 46/2 Gy was given to the primary and bilateral neck, followed by an implant using low-dose-rate (LDR 24-35 Gy; median 27 Gy), or fractionated high-dose-rate (fr. HDR 20-28 Gy; median 24 Gy). A neck dissection (ND) was performed in case of N+ disease. 67% of BOT tumors had a T4 cancer. At Amsterdam surgery (S) followed by PORT 40-70 Gy (median 60 Gy) was performed; 26% BOT tumors were T4. Sex, age and nodal distribution were similar. Actuarial local control and survival were computed. Performance Status Scale (PSS) scores were established. Xerostomis was determined on visual analog scales (VAS). RESULTS: Local failure at 5-years was 37% (Rotterdam) vs. 9% (Amsterdam) (p < 0.01). The overall survival was not significantly different (median 2.5 years vs. 2.9 years, respectively [p = 0.47]). The PSS favored brachytherapy. Both groups were equally affected by xerostomia. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year local control was 65% with EBRT and BT. This result is strongly affected by 4 patients with residual disease after implantation. The Rotterdam patients had more advanced BOT tumors (67% vs. 26% T4), explaining the higher local failure rate. Given the organ preservation properties of radiotherapy-only and the better PSS scores, the jury is still out on the optimal treatment for BOT tumors.     

Comparison of the results of surgery and radiotherapy in 175 cases of T2 glottic carcinoma: 116 operated and 59 irradiated cases

The results were analyzed of 175 patients with glottic squamous cell carcinomas who were treated with curative purposes (1970-1986). One hundred and sixteen of them underwent surgery at the Otolaryngology Department of the University of Florence, and 59 were treated by radiation therapy at the Florence University and Hospital Departments of Radiotherapy. In the surgical series 78 cases were treated with radical surgery and 38 with conservative surgery. All patients were staged according to TNM system (UICC 1978) as T2. Overall 10-year local control rates were 74% for the surgical series and 69% for the cases treated by radiation therapy. After salvage therapy 10-year survival rates were 83% and 76%, respectively. The analysis of the results showed no statistically significant difference. In the group treated by radical surgery 80% local control was observed, versus 66% in the cases treated with conservative surgery. 10-year survival rate was higher in the latter group (89% versus 81%) because of better results of salvage therapy: 7 of 10 recurrences were salvaged with the second treatment. Several prognostic factors were evaluated, i.e., T extent, anterior commissure involvement, subglottic invasion, vocal cord mobility impairment, and ventricular involvement. Anterior commissure involvement was the main factor affecting outcome in the surgical series: in the presence of this factor, 64% 10-year local control was observed versus 85% in the patients without commissure involvement. This factor proved more important in the patients treated with conservative surgery (10-year control: 42% versus 88%) than in those undergoing radical surgery (78% versus 85%). Anterior commissure involvement and the number of involved subsites were found to worsen prognosis in the series treated by radiation therapy: cases with anterior commissure involvement had 59% 10-year local control versus 83%. The cases with a deeper spread had 60% local control versus 75%. Vocal cord mobility impairment was a less important prognostic factor in both series. Our results suggest radiation therapy as a valuable method in the treatment of the small T2 laryngeal cancers which are not suitable for conservative surgery.     

Prognosefaktoren beim operierten und adjuvant bestrahlten Zervixkarzinom

PURPOSE: To determine prognostic factors in patients with cervical cancer treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, patients treated at the Department of Radiotherapy, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, from 1980 through 1993 were evaluated for local control, survival and treatment sequelae with special emphasis on prognostic factors. 298 patients (age 23-81 years, median 46 years) with cervical cancers were treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy to a minimum of 50 Gy. 250 patients received radiotherapy after radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and 48 patients after hysterectomy. Most of the cancers were squamous cell carcinomas (81%) with few adenocarcinomas (12.4%). Grading was G1/G2 in 28.9% of the patients and G3/G4 in 39.6%. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival was 68.8% for the whole group, 70.5% for squamous cell carcinomas (n = 241), 64.4% for adenocarcinomas (n = 37; not significant), 80% for G1/G2 tumors (n = 86), and 69% for G3/G4 carcinomas (n = 118; p = 0.074). Survival dependent on tumor size and positive nodes was 76.2% (n = 94) for pT1N0, 65.8% for pT1N+ (n = 31), 68.2% for pT2N0 (n = 62), and 41.4% for pT2N+ (n = 35). An impact of grading on 5-year survival was only found in patients with positive nodes: G1/G2N0 84% (n = 62) versus G1/G2N+ 64.8% (n = 23); G3/G4N0 79.6% (n = 71) versus G3/G4N+ 39.9% (n = 31). The number of positive nodes was the strongest prognostic factor. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression) established a risk factor of 3.06 (p < 0.01) for positive nodes, of 1.7 for grading G1/G2 versus G3/G4 (p = 0.087), and of 1.3 for tumor size (pT1 vs. pT2; p = 0.079). There were no differences in the clinical outcome between patients in stage pT1 with or without lymphadenectomy (75% [n = 130] vs. 79% [n = 39]). CONCLUSION: In patients with cervical cancers treated with surgery and radiotherapy, positive nodes were an independent prognostic factor for local control and survival and should be an indication for additional chemotherapy. A value of lymphadenectomy for survival in this group of irradiated patients could not be established.     

Treatment results of radiotherapy with or without surgery for posterior pharyngeal wall cancer of oropharynx and hypopharynx: prognostic value of tumor extension

PURPOSE: We have been treating posterior pharyngeal wall cancer of the oropharynx and hypopharynx with external radiotherapy according to our policy reported in the 1970s. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1968 and 1995, 51 patients were treated. Treatment policy was decided on the basis of the treatment response after 40 Gy of radiotherapy. Thirty-six good responders were treated with radical radiotherapy, eight poor responders received radical surgery, and the other seven patients could not receive radical treatment because of tumor or patient factors. RESULTS: The 5-year local control and cause-specific survival rates were 56% and 48% for all 51 patients. The 5-year local control rate was 52% for radical radiotherapy. Tumors limited to the posterior wall showed better treatment results (76% for both local control and cause-specific survival) than tumors involving the postcricoid area (0% and 10%). CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy for carefully selected patients dependent on response after 40 Gy of radiotherapy is a useful policy. Tumor extension is an important prognostic factor.     

Timing of radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery: outcome of 1393 patients at a single institution

Background

The role of postoperative radiotherapy in breast-conserving therapy is undisputed. However, optimal timing of adjuvant radiotherapy is an issue of ongoing debate. This retrospective clinical cohort study was performed to investigate the impact of a delay in surgery–radiotherapy intervals on local control and overall survival.

Patients and methods

Data from an unselected cohort of 1393 patients treated at a single institution over a 17-year period (1990–2006) were analyzed. Patients were assigned to two groups (CT+/CT?) according to chemotherapy status. A delay in the initiation of radiotherapy was defined as >?7 weeks (CT? group) and >?24 weeks (CT+ group).

Results

The 10-year regional recurrence-free survival for the CT? and CT+ groups were 95.6 and 86.0?%, respectively. A significant increase in the median surgery–radiotherapy interval was observed over time (CT? patients: median of 5 weeks in 1990–1992 to a median of 6 weeks in 2005–2006; CT+ patients: median of 5 weeks in 1990–1992 to a median of 21 weeks in 2005–2006). There was no association between a delay in radiotherapy and an increased local recurrence rate (CT? group: p?=?0.990 for intervals 0–6 weeks vs. ≥?7 weeks; CT+ group: p?=?0.644 for intervals 0–15 weeks vs. ≥?24 weeks) or decreased overall survival (CT? group: p?=?0.386 for intervals 0–6 weeks vs. ≥?7 weeks; CT+ group: p?=?0.305 for intervals 0–15 weeks vs. ≥?24 weeks).

Conclusion

In the present cohort, a delay of radiotherapy was not associated with decreased local control or overall survival in the two groups (CT?/CT+). However, in the absence of randomized evidence, delays in the initiation of radiotherapy should be avoided.     

Efficiency of radiation therapy in the treatment of epipharyngeal tumors (author's transl)]

The radiotherapeutic results of 38 patients with malignant tumours of the epipharynx are analyzed. Only five patients had T1 and T2 lesions, while all the others suffered from more advanced tumours. Five patients revealed distant metastases at the beginning of palliative radiotherapy. For this reason, the 5-year survival rate was only 16%. Conversely, a local tumour control was achieved in more than two thirds of the patients (27/38). This result gives support to the suggestion that radiotherapy, either in combination with surgery or without it, is to be considered at this time as the most effective method of treatment for malignant tumours of the epipharynx.     

术前行短程或常规放化疗的ⅢB期直肠癌患者术后疗效及组织标本中Runx3、Ki-67表达的差异

目的:分析术前行短程放化疗或常规放化疗对ⅢB期直肠癌患者的手术效果及切除的组织标本中Runt相关转录因子3 （Runx3 ）、细胞增殖核抗原Ki-67（简称Ki-67）表达的差异。方法:前瞻性研究2019年1至12月于河北北方学院附属第一医院确诊的100例ⅢB期直肠癌患者的临床资料,其中男性52例、女性48例,年龄38...     

Results of combined therapy for maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma

The results of 54 cases of maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma treated between 1980 and 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. The T classification according to the 1997 UICC was as follows: 2 with stage T1, 29 with T3, and 23 with T4. Ten patients(18.5%) had lymph node metastases at diagnosis. All patients underwent combined therapy including radiotherapy, surgery, and regional or systemic chemotherapy. Fifteen patients received hyperfractionated twice-daily radiotherapy (1.2 Gy or 1.5 Gy/fraction), and the remaining 39 patients received a conventional once-daily regimen(1.5-2 Gy/fraction). The 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival for all patients were 56.0% and 46.7%, respectively. The N classification was the only significant prognostic factor for 5-year disease-free survival by univariate analysis (favoring N = 0, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in other prognostic factors including gender, T classification (T1-3 vs. T4), hyperfractionated radiotherapy (yes vs. no), total dose (BED: < 69 Gy10 vs. > or = 69 Gy10), and intra-arterial chemotherapy(yes vs. no). Although radiation-induced cataract was observed in 9 patients, no other severe late complications developed.