A new prognostic histopathologic classification of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The current World Health Organization (WHO) classification of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) conveys little prognostic information. This study aimed to propose an NPC histopathologic classification that can potentially be used to predict prognosis and treatment response.

Methods: We initially developed a histopathologic classification based on the morphologic traits and cell differentiation of tumors of 2716 NPC patients who were identified at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) (training cohort).

A novel compound 6D-offset simulating phantom and quality assurance program for stereotactic image-guided radiation therapy system.

A comprehensive quality assurance (QA) device cum program was developed for the commissioning and routine testing of the 6D IGRT systems. In this article, both the new QA system and the BrainLAB IGRT system which was added onto a Varian Clinac were evaluated. A novel compound 6D-offset simulating phantom was designed and fabricated in the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH), Hong Kong.

Management outcome of NPC-related and non-NPC-related brain abscess in Hong Kong.

Objectives: (1) To review the patient profile, management outcome and prognostic factors of brain abscess; (2) To compare the neurological outcome of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-related brain abscess with non-NPC related brain abscess.

Method: Retrospective review of consecutive patients diagnosed (radiologically and/or microbiologically) with brain abscess in a regional neurosurgical center in Hong Kong over a nine year period.

Results: Fifty-four patients were recruited into this study.

Eight-signature classifier for prediction of nasopharyngeal [corrected] carcinoma survival.

Purpose: Currently, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognosis evaluation is based primarily on the TNM staging system. This study aims to identify prognostic markers for NPC.

Patients And Methods: We detected expression of 18 biomarkers by immunohistochemistry in NPC tumors from 209 patients and evaluated the association between gene expression level and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Radiation injury of the parotid glands during treatment for head and neck cancer: assessment using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

The parotid gland is an important organ at risk of complications of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. In this study, we examined the potential of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for assessment of radiation injury to the parotid glands. DCE-MRI was performed before and 3 months after radiotherapy in patients treated for head and neck cancer.

Dosimetric comparison of intensity-modulated stereotactic radiotherapy with other stereotactic techniques for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: Locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients can be salvaged by reirradiation with a substantial degree of radiation-related complications. Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is widely used in this regard because of its rapid dose falloff and high geometric precision. The aim of this study was to examine whether the newly developed intensity-modulated stereotactic radiotherapy (IMSRT) has any dosimetric advantages over three other stereotactic techniques, including circular arc (CARC), static conformal beam (SmMLC), and dynamic conformal arc (mARC), in treating locally recurrent NPC.

A broadly adaptive array of dose-constraint templates for planning of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for advanced T-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: To develop and validate adaptive dose-constraint templates in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning for advanced T-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Method And Materials: Dose-volume histograms of clinically approved plans for 20 patients with advanced T-stage NPC were analyzed, and the pattern of distribution in relation to the degree of overlap between targets and organs at risk (OARs) was explored. An adaptive dose constraint template (ADCT) was developed based on the degree of overlap.