Physical and Biological Characteristics of Particle Therapy for Oncologists / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Particle therapy is a promising and evolving modality of radiotherapy that can be used to treat tumors that are radioresistant to conventional photon beam radiotherapy. It has unique biological and physical advantages compared with conventional radiotherapy. The characteristic feature of particle therapy is the “Bragg peak,” a steep and localized peak of dose, that enables precise delivery of the radiation dose to the tumor while effectively sparing normal organs. Especially, the charged particles (e.g., proton, helium, carbon) cause a high rate of energy loss along the track, thereby leading to high biological effectiveness, which makes particle therapy attractive. Using this property, the particle beam induces more severe DNA double-strand breaks than the photon beam, which is less influenced by the oxygen level. This review describes the general biological and physical aspects of particle therapy for oncologists, including non-radiation oncologists and beginners in the field.

Physical and Biological Characteristics of Particle Therapy for Oncologists / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Particle therapy is a promising and evolving modality of radiotherapy that can be used to treat tumors that are radioresistant to conventional photon beam radiotherapy. It has unique biological and physical advantages compared with conventional radiotherapy. The characteristic feature of particle therapy is the “Bragg peak,” a steep and localized peak of dose, that enables precise delivery of the radiation dose to the tumor while effectively sparing normal organs. Especially, the charged particles (e.g., proton, helium, carbon) cause a high rate of energy loss along the track, thereby leading to high biological effectiveness, which makes particle therapy attractive. Using this property, the particle beam induces more severe DNA double-strand breaks than the photon beam, which is less influenced by the oxygen level. This review describes the general biological and physical aspects of particle therapy for oncologists, including non-radiation oncologists and beginners in the field.

Effect of Tamsulosin on the Expectant Treatment of Lower Ureteral Stones / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness of tamsulosin on the expectant treatment for the patients suffering with lower ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 67 patients with stones less than 5mm that were located in the lower ureter were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=32) received 20mg caroverine (a spasmolytic drug) orally three time a day. Group 2 (n=35) received 0.2mg tamsulosin orally one time a day. The treatment was continued until expulsion of stone or to a maximum of 28 days. All patients were allowed 30mg ketorolac trimethamine intramuscular injections on demand. We compared the two groups for stone size, the expulsion rate, the time to expulsion and use of analgesics. RESULTS: The average stone size was 4.3+/-0.61mm for group 1 and 4.4+/-0.51mm for group 2. No statistical difference between two groups was found for stone size, age and sexual distribution. The expulsion rate was significantly higher in group 2 (82.8%), compared with group 1 (53.1%) (p=0.002). The mean expulsion time was 8.3 days for group 1 and 4.6 days for group 2 (p<0.0001). The average number of intramuscular analgesic injections was 3.9 for group 1 and 1.1 for group 2 (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin was proved to be effective and safe, as demonstrated by the increased stone expulsion rate, the decreased expulsion time and the reduced use of pain control in the expectant treatment of the lower ureter stones.

Additive Expulsion Effect of Tamsulosin after Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Upper Ureteral Stones / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We evaluates if the administration of tamsulosin increases the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the patients with upper ureteral stones and if this decreased the use of analgesic drugs after the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 patients with stones 6-12mm in size that were located in the upper ureter were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=23) received 3 times a day oral treatment of 20mg caroverine (a spasmolytic drug). Group 2 (n=22) received one time a day oral therapy of 0.2mg tamsulosin. All the patients received oral treatment for 14 days. Both groups of patients were allowed to use 30mg ketorolac trimethamine intramuscular injections on demand. The endpoint of the study was the stone expulsion rate, the use of analgesics and the drug adverse effects during treatment. RESULTS: The average stone size was 7.9+/-2.79mm for group 1 and 8.2+/-3.14mm for group 2. No statistical difference between the two groups was found for the stone size, age and gender distribution. The expulsion rate was significantly higher in group 2 (90.9%) compared with group 1 (65.2%) (p=0.038). The average number of pain control injections was 0.78 for group 1 and 0.23 for group 2, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The use of tamsulosin proved to be effective and safe, as demonstrated by the increased stone expulsion rate and the lesser need for pain control than that when using just a spasmolytic drug for ESWL of upper ureter stones.

Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis in an Infant / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an uncommon, severe, chronic infection of the kidney, which results in the normal renal parenchyma being replaced by characteristic lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells). It can occur at any age, but is extremely rare in children. Herein, the case of a 6-month-3-week-old girl with XGP, pre-operatively diagnosed with a Wilms' tumor, is reported. This is the youngest age of any patient with such a condition reported in the Korean literatures. Excretory urography, abdominal sonogram, computed tomogram and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right renal round mass, without any calcifications. Her pathological findings after a radical nephrectomy revealed XGP.

Analysis of the Risk Factors Related to Progression of Chronic Prostatitis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Chronic prostatitis displays various pathophysiologies due to various causes, and is a life time affliction, but the diagnosis and treatment are still unclear. Therefore, it is important to find if some elements influence the incidence and progress of the disease; attempts were made to recognize the risk factors for chronic prostatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 184 chronic prostatitis patients were selected, and divided, after treatment, into the improvement (IG; n=147) and non-improvement groups (NIG; n=37). 40 healthy men were chosen as the control group (CG) for a comparative analysis. Subjects were investigated for their professional stati and form of work, driving, motorcycle or bicycle utilization, drinking, smoking, sex and their style of diet. RESULTS: The ratio of sedentary desk workers in the NIG (73.0%) was higher than in the other groups. The ratio of those that drove for more than 1 hour was much high in the NIG by 54.1%. The ratio of the people who ejaculated more than once a week, either through sexual intercourse or masturbation, was lower in the NIG by 56.5%, but that of people who ejaculated every day was higher in the NIG (13.5%). People drinking more than once a week was greater in the NIG (67.6%), and those who drank more than 1 bottle of Korean wine, Soju, were showed an expressively higher ratio in the NIG (72.0%). In relation to dietary behavior, the NIG showed a high ratio (73.0%) for a preference for salty food only. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that may influence the prognosis of chronic prostatitis are thought to be the form of profession, number ejaculations, frequency and amount of drinking, an a habit of eating salty food. Therefore, these factors should be considered together when looking for a cure for chronic prostatitis.