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Biomedical subjects

Nancy Y Lee

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy Y Lee.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Treatment of nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer with modern radiotherapy techniques in the postoperative setting--the MSKCC experience.

PURPOSE: To perform a retrospective analysis of patients with paranasal sinus (PNS) cancer treated with postoperative radiotherapy (RT) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1987 and July 2005, 85 patients with PNS and nasal cavity cancer underwent postoperative RT. Most patients had squamous cell carcinoma (49%; n = 42), T4 tumors (52%; n = 36), and the maxillary sinus (53%; n = 45) as the primary disease site. The median radiation dose was 63 Gy. Of the 85 patients, 76 underwent CT simulation and 53 were treated with either three-dimensional conformal RT (27%; n = 23) or intensity-modulated RT (35%; n = 30). Acute and late toxicities were scored according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group radiation morbidity scoring criteria. RESULTS: With a median follow-up for surviving patients of 60 months, the 5-year estimates of local progression-free, regional progression-free, distant metastasis-free, disease-free, and overall survival rates were 62%, 87%, 82%, 55%, and 67%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, squamous cell histology and cribriform plate involvement predicted for an increased likelihood of local recurrence, and squamous cell histologic features predicted for worse overall survival. None of the patients who underwent CT simulation and were treated with modern techniques developed a Grade 3-4 late complication of the eye. CONCLUSION: Complete surgical resection followed by adjuvant RT is an effective and safe approach in the treatment of PNS cancer. Emerging tools, such as three-dimensional conformal treatment and, in particular, intensity-modulated RT for PNS tumors, may minimize the occurrence of late complications associated with conventional RT techniques. Local recurrence remains a significant problem.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and concomitant boost radiotherapy in the setting of concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare toxicity/efficacy of conventional radiotherapy using delayed accelerated concomitant boost radiotherapy (CBRT) vs. intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the setting of concurrent chemotherapy (CT) for locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between September 1998 and June 2004, a total of 293 consecutive patients were treated at our institution for cancer of the oropharynx. Of these, 112 had Stage III/IV disease and squamous cell histology. In all, 41 were treated with IMRT/CT and 71 were treated with CBRT/CT, both to a median dose of 70 Gy. Most common CT was a planned two cycles given every 3 to 4 weeks of cisplatin, 100 mg/m2 i.v., but an additional cycle was given to IMRT patients when possible. Both groups were well-matched for all prognostic factors. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 46 months (range, 3-93 months) for the CBRT patients and 31 months (range, 20-64 months) for the IMRT group. Three-year actuarial local-progression-free, regional-progression-free, locoregional progression-free, distant-metastases-free, disease-free, and overall survival rates were 85% vs. 95% (p = 0.17), 95% vs. 94% (p = 0.90), 82% vs. 92% (p = 0.18), 85% vs. 86% (p = 0.78), 76% vs. 82% (p = 0.57), and 81% vs. 91% (p = 0.10) for CBRT and IMRT patients, respectively. Three patients died of treatment-related toxicity in the CBRT group vs. none undergoing IMRT. At 2 years, 4% IMRT patients vs. 21% CBRT patients were dependent on percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (p = 0.02). Among those who had > or =20 months follow-up, there was a significant difference in Grade > or =2 xerostomia as defined by the criteria of the Radiation Therapy and Oncology Group, 67% vs. 12% (p = 0.02), in the CBRT vs. IMRT arm. CONCLUSION: In the setting of CT for locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma, IMRT results in lower toxicity and similar treatment outcomes when compared with CBRT.

Adult↗

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of nonanaplastic thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) enables highly conformal treatment for thyroid cancer (TC). In this study, we review outcomes/toxicity in a series of TC patients treated with IMRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between July 2001 and January 2004, 20 nonanaplastic TC patients underwent IMRT. Mean age was 55. There were 3 T2 and 17 T4 patients. Sixteen patients had N1 disease. Seven patients had metastases before RT. Fifteen underwent surgery before RT. Radioactive iodine (RAI) and chemotherapy were used in 70% and 40%, respectively. Median total RT dose was 63 Gy. RESULTS: With two local failures, 2-year local progression-free rate was 85%. There were six deaths, with a 2-year overall survival rate of 60%. For patients with M0 disease, the 2-year distant metastases-free rate was 46%. The worst acute mucositis and pharyngitis was Grade 3 (n = 7 and 3, respectively). Two patients had Grade 3 acute skin toxicity and 2 had Grade 3 acute laryngeal toxicity. No significant radiation-related late effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT for TC is feasible and effective in appropriately selected cases. Acute toxicity is manageable with proactive clinical care. Ideal planning target volume doses have yet to be determined. Additional patients and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to clarify late toxicities.

Adolescent↗

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience.

PURPOSE: To review the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's experience in using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between September 1998 and June 2004, 50 patients with histologically confirmed cancer of the oropharynx underwent IMRT at our institution. There were 40 men and 10 women with a median age of 56 years (range, 28-78 years). The disease was Stage I in 1 patient (2%), Stage II in 3 patients (6%), Stage III in 7 (14%), and Stage IV in 39 (78%). Forty-eight patients (96%) received definitive treatment, and 2 (4%) were treated in the postoperative adjuvant setting. Concurrent chemotherapy was used in 43 patients (86%). Patients were treated using three different IMRT approaches: 76% dose painting, 18% concomitant boost with IMRT in both am and pm deliveries, and 6% concomitant boost with IMRT only in pm delivery. Regardless of the approach, the average prescription dose to the gross tumor planning target volume was 70 Gy, while the average dose delivered to the subclinical volume was 59.4 Gy in the dose painting group and 54 Gy in the concomitant boost group. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes (PEGs) were placed before the beginning of treatment in 84% of the patients. Acute and late toxicity were graded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) radiation morbidity scoring criteria. Toxicity was also evaluated using subjective criteria such as the presence of esophageal stricture, and the need for PEG usage. The local progression-free, regional progression-free, and distant metastases-free rates, and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Three patients had persistent locoregional disease after treatment. The 2-year estimates of local progression-free, regional progression-free, distant metastases-free, and overall survival were 98%, 88%, 84%, and 98%, respectively. The worst acute mucositis experienced was Grade 1 in 4 patients (8%), Grade 2 in 27 (54%), and Grade 3 in 19 (38%). Xerostomia decreased with increasing time interval from the end of radiotherapy, and among the patients with at least 9 months of follow-up there was 67% Grade 0-1 and 33% Grade 2 toxicity. Of the 42 patients who required upfront PEG placement, 6 were still using PEG for nutrition at the time of this analysis. Three patients had cervical esophageal strictures, and of these, 1 was still PEG dependent 1 year after treatment. Two of these patients were treated with the IMRT concomitant boost am and pm approach, whereas the other was treated with the dose painting technique. CONCLUSIONS: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy achieved encouraging local control rates in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. Treatment toxicity was acceptable even in the setting of concurrent chemotherapy. Long-term follow-up is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Adult↗

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Radiotherapy planning studies have confirmed dosimetric advantages of intensity-modulated radiation therapy over conventional and conformal radiation therapy. Utilization of intensity-modulated radiation therapy is ideal in head and neck cancer patients. Critical structures can be spared due to sharp dose gradients and limited organ motion with correct immobilization. Initial clinical results have shown excellent locoregional control, in part due to the delivery of high doses to the target volume. Reductions in acute toxicities and xerostomia through parotid sparing have been notable benefits. However, long-term outcomes with regards to local control and late toxicities with intensity-modulated radiation therapy are still lacking. This review focuses on the implementation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancers, with a specific focus on set-up uncertainties, dose prescription and target volume determination and delineation.

Dose Fractionation, Radiation↗

Evaluation of hereditary risk in a mammography population.

PURPOSE: BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations significantly increase a women's lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Because several management options have shown promise in decreasing morbidity and mortality for these women, identifying potential mutation carriers is increasingly important. We have developed a large-scale method to collect family histories in a population of unaffected women presenting for mammography. We then applied current risk-assessment models to determine the prevalence of women at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of family histories using data collected on all unaffected women presenting for mammography over a 14-week period. The Claus, Myriad II, and Hartmann models for hereditary risk assessment were applied to the survey results. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 5736 women, 695 of whom were excluded because of a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer. Family histories of the remaining 5041 women were evaluated. Totals of 5.9%, 5.2%, and 3.3% of patients, respectively, met criteria for increased risk according to the Hartmann, Myriad II, and Claus models, corresponding to 3.5, 3.1, and 1.9 patients per day. Although 9.2% of patients met criteria for >/=1 model, only 1.4% met criteria for all 3. CONCLUSIONS: Application of available models to a screening population classifies a larger than expected number of women at high risk for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. New approaches to risk assessment and counseling are needed to apply our knowledge of hereditary risk to a broad population in a practical manner.

Adult↗