Studies on treatment results and prognostic factors of intraoperative radiotherapy in pancreatic carcinoma

Results of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in 70 patients who were treated for pancreatic carcinoma during the recent eleven years are presented. For analysis of treatment results, patients were divided into three groups depending on the treatment period: the initial period ('76.4-'79.12), the mid period ('80.1-'83.3) and the latest period ('83.4-'87.6). Median survival in each period was 4 months, 6 months and 11.5 months, respectively. As for the clinical stage, the median survival of patients with Stage I or II, Stage III and Stage IV were 10.5 months, 8 months and 3 months, respectively. The patient's survival with a combination of tumor resection and postoperative external radiotherapy (ExRT) seemed superior to that of other treatment modalities. As a result of statistical comparison of prognostic factors among each group, it was shown that the treatment period was most significant (p less than 0.01). Besides this, clinical stage, tumor resection and ExRT were significant factors in obtaining long survival. The patient's characteristics, however, were different in each group, so Stage IV was excluded from each group and survival was re-analyzed. As a result, the treatment modality consisting of IORT plus ExRT was found to be the most important prognostic factor. In conclusion, IORT should be applied to patients with pancreatic carcinoma except for Stage IV cases. The dose in IORT ranging from 20Gy to 25Gy combined with the dose in ExRT ranging from 40Gy to 50Gy was considered to contribute to the improvement of prognosis without causing serious side effects.     

Adrenal cortical carcinoma: survival after radiotherapy

This study describes 15 patients with histologically proven adrenal cortical carcinoma seen at one radiotherapy centre between 1968 and 1981. Nine patients had radiotherapy following surgery and their 10 year uncorrected survival was 33%. Prognostic factors included age at diagnosis, hormone production and complete surgical removal. Two of the three long term survivors developed second malignancies.     

肝动脉化疗栓塞治疗原发性肝癌的预后因素分析

目的 探讨肝动脉化疗栓塞术(transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)治疗原发性肝癌(primary hepatocellular carcinoma,PHC)影响预后的相关因素.方法 回顾性分析139例TACE治疗的原发性肝癌的临床资料.生存分析采用寿命表法,预后影响因素的单因素分析采用log-rank检验,多因素分析采用Cox风险回归分析.结果 1、3和5年生存率分别为60%、24%和12%.单因素分析结果显示:AFP、肿瘤直径、数目、门脉癌栓、碘油沉积状态、治疗次数及治疗方法是影响预后的因素;Cox风险回归分析显示:治疗后碘油沉积状态及门脉癌栓是影响预后的独立危险因素.结论 碘油沉积状态及门脉癌栓是影响预后的独立危险因素.     

Clinical results and prognostic factors of radiotherapy for bone metastases from breast cancer

The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of initial radiotherapy for bone metastases (BM) from breast cancer and to investigate the prognostic factors. Between 1981 and 1995, 65 women (109 lesions) received initial radiotherapy for BM, aiming at a total dose of 50 Gy/25 Fr. Significant relief of pain was obtained in 61 (88.4%) of 69 estimable lesions according to the RTOG score. The control rates of pain including the prevention of pathological fractures or myelopathy were 80.4% at 5 years and 64.3% at 10 years. The median survival time of all patients was 11 months, and the survival rates were 56% at 1 year, 31.6% at 3 years, 17.9% at 5 years and 10.7% at 10 years, with five long-term survivors. Univariate analysis showed that a normal state of LDH, no other metastatic organs, a disease-free interval longer than two years, good performance status (0 or 1), BM limited to the axial bones, maintenance chemo-hormonal therapy and an age of more than 55 years were good prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed that LDH, age and performance status were significant predictors of prognosis. It is important to note the prognostic factors at the initial treatment of BM from breast cancer. We consider that further prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment schedule, including radiotherapy and its combination with chemohormonal therapy, for BM.     

Fundamental studies on efficacy of intraoperative radiotherapy on pancreatic carcinomas transplanted into the pancreas of hamsters

Efficacy of intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy (IOER) on N-nitrosobis (2-hydroxypropyl) amine (BHP) induced pancreatic carcinomas transplanted into the pancreas of the Syrian golden hamsters were studied and the following results were obtained. 1. Selective electron beam application to the carcinoma transplanted into the pancreas of hamsters was accomplished using an electron beam collimator. 2. Intra-pancreatic transplantability of BHP-induced serially transplantable subcutaneous pancreatic carcinomas was 100%. 3. Intra-pancreatic transplanted pancreatic carcinomas disappeared in 2 out of 19 hamsters (11%) by 10 Gy irradiation and 7 out of 15 (47%) by 20 Gy irradiation given 2 weeks after intra-pancreatic transplantation. 4. In contrast to the linear growth of tumor size in the non-irradiated group, the tumor size showed an electron dose-dependent reduction in the irradiated group. 5. Histologically, marked necrosis was noted in the irradiated group, and the intensity of necrosis differed between the 10 Gy and 20 Gy groups. 6. Direct invasion of tumor to the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver and abdominal wall was noted. Its incidence tended to decrease as the electron dose increased (5/19 or 26% for the control group, 4/19 or 21% for the 10 Gy group, and 1/17 or 6% for the 20 Gy group), although the difference was not statistically significant. 7. The incidences of liver and lymph node metastasis were not different between the non-irradiated and the irradiated groups. These results suggest that selective IOER on BHP-induced pancreatic carcinomas has an effectiveness to kill cancer cells in hamsters.     

144例鼻咽癌常规放疗后鼻窦炎发生的因素分析

目的 探讨鼻咽癌患者常规放疗后鼻窦炎的发生情况及其影响因素。方法 回顾分析本院2000—2005年收治的放疗前无鼻窦炎而放疗后发生鼻窦炎的144例鼻咽癌患者资料,并就其影响因素进行分析。鼻窦炎的诊断用MRI法。T₁+T₂期82例,T₃+T₄期62例。鼻腔受侵58例,无鼻腔受侵86例。鼻咽灶为面颈联合野6 MV X线常规分割照射68~78 Gy, 6~8周,其中>70 Gy 55例、≤70 Gy 89例。颈部为6 MV X线+高能电子线照射,淋巴结阳性者64~74 Gy, 6~8周;阴性者50~54 Gy, 4~5周。结果 全组患者放疗后鼻窦炎总的发生率为86.8%(125例),其中T₃+T₄期的高于T₁+T₂期的,分别为94%(58例)和82%(67例),差异有统计学意义(χ²=4.32, P<0.05);鼻咽灶剂量>70 Gy的高于≤70 Gy的,分别为95%(52例)和82%(73例),差异有统计学意义(χ²=4.65, P<0.05) ;鼻腔受侵的高于未受侵的,分别为95%(55例)和81%(70例),差异有统计学意义(χ²=5.46, P<0.05)。鼻窦炎发生在放疗后3、6、12、>12个月的比例不同,分别占13.6%(17例)、31.2%(39例)、48.8%(61例)及6.4%(8例),差异有统计学意义(χ²=70.48, P<0.01)。结论 鼻咽癌患者常规放疗后鼻窦炎的发生率较高,并在1年内达最高峰;鼻腔有无侵犯、鼻咽照射剂量和T分期与放疗后鼻窦炎的发生有关。     

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: long-term outcome and prognostic factors

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the prognostic factors for post-RFA survival rate. METHODS: From 1999 to 2006, 266 patients with 392 HCCs underwent ultrasound guided RFA treatment. They were 216 males and 50 females, average age 59.4+/-15.4 years (24-87 years). The HCC were 1.2-6.7 cm in diameters (average 3.9+1.3 cm). There were 158 patients with single tumor, and the rest had multiple (2-5) tumors. Univariate and multivariate analysis with 19 potential variables were examined to identify prognostic factors for post-RFA survival rate. RESULTS: The overall post-RFA survival rates at 1st, 3rd, and 5th year were 82.9%, 57.9% and 42.9%, respectively. In the 60 patients with stage I HCC (AJCC staging), the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate were 94.8%, 76.4% and 71.6%, significantly higher than the 148 patients with stage II-IV tumors (81.8%, 57.6% and 41.2%, P=0.006). For the 58 patients with post-surgery recurrent HCC, the survival rates were 73.2%, 41.9% and 38.2% at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th year, which were significantly lower than those of stage I HCC (P=0.005). Nine potential factors were found with significant effects on survival rate, and they were number of tumors, location of tumors, pre-RFA liver function enzymes, Child-Pugh classification, AJCC staging, primary or recurrent HCC, tumor pathological grading, using mathematical protocol in RFA procedure and tumor necrosis 1 month after RFA. After multivariate analysis, three factors were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival rate, and they were Child-Pugh classification, AJCC staging and using mathematical protocol. CONCLUSION: Identifying prognostic factors provides important information for HCC patient management before, during and after RFA. This long-term follow-up study on a large group of HCC patients confirmed that RFA could not only achieve favorable outcome on stage I HCC, but also be an effective therapy for stage II-IV or recurrent HCC.     

Radiofrequency ablation for lung tumors: outcomes,effects on survival,and prognostic factors

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the survival benefit achieved with radiofrequency (RF) ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors and determine significant prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients with lung cancer (10 primary and 39 metastatic) underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous RF ablation between June 2005 and October 2013. A total of 112 tumors (101 metastatic and 11 primary non-small cell lung cancer) were treated with RF ablation. Tumor diameter ranged from 0.6 to 4 cm (median 1.5 cm). Effectiveness of treatment, complications, and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Primary success rate was 79.5% and local tumor progression occurred in 23 tumors. Among tumors showing progression, 10 were re-treated with RF ablation and secondary success rate was 87.5%. One-, two-, and three-year overall survival rates of 10 patients with primary lung cancer were 100%, 86%, and 43%, respectively. One-, two-, three-, four-, and five-year overall survival rates for 39 patients with metastatic lung tumors were 90%, 73%, 59%, 55%, and 38%, respectively. One-, two-, three-, and four-year overall survival rates for 16 patients with colorectal pulmonary metastases were 94%, 80%, 68%, and 23%, respectively. Complications occurred in 30 sessions (24.6%). Pneumothorax occurred in 19 sessions with seven requiring image-guided percutaneous chest tube drainage. Tumor status (solitary or multiple) and presence of extrapulmonary metastasis at initial RF ablation were significant prognostic factors in terms of recurrence-free survival.

CONCLUSION

RF ablation is a safe and effective treatment with a survival benefit for selected patients with primary and secondary lung tumors.Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide (1). Treatment of primary lung cancers includes surgical resection, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and thermal ablation. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (2). However, primary lung cancers are generally diagnosed in advanced stages. Moreover, due to the high incidence of associated comorbidities and limited pulmonary reserve, most patients are considered ineligible for surgery (3, 4).In addition to primary cancers, lungs are the second most frequent site of metastatic disease. In selected patients with metastatic lung cancer, surgical resection is the preferred treatment. However, even patients who have undergone a complete resection have a high incidence of recurrence and may require multiple surgeries (5). Repeat thoracotomy leads to further removal of functional pulmonary tissue. Surgical resection might not be possible in patients with certain comorbidities and limited pulmonary reserve.Patients with pulmonary colorectal metastases constitute a significant portion of metastatic lung tumor group. Approximately 10% of patients with colorectal cancer develop pulmonary metastases during the course of disease (6). It has been reported that in patients with limited colorectal pulmonary metastases and no extrapulmonary disease, five-year survival following surgical resection is approximately 35%–45% (7). However, many patients are not suitable candidates for surgery.Percutaneous image-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally invasive technique established in the treatment of solid tumors. Since Dupuy et al. (8) reported the first clinical use of RF ablation to treat lung cancer in 2000, it has been increasingly used as a treatment option for patients with primary and secondary lung tumors, who are not surgical candidates. RF ablation offers reduced morbidity and mortality, and allows preservation of pulmonary functions because surrounding uninvolved lung parenchyma is preserved (9, 10). It is very useful for patients who have limited pulmonary reserve or with multifocal or bilateral metastatic disease. It is performed with computed tomography (CT) guidance and avoids thoracotomy in patients with significant comorbidities or in patients who refuse surgery. Repeatability of the procedure is a great advantage (11). It can be performed on an outpatient basis or with a minimum hospital stay (12).The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival benefit achieved with RF ablation for primary and secondary lung tumors and determine significant prognostic factors in terms of recurrence-free survival.     

Dosimetric comparison of the INTRABEAM and Axxent for intraoperative breast radiotherapy

PurposeBreast intraoperative radiotherapy with electronic brachytherapy (eBT) sources, such as the Zeiss INTRABEAM and the Xoft Axxent, are used to treat the lumpectomy cavity using a stationary or a stepped 50 kVp X-ray source, respectively. For three comparable applicator sizes with volume differences <11%, we compare the dosimetry using clinical planning data.Methods and MaterialsA dosimetric comparison between the INTRABEAM and Axxent to the proximal 1.0 cm of tissue surrounding the applicator is performed using dose–volume parameters (DVPs): V₉₀, V₈₀, V₅₀, D_min, and Homogeneity Index (HI); HI was calculated as D_max/D_min. The dose–volume histograms of the INTRABEAM and Axxent were computed with measured percent depth dose data and with TG-43 parameters, respectively. The skin dose of 0.7–1.0 cm from the applicator surface was also computed.ResultsThe mean DVPs were 5.5 ± 0.8% V₉₀, 12.1 ± 1.5% V₈₀, 47.5 ± 5.8% V₅₀, 6.4 ± 0.6 Gy D_min, and 3.2 ± 0.3 HI for the INTRABEAM applicators compared with 7.4 ± 0.3% V₉₀, 14.7 ± 0.8% V₈₀, 55.2 ± 4.7% V₅₀, 4.0 ± 0.6 Gy D_min, and 6.4 ± 1.1 HI for the Axxent applicators. INTRABEAM skin doses ranged from 7.7 to 9.0 Gy at 0.7 cm to 5.5–6.8 Gy at 1.0 cm, whereas Axxent skin doses ranged from 10.7 to 13.0 Gy at 0.7 cm to 7.8 to 9.3 Gy at 1.0 cm.ConclusionsWe demonstrated ±5% comparable dosimetric coverage for tissue ≤0.5 cm from the cavity and higher skin dose for Axxent plans. The DVPs increased with applicator size and with stepped treatment delivery.     

Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children

At most centres, the standard treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) comprises total thyroidectomy, radioiodine treatment and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppressive therapy. There is, however, considerable disagreement over the appropriate treatment for DTC in children. Some dispute the use of total thyroidectomy and/or question the routine application of iodine-131 therapy in children. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of treatment results and prognostic factors for DTC in children treated at our centre. The study included 109 children with DTC (aged 6-17 years). The primary treatment comprised total thyroidectomy in 81 cases, radioiodine therapy in 85 cases and TSH suppressive therapy with L-thyroxine in all patients. Uni- and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for disease-free survival was performed using the Cox regression method. The actuarial survival rate was 100%, and the 5- and 10-year actuarial disease-free survival rates were 80% and 61% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that older age, total thyroidectomy and radioiodine treatment had a positive impact on disease-free survival whereas there were no statistical differences with regard to the child's sex, histological type of cancer or lymph node status. On multivariate analysis, radical surgery was estimated to be the most significant factor (P=0.007) for disease-free survival, while less than total thyroidectomy increased the relative risk of relapse by a factor of 10. Radioiodine treatment decreased the relative risk of relapse by a factor of 5, but with borderline significance (P=0.07). Permanent postoperative complications were observed in 17% of children: in 11 laryngeal palsy occurred, in six there was hypoparathyroidism, and one suffered from both. It is concluded that total thyroidectomy and radioiodine treatment significantly improve recurrence-free survival in children and should be routinely applied even in young children as the primary treatment of DTC.     

Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children

At most centres, the standard treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) comprises total thyroidectomy, radioiodine treatment and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppressive therapy. There is, however, considerable disagreement over the appropriate treatment for DTC in children. Some dispute the use of total thyroidectomy and/or question the routine application of iodine-131 therapy in children. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of treatment results and prognostic factors for DTC in children treated at our centre. The study included 109 children with DTC (aged 6–17 years). The primary treatment comprised total thyroidectomy in 81 cases, radioiodine therapy in 85 cases and TSH suppressive therapy with l-thyroxine in all patients. Uni- and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for disease-free survival was performed using the Cox regression method. The actuarial survival rate was 100%, and the 5- and 10-year actuarial disease-free survival rates were 80% and 61% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that older age, total thyroidectomy and radioiodine treatment had a positive impact on disease-free survival whereas there were no statistical differences with regard to the child’s sex, histological type of cancer or lymph node status. On multivariate analysis, radical surgery was estimated to be the most significant factor (P=0.007) for disease-free survival, while less than total thyroidectomy increased the relative risk of relapse by a factor of 10. Radioiodine treatment decreased the relative risk of relapse by a factor of 5, but with borderline significance (P=0.07). Permanent postoperative complications were observed in 17% of children: in 11 laryngeal palsy occurred, in six there was hypoparathyroidism, and one suffered from both. It is concluded that total thyroidectomy and radioiodine treatment significantly improve recurrence-free survival in children and should be routinely applied even in young children as the primary treatment of DTC. Received 8 January and in revised form 15 March 2000     

Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma invading the portal veins: therapeutic effects and prognostic factors

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effects of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invading the portal veins and to identify prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients underwent chemoembolization. The HCC had invaded the main portal vein in 23 patients, a first-order branch in 25 patients and a second-order branch in 13 patients. The hepatic arteries feeding the tumors were embolized with gelatin sponge after a mixture of iodized oil and anticancer drugs was injected via these vessels. Tumor response was evaluated by measuring tumor sizes on CT images. A reduction in maximum diameter of 25% or more was considered to indicate response to chemoembolization. Significant prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Tumor size was reduced by 25% or more in 26 patients (43%). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 42, 11 and 3%, respectively, with mean survival of 15 months in all patients. In the univariate analysis, the following six variables were significantly associated with prognosis: (i) tumor response; (ii) ascites; (iii) accumulation of iodized oil in tumor thrombi; (iv) in main tumors; (v) Okuda classification; and (vi) tumor size. In the multivariate analysis, the first three of these factors showed significantly independent values for patient prognosis. CONCLUSION: Chemoembolization appears to be an effective treatment for HCCs invading the portal venous system. The prognostic factors identified here are expected to be helpful in classifying patients with HCCs invading the portal veins and should serve as useful guidelines for chemoembolization in clinical practice.     

PVA-TACE治疗肝细胞癌并肝肺分流的临床疗效及预后分析

目的：评价聚乙烯醇微粒肝动脉化疗栓塞（PVA-TACE）治疗肝细胞癌（HCC）并肝肺分流（HPS）的临床疗效,分析影响生存预后的因素。 方法：回顾性分析42例HCC并HPS患者资料,依据分流途径分为门静脉-腔静脉分流组（A组,9例）与肝动脉-肝静脉分流组（B组,33例）。依据分流速度采用不同规格聚乙烯醇（PVA）微粒进行肝动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）治疗,随访并分析生存期及术后并发症。采用Kaplan-Meier法计算累积生存率,采用Cox模型分析生存预后的影响因素。 结果：42例患者中位生存期（OS）为9.5个月,6、12个月生存率分别为74.9%、39.4%。A组与B组中位OS分别为10.5个月、9.5个月,两组生存期无明显差异（χ²=0.410,P=0.522）。Cox回归分析结果显示：行为状态（PS）评分较高（HR=2.454,P=0.026）、肿瘤负荷>50%（HR=3.477,P=0.019）及门静脉主干癌栓形成（P=0.006）为预后的独立危险因素,而多次栓塞（HR=0.329,P=0.008）为预后的独立保护因素。 结论：经谨慎选择病例,PVA-TACE治疗HCC合并HPS安全、有效。经多次栓塞治疗患者预后较好,而PS评分较高、肿瘤负荷较大及门静脉主干癌栓形成的患者预后不良。