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Biomedical subjects

T W Griffin

Publications and source records attributed to T W Griffin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The role of fast neutron radiation therapy in the management of advanced salivary gland malignant neoplasms.

Fifty-three patients with locally advanced salivary gland malignant neoplasm were treated with fast neutron radiation therapy. All patients received treatment for gross inoperable, residual unresectable, or recurrent disease--clinical situations in which results using photon irradiation were suboptimal. With a median follow-up of 42 months and a minimum follow-up of 1 year, locoregional tumor control in the treatment field was achieved in 92% (48 of 52) of patients. An additional eight patients had regional failures outside the treatment field, resulting in an overall locoregional tumor control rate of 77% (40 of 52). The 5-year actuarial locoregional control rates were 65% overall and 75% in patients with node-positive disease. Grouping patients according to prior treatment status, actuarial 5-year locoregional control rates were 92% for patients treated definitively (without a prior surgical procedure), 63% for those treated postoperatively for gross residual disease, and 51% for those treated for recurrent disease after a surgical procedure. The P values associated with these differences were 0.12 and 0.01, respectively. There were no instances of radiation-induced facial nerve damage. This study suggests that neutron irradiation alone should be the therapy of choice in the treatment of advanced-stage salivary gland tumors and that surgery should be limited to those patients in whom disease-free margins can be obtained. The potential morbidity of a debulking surgical procedure before neutron irradiation is not warranted by an improvement in loco-regional control over that achievable with neutron therapy alone.

Adult

Intratumoral and whole-body distributions of C110 anti-carcinoembryonic antigen radioimmunotoxin after intraperitoneal and intravenous injection: a quantitative autoradiographic study.

The intratumoral and whole-body distributions of 90Y-labeled C110 anticarcinoembryonic antigen immunotoxin after i.p. and i.v. injection were compared by quantitative autoradiography. During in vitro incubation of spherical tumor nodules of LS174T human colon cancer (about 5 mm in diameter) in a medium containing C110 radioimmunotoxin (RIT), the direct penetration of the immunotoxin increased with time but was limited to the outer 300 microns of the tumor nodule after 12 h of incubation. In vivo experiments were performed in nude mice bearing LS174T xenografts as i.p. tumor nodules. Injection of C110 RIT i.p. resulted in a ring-like distribution, i.e., high uptake at the tumor periphery and considerably lower uptake at the tumor center (ratio of peripheral to central concentration, 7:1 at 1 day and 2:1 at 5 days). In contrast, i.v. injection provided a much smaller gradient in C110 RIT distribution from peripheral to central regions (ratio of peripheral to central concentration, 3:1 at 1 day and 1:1 at 5 days). Estimates of total tumor uptake of C110 RIT by quantitative autoradiography demonstrated almost equivalent tumor uptake after either i.p. or i.v. injection, while i.v. injection was associated with increased C110 RIT uptake in various normal organs, especially in the liver, as compared to i.p. injection. The results in this study suggest that (a) i.v. injection may produce more homogeneous distribution of C110 RIT in i.p. tumor nodules of LS174T but may also result in increased liver toxicity, and (b) i.p. injection may decrease C110 RIT exposure of normal tissues, which can reduce systemic toxicity, but may also produce more restricted intratumoral distribution of C110 RIT. In addition, current methods using a nude mouse model of i.p. tumor nodules and quantitative autoradiography allow us to assess intratumoral and whole-body distributions of radiolabeled immunoconjugates from various administration routes.

Animals

Imaging of hypoxia in human tumors with [F-18]fluoromisonidazole.

Fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) has been shown to bind selectively to hypoxic cells in vitro and in vivo at radiobiologically significant oxygen levels. When labeled with the positron emitter fluorine-18 (F-18), its uptake in tissue can be detected quantitatively with high precision by positron emission transaxial tomography (PETT). This paper presents the first experiences with PETT imaging of [F-18]FMISO uptake in human malignancies, and describes the development of this technique as a tool for the non-invasive assessment of tumor hypoxia. Eight patients with selected cancers were imaged prior to primary radiotherapy, and 3 returned for follow-up scans, for a total of 11 imaging studies. Six of eight pre-radiotherapy studies revealed retention of [F-18]FMISO in tumors that significantly exceeded plasma concentrations by 2 hr after drug injection; all five patients with head and neck primaries had such "positive" scans. An analytic method for the interpretation of [F-18] FMISO PETT images is presented, defining hypoxic elements within a tumor volume as regions with a threshold regional tumor:plasma [F-18]FMISO ratio of greater than or equal to 1.4 by 2 or more hours after injection. Toward the end of a course of fractionated radiotherapy, three repeat studies in patients with initially positive scans showed no tumor accumulation of drug above the threshold ratio of 1.4, suggesting reoxygenation had occurred. Pharmacokinetic and dosimetry data support continued use of [F-18]FMISO as a safe hypoxia probe. Two imaging protocols have been developed for human studies; a long protocol allows for more complete biodistribution and dosimetry information, and a shorter protocol facilitates increased patient accrual by applying a simple, clinically expedient imaging procedure. When correlated with tumor outcome, [F-18]FMISO PETT imaging may be developed as a predictor of tumor response to conventional radiotherapy. The implications of this technique in addressing persistent questions of tumor hypoxia in human oncology is discussed.

Cell Hypoxia

Fast neutron radiation for recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland.

Between 1984 and 1989, six patients with recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland were treated with fast neutron radiotherapy. All of the patients in this series had one or more unfavorable prognostic features, which would predict suboptimal local tumor control rates with the utilization of standard surgical and adjuvant photon/electron radiation therapies. These prognostic features included multiply recurrent disease in three patients, known gross postoperative residual disease in one patient, extensive unresectable disease in one patient, and multiply recurrent disease plus gross postoperative residual disease in one patient. Patients had an average of three surgeries for recurrent adenomas before their neutron irradiation. The median period from the original diagnosis to the time of neutron treatment was 11 years, with a range of 1.3-32 years. With a median follow-up of 52 months, an overall local control rate of 100% was achieved. Only one grade III (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale) late complication occurred secondary to the neutron irradiation. Similar to their malignant counterparts, benign salivary gland neoplasms appear to display excellent response and control rates to treatment with fast neutron irradiation. Neutron irradiation of pleomorphic adenomas should be considered an appropriate therapeutic approach in situations, such as recurrent disease and postoperative gross residual disease, where one may be concerned about potential local failures with the use of standard surgical and radiotherapeutic modalities. Neutron radiation also carries a low risk of facial nerve damage, a consideration that may argue for limiting the extent of surgical resection of recurrent disease.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic

Combined antitumor therapy with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin and an anti-transferrin receptor immunotoxin: in vitro and in vivo studies.

We have determined the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the combination of doxorubicin and an anti-transferrin receptor-monoclonal antibody (MAb)-ricin A chain immunotoxin. These agents both possess antineoplastic activity and their differing mechanisms of action and toxicities suggest that they may work well in combination. In vitro cytotoxicity was assayed by the inhibition of both 3H-leucine and 3H-thymidine incorporation into H-MESO-1 human malignant mesothelioma cells. In vivo, tumoricidal activity was determined by the effect of treatment on the survival of nude mice bearing H-MESO-1 as an intraperitoneal xenograft. The effect of doxorubicin on the antitumor activity of immunotoxin was directly compared to that of monensin, a well-described immunotoxin potentiator. The coincubation of doxorubicin (1 microM) with immunotoxin in vitro produced no increase in cytotoxicity or rate of cell kill when compared to immunotoxin alone. The addition of monensin to immunotoxin produced a significant increase in both cytotoxicity and the rate of cell kill. In animal trials, all treated groups demonstrated a significant increase in median survival when compared to controls. Treatment with doxorubicin or immunotoxin produced a mean survival time (MST) of 22 and 23 days, respectively, vs. control MST of 10 days. The combination of immunotoxin and doxorubicin increased the MST to 31 days (p = 0.004 vs immunotoxin or doxorubicin alone). Immunotoxin combined with monensin emulsion produced an increase in survival equivalent to doxorubicin/immunotoxin. The use of all three agents produced an additional improvement in survival. Combinations of standard chemotherapeutic drugs and ricin A chain immunotoxins may have additive antitumor effects in the therapy of solid tumors.

Animals

Human antibody response to the intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of the F(ab')2 fragment of the OC125 murine monoclonal antibody.

We have characterized the human immune response against murine monoclonal antibodies (HAMA) in 18 patients following administration of the F(ab')2 fragment of the murine monoclonal antibody OC125. OC125 is directed against the CA125 antigen, present on the surface of many human ovarian cancers. An affinity matrix was used to separate serum into immunoglobulin-containing and immunoglobulin-free fractions. HAMA titer was determined on the immunoglobulin fraction with an OC125 sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All patients developed an HAMA response, despite the use of F(ab')2 fragments and small amounts (1-4 mg) of antibody. It may be that the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route provides a more marked HAMA response. Enzyme-linked sandwich immunoassays were also used to determine anti-isotype and anti-idiotype titers. Anti-isotype titers were analyzed with antigen irrelevant, isotype-matched murine antibodies and OC125-HRPO. Anti-idiotypes titers were assessed in a sandwich assay that utilized F(ab')2 and F(ab') fragments of OC125. The anti-isotype response tended to be of low titer and short duration, while the anti-idiotype response was of high titer and remarkably persistent. HAMA interfered in an unpredictable manner with the correct measurement of serum levels of CA125 in an enzyme immunoassay using OC125. Corrected values of CA125 could be obtained by measurement of antigen in the immunoglobulin-free fraction of serum. The response of one patient, who developed a markedly elevated anti-idiotype titer after serial i.v./i.p. injections, was further characterized and found to contain an antibody consistent with an anti-anti-idiotype to the CA125 antigen.

Adenocarcinoma

High-dose, short-duration cisplatin/doxorubicin combination chemotherapy for advanced ovarian epithelial cancer.

Sixty-one patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with intensive high-dose, short-course chemotherapy that consisted of cisplatin (120 mg/m2) and doxorubicin (70 mg/m2) every 3 weeks for four cycles. Patients in complete clinical remission were offered second-look laparotomy (SLL). Patients with minimal or no residual disease at SLL were randomized to either cyclophosphamide (1000 mg/m2 every 21 days for six cycles) or whole-abdominal radiation therapy. All patients completed therapy with a median leukocyte nadir 1.3/microliter and platelet nadir of 90/microliters. Forty-five patients (74%) had a complete clinical response. Results of twenty-two of 36 second-look procedures (64%) showed no evidence of disease (NED). After SLL, 19 patients received six courses of cyclophosphamide and 16 patients received whole-abdominal radiation. Nine patient who refused SLL and one patient with negative SLL findings refused additional treatment. The median survival time for all patients was 51.3 months. High-dose intensive chemotherapy regimens have high response rates, but survival needs to be compared with traditional low-dose regimens. Although high-dose cisplatin and doxorubicin were myelosuppressive, the resulting complications were manageable. There was no significant difference between the mean survival times of patients receiving Cytoxan, abdominal radiation, or no treatment as second-line therapy.

Adult

Preclinical assessments of 90Y-labeled C110 anti-carcinoembryonic antigen immunotoxin: a therapeutic immunoconjugate for human colon cancer.

We have synthesized 90Y-labeled immunotoxin (IT) containing ricin A chain and C110 anti-carcinoembryonic antigen monoclonal antibody (MAb) to produce a therapeutic immunoconjugate for human colon cancer. The C110 IT was labeled with 90Y via a benzylisothiocyanate derivative of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. The efficiency of 90Y labeling was consistently 90 to 98%, with a specific activity of about 1 microCi/microgram. In in vitro stability studies, more than 80% of 90Y remained bound to the C110 IT for up to 5 days after incubation. The percentage of binding of 90Y-labeled C110 IT to carcinoembryonic antigen-coated microbeads was 86%, indicating good retention of the initial immunoreactivity of the C110 MAb. In in vitro protein synthesis inhibition assays, 90Y-labeled C110 IT was approximately 3.7-fold more toxic to the LS174T human colon carcinoma cell line than unmodified C110 IT and 1380-fold more toxic than 90Y-labeled C110 MAb. Biodistribution studies of 90Y-labeled C110 IT in LS174T tumor-bearing mice showed that, at 24 h following i.p. injection, high accumulation of radioactivity was seen in the i.p. tumor and liver and, thereafter, high accumulation in these tissues remained almost unchanged until up to 168 h, with percentage of injected dose/g ranging from 15 to 18% in the tumor and 10 to 15% in the liver. The radioactivity in the spleen and bone gradually increased with time and reached their highest levels (approximately 8% of injected dose/g) at 168 h. Estimation of absorbed radiation doses to the tissues showed that i.p. tumor would have received an approximately 1.5 to 7 times higher radiation dose than normal organs. In in vivo therapeutic trials, 90Y-labeled C110 IT provided survival prolongation of LS174T tumor-bearing mice superior to that with either unmodified C110 IT or 90Y-labeled C110 MAb (4 less than 0.01; Mann-Whitney U test). These results indicate that 90Y-labeled C110 anti-carcinoembryonic antigen IT may be a potent therapeutic immunoconjugate for human colon cancer and that it may have direct relevance for i.p. treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colon cancers.

Animals

Specific adhesion of carcinoembryonic antigen-bearing colorectal cancer cells to immobilized carcinoembryonic antigen.

Recent characterization of the genomic structure of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is consistent with that of a cellular adhesion molecule. To examine this function in colorectal cancer, the adherence of cell lines to microtiter wells coated with CEA and well-described adhesive molecules was determined. The CEA-positive cell line LoVo and the CEA-devoid cell line H-Meso-1 did not differ in adherence to the extracellular matrix proteins laminin, collagen and fibronectin, whereas LoVo cells adhered to CEA (10 micrograms/well) in a specific manner (43% bound cells vs. 1.5% bound cells with BSA or alpha-acidglycoprotein controls, P less than 0.01) while H-MESO-1 showed no adhesion to CEA (less than 0.6% bound cells). This adhesion of LoVo cells to CEA was not affected by co-incubation of cells with EDTA, sodium azide, or at 23 degrees C. However, the CEA to CEA adhesive interaction was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody directed against an epitope in the N-terminal domain of the CEA molecule, and decreased by enzymatic removal of CEA from the LoVo cell membrane. The extent of adhesion to immobilized CEA by four CEA-producing cell lines (LoVo, HT29, LS174T and LS174-S), correlated with membrane CEA expression as determined by FACS analysis. The results of these experiments add support to the concept that CEA may function as a specific homotypic cellular adhesion molecule for colorectal cancer cells.

Analysis of Variance

Long-term survival in treated anaplastic astrocytomas. A report of combined RTOG/ECOG studies.

This report evaluates the long-term survival of patients with histologically confirmed anaplastic astrocytoma on several combined RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) studies. Included in this analysis are the following studies: RTOG/ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) 74-01, RTOG 76-11, and RTOG 79-18, with the various treatment arms separated into radiation therapy (RT) only (47 patients) radiation therapy and chemotherapy (Chemo) (78 patients) and radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and misonidazole (Mizo) (24 patients). Pretreatment characteristics of age, prior surgery, performance status, and neurological function classification are identified. Median survival for patients treated with RT only is 3.0 years. Median survival for patients treated with RT + Chemo is 2.3 years, and for patients treated with RT + Chemo/Miso is 1.2 years. Five-year survival rates are 35% for patients treated with RT only, 29% for patients treated with RT + Chemo, and 24% for patients treated with RT + Chemo/Miso. Age and performance status have been identified in previous studies as important prognostic variables and are confirmed in this analysis. Patients treated with misonidazole had a significantly worse prognosis after adjustment for differences in prognostic factors. Addition of chemotherapy did not improve survival except in less favorable prognostic categories. In general, more aggressive treatment regimens are associated with decreased survival compared to conventional postoperative irradiation.

Adolescent

Initial clinical study of indium-111-labeled clone 110 anticarcinoembryonic antigen antibody in patients with colorectal cancer.

A murine monoclonal antibody directed against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was labeled with indium-111 (111In) by means of a benzylisothiocyanate derivative of diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) and used for clinical radioimmunodetection studies. Twenty-one patients having a history of surgically resected colorectal cancer and rising serum CEA levels suggestive of tumor recurrence were studied. Patients were infused over 20 minutes with 5, 10, or 20 mg of the monoclonal antibody labeled with 5 mCi of 111In. The mean radiochemical purity was greater than 96%. No toxicity was seen. The stability of the radiolabel on antibody in patient serum was demonstrated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with autoradiography, and immunoprecipitation for up to 96 hours after infusion. Tumor sites were identified in 20 of 21 patients. Sites of antibody accumulation in 20 patients were confirmed as tumor either by resection at laparotomy (16 patients) or fine-needle biopsy (four patients). Nine patients who had the identified lesion resected or irradiated showed return of the serum CEA antigen level to normal or near normal values. In the absence of high levels of circulating CEA (greater than 500 ng/mL), the disappearance of radioactivity from patient serum demonstrated first order elimination kinetics, with a mean half-life of 38 hours. The serum half-life was not affected by the dose of antibody administered or by serum CEA titers below 500 ng/mL. Despite a mean liver uptake of 18% injected dose (ID) 24 hours after administration, hepatic metastases were easily visualized as areas of increased uptake of radioactivity. Radioimmunodetection of recurrent colorectal cancer, not detected by computed tomographic (CT) scans, appears achievable with this agent. This may allow successful clinical intervention in selected patients.

Adult

Potent cytotoxicity of an antihuman transferrin receptor-ricin A-chain immunotoxin on human glioma cells in vitro.

The cytotoxic effects of an antihuman transferrin receptor monoclonal antibody-ricin A-chain conjugate (anti-TfR-A) immunotoxin on glioma cells were assessed in vitro. Five human glioma cell lines were studied; three were derived from surgical explants (MG-1, MG-2, MG-3) and two were well characterized established glioma cells (U-87 MG, U-373 MG). The C6 rat glioma line served as a nonhuman control. One of six lines (U-373) expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein, as assessed by immunohistochemistry. All five human lines expressed human transferrin receptor, as assessed by flow cytometry; no human transferrin receptor was demonstrable on rat C6 cells. Potent inhibition of protein synthesis was found after an 18-h incubation with anti-TfR-A. Fifty % inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for human glioma cells ranged from 1.9 X 10(-9) to 1.8 X 10(-8) M. In contrast, no significant inhibition of leucine incorporation was observed when anti-TfR-A was tested on rat cells (IC50 greater than 10(-7) M) or when a control immunotoxin directed against carcinoembryonic antigen was substituted for anti-TfR-A on human glioma cells (IC50 greater than 10(-7) M). Coincubation with the carboxylic ionophore monensin (10(-7) M) decreased the IC50 of anti-TfR-A against human glioma lines from 16- to 842-fold (range, 7.0 X 10(-12) to 1.5 X 10(-10) M). In contrast, an IC50 of greater than 10(-7) M was obtained when C6 cells were incubated with anti-TfR-A and monensin. Anti-TfR-A immunotoxins potentiated by monensin are extremely potent in vitro cytotoxins for human glioma cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Intraperitoneal immunoconjugates.

Intracavitary instillation of radioantibodies has been proposed as therapy for anatomically confined malignant disease. To evaluate this therapeutic strategy, a monoclonal antibody reactive with human transferrin receptor (7D3) was evaluated for localization in a human malignant mesothelioma transplanted i.p. in athymic nude mice. This antibody was purified and labeled with 131I, 125I, or 111In. Radiolabeled antibody was administered i.p. or i.v. to tumor-bearing mice. Three h after injection, the percentage of injected dose/g (ID/g) of tumor was higher in free-floating ascites tumor cells (31.0%/g tumor cell pellet) after i.p. injection than after i.v. injection (12.0%). However, localization of radiolabel in i.p. solid tumors was similar (5.37% ID/g i.p. versus 4.73% of ID/g i.v.), and by 24 h both routes of administration produced similar localization of radiolabel in both free-floating ascites cells and solid tumors. In contrast, uptake of radiolabel into liver, kidney, and to a lesser extent bone and bone marrow, was less with i.p. than with i.v. administration. In clinical studies with 111In and 90Y antibodies administered i.p. to patients with ovarian cancer, confined biodistribution of the radioantibody was again seen, although interpatient variability of rate of egress of the radiolabel was documented. Therefore, both preclinical and clinical data indicate that i.p. therapy with immunoconjugates may be advantageous for cancer confined to the peritoneal cavity. This advantage stems primarily from reduced localization of isotope in organs of catabolism or toxicity (liver, kidney, bone, and bone marrow), rather than greatly increased levels of isotope in tumor. Unresolved problems include degree of antibody penetration into solid tumors, microdosimetry, and radioantibody effectiveness for tumor killing.

Animals

High energy (42-66 MeV reactions) fast neutron dose optimization studies in the head and neck, thorax, upper abdomen, pelvis and extremities.

Five hundred and fifty patients were entered into a set of dose-searching studies designed to determine normal tissue tolerance to high energy (42-66 MeV reactions) fast neutrons delivered in 12 equal fractions over 4 weeks. Participating institutions included: The Fermilab (66 MeV p+----Be), The University of Washington (50 MeVp+----Be), U.C.L.A. (45 MeVH-----Be), M.D. Anderson Hospital (42 MeVH-----Be), and The Cleveland Clinic (42 MeVp+----Be). Patients were stratified by treatment facility and then randomized to receive 16, 18 or 20 Gy for tumors located in the upper abdomen or pelvis, and 18, 20 or 22 Gy for tumors located in the head and neck, thorax or extremities. Following completion of the randomized protocols, additional patients were studied at the 20.4 Gy level in the head and neck, thorax and pelvis. Normal tissue effect scoring was accomplished using the RTOG-EORTC acute and late normal tissue effect scales. Acute Grade 3 + toxicity rates in the head and neck were 19% for 20/20.4 Gy and 20% for 22 Gy. Time adjusted late toxicity rates in the head and neck at 12 months were 15% for 20/20.4 Gy and 0% for 22 Gy. The 18 Gy treatment arm of the head and neck protocol was dropped early in the study after only two patients were accrued. For cases treated in the thorax, acute Grade 3 + toxicity rates were 6% for 18 Gy, 15% for 20/20.4 Gy and 7% for 22 Gy. Late toxicity rates at 12 months were 0% for 18 Gy, 11% for 20/20.4 Gy and 18% for 22 Gy. Acute Grade 3+ toxicity rates in the upper abdomen were 0% for 16 Gy, 8% for 18 Gy and 12% for 20 Gy. There were no Grade 3 + late toxicities in the upper abdomen. In the pelvis, acute Grade 3 + toxicity rates were 0% for 16 Gy, 3% for 18 Gy and 3% for 20/20.4 Gy. Late Grade 3 + toxicities at 24 months were 20% for 16 Gy, 5% for 18 Gy and 24% for 20/20.4 Gy. In extremities, acute Grade 3 + toxicity rates were 7% for 20 Gy and 21% for 22 Gy while at 12 months, late Grade 3 + toxicity rates were 14 and 35%, respectively. The 18 Gy treatment arm of the extremities protocol was dropped early in the study after only two patients were accrued. Factors associated with normal tissue effects in addition to treatment dose are discussed.

Abdominal Neoplasms

Transient and chronic neurological complications of fast neutron radiation for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

The records of 132 patients participating in clinical trials using fast neutron (n = 94), mixed neutron and photon (n = 16), or conventional photon (n = 22) irradiation for primary management of prostatic cancer were retrospectively reviewed to assess treatment-related neurological complications. With a median follow-up of 14 months (range 1 to 101 months), 31/132 patients (26 neutron, 3 mixed beam, 2 photon) have experienced either sciatica beginning during or shortly after treatment, or diminished bladder or bowel continence that developed at a median time of 6.5 months following treatment. Sciatica responded to oral steroids and was usually self-limited, whereas sphincter dysfunction appears to be permanent. Pre-treatment risk factors for complications included a history of hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking or peripheral vascular disease, with 81% of affected patients having one or more risk factors compared with 55% of unaffected patients (p = 0.01). Seven patients have moderate (5) or severe (2) residual problems, all in the cohorts receiving neutrons (6/7) or mixed beam therapy (1/7).

Adenocarcinoma