Analysis of the Movement of Surgical Clips Implanted in Tumor Bed during Normal Breathing for Breast Cancer Patients

Rena Lee(이레나),Eunah Chung(정은아),HyunSuk Suh(서현숙),Kyung-ja Lee(이경자),Jihye Lee(이지혜) 대한방사선종양학회 2006 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.24 No.3

목 적: 정상 호흡에서 외과적 클립을 이용하여 유방 종양의 움직임을 평가하였다. 대상 및 방법: 유방 보존 수술 후 방사선 치료를 받은 7명의 환자를 대상으로 하여 각 환자별로 일반적인 모의 치료 과정에서 형광 투시 영상을 얻었다. 한 환자의 영상만 매초 15프레임의 비율로 기록되었고, 다른환자들의 영상은 1초당 30프레임의 비율로 앞뒤, 옆, 빗나가는 방향에서 기록되었다. 각 클립의 원점에서의 최대, 최소 움직임을 측정하였고 이를 통하여 클립마다 각 방향에서의 최대 움직임을 계산하였다. 비교를 위하여 위-아래 방향으로의 횡경막의 움직임도 측정하였다. 결 과: 앞뒤 방향의 영상으로부터 옆 방향과 위-아래 방향으로의 외과적 클립의 평균 움직임은 0.8±0.5 mm, 0.9±0.2 mm이며, 최대 움직임은 1.9 mm, 1.2 mm였다. 또한, 옆 방향 영상에 나타난 클립들은 평균적으로 앞-뒤 방향으로 1.3±0.7 mm, 위-아래 방향으로 1.3±0.6 mm 움직였으며, 최대 움직임은 각각 2.6 mm, 2.6 mm였다. 빗나가는 방향의 영상에 있는 외과적 클립들의 평균 움직임과 최대 움직임은 비스듬한 방향에서는 1.2±0.5 mm와 2.4 mm였으며, 위-아래 방향으로는 0.9±0.4 mm와 1.7 mm였다. 횡격막은 위-아래 방향으로 평균적으로 14.0±2.4 mm 움직였으며, 최대 18.8 mm 움직였다. 결 론: 호흡에 의해 발생되는 클립의 움직임은 횡경막의 움직임에 비해서 크지 않은 것으로 나타났다. 그리고, 외과적 클립의 움직임은 모든 방향에서 3 mm 이내였다. 이 결과, 유방암의 방사선 치료 시 호흡을 잡아주는 기술이나 도구가 필요하지 않다는 것을 알 수 있었다. Purpose: To evaluate the movement of surgical clips implanted in breast tumor bed during normal breathing. Materials and Methods: Seven patients receiving breast post-operative radiotherapy were selected for this study. Each patient was simulated in a common treatment position. Fluoroscopic images were recorded every 0.033 s, 30 frames per 1 second, for 10 seconds in anterior to posterior (AP), lateral, and tangential direction except one patient's images which were recorded as a rate of 15 frames per second. The movement of surgical clips was recorded and measured, thereby calculated maximal displacement of each clip in AP, lateral, tangential, and superior to inferior (SI) direction. For the comparison, we also measured the movement of diaphragm in SI direction. Results: From AP direction's images, average movement of surgical clips in lateral and SI direction was 0.8± 0.5 mm and 0.9±0.2 mm and maximal movement was 1.9 mm and 1.2 mm. Surgical clips in lateral direction's images were averagely moved 1.3±0.7 mm and 1.3±0.5 mm in AP and SI direction with 2.6 mm and 2.6 mm maximal movement in each direction. In tangential direction's images, average movement of surgical clips and maximal movement was 1.2±0.5 mm and 2.4 mm in tangential direction and 0.9±0.4 mm and 1.7 mm in SI direction. Diaphragm was averagely moved 14.0±2.4 mm and 18.8 mm maximally in SI direction. Conclusion: The movement of clips caused by breathing was not as significant as the movement of diaphragm. And all surgical clip movements were within 3 mm in all directions. These results suggest that for breast radiotherapy, it may not necessary to use breath-holding technique or devices to control breath.

Statistical process control analysis for patient quality assurance of intensity modulated radiation therapy

Lee, Rena,Kim, Kyubo,Cho, Samju,Lim, Sangwook,Lee, Suk,Shim, Jang Bo,Huh, Hyun Do,Lee, Sang Hoon,Ahn, Sohyun 한국물리학회 2017 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol. No.

<P>This study applied statistical process control to set and verify the quality assurances (QA) tolerance standard for our hospital's characteristics with the criteria standards that are applied to all the treatment sites with this analysis. Gamma test factor of delivery quality assurances (DQA) was based on 3%/3 mm. Head and neck, breast, prostate cases of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric arc radiation therapy (VMAT) were selected for the analysis of the QA treatment sites. The numbers of data used in the analysis were 73 and 68 for head and neck patients. Prostate and breast were 49 and 152 by MapCHECK and ArcCHECK respectively. C (p) value of head and neck and prostate QA were above 1.0, C (pml) is 1.53 and 1.71 respectively, which is close to the target value of 100%. C (pml) value of breast (IMRT) was 1.67, data values are close to the target value of 95%. But value of was 0.90, which means that the data values are widely distributed. C (p) and C (pml) of breast VMAT QA were respectively 1.07 and 2.10. This suggests that the VMAT QA has better process capability than the IMRT QA. Consequently, we should pay more attention to planning and QA before treatment for breast Radiotherapy.</P>

Stem cells act through multiple mechanisms to benefit mice with neurodegenerative metabolic disease

Lee, Jean-Pyo,Jeyakumar, Mylvaganam,Gonzalez, Rodolfo,Takahashi, Hiroto,Lee, Pei-Jen,Baek, Rena C,Clark, Dan,Rose, Heather,Fu, Gerald,Clarke, Jonathan,McKercher, Scott,Meerloo, Jennifer,Muller, Franz- Nature Publishing Group 2007 Nature medicine Vol.13 No.4

Intracranial transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) delayed disease onset, preserved motor function, reduced pathology and prolonged survival in a mouse model of Sandhoff disease, a lethal gangliosidosis. Although donor-derived neurons were electrophysiologically active within chimeric regions, the small degree of neuronal replacement alone could not account for the improvement. NSCs also increased brain β-hexosaminidase levels, reduced ganglioside storage and diminished activated microgliosis. Additionally, when oral glycosphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitors (β-hexosaminidase substrate inhibitors) were combined with NSC transplantation, substantial synergy resulted. Efficacy extended to human NSCs, both to those isolated directly from the central nervous system (CNS) and to those derived secondarily from embryonic stem cells. Appreciating that NSCs exhibit a broad repertoire of potentially therapeutic actions, of which neuronal replacement is but one, may help in formulating rational multimodal strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Analysis of Set-up Errors during CT-scan, Simulation, and Treatment Process in Breast Cancer Patients

Rena Lee(이레나) 대한방사선종양학회 2005 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.23 No.3

목 적: 방사선 치료 시 3차원 영상 획득에 방사선치료 전용으로 개발된 모의 CT를 사용하고 있으나 아직까지도 많은 병원에서는 일반 진단용 CT를 이용하고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 21명의 유방암 환자를 대상으로 모의치료, 진단용 CT기를 이용한 CT 스캔, 및 치료 과정 사이의 준비 오차를 분석하였다.대상 및 방법: 준비 오차는 isocenter, SSD, CLD, 및 수술 시 삽입된 클립의 위치들의 변화를 계산하여 분석하였다. 모의조사에서 얻어진 x-ray 영상에 나타난 해부학적 구조물과 CT 스캔 시 isocenter를 표시하기 위해 환자의 몸에 부착된 marker를 기준으로 정해진 isocenter에서 얻은 DRR 영상상의 구조물을 비교하여 잘 일치하지 않을 경우 새로운 isocenter가 정해졌고 이러한 isocenter의 위치 변화를 계산하였다.결 과: 21명의 환자 중 7명의 경우 DRR상과 모의치료 필름상의 해부학적 구조물이 21명의 환자 중 7명이 일치하지 않았으므로 치료계획을 실행하기에 앞서 새로운 isocenter를 정하였다. Isocenter 이동을 근거로 계산된 진단용 CT와 모의 치료간에 발생되는 평균 준비오차의 표준편차는 횡측 방향으로 2.3 mm, longitudinal 방향으로 1.6 mm, 그리고 AP 방향으로 1.6 mm이다. 모의치료와 CT data의 AP 방향 및 tangential 방향에서 측정된 SSD 값의 평균오차 및 표준편차는 각각 1.9±2.3 mm 및 2.8±3.7 mm이다. 모의치료와 DRR간의 CLD 오차의 변화범위는 0 에서 6 mm 이고 모의치료와 portal 영상간의 오차범위는 0에서 5 mm이다. 클립을 기준으로 계산된 그룹의 systematic error는 횡측 방향으로 1.7 mm, AP 방향으로 2.1 mm, 그리고 SI 방향으로 1.7 mm이다. 결 론: 연구 결과 SSD, CLD, 클립의 움직임 및 isocenter의 위치변화 측면에서 분석될 경우 그다지 큰 오차는 발생하지 않았음을 보여준다. 그러므로 본 연구결과 유방암 환자의 경우 진단용 CT를 사용한다 하더라도 준비오차는 모의 CT를 사용하는 경우와 비교하여 차이가 없음을 알 수 있다. 그러나 모의치료와 CT 스캔 사이의 준비오차를 감소하기 위해서는 CT 영상 획득 시 환자 위치고정에 특별한 주의를 기울여야 한다. Purpose: Although computed tomography (CT) simulators are commonly used in radiation therapy department, many institution still use conventional CT for treatments. In this study the setup errors that occur during simulation, CT scan (diagnostic CT scanner), and treatment were evaluated for the twenty one breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Errors were determined by calculating the differences in isocenter location, SSD, CLD, and locations of surgical clips implanted during surgery. The anatomic structures on simulation film and DRR image were compared to determine the movement of isocenter between simulation and CT scan. The isocetner point determined from the radio-opaque wires placed on patient's surface during CT scan was moved to new position if there was anatomic mismatch between the two images. Results: In 7/21 patients, anatomic structures on DRR image were different from the simulation image thus new isocenter points were placed for treatment planning. The standard deviations of the diagnostic CT setup errors relative to the simulator setup in lateral, longitudinal, and anterior-posterior directions were 2.3, 1.6, and 1.6 mm, respectively. The average variation and standard deviation of SSD from AP field were 1.9 mm and 2.3 mm and from tangential fields were 2.8 mm and 3.7 mm. The variation of the CLD for the 21 patients ranged from 0 to 6 mm between simulation and DRR and 0 to 5 mm between simulation and treatment. The group systematic errors analyzed based on clip locations were 1.7 mm in lateral direction, 2.1 mm in AP direction, and 1.7 mm in SI direction. Conclusion: These results represent that there was no significant differences when SSD, CLD, clips' locations and isocenter locations were considered. Therefore, it is concluded that when a diagnostic CT scanner is used to acquire an image, the set-up variation is acceptable compared to using CT simulator for the treatment of breast cancer. However, the patient has to be positioned with care during CT scan in order to reduce the setup error between simulation and CT scan.

A Magnetic Resonance-based Seed Localization Method for I-125 Prostate Implants

Lee, Rena J.,Suh, HyunSuk,Lee, Kyung-Ja,Lim, Soome,Kim, Yookyung,Kim, Sungkyu,Choi, Jinho KOREAN ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2007 JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE Vol.22//SUP No.-

<P>This study was performed to develop and evaluate a semi-automatic seed localization algorithm from magnetic resonance (MR) images for interstitial prostate brachytherapy. The computerized tomography (CT) and MR images (3 mm-slice thickness) of six patients who had received real-time MR imaging-guided interstitial prostate brachytherapy were obtained. An automatic seed localization method was performed on CT images to obtain seed coordinates, and an algorithm for seed localization from MR images of the prostate was developed and tested. The resultant seed distributions from MR images were then compared to CT-derived distribution by matching the same seeds and calculating percent volume receiving 100% of the prescribed dose and the extent of the volume in 3-dimensions. The semiautomatic seed localization method made it possible to extract more than 90% of the seeds with either less than 8% of noises or 3% of missing seeds. The mean volume difference obtained from CT and MR receiving 100% of the prescribed dose was less than 3%. The maximum extent of the volume receiving the prescribed dose were 0.3, 0.6, and 0.2 cm in x, y, and z directions, respectively. These results indicate that the algorithm is very useful in identifying seeds from MR image for post-implant dosimety.</P>

Evaluation of Electron Boost Fields based on Surgical Clips and Operative Scars in Definitive Breast Irradiation

Rena Lee(이레나),Eunah Chung(정은아),Jihye Lee(이지혜),Hyunsuk Suh(서현숙) 대한방사선종양학회 2005 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.23 No.4

목 적: 본 연구에서는 초기 유방암환자에서 보존적 수술 후 전자선을 이용한 추가방사선 조사 시 조사야의 범위 결정에 수술상흔 및 외과적 클립이 미치는 역할을 분석하였으며 이상적인 조사야 범위 결정방법을 제시하였다. 대상 및 방법: 조기 유방암 환자로 병소를 제거한 후 외과적 클립을 4∼7개 삽입한 환자 20명을 대상으로 연구를 시행하였다. 전자선의 치료 에너지를 결정하기 위하여 피부에서부터 흉부벽까지의 거리(SCD)와 병변조직의 가장 뒤쪽에 위치해 있는 클립까지의 거리를 측정하였다. 수술시 삽입된 클립들을 simulation 필름 상에서 연결하여 방사선학적 tumor bed로 정의하였다. 방사선 조사야의 범위는 3가지 방법에 의해 simulation 필름에 그렸다. 임상방사선 조사야(CF)는 수술 상흔 둘레로 3 cm의 여유를 주었고, 외과적방사선 조사야(SF)는 클립주위로 2 cm의 여유를 주었으며, 마지막으로 이상적 방사선조사야(IF)는 수술 상흔과 클립을 모두 포함하여 2 cm의 여유를 주었다. 그려진 조사야들의 면적을 측정하기 위하여 치료계획 컴퓨터에 입력되었고 측정된 면적을 비교하였다. 마지막으로 삽입된 클립들을 CT 상에서 그려 넣었고 클립들의 3차원적인 선량분포를 알아보기 위해 선량체적표를 얻었다. 결 과: SCD와 가장 깊이 삽입된 clip까지의 거리의 평균차이는 0.7±0.56 cm이다. 12명의 환자의 경우 깊이의 차이가 있다. 수술 상흔과 클립들의 평균 위치의 변화는 상방으로 1.7 cm, 하방으로 1.2 cm, 내측으로 1.2cm, 그리고 외측으로 0.9 cm이다. CF의 면적은 20명의 환자 중 6명의 경우 SF보다 크고 IF보다 크다. SF 와 IF의 면적 차이는 15의 환자에서 5%보다 작다. CF 조사야를 이용할 경우 15명의 환자들에 대해 1개 또는 3개의 클립들을 조사야 내에 포함하지 못하고 있다. 또한 클립들의 선량분포를 볼 때 17명의 환자들이 처방선 량의 80% 미만을 받는 즉 선량적으로 부적절한 선량을 받는 클립들이 있었다. 결 론: 수술 상흔을 중심으로 방사선 조사야 범위를 결정 할 경우 병변의 상하 부위를 적절히 포함하지 못하므로 병변 조직의 충분한 선량을 전달하지 못하였다. 외과적 클립만을 이용할 경우는 수술 상흔을 모두 포함하지 못하였다. 따라서 결론적으로 즉 수술 상흔과 외과적 클립을 모두 포함하는 본 기관에서 사용하는 방법으로 전자선 추가 조사야를 그린다면 정상조직의 부작용 및 지리상으로 병변조직의 빠트림을 최소화할수 있을 것이다. Purpose: To evaluate the role of surgical clips and scars in determining electron boost field for early stage breast cancer undergoing conserving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy and to provide an optimal method in drawing the boost field. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients who had 4∼7 surgical clips in the excision cavity were selected for this study. The depth informations were obtained to determine electron energy by measuring the distance from the skin to chest wall (SCD) and to the clip implanted in the most posterior area of tumor bed. Three different electron fields were outlined on a simulation film. The radiological tumor bed was determined by connecting all the clips implanted during surgery. Clinical field (CF) was drawn by adding 3 cm margin around surgical scar. Surgical field (SF) was drawn by adding 2 cm margin around surgical clips and an ideal field (IF) was outlined by adding 2 cm margin around both scar and clips. These fields were digitized into our planning system to measure the area of each separate field. The areas of the three different electron boost fields were compared. Finally, surgical clips were contoured on axial CT images and dose volume histogram was plotted to investigate 3-dimensional coverage of the clips. Results: The average depth difference between SCD and the maximal clip location was 0.7±0.56 cm. Greater difference of 5 mm or more was seen in 12 patients. The average shift between the borders of scar and clips were 1.7, 1.2, 1.2, and 0.9 cm in superior, inferior, medial, and lateral directions, respectively. The area of the CF was larger than SF and IF in 6/20 patients. In 15/20 patients, the area difference between SF and IF was less than 5%. One to three clips were seen outside the CF in 15/20 patients. In addition, dosimetrically inadequate coverage of clips (less than 80% of prescribed dose) were observed in 17/20 patients when CF was used as the boost field. Conclusion: The electron field determined from clinical scar underestimates the tumor bed in superior-inferior direction significantly and thereby underdosing the tissue at risk. The electron field obtained from surgical clips alone dose not cover the entire scar properly. As a consequence, our technique, which combines the surgical clips and clinical scars in determining electron boost field, was proved to be effective in minimizing the geographical miss as well as normal tissue complications.

Scatter correction in cone-beam CT via a half beam blocker technique allowing simultaneous acquisition of scatter and image information.

Lee, Ho,Xing, Lei,Lee, Rena,Fahimian, Benjamin P The American Association of Physicists in Medicine 2012 Medical physics Vol.39 No.5

<P>X-ray scatter incurred to detectors degrades the quality of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and represents a problem in volumetric image guided and adaptive radiation therapy. Several methods using a beam blocker for the estimation and subtraction of scatter have been proposed. However, due to missing information resulting from the obstruction of the blocker, such methods require dual scanning or dynamically moving blocker to obtain a complete volumetric image. Here, we propose a half beam blocker-based approach, in conjunction with a total variation (TV) regularized Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm, to correct scatter-induced artifacts by simultaneously acquiring image and scatter information from a single-rotation CBCT scan.</P>

Treatment outcomes after adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery for patients with stage I endometrial cancer

Kim, Jiyoung,Lee, Kyung-Ja,Park, Kyung-Ran,Ha, Boram,Kim, Yi-Jun,Jung, Wonguen,Lee, Rena,Kim, Seung Cheol,Moon, Hye Sung,Ju, Woong,Kim, Yun Hwan,Lee, Jihae The Korean Society for Radiation Oncology 2016 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.34 No.4

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy using vaginal brachytherapy (VB) with a lower dose per fraction and/or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) following surgery for patients with stage I endometrial carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 43 patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I endometrial cancer who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery between March 2000 and April 2014. Of these, 25 received postoperative VB alone, while 18 received postoperative EBRT to the whole pelvis; 3 of these were treated with EBRT plus VB. The median EBRT dose was 50.0 Gy (45.0-50.4 Gy) and the VB dose was 24 Gy in 6 fractions. Tumor dose was prescribed at a depth of 5 mm from the cylinder surface and delivered twice per week. Results: The median follow-up period for all patients was 57 months (range, 9 to 188 months). Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 92.5% and 95.3%, respectively. Adjuvant radiotherapy was performed according to risk factors and stage IB, grade 3 and lymphovascular invasion were observed more frequently in the EBRT group. Five-year DFS for EBRT and VB alone were 88.1% and 96.0%, respectively (p = 0.42), and 5-year OS for EBRT and VB alone were 94.4% and 96%, respectively (p = 0.38). There was no locoregional recurrence in any patient. Two patients who received EBRT and 1 patient who received VB alone developed distant metastatic disease. Two patients who received EBRT had severe complications, one each of grade 3 gastrointestinal complication and pelvic bone insufficiency fracture. Conclusion: Adjuvant radiotherapy achieved high DFS and OS with acceptable toxicity in stage I endometrial cancer. VB (with a lower dose per fraction) may be a viable option for selected patients with early-stage endometrial cancer following surgery.

전립선암의 방사선치료시 방광 부피가 비뇨기계 부작용에 미치는 영향

이지혜(Jihae Lee),서현숙(HyunSuk Suh),이경자(Kyung-ja Lee),이레나(Rena Lee),김명수(Myungsoo Kim) 대한방사선종양학회 2008 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.26 No.4

목 적: 국소적 전립선암에 대한 근치적 목적의 방사선치료시 3차원 입체조형방사선치료(3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, 3DCRT) 또는 세기조절방사선치료(intensity modulated radiotherapy, IMRT)를 시행하면 직장의 부작 용이 현저히 감소하지만 비뇨기계 부작용의 발생률은 감소하지 않는다. 방사선 치료로 인한 급성 비뇨기계 부작용 은 환자의 삶의 질을 저하시킬 뿐 아니라 만성 비뇨기계 부작용의 발생을 증가시킨다. 따라서 비뇨기계 부작용을 줄이기 위해 방광을 채운 상태에서 방사선치료를 하는 방법이 제안되었는데 이 경우 방사선 조사야에 포함되는 방 광의 면적이 줄어들어 부작용이 감소한다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 전립선암의 방사선치료시 방광의 부피가 급성 비뇨기계 부작용에 미치는 영향에 대하여 알아보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 전립선암으로 근치적 목적의 방사선치료를 받은 환자 42명을 대상으로 하였으며 대조군과 실험군이 각각 21명씩 포함되었다. 대조군은 본 연구가 계획되기 전에 방광 조절을 하지 않고 방사선치료를 시행 받은 환자 중 무작위로 추출하였고, 실험군은 치료 1시간 전 450 ml의 물을 마셔 방광을 채운 상태에서 방사선치료를 받은 환자들이었다. 모의치료시 설계용 CT와 초음파를 이용하여 방광의 부피를 측정하였고, 실험군에서는 방사선 치료 기간 동안 초음파로 매주 방광의 부피를 측정하였다. 결 과: 모의치료시 초음파로 측정한 방광의 부피와 CT로 측정한 방광의 부피는 유의한 상관성을 보여(r=0.679) 방광 부피를 측정하는 데 있어 초음파의 정확성을 확인하였다. 실험군에서 같은 양의 물을 마셔도 방광의 부피는 환자에 따라 차이가 컸고(범위 22∼352 ml), 방사선치료 기간 동안 방광의 부피는 일정하게 유지되지 않았다. 그러나 모의치료시 방광의 부피가 컸던 환자는 치료기간 중에도 방광의 부피가 큰 경향을 보였다. 실험군의 방광 부피는 평균 299±155 mL이었고 대조군은 평균 187±155 ml로, 일정량의 물을 마시면 방광 조절을 하지 않았을 때보다 방광 부피가 유의하게 증가하였고(p=0.009), 실험군에서 급성 비뇨기계 부작용이 대조군보다 감소하였지만 통계적으로 유의하지는 않았다. 또한 방광의 부피가 클수록 부작용이 감소하는 경향을 보였고, 모의치료시 CT로 측정한 방광의 부피가 150 ml 이상이면 1등급과 2등급의 비뇨기계 부작용이 현저히 감소하였다(p=0.023). 치료 기간 중의 방광 부피에 따른 부작용 발생률은 통계적으로 유의한 변화를 보이지 않았으나 방광의 부피가 클수록 1등급 부작용이 감소하는 경향을 보였고, 100 ml 이상인 경우에는 모든 등급의 부작용이 감소하는 경향을 보였다.결 론: 방광을 채우고 방사선치료를 할 때 치료 기간 중 방광의 부피가 일정하게 유지되지 않았음에도 불구하고 방광 조절을 하지 않았을 때보다 비뇨기계 급성 부작용이 감소하는 경향을 보였고, 모의치료시 방광 부피가 150mL 이상인 경우 부작용은 현저히 감소하였다. 따라서 전립선암 환자에서 방사선치료를 할 때 방광을 채우는 것이 급성 비뇨기계 부작용을 줄이는 데 도움이 될 것으로 생각한다. Purpose: Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were found to reduce the incidence of acute and late rectal toxicity compared with conventional radiation therapy (RT), although acute and late urinary toxicities were not reduced significantly. Acute urinary toxicity, even at a low-grade, not only has an impact on a patient’s quality of life, but also can be used as a predictor for chronic urinary toxicity. With bladder filling, part of the bladder moves away from the adiation field, resulting in a small irradiated bladder volume; hence, urinary toxicity can be decreased. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of bladder volume on acute urinary toxicity during RT in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Forty two patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were treated by 3DCRT and of these, 21 patients made up a control group treated without any instruction to control the bladder volume. The remaining 21 patients in the experimental group were treated with a full bladder after drinking 450 mL of water an hour before treatment. We measured the bladder volume by CT and ultrasound at simulation to validate the accuracy of ultrasound. During the treatment period, we measured bladder volume weekly by ultrasound, for the experimental group, to evaluate the variation of the bladder volume. Results: A significant correlation between the bladder volume measured by CT and ultrasound was observed. The bladder volume in the experimental group varied with each patient despite drinking the same amount of water. Although weekly variations of the bladder volume were very high, larger initial CT volumes were associated with larger mean weekly bladder volumes. The mean bladder volume was 299±155 mL in the experimental group, as opposed to 187±155 mL in the control group. Patients in experimental group experienced less acute urinary toxicities than in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. A trend of reduced toxicity was observed with the increase of CT bladder volume. In patients with bladder volumes greater than 150 mL at simulation, toxicity rates of all grades were significantly lower than in patients with bladder volume less than 150 mL. Also, patients with a mean bladder volume larger than 100 mL during treatment showed a slightly reduced Grade 1 urinary toxicity rate compared to patients with a mean bladder volume smaller than 100 mL. Conclusion: Despite the large variability in bladder volume during the treatment period, treating patients with a full bladder reduced acute urinary toxicities in patients with prostate cancer. We recommend that patients with prostate cancer undergo treatment with a full bladder.

Prognostic analysis of uterine cervical cancer treated with postoperative radiotherapy: importance of positive or close parametrial resection margin

Kim, Yi-Jun,Lee, Kyung-Ja,Park, Kyung Ran,Kim, Jiyoung,Jung, Wonguen,Lee, Rena,Kim, Seung Cheol,Moon, Hye Sung,Ju, Woong,Kim, Yun Hwan,Lee, Jihae The Korean Society for Radiation Oncology 2015 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.33 No.2

Purpose: To analyze prognostic factors for locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM), and overall survival (OS) in cervical cancer patients who underwent radical hysterectomy followed by postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in a single institute. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathologic data of 135 patients with clinical stage IA2 to IIA2 cervical cancer treated with PORT from 2001 to 2012 were reviewed, retrospectively. Postoperative parametrial resection margin (PRM) and vaginal resection margin (VRM) were investigated separately. The median treatment dosage of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to the whole pelvis was 50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy/fraction. High-dose-rate vaginal brachytherapy after EBRT was given to patients with positive or close VRMs. Concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) was administered to 73 patients with positive resection margin, lymph node (LN) metastasis, or direct extension of parametrium. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for analyzing LRR, DM, and OS; Cox regression was applied to analyze prognostic factors. Results: The 5-year disease-free survival was 79% and 5-year OS was 91%. In univariate analysis, positive or close PRM, LN metastasis, direct extension of parametrium, lymphovascular invasion, histology of adenocarcinoma, and chemotherapy were related with more DM and poor OS. In multivariate analysis, PRM and LN metastasis remained independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusion: PORT after radical hysterectomy in uterine cervical cancer showed excellent OS in this study. Positive or close PRM after radical hysterectomy in uterine cervical cancer correlates with poor prognosis even with CCRT. Therefore, additional treatments to improve local control such as radiation boosting need to be considered.