Impact of coronal and sagittal views on lung gross tumor volume delineation

Background and purposeTo study the impact of coronal and sagittal views (CSV) on the gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation on CT and matched PET/CT scans in non-small cell lung cancer.Material and methodsGTV delineations were performed by 11 experienced radiation oncologists on CT and PET/CT in 22 patients. Two tumor groups were defined: Group I: Primary tumors surrounded by lung or visceral pleura, without venous invasion, and without large extensions to the chest wall or the mediastinum. Group II: Tumors invading the hilar region, heart, large vessels, pericardium, and the mediastinum and/or associated with atelectasis. Tumor volumes and inter-observers variations (SD) were calculated and compared according to the use of axial view only (AW), axial/coronal/sagittal views (ACSW) and ACSW/PET (ACSWP).ResultsCSV were not frequently used (57.4% out of 242 delineations on CT). For group I, ACSW didn’t improve significantly mean GTVs. SDs were small on CT and on PET (SD = 0.3 cm). For group II, ACSW had 27–46% smaller observer variation (mean SD = 0.7 cm) than AW (mean SD = 1.1 cm). The smaller observer variation of ACSW users was associated with, on average, a 40% smaller delineated volume (p = 0.038). Mean GTV of ACSWP was 21% larger than mean GTV of ACSW on CT.ConclusionsFor smaller lung tumors surrounded by healthy lung tissue the effect of multiple axis delineation is limited. However, application of coronal and sagittal windows is highly beneficial for delineation of more complex tumors, with atelectasis and/or pathological lymph nodes even if PET is used.     

Is the lack of respiratory gating prejudicial for left breast TomoDirect treatments?

Background and purposeTomoDirect (TD) can only operate in free-breathing. The purpose of this study is to compare TD with breath-hold 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques for left breast treatments, and to determine if the lack of respiratory gating is a handicap for cardiac sparing.Materials and methods15 patients treated for left breast had two computed tomography simulation, in free breathing (FB) and in deep-inspiration breath-hold (DIBH). Four treatments were planned: TD-FB, 3DCRT-FB, 3DCRT-DIBH and IMRT-DIBH. Dose to PTV, heart, lungs, right breast and patient were compared.ResultsA slightly lower cardiac mean dose is found for 3DCRT-DIBH than for TD-FB group (1.99 Gy Vs 2.89 Gy, p = 0.0462), while no statistical difference is found for heart V₂₀. TD-FB plans show the best PTV dose homogeneity (0.053, p < 0.001) and the lowest left lung mean dose (5.16 Gy, p < 0.001). No major differences are found for the other organs.ConclusionsTomoDirect and breath-hold 3DCRT are complementary techniques for left breast treatments: for a minority of patients, respiratory gating is mandatory to lower cardiac dose; for the remaining majority of patients, TomoDirect achieves better PTV homogeneity and reduced left lung dose, with cardiac dose equivalent to 3DCRT-DIBH.     

Quantification of residual dose estimation error on log file-based patient dose calculation

PurposeThe log file-based patient dose estimation includes a residual dose estimation error caused by leaf miscalibration, which cannot be reflected on the estimated dose. The purpose of this study is to determine this residual dose estimation error.Methods and materialsModified log files for seven head-and-neck and prostate volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans simulating leaf miscalibration were generated by shifting both leaf banks (systematic leaf gap errors: ±2.0, ±1.0, and ±0.5 mm in opposite directions and systematic leaf shifts: ±1.0 mm in the same direction) using MATLAB-based (MathWorks, Natick, MA) in-house software. The generated modified and non-modified log files were imported back into the treatment planning system and recalculated. Subsequently, the generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) was quantified for the definition of the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risks.ResultsFor MLC leaves calibrated within ±0.5 mm, the quantified residual dose estimation errors that obtained from the slope of the linear regression of gEUD changes between non- and modified log file doses per leaf gap are in head-and-neck plans 1.32 ± 0.27% and 0.82 ± 0.17 Gy for PTV and spinal cord, respectively, and in prostate plans 1.22 ± 0.36%, 0.95 ± 0.14 Gy, and 0.45 ± 0.08 Gy for PTV, rectum, and bladder, respectively.ConclusionsIn this work, we determine the residual dose estimation errors for VMAT delivery using the log file-based patient dose calculation according to the MLC calibration accuracy.     

Experimental Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Melanoma: Systemic Delivery of Boron to Melanotic and Amelanotic Melanoma

The boron-containing melanin precursor analogue p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) has previously been shown to selectively deliver boron to pigmented murine melanomas when administered in a single intragastric dose. If boron neutron capture therapy is to become a clinically useful method of radiation therapy for human malignant melanoma, the boron carrier must be capable of delivering useful amounts of boron to remote tumor sites (metastases) and to poorly pigmented melanomas. We have now determined the ability of BPA to accumulate in several nonpigmented melanoma models including human melanoma xenografts in nude mice. The absolute amount of boron in the nonpigmented melanomas was about 50% of that observed in the pigmented counterparts but was still selectively concentrated in the tumor relative to normal tissues in amounts sufficient for effective neutron capture therapy. Single intragastric doses of BPA resulted in selective localization of boron in the amelanotic Greene melanoma carried in the anterior chamber of the rabbit eye and in a pigmented murine melanoma growing in the lungs. The ratio of the boron concentration in these tumors to the boron concentration in the immediately adjacent normal tissue was in the range of 3:1 to 4:1. These distribution studies support the proposal that boron neutron capture therapy may be useful as a regional therapy for malignant melanoma.     

免疫学技术在棘球蚴病临床免疫诊断中的应用

免疫学方法是人体包虫病重要的辅助诊断方法,是手术前确诊和临床治疗后随访的重要指标。近些年来,随着免疫学、分子生物学等生物技术的发展,为包虫感染的试验诊断提供更多的方法和信息。本文主要通过对皮内实验、抗原的检查、抗体的检查、免疫复合物的检查以及DNA的检查的逐个分析,探讨目前临床上对棘球蚴病的免疫学诊断方法研究进展。     

黄芪多糖注射液联合放疗对胃癌患者的疗效观察

目的 探究黄芪多糖注射液联合放射治疗胃癌的疗效,为胃癌患者的临床治疗提供相关依据。方法 选取我院收治的166例胃癌患者,将患者按随机数字表法分为联合治疗组和对照组,每组各83例,对照组患者采用放射治疗,联合治疗组在放射治疗的基础上给予黄芪多糖注射液治疗。治疗前后检测各组患者肿瘤标志物、血常规、免疫细胞和肝肾功能水平。结果 联合治疗组治疗效果好于对照组,同时毒副作用低于对照组;治疗前两组胃癌患者胃癌标志物、血常规、免疫细胞和肝肾功能水平比较的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。与治疗前相比,联合治疗组和对照组胃癌患者经相关治疗后肿瘤标志物（CA199、CEA和CA724）、免疫细胞（CD8+ T细胞）、血常规指标（白细胞、红细胞和血小板）显著降低,免疫细胞（CD3+T细胞、CD4+T细胞和NK）、CD4+/CD8+、肝功能及肾功能指标（ALT、AST、BUN和Cre）显著升高,差异存在统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 黄芪多糖注射液与放射治疗的联合治疗具有较高的癌症治疗效率、降低了副作用和血液中肿瘤标志物水平,同时提高了患者的造血功能、免疫功能和肝肾功能水平,对胃癌患者的治疗具有十分重要的临床意义。     

小剂量顺铂动脉化疗联合放疗对中晚期宫颈癌的临床疗效

目的:探讨小剂量顺铂用于子宫动脉化疗联合放疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌的临床疗效。方法:选择2010年8月~2012年8月我院收治的中晚期宫颈癌患者75例,根据不同治疗方案将其分为单纯放疗组25例(单纯采用放疗治疗)、小剂量动脉化疗组25例(同时放化疗,顺铂周疗的剂量控制在20 mg·m-2)及标准剂量静脉化疗组25例(同时放化疗,顺铂周疗的剂量控制在40 mg·m-2)。观察并比较三组患者的临床疗效、两年生存率及毒性反应发生情况等。结果:小剂量动脉化疗组与标准剂量静脉化疗组的总有效率及两年生存率显著高于单纯放疗组(P0.05),小剂量动脉化疗组的总有效率和两年生存率高于标准剂量静脉组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。单纯放疗组及小剂量动脉化疗组的毒性反应发生率显著低于标准剂量静脉组(P0.05);单纯放疗组与小剂量动脉化疗组患者的毒性反应发生率对比无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:小剂量顺铂动脉化疗可以有效降低中晚期宫颈癌患者的急性毒性反应,值得临床进一步推广应用。     

食管癌患者在放射治疗中不同营养途径的护理管理效应

目的:探讨不同营养途径包括直接经食管与间接经鼻饲、胃造瘘进食的食管癌患者在放射治疗过程中的护理措施和方法对患者的临床效应。方法:回顾性分析我科一年来放射治疗的63例食管鳞状细胞癌患者的临床资料,其中46例患者直接经食管进食,其余17例治疗前行鼻饲或胃造瘘进食,在治疗过程中注重对患者的心理护理、饮食及放疗并发症护理。结果:放疗前行鼻饲或食管造瘘患者在放疗过程中依从性好,放射性食管炎能更好的控制,未发生食管穿孔及食管气管瘘等重大放疗并发症。结论:放疗前行鼻饲或胃造瘘的食管癌患者,周密的观察与细致的护理,主动的护患沟通,会导致积极的临床效应,可减轻放射损伤,降低食管穿孔及食管气管瘘的几率,延长患者生命,提高其生活质量。     

放疗与吉西他滨治疗对肺癌A549细胞自噬相关基因Beclin1表达的影响

目的:探讨放疗与吉西他滨(Gemcitabine,GEM)治疗对人肺腺癌A549细胞中自噬相关基因Beclin1表达的影响。方法:使用60Coγ照射(6Gy)人肺腺癌A549细胞,细胞继续培养6、12和24h。使用人剂量吉西他滨处理人肺腺癌A549细胞,细胞继续培养24 h后,以未处理的A549细胞为对照,用RT-PCR和Western blotting法检测A549细胞中Beclin1 m RNA和蛋白的表达。结果:经过放射线照射后,三组A549细胞内Beclin1 m RNA和蛋白的表达量均增加,且在24小时末表达量达到最大。经过吉西他滨处理后,吉西他滨处理组A549细胞内Beclin1 m RNA和蛋白的表达量均增加。结论:放射治疗与吉西他滨治疗均可导致A549细胞内自噬相关基因Beclin1表达上调。     

重组人血管内皮抑素联合化放疗治疗晚期恶性肿瘤的临床观察

目的:探讨重组人血管内皮抑素(recombinant human endostatin,rh-ES)联合化放疗治疗晚期恶性肿瘤的疗效及安全性。方法:回顾性分析我科2010年1月至2013年8月收治的27例晚期恶性肿瘤患者病例,27例患者均接受rh-ES联合化疗±放疗的综合治疗,rh-ES用药1周期后评价生活质量变化及不良反应,2周期后评价疗效。结果:23例可评价近期疗效的患者客观有效率30.4%,疾病控制率78.3%。18例非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)中位无进展生存期5.5月,中位总生存期12.0月,1年生存率50.0%,2年生存率28.6%。全组患者生活质量改善或稳定23例(85.2%),Ⅲ~Ⅳ度不良反应8例次。结论:Rh-ES联合化放疗治疗晚期恶性肿瘤的疗效及安全性良好,可改善或稳定患者生活质量。与其他单纯化疗研究结果比较,晚期NSCLC的中位无进展生存期及1年生存率较高,值得临床推广。