Improved freedom from PSA failure with whole pelvic irradiation for high-risk prostate cancer

Purpose: To determine the impact of whole pelvic irradiation on the risk of PSA failure in prostate cancer patients, at high predicted risk for lymph node involvement, receiving definitive radiotherapy.

Materials and Methods: Between October 1987 and December 1995, 506 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated with definitive radiotherapy at UCSF and affiliated institutions. Treatment consisted of 4-field whole pelvic irradiation followed by a prostate-only boost, or prostate-only treatment (median follow-up was 35 months and 30 months, respectively). PSA failure was defined as: 1. a PSA value ≥ 1 ng/ml; or 2. a PSA value that rose ≥ 0.5 ng/ml in ≤ 1 year posttreatment on two consecutive measurements, with the first rise defined as the time of failure. The calculated risk of lymph node positivity (%rLN+) was defined as (iPSA) + 10(GS-6), and high risk was defined as %rLN+ ≥ 15%. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results: A total of 201 high-risk patients were identified. High-risk patients who received whole pelvic irradiation had significantly improved freedom from PSA failure compared to those who received prostate-only treatment (median PFS = 34.3 months vs. 21.0 months; p = 0.0001). Potential confounding variables, including initial PSA, Gleason score, T stage, radiation dose, year of treatment, use of three-dimensional (3D) conformal techniques, and use of hormone therapy, did not account for the observed difference in time to PSA failure. Multivariate analysis revealed type of radiation treatment to be the most significant independent predictor of outcome.

Conclusion: Whole pelvic radiotherapy significantly improves the PSA failure-free survival in patients with a high calculated risk of lymph node positivity.     

锥形束CT在鼻泪管阻塞性疾病辅助诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨锥形束CT(CBCT)在鼻泪管阻塞性疾病辅助诊断中的应用价值.方法 选取2018年1月至2020年8月在中国人民解放军总医院眼科门诊就诊的鼻泪管阻塞性疾病患者104例,按随机数字表法分为观察组及对照组,各52例,观察组患者采用CBCT检查鼻泪管,对照组采用CT泪道造影检查鼻泪管.观察并比较两组患者鼻泪管的影像...     

A change in treatment process with a modern record and verify system

Purpose: With the introduction of new treatment devices, such as a multileaf collimator (MLC) and dynamic wedge (DW), therapists have an increased responsibility to ensure correct treatment. Simultaneously, three-dimensional treatment planning (3DTP) has led to an increased number of portals and table movements. To counteract this challenge and maintain efficiency, a comprehensive record and verify (R&V) system is mandatory. We evaluated a commercial system (Varis) for reliability, ease of use, efficiency, and integration with our planning systems.

Methods and Materials: Some key elements of the Varis system are: integration of MLC and DW; auto setup for MLC, jaw, collimator, gantry, and limited table parameters; direct download of simulation beam data; and a regimented field scheduling system that prescribes all beam data for particular fractions. Evaluation of the system was driven by treatment time analysis, error rates, and an increased workload. These issues were governed by how we disseminated duties and how the system accommodated or changed our processes.

Results: Most data entry is performed by our dosimetry staff. Data can be downloaded from the simulator, but more patients now move from CT simulation and/or 3DTP to the treatment machine. Varis does not link to these systems. The physics staff confirms all entries to correct data entry errors. The workload for dosimetrists increased by an average of 8 minutes/patient entry; physics time increased by 7 minutes/patient entry; the weekly electronic chart check takes approximately 3 minutes/patient. Therapists who used Varis efficiently showed a slight decrease in treatment times, attributed to MLC integration and auto-setup. Some therapists experienced a decrease in efficiency, because of unfamiliarity and excess intervention. On a positive note, notable events have decreased by a factor of 10 since full initiation. Unfortunately, the remaining errors are often the result of a therapist relying on incorrect electronic information.

Conclusion: The Varis R&V system has had an impact on our clinic’s process and efficiency. Checking of all beam data and related field scheduling have helped reduce errors and misconceptions. We feel a dual-energy machine can be operated with two experienced therapists and an up-to-date R&V system more accurately and efficiently than with three therapists working without an integrated R&V. We anticipate future Varis releases will further promote efficiency and accuracy.     

Mixed germ cell tumor of the pineal gland in a pediatric patient

Tumors of the pineal region are a rare clinical entity, comprising approximately 3%-8% of pediatric tumors. Based on their histopathological features, they are typically classified as pineal parenchymal tumors and germ cell tumors, with the latter being more prevalent. Clinical presentation is heterogeneous, with symptoms arising either due to tumor invasion or compression of adjacent neurovascular structures and increased intracranial pressure. Imaging studies are paramount in evaluating pineal region lesions and establishing an accurate diagnosis, with MRI representing the gold standard. Herein, we present the case of a 16-year-old boy presented with recurrent headaches. A head MRI revealed a pineal gland lesion. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis, and the patient underwent a successful gross total resection (GTR) of the tumor. This case report seeks to draw attention to the elusive clinical presentation and management of this infrequently encountered tumor, as well as emphasize the importance of considering pineal gland tumors in the differential diagnosis of recurrent, chronic headaches in pediatric patients.     

乳腺癌患者HER2和BRCA1表达与放疗敏感性的关系研究

背景与目的:乳腺癌是全球最常见的女性恶性肿瘤,且发病率仍在不断上升.乳腺癌的术后放疗可有效地改善局部控制率和长期生存率,放疗已成为乳腺癌治疗的主要技术.如何进一步减少患者正常组织的不良反应、提高放疗效果成为研究热点.探讨人表皮生长因子受体2(human epidermal growth factor receptor ...     

高压氧对迟发性放射损伤的作用

放射疗法是一种对肿瘤和周围正常组织均有显著作用的物理疗法,在放疗的同时,不可避免地会损伤正常组织导致放射损伤,特别是迟发性放射损伤,这将严重影响患者的生存质量。随着时间的推移迟发性放射损伤会发展得更加严重,甚至致死,因此限制了临床治疗时的放射剂量,目前这一问题并未得到解决。笔者主要就高压氧治疗对迟发性放射损伤的影响作一综述。     

Radiation exposure from head computed tomography scans in pediatric trauma

Background

We have previously reported that children receive significantly less radiation exposure after abdominal and/or pelvis computed tomography (CT) scanning for acute appendicitis when performed at our children's hospital (CH) rather than at outside hospitals (OH). In this study, we compare the amount of radiation children receive from head CTs for trauma done at OH versus those at our CH.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on all children transferred to our hospital after receiving a head CT for trauma at an OH between July 2012 and December 2012. These children were then blindly case matched based on date, age, and gender to children at our CH.

Results

There were 50 children who underwent head CT scans for trauma at 28 OH. There were 21 females and 29 males in each group. Average age was 7.01 ± 0.5 y at the OH and 7.14 ± 6.07 at our CH (P = 0.92). Average weight was 30.81 ± 4.69 kg at the OH and 32.69 ± 27.21 kg at our CH (P = 0.81). Radiation measures included dose length product (671.21 ± 22.6 mGycm at OH versus 786.28 ± 246.3 mGycm at CH, P = 0.11) and CT dose index (53.4 ± 2.26 mGy at OH versus 49.2 ± 12.94 mGy at CH, P = 0.56).

Conclusions

There is no significant difference between radiation exposure secondary to head CTs for traumatic injuries performed at OH and those at a dedicated CH.     

Low-Dose Abdominal CT for Evaluating Suspected Appendicitis in Adolescents and Young Adults: Review of Evidence

Due to its excellent diagnostic performance, CT is the mainstay of diagnostic test in adults with suspected acute appendicitis in many countries. Although debatable, extensive epidemiological studies have suggested that CT radiation is carcinogenic, at least in children and adolescents. Setting aside the debate over the carcinogenic risk of CT radiation, the value of judicious use of CT radiation cannot be overstated for the diagnosis of appendicitis, considering that appendicitis is a very common disease, and that the vast majority of patients with suspected acute appendicitis are adolescents and young adults with average life expectancies. Given the accumulated evidence justifying the use of low-dose CT (LDCT) of only 2 mSv, there is no reasonable basis to insist on using radiation dose of multi-purpose abdominal CT for the diagnosis of appendicitis, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Published data strongly suggest that LDCT is comparable to conventional dose CT in terms of clinical outcomes and diagnostic performance. In this narrative review, we will discuss such evidence for reducing CT radiation in adolescents and young adults with suspected appendicitis.     

钪—46内污染复合小剂量X射线全身外照射后 小白鼠骨髓有核细胞染色体畸变与剂量关系的研究

本文定量描述了钪—46内污染复合小剂量X射线全身外照射24h以后,小白鼠骨髓有核细胞染色体畸变与剂量的关系。结果表明,内外复合照射以后,染色体畸变率低于单纯内、外照射畸变率之和,但高于其中单一照射的畸变率,直线回归方程为y_6=7.9511+0.00099D_3,即呈正相关。染色体畸变率随时间变化规律为三项指数函数模式y(t)=2.9078exp~(0.27668t)+2.3786exp~(-0.017788t)+2.3786exp~(-0.1788t),1≤t≤30。经适宜性验证,各公式所得理论值的90％机率分布在实际测得值中。