Reproducibility of perfusion CT derived CBV and rCBV measurements with different slice thickness in patients with brain neoplasms

Objective:To assess inter-and intraobserver reproducibility for measuring perfusion CT derived cerebral blood volume (CBV) and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) with different slice thickness in patients with brain neoplasms. Meth- ods: Three independent observers who were blinded to the histopathologic diagnosis performed perfusion derived CBV and rCBV measurements with 5 mm and 10 mm slice thickness in 52 patients with various cerebral neoplasms. The results of the measurements with different slice thickness were compared. Calculation of coefficient of variation (CV), and relative paired difference of the measurements were used to determine the levels of inter- and intraobserver reproducibility. Results: The differences of CBV and rCBV measurements between different slice thickness groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05) respectively in observer 2, and were not significant in the other two observers (P > 0.05). For the same slice thickness, both the difference of CBV and rCBV measurements among the three observers were not statistically significant. Interobserver CV and relative paired difference of the measurements with 10 mm slice thickness group were slightly lower than those of 5 mm slice thickness group. Interobserver CV and relative paired difference of CBV group were slightly lower than those of rCBV group. The intraobserver differences of CBV and rCBV in 10 mm slice thickness group were statistically significant for observer 2 respectively. No other intraobserver differences of measurements were statistically significant. CV and relative paired difference of intraobserver CBV and rCBV measurements for observer 2 were significantly higher than for the other two observers. Conclusion: High reproducibility of CBV and rCBV measurements was acquired with the two different slice thickness. Suitable training may be helpful to maintain a high level of consistency for measurements.

Therapeutic Effects of Stereotactic Radiotherapy on 389 Cases of Brain Glioma

Objective： To investigate the treatment effectiveness and side effects of stereotactic radiotherapy for brain glioma. Methods： From Jun. 1995 to Dec. 1998, 389 cases of brain gliomas were treated by stereotactic radiotherapy, among which 151 cases were treated by stereotactic radiosurgery （SRS） and the other 238 cases, by fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy （FSRT）. In the SRS group, the marginal tumor dose was 20 to 30 Gy （median, 2.6 Gy）. One to 6 isocenters （median, 2.48） and 5 to 21 irradiation arcs （median, 8.45） were applied. In the FSRT group, the per-fraction marginal tumor dose was 8 to 12 Gy with 1 to 6 isocenters （median, 2.53）, 6 to 20 irradiation arcs （median, 8.25） and 2-5 fractions delivered everyday or every other day. Results： Three months after treatment, the complete and partial response rates were 13.9% and 45.7% in SRS group respectively. The stable disease rate was 17.2%. The total effective rate was 76.8%. In FSRT group, the complete and partial remission rates were 19.7% and 47.9% respectively. The stable disease rate was 20.6%. The total effective rate was 88.2%. The total effective rate of FSRT group was higher than that in SRS group （X^2=9.874, P=0.020）. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate of all patients was 54.3%, 29.3%, 16.5% respectively. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate in SRS group and FSRT group was 52.3% vs 26.5%, 11.9% vs 55.5%, and 31.1 vs 19.3% respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups （X^2=2.16, P=0.1417）. The brain edema caused by the main radiation was more severe in the SRS group than in FSRT group （X^2=4.916, P=0.027）. Conclusion： It is effective for brain glioma to be treated by stereotactic radiotherapy. Compared with SRS, the FSRT has the advantage of good effect and less side response.

Could helical tomotherapy do whole brain radiotherapy and radiosurgery?

Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) remains the standard management of breast cancer patients with brain metastases, allowing for symptomatic improvement and good local control in most patients. However, its results remain suboptimal in terms of both efficacy and toxicity. In highly selected breast cancer patients, stereotaxic radiotherapy demonstrates a very good local control with a low toxicity. With the purpose of improving the efficacy/toxicity ratio, we report the association of integrated boost with WBRT in a breast cancer patient with brain metastases. Two and a half years after completion of helical tomotherapy (HT), the patient experienced clinical and radiological complete remission of her brain disease. No delayed toxicity occurred and the patient kept her hair without need of radiosurgical procedure. The HT provided a high dosimetric homogeneity, delivering integrated radiation boosts, and avoiding critical structures involved in long-term neurological toxicity. Further assessment is required and recruitment of breast cancer patients into clinical trials is encouraged.

Precision radiotherapy for brain tumors A 10-year bibliometric analysis

OBJECTIVE： Precision radiotherapy plays an important role in the management of brain tumors. This study aimed to identify global research trends in precision radiotherapy for brain tumors using a bibliometric analysis of the Web of Science. DATA RETRIEVAL： We performed a bibliometric analysis of data retrievals for precision radiotherapy for brain tumors containing the key words cerebral tumor, brain tumor, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, imaging-guided radiotherapy, dose-guided radiotherapy, stereotactic brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiotherapy using the Web of Science. SELECTION CRITERIA： Inclusion criteria： （a） peer-reviewed articles on precision radiotherapy for brain tumors which were published and indexed in the Web of Science; （b） type of articles： original research articles and reviews; （c） year of publication： 2002-2011. Exclusion criteria： （a） articles that required manual searching or telephone access; （b） Corrected papers or book chapters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： （1） Annual publication output; （2） distribution according to country; （3） distribution according to institution; （4） top cited publications; （5） distribution according to journals; and （6） comparison of study results on precision radiotherapy for brain tumors. RESULTS： The stereotactic radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and imaging-guided radiotherapy are three major methods of precision radiotherapy for brain tumors. There were 260 research articles addressing precision radiotherapy for brain tumors found within the Web of Science. The USA published the most papers on precision radiotherapy for brain tumors, followed by Germany and France. European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University were the most prolific research institutes for publications on precision radiotherapy for brain tumors. Among the top 13 research institutes publishing in this field, seven are in the USA, three are in Germany, two are in France, and there is one institute in India. Research interests including urology and nephrology, clinical neurology, as well as rehabilitation are involved in precision radiotherapy for brain tumors studies. CONCLUSION： Precision radiotherapy for brain tumors remains a highly active area of research and development.

Factors influencing comfort level in head and neck neoplasm patients receiving radiotherapy

Objective:To determine factors that influence comfort in head and neck neoplasm patients receiving radiotherapy.Methods:In total,200 head and neck neoplasm patients receiving radiotherapy were recruited from three tertiary first class hospitals.They were assessed by Radiotherapy Comfort Questionnaire for patients with head and neck neoplasm,Social Support Scale,and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire.Results:The total score of comfort was 60.54±8.32.Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that number of radiation treatments,family accompaniment,educational level,resignation coping mode,complications due to diabetes,accompanying chemotherapy,and the utilization of social support significantly influenced comfort level(p<0.05).Among these,number of radiation treatments,complications due to diabetes,accompanying chemotherapy,and resignation coping were negative factors.Conclusion:Encouraging utilization of social support systems and a positive coping mode is important for increasing comfort level in head and neck neoplasm patients during radiotherapy.Nurses should pay particular attention to those patients during later stages of radiotherapy or chemotherapy,with diabetes,without family accompaniment,and with lower education level.

Therapeutic Effect of First-line Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)Combined with Whole Brain Radiotherapy on Patients with EGFR Mutation-positive Lung Adenocarcinoma and Brain Metastases

This study compared the therapeutic effect of first-line epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFR-TKI)with that of EGFR-TKI plus whole brain radiotherapy(WBRT)on patients with EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases.A total of 139 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases treated with first-line EGFR-TK1therapy from September 2008 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study.The study endpoints were intracranial time to progression(TTP)and overall survival(OS).The effects of clinical pathological parameters and EGFR gene status on the study endpoints were compared.The results showed that the intracranial TTP was significantly longer in EGFR-TKI plus WBRT group than in EGFR-TKI group (median 30.0 vs.18.2 months,χ2=10.824,P=0.001),but no significant difference in the OS was noted between the two groups (median 48.0 vs.41.1 months,χ2=0.012, P=0.912).Also,there was no statistically significant difference in the OS between patients treated with early and late radiotherapy (P=0.849)and between those with asymptomatic and those with symptomatic intracranial metastases (P=0.189).The OS and intracranial TTP of patients with intracranial oligometastases (≤3metastatic sites)were not significantly different from those of patients with multiple intracranial metastases (P=0.104 and P=0.357,respectively),and exon 19 and exon 21 mutations didn't show significant effects on the OS and intracranial TTP of patients (P=0.418 and P=0.386,respectively).In conclusion,there was no statistically significant difference in the OS between the EGFR-TKI alone group and EGFR-TK1 plus WBRT group.However, simultaneous use of WBRT was found to significantly prolong intracranial TTP and improve cerebral symptoms,and thus EGFR-TKI and WBRT combined may be clinically beneficial for patients with EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma and brain metastases.

A Phase Ⅰ trial of dose escalation of topotecan combined with whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastasis in lung cancer

Objective The aim of this study was to define the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and observe the toxicity of escalating topotecan combined whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastasis in lung cancer.

Radiotherapy for multiple brain metastases from hepatocellular carcinomas

A 78-year-old man with liver cirrhosis was found to have multiple hepatocellular carcinomas （HCCs） and underwent 3 sessions of transcatheter arterial chernoernbolization. Fourteen months after diagnosis, the patient presented with left herniparesis. Contrast- enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple metastases with ring-shaped enhancement in the cerebrum and cerebellum. There were no metastases to other organs. The metastatic lesions almost completely disappeared after whole-brain radiotherapy with a total dose of 50 Gy. Neurologic symptoms decreased, and the patient＇s quality of life improved. The patient underwent 2 more sessions of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Twelve months after the diagnosis of brain metastasis, the patient remains alive. The present case indicates that radiotherapy can improve quality of life and prolong survival in some patients with brain metastases from HCCs.

Malignant neoplasms of the uterus following radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma: a clinical study of 47 cases

Objective： To study the characteristics and clinical features of uterine neoplasms developed after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma. Methods： Clinical data of 47 cases of uterine neoplasms occurred following radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Results： The median age at uterine neoplasms diagnosis was 62 years （range： 38-77 years）, and the median latency period from initial therapy to development of uterine neoplasms was 14 years （range： 5-35 years）. Thirty of 47 cases were endometrial carcinoma, of which 3 were uterine papillary serous carcinoma （UPSC）. Seventeen of 47 patients were uterine sarcoma, all of those were carcinosarcoma. The distribution by stage, grade, and histology of 30 cases of endometrial carcinoma was as follows： stage Ⅰb, 1 case; stage Ⅰc, 2 cases; stage Ⅱ, 6; stage Ⅲa, 4; stage Ⅲb, 2; stage Ⅲc, 11; stage Ⅳ, 4 cases; grade 1, two cases; grade 2, nine; grade 3 （include 3 UPSC patients）, seventeen; unknown grade, two; endometriod, 27; UPSC, 3 cases; 7 of 30 cases of endometrial carcinoma had recurrences （23.3%）, at median time to recurrence was 24 months, and their median survival time was 26 months. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 60% and 38%, respectively. Of the 17 cases of uterine sarcoma, the median survival was 10 months, 6 patients occurred recurrence （35.9%）, at a median time to recurrence was 9 months, and their median survival was 6 months. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 12% and 0, respectively. Conclusion： The main uterine neoplasms development after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma is endometrial carcinomas, of which there is a preponderance of high-risk histological subtypes and a poor prognosis. Most of the uterine sarcomas occurred following radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma are carcinosarcomas and the prognosis is very poor.

A CLINICAL STUDY FOR EVALUATING EARLY RADIOTHERAPY EFFECT IN PATIENTS WITH BRAIN TUMOR USING ^(99)Tc^m-HL91 SPECT

Objective： The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early radiotherapy effect using ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT in patients with brain tumors. Methods： Twenty-one patients with brain tumors who were treated by radiotherapy were studied. KPS grade, tumor size on ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT, tumor size on MRI, and ratio of T/N （tumor counts/sec over normal brain tissue counts/sec） were investigated before ,during and after radiotherapy. Results： The average tumor size on ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT and MRI was 11.34±5.88 cm^2, 9.46±5.66 cm^2, respectively before radiotherapy. The tumor size on ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT was not in accordance with to that on MRI （P〈0.05）. KPS grade, tumor size on ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT and ratio of T/N had significance differences before, during and after radiotherapy （P〈0.05）, but the tumor size on MRI imaging had no significance differences before, during and after radiotherapy （P〉0.05）. The rate of symptom improvement was 80% during radiotherapy and 100% after radiotherapy. The rates of imaging remission based on the brain tumor size on ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT, MRI and T/N were 75%, 15%, and 80%, respectively during radiotherapy. The agreement rates between imaging remission diagnosed by those three methods and symptom improvement were 70%, 40%, and 60% respectively during radiotherapy. The rates of imaging remission based on the brain tumor sizes on ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT, MRI and T/N were 100%, 25%, and 95% respectively after radiotherapy. The agreement rates between imaging remission diagnosed by those three methods and symptoms improvement were 100%, 20%, and 95% respectively after radiotherapy. Conclusion： The tumor size on ^99Tc^m-HL91 SPECT is a valuable tool for evaluating early radiotherapy effect of brain tumor in process of radiotherapy. T/N is not a feasible method in evaluating radiotherapy effect of brain tumor because it may show elevation unrelated to the curative effect during radiotherapy.

Analyzing Planning Techniques for Whole Brain Radiotherapy

Aims: This study compares data between the Field in Field planning and Wedge planning techniques to figure out which technique has better dose coverage and distribution for PTV, and, if using FiF technique for whole brain treatment, how many beams will have better plan. Methods: 56 patients, who need to radiate whole brain with 30 Gy/10 fractions, have been selected for this study. Four plans have been made for each patient (FiF1—one subfield per field plan, FiF2—two subfields per field plan, FiF3—three subfields per field plan, and a Wedge plan). Results: The results of Field in Field plans including Compare dose distribution on the transverse CT slice, plan evaluation using DVH, number MU of plan, Dmax, HI, HTCI, DmaxPTV, DmeanPTV. Volume of PTV with the dose over 105% prescribed dose, dose of organ at risk, and Quality Assurance (QA) plan, are better than those of Wedge plan. Conclusions: Plans using Field in Field technique has better coverage, is more homogeneous in dose distribution than plan using Wedge technique. When using Field in Field technique for whole brain radiotherapy, using three subfields per field has better result than two subfields per field and one subfield per field.

The effects of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with whole brain irradiation on brain metastases

Objective： To observe the recently therapeutic effects and toxicity of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with whole brain irradiation for patients with brain metastasis. Methods： 33 cases were treated by whole brain irradiation at first, the dose of which was 36-40 Gy （18-20 f）. Then three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy was added to the focus with a total dose of 20-25 Gy, whose fractionated dose was 2-5 Gy/time, 5 times/week or 3 times/week. Results： Within 1 month after radiotherapy, according to imaging of the brain, the CR of all patients was 45.5%, PR 36.4%, NC 15.1%, and PD 3%. For the 32 cases with neural symptoms before radiation, the CR of the symptoms was 40.6% and PR 59.4%. All patients gained different increases in KPS grade. By the end of the follow-up period, there were 22 deaths with the mean survival time up to 9.3 months. Conclusion： Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with whole brain irradiation can not only effectively control brain metastases and improve life quality, but also tends to prolong survival time.

Efficacy and nursing of stereotactic radiotherapy in lung cancer patients with brain metastases

Objective: To observe the efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) in lung cancer patients with brain metas-tases and explore the nursing for those patients. Methods: From June 2002 to December 2006, 43 patients of lung cancer with brain metastases were treated with SRT, 8 of them were treated with the association of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and 6 of them were treated with combination of chemotherapy. During the period of SRT, the patients were applied with active psychological nursing and diet nursing. We also tried to prevent patients from epicranium injury, and meanwhile, patients were asked to took active convalesce exercise. Results: All patients finished SRT without serious reaction and complication. Local control rate was 81.4%, nervous system symptoms relief rate was 76.7% and KPS score was raised significantly. Survival time ranged from 2 to 34 months, median survival time was 8.5 months, and 6-month, 1-and 2-year survival rates were 58.9%, 26.2%, and 6.0% respectively. Conclusion: SRT was one of the effective palliation treatments for the lung cancer patients with brain metastases, and with the assistance of effective nursing, which would prolong their survival time and improved quality of life.

Efficacy of Temozolomide Combined with Whole Brain Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Cerebral Metastases from Lung Cancer

[Objectives] To observe the clinical efficacy,adverse reaction and survival time of temozolomide combined with whole brain radiotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer. [Methods] A total of 43 patients with lung cancer and cerebral metastases were reviewed and analyzed. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT) technique was used to perform whole brain radiotherapy,one time a day and5 times a week. At the same time of radiotherapy,temozolomide chemotherapy was performed,150 mg/( m2·d),continuous oral administration of 5 d,every 28 days were a cycle( those patients who continue receiving temozolomide chemotherapy did not receive other related antitumor therapy,such as systemic chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapy,etc.),and drugs were administered for 4-6 cycles according to tolerance of patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate. [Results]The objective response rate of 43 patients was79. 0%(34/43),in which CR was 6/43,PR was 28/43,and 9 cases had PD. By December 31,2016,7 patients in 43 cases died,one patient died of cerebral hernia due to intracranial lesions and 6 patients died of failure of other important organs due to metastasis. The OS and PFS of the whole group of patients in one year were 49. 1% and 56. 9% respectively. The adverse reactions were mild and the patients could tolerate such treatment. [Conclusions] Temozolomide combined with whole brain radiotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer with cerebral metastases has excellent clinical efficacy,while patients can tolerate such treatment.

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin vs.capecitabine for pathological stage N2 rectal cancer

Objective:Several studies have been conducted on the effects and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracilbased or capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy(CRT)regimens as significantly increasing the toxic response without benefit to survival.In this study,we further explored the role of these two postoperative CRT regimens in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a subgroup analysis of a randomized clinical trial.A total of 180 patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer were eligible,85 received capecitabine with radiotherapy(RT),and 95 received capecitabine and oxaliplatin with RT.Patients in both groups received adjuvant chemotherapy[capecitabine and oxaliplatin(XELOX);or fluorouracil,leucovorin,and oxaliplatin(FOLFOX)]after CRT.Results:At a median follow-up of 59.2[interquartile range(IQR),34.0−96.8]months,the three-year diseasefree survival(DFS)was 53.3%and 64.9%in the control group and the experimental group,respectively[hazard ratio(HR),0.63;95%confidence interval(95%CI),0.41−0.98;P=0.04].There was no significant difference between the groups in overall survival(OS)(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.37−1.05;P=0.07),the incidence of locoregional recurrence(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.24−1.64;P=0.33),the incidence of distant metastasis(HR,0.67;95%CI,0.42−1.06;P=0.09)and grade 3−4 acute toxicities(P=0.78).For patients with survival longer than 3 years,the conditional overall survival(COS)was significantly better in the experimental group(HR,0.39;95%CI,0.16−0.96;P=0.03).Conclusions:Our results indicated that adding oxaliplatin to capecitabine-based postoperative CRT is safe and effective in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.

Signal intensity changes of dentate nucleus on plain MR T1WI innasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy andmultiple injections of gadolinium-base contrast agent

Objective To observe changes of plain MR T1WI signal intensity of dentate nucleus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent(GBCA).Methods Fifty patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma and received intensity-modulated radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group,and 50 patients with other malignant tumors and without history of brain radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the control group.All patients received yearly GBCA enhanced MR examinations for the nasopharynx or the head.T1WI signal intensities of the dentate nucleus and the pons on same plane were measured based on images in the year of confirmed diagnosis(recorded as the first year)and in the second to the fifth years.T1WI signal intensity ratio of year i(ranging from 1 to 5)was calculated with values of dentate nucleus divided by values of the pons(ΔSI i),while the percentage of relative changes of year j(ranging from 2 to 5)was calculated withΔSI j compared toΔSI 1(Rchange j).The values of these two parameters were compared,and the correlation ofΔSI and GBCA injection year-time was evaluated within each group.Results No significant difference of gender,age norΔSI 1 was found between groups(all P>0.05).The second to the fifth yearΔSI and Rchange in nasopharyngeal carcinoma group were all higher than those in control group(all P<0.05).Within both groups,ΔSI was positively correlated with GBCA injection year-time(both P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of GBCA tended to be found with gradually worsening GBCA deposition in dentate nucleus,for which radiotherapy might be a risk factor.

Chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab for small cell lung cancer with brain metastases:A case report

BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)is a common and aggressive subtype of lung cancer.It is characterized by rapid growth and a high mortality rate.Approximately 10%of patients with SCLC present with brain metastases at the time of diagnosis,which is associated with a median survival of 5 mo.This study aimed to summarize the effect of bevacizumab on the progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival of patients with brain metastasis of SCLC.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old man was referred to our hospital in February 2023 because of dizziness and numbness of the right lower extremity without headache or fever for more than four weeks.The patient was diagnosed with limited-stage SCLC.He received 8 cycles of chemotherapy combined with maintenance bevacizumab therapy and achieved a PFS of over 7 mo.CONCLUSION The combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan effectively alleviated brain metastasis in SCLC and prolonged PFS.

Long-term outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with esophageal cancer following radiotherapy

AIM:To evaluate long-term outcomes and prognostic factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) treated with three dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT).METHODS:Between January 2005 and December 2006,153 patients(120 males,33 females) with pathologically confirmed esophageal SCC and treated with 3D-CRT in Cancer Hospital of Shantou University were included in this retrospective analysis.Median age was 60 years(range:37-84 years).The proportion of tumor location was as follows:upper thorax(including the cervical region),73(48%);middle thorax,73(48%);lower thorax,7(5%),respectively.The median radiation dose was 64 Gy(range:50-74 Gy).Fifty four cases(35%) received cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy.Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine the association between the correlative factors and prognosis.RESULTS:The five-year overall survival rate was 26.3%,with a median follow-up of 49 mo(range:3-66 mo) for patients who were still alive.On univariate analysis,lesion location,lesion length by barium esophagogram,computed tomography imaging characteristics including Y diameter(anterior-posterior,AP,extent of tumor),gross tumor volume of primary lesion(GTV-E),volume of positive lymph nodes(GTV-LN),and the total target volume(GTV-T = GTV-E + GTVLN) were prognostic for overall survival.By multivariate analysis,only the Y diameter [hazard ratio(HR) 2.219,95%CI 1.141-4.316,P = 0.019] and the GTV-T(HR 1.372,95%CI 1.044-1.803,P = 0.023) were independent prognostic factors for survival.CONCLUSION:The overall survival of esophageal carcinoma patients undergoing 3D-CRT was promising.The best predictors for survival were GTV-T and Y diameter.

Radiotherapy of double primary esophageal carcinoma

INTRODUCTIONDouble primary esophageal carcinoma is defined ashaving two loci of squamous cell cancersimultaneously or consecutively developing indifferent sites of esophagus.This rare diseaseappears mostly in the literature as case reports,reports about its treatment are even moreinfrequent.Here we present our experiences