Preliminary results of proton beam therapy combined with weekly cisplatin intra-arterial infusion via a superficial temporal artery for treatment of maxillary sinus carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of proton beam therapy combined with cisplatin intra-arterial infusion via a superficial temporal artery as treatment for maxillary sinus carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with confirmed maxillary sinus carcinoma were enrolled in this study from May 2009 to April 2011. Patients underwent proton beam therapy and intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy with cisplatin. RESULTS: The median total dose was 70.4 GyE per 32 fractions, and the median dose of cisplatin was 300 mg/body for six cycles of intra-arterial infusion. The 3-year overall survival rate was 58% for all patients (n = 26), 58% for patients with stage T4 disease (n = 12), 57% for patients with

Clinical results of proton beam therapy for twenty older patients with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: In an aging society, increasing number of older patients are diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of proton beam therapy for older patients with esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Older patients (age: ≥ 65 years) newly diagnosed with esophageal cancer between January 2009 and June 2013 were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent either proton beam therapy alone or proton beam therapy with initial X-ray irradiation. Toxicities were evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. RESULTS: Twenty patients were eligible for this study and all completed the treatment. The median age was 78 years (range: 65-89 years) and the median follow-up time was 26.5 months (range: 6-62 months). Seven patients had lymph node metastases and 10 had stage II/III cancer. The median dose of proton beam therapy was 72.6 Gy relative biological dose effectiveness (RBE) (range: 66-74.8 Gy [RBE]) for proton beam therapy alone and 33 Gy (RBE) (range: 30.8-39.6 Gy [RBE]; total dose range: 66.8-75.6 Gy [RBE]) for proton beam therapy with initial X-ray irradiation. The 2-year overall survival rate was 81.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62.4%-100%), and the 2-year local control rate was 89.4% (95% CI: 75.5%-100%). Grade 2 or 3 toxicities occurred in some cases; however, no grade 4 or 5 toxicity was observed. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose (66-75.6 Gy [RBE]) proton beam therapy without chemotherapy was an efficacious and safe treatment for older patients with esophageal cancer.

Long-Term Survival of a Patient With Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Treated With Hypofractionated Radiotherapy: A Case Report.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, a rare type of primary thyroid cancer, is one of the most aggressive neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Many cases are in the advanced stage at the time of the initial visit, and curative treatment is impossible. Because of the highly radioresistant nature of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, this condition cannot be properly controlled with conventional radiotherapy. Herein, we report the case of a patient with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma who underwent hypofractionated radiotherapy, attained a complete response, and is still alive more than 10 years after treatment with no evidence of disease. To overcome the high radioresistance of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, we administered 50 Gy in 10 fractions three times a week. Furthermore, we administered paclitaxel and carboplatin sequentially before and after radiotherapy. Consequently, the patient completed treatment and reached a complete response. He is still alive more than 10 years after treatment with no evidence of disease or severe adverse events. Hypofractionated radiation therapy may provide good control of locally advanced anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Exploring predictive molecules of acute adverse events in response to volumetric­modulated arc therapy for prostate cancer using urinary metabolites.

Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a radiotherapy technique used to treat patients with localized prostate cancer, which is frequently associated with acute adverse events (AEs) that can affect subsequent treatment. Notably, the radiation dose of VMAT can be tailored to each patient. In the present study, a retrospective analysis was performed to predict acute AEs in response to a therapeutic high radiation dose rate based on urinary metabolomic molecules, which are easily collected as noninvasive biosamples. Urine samples from 11 patients with prostate cancer who were treated with VMAT (76 Gy/38 fractions) were collected. The study found that seven patients (~64%) exhibited genitourinary toxicity (Grade 1) and four patients had no AEs. A total of 630 urinary metabolites were then analyzed using a mass spectrometer (QTRAP6500+; AB SCIEX), and 234 relevant molecules for biological and clinical applications were extracted from the absolute quantified metabolite values using the MetaboINDICATOR tool. In the Grade 1 acute AE group, there was a significant negative correlation (rs=-0.297, P<0.05) between the number of VMAT fractions and total phospholipase A2 activity in the urine. Additionally, patients with Grade 1 AEs exhibited a decrease in PC aa C40:1, a phospholipid. These findings suggested that specific lipids found in urinary metabolites may serve as predictive biomarkers for acute AEs in response to external radiotherapy.

Investigation of the efficacy of the change ratio of brain natriuretic peptide for predicting the cardiac effects of chemoradiotherapy on esophageal cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a predictor of radiological effects on the heart. A total of 41 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were retrospectively investigated. The BNP levels were measured on the first day of CRT (pre-CRT) and the last day of CRT (post-CRT), and the median concentration of BNP and dosimetric parameters of the heart were calculated. The change ratio of BNP was calculated as follows: [(BNP post-CRT) - (BNP pre-CRT)]/(BNP pre-CRT). The comparison of BNP pre-CRT with post-CRT was performed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The relationship between dosimetric parameters and change ratio was analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. The median levels of BNP of pre-CRT and post-CRT were 10 and 22 pg/ml, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001). Significant correlations (all P<0.05) were observed between the change ratio and mean dose, V5, V10, V20, and V30. Of the cohort, 14 patients developed acute-to-subacute cardiac events, such as pericardial effusion, cardiomegaly, acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure, and a decreased ejection fraction. The change ratios of BNP, V5, V10, V20, and V30 were significantly higher in patients who experienced cardiac events compared with those who did not. The results of this study showed that BNP measurement, particularly the change ratio of BNP pre- and post-CRT, may be a useful cardiac event predictor in addition to dosimetric parameters.

[Current status and treatment results of combined modality therapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify the current status of combined modality therapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2011, 43 patients(26 men and 17 women; mean age, 60 years) developed local pelvic recurrence after curative surgery. The recurrence pattern was almost equally distributed as 53% (23/43) pelvic, and 47% (20/43) pelvic and metastatic disease. Regarding the form of local recurrence, localized type and lateral spread type were present in 25 and 18 patients, respectively. In all, 24 patients underwent surgical resection for recurrent disease, and 87% of these patients underwent potentially curative surgery. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates for patients who were treated with surgical resection were 42% and 29%, respectively. These results were significantly favorable when compared to the non-surgical group of patients who were treated with chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy. Localized type recurrence is a statistically significant prognostic factor for improved survival compared to lateral spread type recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection should be a standard treatment option for patients with localized type recurrence, and chemoradiotherapy is better indicated for patients with lateral spread type recurrence.

Effects of six-cycle completion and earlier use of radium-223 therapy on prognosis for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A real-world multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of 6-cycle completion and earlier use of radium-233 dichloride (Ra223) on the prognosis of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 75 patients with bone metastases-predominant mCRPC who were treated with Ra223 between August 2016 and August 2021. The primary purpose of the study was to assess the effect of Ra223 completion (6 cycles) on patient prognosis, and the secondary purpose was to investigate factors associated with Ra223 incompletion (fewer than 6 cycles) and overall survival. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 72 years. The median number of Ra223 administrations was 6 (interquartile range, 5-6), and the median Ra223 completion rate was 75%. The median time from mCRPC diagnosis to Ra223 administration was 17 months, and the median number of prior treatments was 2. Multivariable analysis indicated that unfavorable performance status (>0), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level >10 ng/ml, extension of bone metastasis score 3 to 4, and Ra223 incompletion were significantly associated with poor overall survival. In addition, EOD 3 to 4 and 3 or more prior CRPC treatments were significantly associated with Ra223 incompletion. CONCLUSION: Six-cycle completion and earlier administration of Ra233 are potentially associated with favorable survival. Unfavorable factors (EOD 3-4 and ≥3 prior treatments) were significantly associated with Ra223 incompletion.

[Anal squamous cell carcinoma-a report of 6 cases].

In Japan, surgical therapy is utilized as the main treatment modality for anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Subjects were 6 patients with anal SCC treated at our hospital from 2000-2010, and a study was made on the treatment. In the early 3 cases (Stage IIIA, IIIB, IIIB), chemoradiotherapy (CRT) was used as adjuvant therapy on the premise of surgery. All of them were considered as stable disease, and they all experienced postoperative complications. The average length of the hospital stay was 45 days. Two cases are still surviving without recurrence, but the other one developed a distant metastasis. In contrast, we selected CRT with curative intent in the late 3 cases(Stage II, IIIA, IIIB). Two cases were considered as complete response (CR), and the other one considered as partial response (PR) was performed a salvage operation. Two cases are still surviving without recurrence, but the other case metastasized to the internal iliac lymph nodes. CRT with curative intent for anal SCC demonstrated a good antitumor effect. Salvage operation was safely performed, and showed a good prognosis.

Impact of low iodine density tumor area ratio on the local control of non-small cell lung cancer through stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Lung cancer with low average iodine density measured via contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) using dual-energy CT technology has shown a reduced local control rate after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The current study therefore investigated the relationship between low iodine density tumor area and its ratio and local recurrence after SBRT. Dual-energy CT was performed on the day before SBRT initiation, with a low iodine density tumor area being defined as that with an iodine density of <1.81 mg cm-3. The low iodine density tumor area, the ratio between the low iodine density tumor area and the entire tumor, and the local recurrence rate were then determined. No correlation was observed between the low iodine density tumor area and the local recurrence rate. However, tumors with a large low iodine density tumor area ratio showed an increased local recurrence rate, with the prognostic accuracy almost similar to that in previous studies using average iodine densities. Our results therefore suggest that the low iodine density tumor area ratio was a useful prognostic index after SBRT, with an accuracy comparable with that of the average iodine density.

A Phase I/II Study of Biweekly Carboplatin and Nab-paclitaxel With Concurrent Radiotherapy for Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable Stage III Non-small-cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cell cancer (LA-NSCLC). We conducted a phase I/II study of biweekly carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel (nab-PTX) with radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the phase I part, patients with inoperable stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC were treated with carboplatin (area under the time-concentration curve, 4) and nab-PTX (60-100 mg/m2) on days 1, 15, and 29. Thoracic RT was administered from day 1 to a total dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. In the phase II part, patients were administered carboplatin and nab-PTX on days 1, 15, and 29 at the recommended dose (RD). The primary endpoint of the phase I part was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the RD. In the phase II part, the primary endpoint was 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, and secondary endpoints were the objective response rate, progression-free survival, OS, and safety profile. RESULTS: In the phase I part, although maximum tolerated dose was not obtained, the RD was carboplatin (area under the time-concentration curve, 4) and nab-PTX (100 mg/m2). Of the evaluable 28 patients, the rate of 2-year OS was 67.8% (95% confidence interval, 49.3%-82.1%). The objective response rate was 96.4%, and the median follow-up time was 33.2 months. The median progression-free survival was 18.2 months (95% confidence interval, 13.1 months to not reached). The most common toxicities of grade 3 or higher were neutropenia (60.5%), anemia (14.2%), thrombocytopenia (7.2%), and pneumonitis (3.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This study achieved the primary endpoint. Biweekly carboplatin and nab-PTX with concurrent RT was well-tolerated and exerted promising antitumor activity.

Leptomeningeal Metastases in a Patient with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

A 42-year-old man visited a community hospital with chief complaints of lumbago and dyschesia. Computed tomography (CT) showed multiple lung, lymph node, and bone metastases and the irregular enlarged prostate with urinary bladder invasion. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 544.0 ng/mL. Histological evaluation showed adenocarcinoma with the Gleason score 5 + 4, and the clinical stage was T4N1M1c as an initial diagnosis. Although androgen deprivation therapy was performed immediately, he had castration-resistant PCa after 3 months. Therefore, he received 6 courses of docetaxel chemotherapy every 3 weeks. Serum PSA was decreased to 0.2 ng/mL, and multiple metastases and prostate size were obviously reduced based on CT. He underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy for prostatic fossa and multiple metastases. Although serum PSA level remained low, CT showed multiple liver metastases after 3 years from surgery. He received the combination therapy of cisplatin and etoposide (PE) every 4 weeks. Liver metastases had complete response. However, he visited our hospital with complaint of vomiting and a right drooping eyelid after 6 weeks from withdrawal of PE therapy. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple leptomeningeal metastases (LM). He received RT for the brain and was administered amrubicin. However, he died of PCa after 6 weeks from the diagnosis of LM.

What motivated medical students and residents to become radiation oncologists in Japan?-Questionnaire report by the radiotherapy promotion committee of JASTRO.

This study aimed to clarify the motivations and timing of the decision to become radiation oncologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an online survey for new members of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO). RESULTS: The response rate was 43.3%. Data of the 79 respondents who wanted to obtain a board-certification of JASTRO were analysed. We divided the respondents into two groups: Group A, those who entered a single radiation oncology department, and Group B, those who joined a radiology department in which the radiation oncology department and diagnostic radiology department were integrated. The most common period when respondents were most attracted to radiation oncology was "5th year of university" in Group A and "2nd year of junior residency" and "senior residency" in Group B. Furthermore, 79.5% of Group A and 40% of Group B chose periods before graduation from a university with a significant difference. The most common period when respondents made up their minds to become radiation oncologists was "2nd year of junior residency" in both groups. Internal medicine was the most common department to consider if they did not join the radiation oncology or radiology department. CONCLUSION: To increase the radiation oncologists, it is crucial to enhance clinical training in the fifth year of university for Group A and to continue an active approach to maintain interest in radiation oncology until the end of junior residency. In Group B facilities, it is desirable to provide undergraduates more opportunities to come in contact with radiation oncology.

Proton Beam Therapy for Locally Recurrent Parotid Gland Cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of proton beam therapy for patients with locally recurrent parotid cancer. Between 2009 and 2012, ten patients with locally recurrent parotid gland cancer were treated with proton beam therapy (70.2 Gy equivalents in 32 fractions) with or without intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy of cisplatin (50 mg/body/week, for a total of 5-8 weeks). The median follow-up was 24 months (range 10-49 months). The 1-year overall survival and local control rates were 80 %, and the 3-year overall survival and local control rates were 60 %. None of the patients experienced grade 3-5 toxicities in the treatment or the follow-up periods. These findings suggest that proton beam therapy could be applied effectively and safely for patients with locally recurrent parotid gland cancer.

The potential failure risk of the cone-beam computed tomography-based planning target volume margin definition for prostate image-guided radiotherapy based on a prospective single-institutional hybrid analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of markerless on-board kilovoltage (kV) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based positioning uncertainty on determination of the planning target volume (PTV) margin by comparison with kV on-board imaging (OBI) with gold fiducial markers (FMs), and to validate a methodology for the evaluation of PTV margins for markerless kV-CBCT in prostate image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). METHODS: A total of 1177 pre- and 1177 post-treatment kV-OBI and 1177 pre- and 206 post-treatment kV-CBCT images were analyzed in 25 patients who received prostate IGRT with daily localization by implanted FMs. Intrafractional motion of the prostate was evaluated between each pre- and post-treatment image with these two different techniques. The differences in prostate deviations and intrafractional motions between matching by FM in kV-OBI (OBI-FM) and matching by soft tissues in kV-CBCT (CBCT-ST) were compared by Bland-Altman limits of agreement. Compensated PTV margins were determined and compensated by references. RESULTS: Mean differences between OBI-FM and CBCT-ST in the anterior to posterior (AP), superior to inferior (SI), and left to right (LR) directions were - 0.43 ± 1.45, - 0.09 ± 1.65, and - 0.12 ± 0.80 mm, respectively, with R2 = 0.85, 0.88, and 0.83, respectively. Intrafractional motions obtained from CBCT-ST were 0.00 ± 1.46, 0.02 ± 1.49, and 0.15 ± 0.64 mm, respectively, which were smaller than the results from OBI-FM, with 0.43 ± 1.90, 0.12 ± 1.98, and 0.26 ± 0.80 mm, respectively, with R2 = 0.42, 0.33, and 0.16, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis showed a significant proportional bias. PTV margins of 1.5 mm, 1.4 mm, and 0.9 mm for CBCT-ST were calculated from the values of CBCT-ST, which were also smaller than the values of 3.15 mm, 3.66 mm, and 1.60 mm from OBI-FM. The practical PTV margin for CBCT-ST was compensated with the values from OBI-FM as 4.1 mm, 4.8 mm, and 2.2 mm. CONCLUSIONS: PTV margins calculated from CBCT-ST might be underestimated compared to the true PTV margins. To determine a reliable CBCT-ST-based PTV margin, at least the systemic error Σ and the random error σ for on-line matching errors need to be investigated by supportive preliminary FM evaluation at least once.

Clinical outcome of stereotactic body radiotherapy of 54 Gy in nine fractions for patients with localized lung tumor using a custom-made immobilization system.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of 54 Gy in nine fractions for patients with localized lung tumor using a custom-made immobilization system. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The subjects were 19 patients who had localized lung tumor (11 primaries, 8 metastases) between May 2003 and October 2005. Treatment was conducted on 19 lung tumors by fixed multiple noncoplanar conformal beams with a standard linear accelerator. The isocentric dose was 54 Gy in nine fractions. The median overall treatment time was 15 days (range 11-22 days). All patients were immobilized by a thermo-shell and a custom-made headrest during the treatment. RESULTS: The crude local tumor control rate was 95% during the follow-up of 9.4-39.5 (median 17.7) months. In-field recurrence was noted in only one patient at the last follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier overall survival rate at 2 years was 89.5%. Grade 1 radiation pneumonia and grade 1 radiation fibrosis were observed in 12 of the 19 patients. Treatment-related severe early and late complications were not observed in this series. CONCLUSION: The stereotactic body radiotherapy of 54 Gy in nine fractions achieved acceptable tumor control without any severe complications. The results suggest that SBRT can be one of the alternatives for patients with localized lung tumors.

Safe and successful birth following pelvic radiotherapy for rectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas can occur in various parts of the body, and half of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is the most common lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract and primary rectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is very rare. Because of the high radiosensitivity of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas, this condition can be controlled with radiotherapy of approximately 30 Gy alone. However, ovarian dysfunction as an adverse event of radiotherapy for pelvic lesions can become a problem in girls and women. We report a case of a 28-year-old woman with rectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma who safely gave birth to a baby following 30.6 Gy radiotherapy to her whole rectum. CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old Japanese woman became aware of bloody stools and was diagnosed as having Lugano I rectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. She was referred to our institute and initiated on radiotherapy. However, she expressed a desire to bear children. We used horizontally opposed pair fields for radiotherapy to minimize the irradiation to her endometrium and ovary. A total dose of 30.6 Gy was given in 17 fractions of 1.8 Gy by 10-Megavolt X-ray linear accelerator. As a result, one-third of her uterus and half of her ovary were outside the irradiation field. After approximately 1 year of treatment, positive pregnancy was confirmed and finally she safely gave birth to a baby girl without congenital abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: This report provides hope for girls and women who have undergone irradiation for pelvic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas and who desire to bear children.

Analysis of the relationship between prescribed dose and dosimetric advantage of real-time intraoperatively built custom-linked seeds in iodine-125 prostate brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the dosimetric advantage of using intraoperatively built custom-linked (IBCL) seeds between permanent iodine-125 (I-125) seed implantation (PI) alone and PI followed by external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 62 patients with localized prostate cancer who received transperineal interstitial brachytherapy with I-125 using free seeds or IBCL seeds. Twenty-four low- and intermediate-risk patients underwent PI alone with the prescribed dose of 160 Gy, and 39 high-risk patients underwent PI with 110 Gy, followed by EBRT with 45 Gy (PI + EBRT). Intraoperative and post-implant dosimetric parameters 1 month after implantation were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The numbers of patients implanted with free seeds and IBCL seeds were 14 (58.3%) and 10 (41.7%), respectively, in the PI group and 25 (65.8%) and 13 (34.2%), respectively, in the PI + EBRT group. In the PI group, although there were significant differences in prostate V100 (p = 0.003) and D90 (p = 0.009) and rectum V100 (p = 0.026) on intraoperative dosimetry, these differences were not found on post-implant dosimetry. In the PI + EBRT group, the dosimetric parameters of IBCL seeds, such as prostate V200 (p = 0.013) and V250 (p = 0.010) and urethra D30 (p = 0.038), were better than those of free seeds on intraoperative dosimetry. Furthermore, even on post-implant dosimetry, prostate D90 (p = 0.004), V150 (p = 0.001), and homogeneity index (HI, p = 0.001), as well as V200 (p = 0.001) and V250 (p = 0.020), and urethra D5 (p = 0.008) as well as D30 (p = 0.003) had a better dosimetric quality in IBCL seeds than in free seeds. There was no significant difference in the operation time between free seeds and IBCL seeds in each PI and PI + EBRT group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that greater dosimetric benefits could be obtained using IBCL seeds in the case of permanent implantation with a lower prescribed dose, such as PI + EBRT, rather than PI alone.

Re-irradiation using proton beam therapy combined with weekly intra-arterial chemotherapy for recurrent oral cancer.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy and toxicities of re-irradiation using proton beam therapy combined with weekly intra-arterial chemotherapy for recurrent oral cancer. METHODS: Between October 2009 and July 2014, 34 patients who had recurrent oral cancer were treated by proton beam therapy combined with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy at the Southern Tohoku Proton Therapy Center, Japan. RESULTS: For all patients, the median follow-up was 25 months (range, 3-77 months). After treatment, 22 patients (65%) achieved a complete response, and 12 patients (35%) achieved a partial response at the primary tumor site. One-year and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 62% and 42%, respectively. One-year and 2-year LC rates were 77% and 60%, respectively. No treatment-related deaths were observed during the treatment and follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: Re-irradiation using proton beam therapy combined with weekly intra-arterial chemotherapy improved OS and local control rates compared with other treatment modalities and could become a new treatment modality for patients with recurrent oral cancer.

Prognostic factors for survival in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiation therapy: impact of tumor volume.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of tumor volume on overall survival in patients with Stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between May 1997 and February 2003, 71 patients with Stage III NSCLC were treated with radiation therapy of 60 Gy or more. The total target dose was between 60 and 77 Gy (average, 66.3 Gy). Chemotherapy was used in 45 cases. The primary tumor and nodal volume were identified in pretreatment computed tomography scans. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the impact of tumor volume on survival after RT. RESULTS: The overall 2-year survival rate was 23%, with a median survival time of 14 months. The median survival times were 10 months and 19 months with large primary tumor volume more than median volume and smaller primary tumor volume, respectively. At a univariate analysis, the total tumor volume (TTV) (p<0.0003) and the primary tumor volume (p<0.00008) were significant and the nodal volume was not. At multivariate analyses, both the TTV and the primary tumor volume were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The primary tumor volume as well as TTV is a significant prognostic factor on survival in patients with Stage III NSCLC treated with RT and should be recorded in clinical results when the survivals are compared among clinical studies.

Clinical outcome of hypofractionated conventional conformation radiotherapy for patients with single and no more than three metastatic brain tumors, with noninvasive fixation of the skull without whole brain irradiation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of hypofractionated conventional conformation radiotherapy (HCCRT) with noninvasive fixation of the skull on patients with single or several brain metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The subjects were 44 patients who had three or fewer brain metastases (26 solitary, 18 multiple). Treatment was conducted on 65 metastases by rotational conformal beam or multiple fixed coplanar beams with a standard linear accelerator. The planning target volume consisted of the tumor and a 1-cm safety margin. The median isocentric dose was 24 Gy (range, 18-30 Gy) in 3-5 fractions. Whole-brain irradiation was not applied as an initial treatment. RESULTS: Actuarial local tumor control rates at 6 months and 1 year were 78.4% and 71.9%, respectively. In-field recurrence was noted in 10 of 65 tumors, and repeat HCCRT was applied in 5 tumors. Actuarial overall survival rates at 1 year, 2 years, and the median survival time were 50.8%, 24.1%, and 5.8 months, respectively. The patients with an active primary cancer and poor performance status had a poorer prognosis than those without those factors. Actuarial freedom from second brain metastases rates at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years were 86.6%, 69.0%, and 40.9%, respectively. Second brain metastases were observed in 9 of 44 patients. Lung adenocarcinomas had a higher risk of second brain metastasis than others. Treatment-related severe early or late complications were not observed in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Hypofractionated conventional conformation radiotherapy achieved sufficient tumor control and survival. The results suggest that HCCRT would be one of the alternatives for patients with either solitary or several brain metastases.