Results: Positive immunoreactivity for EGFR and COX-2 was observed in 49 of 68 (72%) and 19 of 68 (28%), respectively. However, no strong correlation was found between the levels of EGFR and COX-2 immunopositivity (R 2 ؍ 0.05, P ؍ 0.07). Patients in the EGFR-positive/COX-2-positive group had a higher likelihood of locoregional recurrence than those in the other three groups (P ؍ 0.02). Of the patients in the four groups, patients positive for both oncoproteins were found to have the worst prognosis with an overall 5-year disease-free survival rate of 55% compared with 91% for the EGFR-negative/COX-2-negative patients, 88% for the EGFR-negative/COX-2-positive patients, and 69% for the EGFR-positive/COX-2-negative patients (P ؍ 0.05, log-rank test). In addition, the synchronous coexpression of the EGFR and COX-2 oncoproteins was found to be an independent prognostic factor by univariate and multivariate analyses (relative risk ؍ 4.0, P ؍ 0.03).Conclusions: Given these observations, we conclude that the coexpression of EGFR and COX-2 immunoreactivity may be used as a potent molecular risk factor for predicting the poor survival of patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.
PurposeFor recurrent esophageal cancer after primary definitive radiotherapy, no general treatment guidelines are available. We evaluated the toxicities and clinical outcomes of re-irradiation (re-RT) for recurrent esophageal cancer.Materials and MethodsWe analyzed 10 patients with recurrent esophageal cancer treated with re-RT after primary definitive radiotherapy. The median time interval between primary radiotherapy and re-RT was 15.6 months (range, 4.8 to 36.4 months). The total dose of primary radiotherapy was a median of 50.4 Gy (range, 50.4 to 63.0 Gy). The total dose of re-RT was a median of 46.5 Gy (range, 44.0 to 50.4 Gy).ResultsThe median follow-up period was 4.9 months (range, 2.6 to 11.4 months). The tumor response at 3 months after the end of re-RT was complete response (n = 2), partial response (n = 1), stable disease (n = 2), and progressive disease (n = 5). Grade 5 tracheoesophageal fistula developed in three patients. The time interval between primary radiotherapy and re-RT was less than 12 months in two of these three patients. Late toxicities included grade 1 dysphagia (n = 1).ConclusionRe-RT of recurrent esophageal cancer after primary radiotherapy can cause severe toxicity.
Tumor location (axial or anterior) and surgery after reirradiation may increase severe late toxicity. In addition, an EQD2 exceeding 50 Gy(αβ10) may improve infield control.
For patients with significant anatomic contour change; neck diameter decrease (>10%) or weight loss (>5%), adaptive planning using mega-voltage computed tomography can identify dosimetric changes and reduce deleterious side effects such as xerostomia.
PurposeThe purpose of this prospective multi-institutional study was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for treatment of head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer.Materials and MethodsA total of 1,000 patients were enrolled in this study at seven different hospitals in Seoul, Korea between October 2009 and May 2010. The nutritional status of patients after receiving 3 weeks of RT was evaluated using subjective global assessment (SGA). The nutritional status of each patient was rated as well nourished (A), moderately malnourished (B), or severely malnourished (C).ResultsThe mean age of patients in this study was 59.4 ± 11.9 years, and the male to female ratio was 7:3. According to the SGA results, 60.8%, 34.5%, and 4.7% of patients were classified as A, B, or C, respectively. The following criteria were significantly associated with malnutrition (SGA B or C; p < 0.001): loss of subcutaneous fat or muscle wasting (odds ratio [OR], 11.473); increased metabolic demand/stress (OR, 8.688); ankle, sacral edema, or ascites (OR, 3.234); and weight loss ≥5% (OR, 2.299).ConclusionSGA was applied successfully to assess the nutritional status of most patients. The prevalence of malnutrition in a radiation oncology department was 39.2%. The results of this study serve as a basis for implementation of nutrition intervention to patients being treated at radiation oncology departments.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.