Goro Irie

The role of radiotherapy in the management of maxillary sinus carcinoma

From 1971 to 1983, a total of 208 patients with maxillary sinus carcinomas were treated at Department of Radiology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, 38 by Method I (radiation + surgery + intraarterial 5‐fluorouracil [5‐Fu] infusion), and 170 by Method II (radiation + surgery). Radiation doses ranged from 30 to 50 Gy over 3 to 5 weeks in Method I and 52 to 58 Gy over 4 weeks in Method II. Overall actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 45.6%. No statistical difference in survival rates was found between Method I and Method II. With respect to T stage, absolute 5‐year survival rates were 100% (4/4) for T2, 49.5% (52/105) for T3, and 24.4% (11/45) for T4. From our data, no advantage in the use of intra‐arterial 5‐Fu infusion was demonstrated; the local failures in Method I developed earlier and more frequently than in Method II. The ultimate failures for all patients were 46.8%. Since 1980 when treatment planning by using computerized tomography scans and immobilization device was initiated, improvement in survival rate white reducing an incidence of eye complications has been accomplished. Cancer 57:2261–2266, 1986.

Improved results in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma using combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

A total of 77 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed for the effectiveness of combining chemotherapy (CT) with radical radiotherapy (RT). From 1972 to 1976, 26 patients were treated with a relatively short course of radical RT alone: 52–55 Gy/16 Fx/4 wk (study 1). From 1977 to 1982, 29 patients were also treated with radical RT alone, but with a more prolonged fractionation schedule: 65–70 Gy/26–28 Fx/6.5–7 wk (study 2). In 1983, the policy was to combine CT and RT. From 1983 to 1987, 22 patients received four to six courses of CMU regimen (consisting of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and UFT, a 5‐fluorouracil analog) after completion of radical RT (study 3). The three studies were comparable with regard to patient characteristics: histologic type, stage, sex, and age distribution. There were no significant differences in survival and relapse figures between study 1 and study 2, but study 3 compared favorably with study 1 and study 2 in actuarial survival, relapse‐free survival, relapse rate, and median relapse time. A mild nausea and transient granulocytopenia during CT was the only side effect encountered. In conclusion, the use of CT in combination with RT appeared to increase significantly the chance of long‐term survival and probable cure.

The value of treatment planning using CT and an immobilizing shell in radiotherapy for paranasal sinus carcinomas

This article describes a method which uses CT scans and immobilizing shells radiation treatment planning (CT-assisted planning) for paranasal sinus carcinomas and the value of this method on the treatment outcome. Results of the treatment for 82 patients who had CT-assisted planning were compared with that of 88 patients who had no such treatment planning. It has been concluded that the combined use of CT and the shell in treatment planning permitted a 3-dimensional localization of both the tumor and critical normal structures with great accuracy, leading to an improved long-term survival and a reduced complication rate. The multivariate regression analysis for predicting significant prognostic factors also confirmed the valuable role of CT in terms of survival and primary tumor control. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 51% in all patients, whereas, by using CT-assisted planning, it was improved to 61%. The improved survival was observed among the patients with tumors of the suprastructures where tumors were located adjacent to the critical organs (brain and eye). Major complications attributable to radiation have included instances of brain and ocular damage. CT-assisted planning, however, has been proven effective in avoiding brain necrosis and preserving eye sight.

Analysis of adenoid cystic carcinoma treated by radiotherapy

The records of 41 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck region who had been treated with radiotherapy were reviewed. Local control was achieved in 72.3% in the cases with primary lesions at 5 years. The prognosis for tumors that arose in the major salivary glands was better than that for tumors that arose in the minor salivary glands; however, the difference was not statistically significant. In the minor salivary glands, early-stage tumors were well controlled with the use of radiation therapy alone. In spite of the high local control rate, the disease-free survival rate of the patients at 10 years was only 20.8%. Lung metastasis determined the prognosis.

Early stage head and neck non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the effect of tumor burden on prognosis

Treatment results were investigated in 113 previously untreated patients with clinical Stage I and II (Ann Arbor) non‐Hodgkins lymphoma of the head and neck. Fifty‐six Waldeyers ring, 34 other extranodal sites, and 23 cervical nodal lesions were included. The overall relapse‐free survival at 5 years was 41%. Age and Ann Arbor stage influenced relapse‐free survival. The results suggested that the tumor cell burden is a fundamental prognostic factor for patients with Waldeyers ring disease and for patients with only cervical nodal disease. Abdominal relapse was most frequent, followed by generalized relapse. From 1981, patients were randomized in a clinical trial to receive either chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone [CVP], five courses) or whole‐abdominal irradiation (25 Gy/20 Fr) as an adjuvant therapy. Patients could not tolerate the whole‐abdominal irradiation well. A significant improvement in survival has been obtained by adjuvant chemotherapy.

PACS experience at the University of Hokkaido Medical School

Seven months experiences of a filmless PACS (named HU-PACS) which covers Radiology, Orthopedic, Internal medicine and General Surgery departments are reported. The PACS has only 20 Image terminals but handles more than 50% of images produced which is about 1000 images per working day. Physicians of the departments have many criticisms and opinions on the PACS but generally speaking it is well accepted and inspiring the physicians to improve the PACS in its image quality and other functions instead of being discarded. Preliminary clinical assessment are performed and reported also.

Clinical experience—16 months of HU-PACS

Sixteen months experience with HU-PACS (Hokkaido University PACS) is reported. This report describes the hardware and software aspects of HU-PACS in its working state. Evaluation of the system is also reported, and usefulness of PACS concludes paper.

Concept of Hokkaido University picture archiving communication system

The basic concept of Hokkaido University picture archiving communication system (HU-PACS) for its design in hardware architecture and in its characteristic functions is reported. After almost 10 years, the concept was solidified as the opinion of most of the doctors of HU Hospital. Discussions with vendors were very helpful in providing technical or industrial expertise and equipment to effect this concept with the limited funds available.

Feasibility of PACS based on 2 years experiences of Hokkaido University PACS

Some features of HU-PACS which is now just 2 years old are described with the results of clinical assessment on it. It is clear that many advancements in technology have made the HU-PACS to be a useful tool of clinical routines. The paper describes also problems of the system in future with general comments on technology assessment and cost benefit issues.

Telephone line transfer using a local filing system in Hokkaido

An image-data transfer system using a public telephone line has been constructed between Hokkaido University Hospital (HUH) and Nakashibetsu Town Hospital (NTH). The latter is situated about 420 km from Sapporo and does not have full-time radiologists. A local filing system coupled with a film reader and an optical disk had been installed in HUH in 1986, and in NTH in 1988. Both systems were connected by a public telephone line along which the transfer speed is 9600 bps. Images originating at NTH, mostly CT, were digitized by the film reader and sent to HUH after compression at a ratio of about 5:1 to 10:1. Clinical information concerning a patient was also sent to HUH using facsimile. Radiologists interpreted the transferred data (12 CT images on a film) on the CRT and sent back a written report to NTH using facsimile. The system and its image quality are largely acceptable, especially in an emergency case for brain and abdomen, although the transfer of a film takes about 7 to 20 min.