Stereotactic body radiation therapy for centrally-located lung tumors.

The application of high-dose irradiation to centrally-located lung tumors is generally considered to be of high risk in causing bronchial injury. The aim of the present retrospective study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for patients with centrally-located lung tumors. In total, 28 patients who underwent SBRT for lung tumors within 2 cm of a major bronchus were retrospectively analyzed. The median total dose prescribed was 45 Gy (range, 36.3-52.5 Gy), the median fraction was 12 (range, 10-15) and the median dose per fraction was 3.6 Gy (range, 3-5 Gy). The median follow-up period for the surviving patients was 14 months (range, 10-41 months). The local control rate of SBRT was 100%, with a complete response (CR) rate of 32.1% (9/28); a partial response (PR) rate of 50% (14/28) and a stable disease (SD) rate of 17.9% (5/28). In total, 15 patients survived and 13 patients succumbed; 11 patients succumbed to tumor progression, one to congestive heart failure and one to a brain hemorrhage. The main side-effects included grade 2 esophagitis (17.9%; 5/28) atelectasis (10.7%; 3/28) and grade 2 late radiation pneumonitis (7.1%; 2/28). Severe late toxicity (≥ grade 3) was not observed in any patient. SBRT is an effective and safe therapy for centrally-located lung tumors.

[Surgical resection of heterotopic ossification after open reduction internal fixation of acetabular fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of surgical resection of the severe heterotopic ossification (HO) after the open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of acetabular fractures. METHODS: Five cases of severe HO after the ORIF of acetabular fractures were treated by surgical resection from October 2005 to April 2007. All patients were male, the average age was 34 years (22 to 45 years). The average time of HO after ORIF of acetabular fractures was 14.2 months (3 to 30 months). The original surgical approaches were: Kocher-Langenbeck approach as 4, ilioinguinal combined K-L approach as 1. According to the Brooker classification, there were 4 patients with IV degree and 1 with III degree. The average total movement for all the 5 patients was 8 degrees. All patients received one time radiation therapy before or after operation, the dosage was 7-8 Gy. The surgical approach was Kocher-Langenbeck for all patients. During operation the nerve stimulator was used to explore the sciatic nerve and carefully protected it, resected all HO bone and removed all implants. For one patient, because of confusion between femoral head and acetabulum, total hip replacement were performed. The joint exercise (passively and actively) began from the second day after operation, and at the same time, all patients took the indomethacin to prevent the occurrence of HO. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 4 to 22 months. There was no recurrence of HO, the average total movement for all the 5 patients was 160 degrees. CONCLUSION: Early surgical resection and combined with radiation and indomethacin for the severe HO after the ORIF of acetabular fractures can obtain excellent results.

[Intraoperative 125I brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and survival of intraoperative 125I brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomized to two groups: brachy-chemotherapy group (n = 18) and control group (n = 18). For the combined group, intraoperative 125I implantation and gemcitabine, 5-Fu were given. For the control group, intratumoral injection of absolute alcohol was done. RESULTS: The CR + PR rate of brachy-chemotherapy group was 38.9% with pain relief in 77.8%, while that of control group was 0 with pain relief in 22.2% (P < 0.05). Although there were some toxicity in brachy-chemotherapy group, treatment was well tolerated. The 6-, 12-month survival rates of brachy-chemotherapy group were 71.4% and 21.4% and those of control group were 38.5% and 7.7%, respectively. The median survival time was 10.6 months and 5.2 months for the two groups, between which the difference was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Interoperative 125I brachytherapy combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer can control tumor, relieve pain and improve quality of life. It is safe and effective.