Efficacy and safety of preoperative chemoradiotherapy with S-1 for advanced rectal cancer: a phase II study.

Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with rectal cancer is not yet established in Japan. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative CRT with S-1, a fixed-dose combination of tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective, interventional, non-randomized single-center study.

Analyses of the local control of pulmonary Oligometastases after stereotactic body radiotherapy and the impact of local control on survival.

Background: Successful local therapy for oligometastases may lead to longer survival. The purpose of this multicentre retrospective study was to investigate factors affecting the local control (LC) of pulmonary oligometastases treated by stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and to investigate the impact of LC on survival.

Methods: The inclusion criteria included 1 to 5 metastases, the primary lesion and other extrathoracic metastases were controlled before SBRT, and the biological effective dose (BED) of the SBRT was 75 Gy or more.

[Five-Year Local Control by Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy(SBRT)for Liver Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer-A Case Report].

An 84-year-old woman presented with a 9mm sized solitary liver metastasis in liver S8 18 months after the surgery for sigmoid colon cancer. The patient was treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)for local control, because the patient chose not to undergo surgery or chemotherapeutic treatment for metastatic liver cancer. SBRT is a minimally invasive treatment with a very short treatment period.

Pulmonary Oligometastases Treated by Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: A Nationwide Survey of 1,378 Patients.

Aim: This study was performed to confirm the superior overall survival (OS) after pulmonary oligo-recurrence compared to pulmonary sync-oligometastases in a large nationwide study.

Patients And Methods: Patients that met the following criteria were included: 1 to 5 lung-only metastases at the beginning of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) was performed between January 2004 and June 2015, and the biological effective dose (BED) of SBRT was 75 Gy or more. The parameters included in the analyses were age, gender, ECOG PS, primary lesion, pathology, oligoetastatic state, SBRT date, chemotherapy before SBRT, chemotherapy concurrent SBRT, chemotherapy after SBRT, maximum tumor diameter, number of metastases, field coplanarity, dose prescription, BED, OTT of SBRT.

Japanese structure survey of radiation oncology in 2012.

This paper describes the ongoing structure of radiation oncology in Japan in terms of equipment, personnel, patient load and geographic distribution to identify and overcome any existing limitations. From March 2013 to August 2016, the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology conducted a questionnaire based on the Japanese national structure survey of radiation oncology in 2012. Data were analyzed based on the institutional stratification by the annual number of new patients treated with radiotherapy per institution.

Japanese Structure Survey of Radiation Oncology in 2011.

We evaluated the evolving structure of radiation oncology in Japan in terms of equipment, personnel, patient load and geographic distribution to identify and overcome any existing limitations. From March 2012 to August 2015, the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology conducted a questionnaire based on the Japanese national structure survey of radiation oncology in 2011. Data were analyzed based on the institutional stratification by the annual number of new patients treated with radiotherapy per institution.

Case Series of 23 Patients Who Developed Fatal Radiation Pneumonitis After Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer.

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics and treatment plans of patients who experienced fatal radiation pneumonitis after stereotactic body radiation therapy for primary or oligometastatic lung cancer. Records of 1789 patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy for primary or oligometastatic lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed to identify those who developed fatal radiation pneumonitis. Twenty-three (1.

Japanese structure survey of radiation oncology in 2010.

We evaluated the evolving structure of radiation oncology in Japan in terms of equipment, personnel, patient load, and geographic distribution to identify and overcome any existing limitations. From March 2011 to June 2013, the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology conducted a questionnaire based on the Japanese national structure survey of radiation oncology in 2010. Data were analyzed based on the institutional stratification by the annual number of new patients treated with radiotherapy per institution.

Improvement in the measurement error of the specific binding ratio in dopamine transporter SPECT imaging due to exclusion of the cerebrospinal fluid fraction using the threshold of voxel RI count.

Objective: In Japan, the Southampton method for dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT is widely used to quantitatively evaluate striatal radioactivity. The specific binding ratio (SBR) is the ratio of specific to non-specific binding observed after placing pentagonal striatal voxels of interest (VOIs) as references. Although the method can reduce the partial volume effect, the SBR may fluctuate due to the presence of low-count areas of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), caused by brain atrophy, in the striatal VOIs.

Re-irradiation for oligo-recurrence from esophageal cancer with radiotherapy history: a multi-institutional study.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy following surgery has recently become a standard therapy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness and toxicity of re-irradiation for oligo-recurrence in lymph nodes from esophageal cancer treated by definitive radiotherapy or by surgery with additional radiotherapy.

Methods: We reviewed retrospectively 248 patients treated with (chemo)radiotherapy for oligo-recurrence in lymph nodes from esophageal cancer in five Japanese high-volume centers between 2000 and 2015.

The use of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in an analysis of 5016 patients from 305 designated cancer care hospitals in Japan.

Background: Recent studies have shown the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for resectable locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of our study was to elucidate the use of neoadjuvant therapy for thoracic ESCC in Japan.

Methods: Data on patients with stage IB-III thoracic ESCC were retrieved from the national database of hospital-based cancer registries combined with claims data between 2012 and 2013.

Definitive salvage radiation therapy and chemoradiation therapy for lymph node oligo-recurrence of esophageal cancer: a Japanese multi-institutional study of 237 patients.

Background: This study evaluated the treatment results of lymph node (LN) oligo-recurrence in esophageal cancer patients treated with salvage radiotherapy (RT) in a multi-institutional retrospective study.

Methods: Eligibility criteria for this retrospective analysis were: the primary lesion of esophageal cancer was controlled; from one to five LN recurrences; total RT dose ≥45 Gy to exclude palliative RT; without recurrence other than LN; and salvage RT for LN recurrence was given between January 2000 and April 2015. The median follow-up time for the 93 living patients was 29.

Lung stereotactic radiotherapy for oligometastases: comparison of oligo-recurrence and sync-oligometastases.

Background: Oligometastases can be divided into sync-oligometastases and oligo-recurrence. The difference is whether the primary site is uncontrolled or controlled. The goal of this multicenter study was to evaluate treatment outcomes and factors affecting survival after stereotactic body radiotherapy for pulmonary oligometastases.

Patterns of prescribing radiotherapy and bevacizumab in nationwide practice - analysis of 101 designated cancer care hospitals in Japan.

Radiotherapy and bevacizumab are each effective in treating patients with advanced cancer, but their concurrent use may cause serious adverse events (SAEs). Whereas sequential administration can theoretically reduce the risk of SAEs while maintaining the anticancer effects, this hypothesis remains unconfirmed, leading to variations in practice. To elucidate current practices, the patterns of care received by patients in Japan with regard to these two therapies were assessed in a large database of a hospital-based cancer registry linked with insurance claims.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Results for Pulmonary Oligometastases: A Two-Institution Collaborative Investigation.

Aim: The current study investigated outcomes and prognostic factors of pulmonary oligometastases at two Institutions.

Patients And Methods: SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy) as performed for pulmonary oligometastases from January 2004 to April 2014, and patients with a biologically effective dose (BED10) ≥ 75 Gy were registered in the study. Control of the primary tumor was not a criterion: we included both oligo-recurrence and sync-oligometastases.

Are hospitals in Japan with larger patient volume treating younger and earlier-stage cancer patients? An analysis of hospital-based cancer registry data in Japan.

Objective: Differences in hospital case-mix have not been adequately accounted for in hospital volume and patient outcome studies in Japan. We aimed to examine whether differences may exist by investigating the distribution of patients' stage and age across designated cancer treatment hospitals of varying patient volume across Japan.

Methods: We analyzed data of gastric, breast, colorectal, lung and liver cancer patients who were included in the national database of hospital-based cancer registries between 2008 and 2011.

Factors that delay treatment of symptomatic metastatic extradural spinal cord compression.

Background: Treatment delays of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (MESCC) sometimes have been reported, but reasons for its delay have remained unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess which clinical factors are associated with treatment delays in neurologically symptomatic MESCC in the hospital settings.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of MESCC patients in our institute who had at least one progressive neurological symptom (weakness, sensory changes, urinary retention, or nerve root pain), were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and were treated with at least radiotherapy.

Phase I trial of preoperative chemoradiation therapy with S-1 for low rectal cancer.

Background/aims: A phase I study was performed to evaluate the dose-limiting toxicity and the recommended dose of the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 when administered concurrently with radiation therapy to 9 Japanese patients with low rectal cancer.

Methodology: S-1 was given orally for a total of 9 weeks (4 weeks alone and 5 weeks during radiation therapy) at oral doses of 65 mg/m2/day (n = 3 patients) or 80 mg/m2/day (n = 6 patients). Radiation therapy was administered in 1.

[Current situation and future prospects of radiotherapy for malignant gliomas].

Prognosis of malignant gliomas remains poor, although adjuvant radiotherapy increases survival time. To improve treatment outcomes, high-precision radiotherapy techniques such as three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, stereotactic irradiation, intensity modulated radiotherapy, and charged particle radiotherapy have been developed for dose distribution optimization and dose escalation. Improvements in clinical outcomes with these new treatment strategies have been reported; however, the efficacy of these treatment strategies has not yet been verified in randomized trials.

Non-invasive objective evaluation of radiotherapy-induced dry mouth.

Background: Dry mouth is a common complaint in patients undergoing radiotherapy. Here, we employed the oral moisture meter Mucus III to evaluate dry mouth in head and neck tumor patients before and after they underwent radiotherapy.

Methods: We recruited 17 newly diagnosed patients with pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma or unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma, who received head and neck radiation therapy at Tokyo University Hospital in 2008-2010.

Japanese structure survey of radiation oncology in 2009 with special reference to designated cancer care hospitals.

Background: The structure of radiation oncology in designated cancer care hospitals in Japan was surveyed in terms of equipment, personnel, patient load, and geographic distribution, and compared with the structure in other radiotherapy facilities and the previous survey.

Methods: The Japanese Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology surveyed the national structure of radiation oncology in 2009. The structures of 365 designated cancer care hospitals and 335 other radiotherapy facilities were compared.

Pathological response and prognosis of stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with induction chemoradiation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between pathological effects and the prognosis of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with induction chemoradiation.

Methods: Patients who were untreated and potentially resectable with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. They received carboplatin and docetaxel with concurrent radiotherapy (5 × 2 Gy/week with a total dose of 40 Gy) followed by surgery.

Japanese structure survey of radiation oncology in 2009 based on institutional stratification of the Patterns of Care Study.

The ongoing structure of radiation oncology in Japan in terms of equipment, personnel, patient load and geographic distribution was evaluated in order to radiation identify and improve any deficiencies. A questionnaire-based national structure survey was conducted from March 2010 to January 2011 by the Japanese Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (JASTRO). These data were analyzed in terms of the institutional stratification of the Patterns of Care Study (PCS).

National medical care system may impede fostering of true specialization of radiation oncologists: study based on structure survey in Japan.

Purpose: To evaluate the actual work environment of radiation oncologists (ROs) in Japan in terms of working pattern, patient load, and quality of cancer care based on the relative time spent on patient care.

Methods And Materials: In 2008, the Japanese Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology produced a questionnaire for a national structure survey of radiation oncology in 2007. Data for full-time ROs were crosschecked with data for part-time ROs by using their identification data.

Outcomes of radiosurgery for brainstem arteriovenous malformations.

Background: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the brainstem yield a high risk of hemorrhage. Although stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is accepted, because of high surgical morbidity and mortality, outcomes are still unclear.

Objective: We previously reported the early results of SRS for brainstem AVMs.