Lam Wai-man Wynnie. / "April 2002." / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-134). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

by Mei Chun Cheung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-41). / Abstract and questionare in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES --- p.v / Chapter CHAPTER I - --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER II - --- METHOD --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER III - --- RESULTS --- p.17 / Chapter CHAPTER IV - --- DISCUSSION --- p.29 / REFERENCES --- p.34 / APPENDIX --- p.42

Ng Kenway. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-189). / Abstracts in English and Chinese ; questionnaire also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.I / 摘要 --- p.IV / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.V / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.VII / ABBREVIATION --- p.XI / LIST OF TABLES --- p.XIII / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.XIV / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- SIDE EFFECTS OF RADIATION THERAPY IN HEAD & NECK CACNER PATIENTS --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- NUTRITIONAL ALTERATIONS IN CANCER PATIENTS --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- FACTORS INFLUENCING ALTERATION IN CALORIE INTAKE IN CANCER PATIENTS --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Evidence for impaired calorie intake in cancer patients --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Anorexia --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Mucositis of upper food passage --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- "Change in saliva and taste, food aversions" --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Psychological and emotional factors --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.2.4 --- Cytokines --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4 --- FACTORS INFLUENCING ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN CANCER PATIETNS --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Introduction --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Components of total energy expenditure --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- Measurement of Basal metabolic rate --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Energy cost of physical activity --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4.2.3 --- Thermic effect of food (TEF) --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5 --- METHODS FOR NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT --- p.27 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Body weight and body composition --- p.27 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Dietary intake --- p.30 / Chapter 2.6 --- METHODS FOR ENERGY EXPENDITURE MEASUREMENT --- p.35 / Chapter 2.7 --- CYTOKINES AND LEPTIN CHANGES IN CANCER PATIENTS --- p.40 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Cytokines --- p.40 / Chapter 2.7.1.1 --- Tumor necrosis factor --- p.40 / Chapter 2.7.1.2 --- Interleukin 1 and interleukin 6 --- p.44 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Leptin --- p.45 / Chapter 2.8 --- THE IMPACT OF MALNUTRITION ON CANCER SURVIVAL --- p.49 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- OBJECTIVES OF STUDY --- p.53 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- METHODS --- p.55 / Chapter 4.1 --- RETROSPECTIVE STUDY --- p.56 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Patients --- p.56 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Cancer staging --- p.56 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Cancer treatment --- p.57 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Outcome endpoints --- p.57 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Determinants --- p.58 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- Statistical analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 4.2 --- PROSPECTIVE STUDY --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- "Patients, oncological treatment, and assessment time points" --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Assessment of nutritional intake by food record --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Assessment of radiotherapy-induced symptoms --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Assessment of Basal metabolic rate --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Assessment of total energy expenditure and energy balance --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Assessment of body composition --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Measurement of cytokines --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.7.1 --- Serum TNF-α --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.7.2 --- Serum Human Leptin --- p.72 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- RESULTS --- p.80 / Chapter 5.1 --- RETROSPECTIVE STUDY --- p.81 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- The 5-year profile of bodyweight change during and after the end of radiotherapy --- p.81 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Analysis on relation between weight loss and survival --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.2.1 --- Patient and cancer stage --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.2.2 --- Percentage of patients with weight loss at end of radiotherapy --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.2.3 --- Cancer treatment outcome --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.2.4 --- Univariate analysis --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.2.5 --- Multivariate analysis --- p.83 / Chapter 5.2 --- PROSPECTIVE STUDY --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- The profile of nutritional measurements during radiotherapy --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2.1.1 --- Bodyweight and body composition before and during RT --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2.1.2 --- Calorie intake before and during RT --- p.85 / Chapter 5.2.1.3 --- Energy expenditure before and during RT --- p.86 / Chapter 5.2.1.4 --- Energy balance before and during RT --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- The profile of nutritional measurements during the 6-month period after radiotherapy --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Body weight and body composition during the 6 months after radiotherpay --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Calorie intake during the 6 months after radiotherapy --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.2.3 --- Energy expenditure during the 6 months after radiotherapy --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.2.4 --- Energy balance during the 6 months after radiotherapy --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Radiotherapy-induced Symptoms --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.3.1 --- Profile of symptoms after RT --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.3.2 --- Detailed profile of symptoms during RT --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- The profile of cytokines during and after completion of RT --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2.4.1 --- SerumTNF-α --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.5.2 --- Serum leptin --- p.96 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- DISCUSSION --- p.144 / Chapter 6.1 --- RETROSPECTIVE STUDY --- p.145 / Chapter 6.2 --- PROSPECTIVE STUDY --- p.147 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- The magnitude of the problem --- p.147 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- The potential determinants of weight loss --- p.147 / Chapter 6.2 3 --- Is weight loss due to the cancer or due to its treatment? --- p.148 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- "Is the weight loss influenced by pre-treatment factors, i. e. anthropometrical data?" --- p.148 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- "Is the pattern weight loss compatible with the model of calorie-protein malnutrition, similar to a starvation state?" --- p.149 / Chapter 6.2.6 --- Is the weight loss due to increased energy expenditure? --- p.150 / Chapter 6.2.7 --- Is the weight loss due to reduced calorie intake? --- p.151 / Chapter 6.2.8 --- Is weight loss during radiotherapy due to negative energy balance? --- p.151 / Chapter 6.2.9 --- What causes reduced calorie intake: Are radiotherapy-induced symptoms contributive? --- p.152 / Chapter 6.2.10 --- What are the observations on and implications of cytokine changes? --- p.155 / Chapter 6.2.11 --- What determines the recovery of body weight during 6 months after end of radiotherapy? --- p.158 / Chapter 6.2.12 --- Is the weight loss in the post RT recovery period due to negative energy balance? --- p.159 / Chapter 6.2.13 --- What are the implications on nutritional intervention? --- p.159 / Chapter 6.2.14 --- Limitations and future studies --- p.164 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.166 / REFERENCES --- p.169 / APPENDIX 1 CONSENT FORM I (IN ENGLISH) --- p.190 / APPENDIX 2 CONSENT FORM I (IN CHINESE) --- p.193 / APPENDIX 3 CONSENT FORM II (IN ENGLISH) --- p.196 / APPENDIX 4 CONSENT FORM II (IN CHINESE) --- p.199 / APPENDIX 5 3-DAY DIET RECORD --- p.202 / APPENDIX 6 24-HOUR DIETARY RECALL --- p.206 / APPENDIX 7 SUBJECTIVE NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT --- p.208 / APPENDIX 8 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE --- p.210 / APPENDIX 9 BONE SCAN REPORT --- p.215

Advanced-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) presents very difficult scenarios for radiation therapy (RT) planning. The infiltration of tumor to the skull base and beyond means that the tumor is very close to critical normal organs (organs at risk, OARs). Despite the advent of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment technique---the state-of-art RT technique, conflicting requirements between organ protection and target dose conformity is still problematic. The objectives of the present research are (1) to investigate the dosimetry properties of IMRT treatment in advanced-stage NPC in respect of its dosimetric limitations and planning problems, (2) to develop new methods and tools to resolve such problems, in particular to improve the quality of treatment plans and efficiency of the dose planning and optimization process. A series of four inter-linked studies were conducted to address these issues. / In conclusion, the solutions to several major problems in IMRT planning for advanced-stage NPC were investigated and established. It has been demonstrated in this research that, by applying these methods and tools, significant improvement in the dosimetry and efficiency of IMRT treatment planning can be accomplished as compared with conventional IMRT planning techniques. It is expected that such would translate into an improvement in treatment throughput, better tumor control and reduction in normal tissues complications. The methods developed have potential to be applied to all stages of NPC and to other tumor sites. / The first study was to improve the efficacy in target coverage and organs sparing using an "organ-splitting" approach. The OARs which overlapped with targets were split into target-overlapping and non-overlapping segments and each segment was assigned with different constraints parameters to increase the degree of flexibility during optimization. As a result, a steep gradient in the dose distribution at the regions of interface between the targets and normal critical organs could be achieved and treatment quality was improved. In the second study, a thorough dosimetric comparison between conventional 2-dimensional (2D) RT and IMRT plans was conducted to determine, with reference to outcome of 2D treatments, the extended tolerance dose limits for the critical organs, especially that of the brainstem and spinal cord, and their planning organ at risk volume. Such data could then serve as reference in IMRT planning when the dose of critical organs need be exceeded in order to allow adequate dose to a very close by target. In the third study, the feasibility of using interpolated contours for segmentation of targets and OARs in IMRT planning was investigated. The result indicated that the use of interpolated contours in IMRT planning could significantly reduce the contouring time by about 50% without degrading the target coverage and OARS sparing. In the final study, an array of dose constraint templates that could accommodate different degrees of overlap between the targets and OARs, together with a template selection program, were developed to improve the efficiency of IMRT planning. By applying the methods and tools developed, IMRT treatment planning of advanced NPC could become more efficient and less dependent on planner's experience. / Chau, Ming Chun. / Adviser: Anthony Chan Tak Cheung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: B, page: 0948. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-128). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Cheung Mei-chun. / "January 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 66-94). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

"Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic in southern China. Despite the improvement in radiotherapy (RT) technology, NPC patients still suffer from numerous and simultaneous distressing symptoms. / Aims: The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of an intervention program (an educational intervention program) in managing the most distressing symptom cluster (nutrition impact symptom cluster) in NPC patients during RT. / Methods: The study was carried out in two parts. Part I consisted of groundwork research (n = 130) using a cross-sectional design to identify the most distressing symptom cluster. An instrument validation was also conducted at this point. Part II covered the development process and pilot testing of an educational intervention program, guided by the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework, to manage the nutrition impact symptom cluster identified in Part I. First, to inform development of the intervention, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducational intervention (PEI), which includes the educational intervention, in managing symptom clusters in patients with generic cancers. Second, a descriptive qualitative study was conducted through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 25 NPC patients and 16 health professionals, separately, to provide further help in developing the intervention by investigating patients’ self-care experience and current clinical practice in managing the nutrition impact symptom cluster. Third, the feasibility and estimated effectiveness of the educational intervention program was explored in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) (n = 40). Outcome measures, including severity of the nutrition impact symptom cluster, body weight, functional performance and quality of life (QOL), were assessed at baseline, week 3 of RT and at the end of RT. Inferential statistics, such as independent t-test, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and the generalized estimating equation (GEE) model, were used to compare the baseline and various outcome variables between groups. / Results: In Part I, the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory - Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN-C) was found to be a reliable and valid instrument. The same dataset then revealed four symptom clusters in NPC patients during RT; the nutrition impact cluster was identified as the most distressing, and was thus chosen as the target outcome of the intervention. In Part II, the systematic review found that PEI, in particular, patient education, was a promising intervention to manage cancer symptom clusters. Then, the findings of the qualitative study further informed and guided the development of an educational intervention program. The pilot RCT found that the conducting the program in a clinical setting was feasible and well received by patients. It also had some favorable effects on managing the nutrition impact symptom cluster, in terms of relieving the cluster itself (Cohen’s d = -0.37), and improving the physical well-being (Cohen’s d = -0.15) and head and neck cancer (HNC) specific QOL (Cohen’s d = -0.05). / Conclusion: The implementation of the educational intervention program appears to be feasible with NPC patients during RT, showing some effect in improving the nutrition impact symptom cluster. A future full-scale study with an adequate sample is warranted." / 研究背景：鼻咽癌在中國南部高發。儘管放療技術在進步，鼻咽癌病人在接受放療期間仍然存在著各種同時出現的症狀困擾。 / 研究目的：本研究旨在測試一個健康教育干預項目在管理鼻咽癌病人放療期間最嚴重的營養相關症狀群的可行性。 / 研究方法：本研究分為兩個部分。第一部分採用橫斷面的研究方法（n = 130），目的是為了找出最嚴重的症狀群，包括檢驗一個量表的信效度。第二部分包括健康教育干預專案的設計和預實驗。首先，研究者做了一個系統評價來評估心理及健康教育干預對管理癌症病人症狀群的效果。然後，研究者又做了一個質性研究，通過與25名鼻咽癌放療病人和16名醫護人員面對面訪談來瞭解目前營養相關症狀群的管理現狀，以便為干預的設計提供進一步線索。最後，研究者做了一個隨機對照試驗的預實驗（n = 40），來評價本研究所設計的健康教育干預專案的可行性。研究指標包括營養相關症狀群的嚴重性、體重、功能水準以及生活品質，並於干預前、放療第3周以及放療結束進行測量。統計推斷方法包括獨立樣本t檢驗、卡方檢驗、Fisher確切概率法和廣義估計方程模型，用以比較組間差異。 / 研究結果：第一部分的研究結果表明，中文版的M. D. Anderson症狀調查表（頭頸）的信效度良好。此外，四個症狀群被發現，其中以營養相關症狀群最為嚴重，因此被選為本研究的干預目標。第二部分，通過系統評價，研究者發現心理及健康教育干預，尤其是健康教育對管理癌症病人的症狀群有一定效果。接著，質性研究的結果進一步提示了健康教育干預項目的必要性，並為該專案的設計提供了具體方案。最後，預實驗表明本研究所設計的健康教育干預專案是可行的並受病人歡迎。該項目在減輕營養相關症狀群（Cohen’s d = -0.37）以及提高與身體（Cohen’s d = -0.15）和頭頸癌相關（Cohen’s d = -0.05）的生活品質上有一定效果。 / 研究結論：本研究所設計的健康教育干預專案是可行的，並對管理鼻咽癌病人放療期間的營養相關症狀群有一定效果。將來需要做一個大規模的研究來驗證該項目的有效性。" / Xiao, Wenli. / Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2016. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-250). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 01, February, 2018). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

Fong, Kwan Ying. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-103). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1: --- "Introduction, problems and objectives" --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Problems --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives --- p.3 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Background --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1. --- Head and Neck Cancer --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Diagnostic Imaging of Head and Neck Cancer --- p.5 / Chapter 2.3. --- Magnetic Resonance Imaging- Physics --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Principle --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Proton Magnetic Resonance Imaging --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Relaxation --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Tl- and T2-weighted Imaging --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy- Single Voxel Spectroscopy and Chemical Shift Imaging --- p.15 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Diffusion-weighted imaging in the evaluation head of and neck cancer --- p.21 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction - Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Tumors --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2 --- DWI of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Introduction and Objectives --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Methods --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Results --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Discussion --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- DWI of Primary Tumors: Comparison of NPC with Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Extra-nodal Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Introduction and Objectives --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Methods --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Results --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Discussion --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Summary of DWI in Head and Neck Cancer --- p.44 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Chemical shift imaging of head and neck tumors --- p.45 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction - Single Voxel Spectroscopy and Chemical Shift Imaging --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2 --- CSI - Methods Used to Reduce Magnetic Field Inhomogeneity --- p.48 / Chapter 4.3 --- Phantom studies - CSI Experiments Using Phantoms --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Introduction and Objectives --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Methods --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Experiment and MR Protocol --- p.54 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Data Analysis --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Phantom Experimental Results --- p.59 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Discussion and Conclusion on Phantom Experiments --- p.69 / Chapter 4.4 --- In vivo CSI Study of Human Head and Neck Tumors --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Introduction and Objectives --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Patient Selection --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- MRI and CSI Protocol --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Data Analysis --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Results from CSI on Patients --- p.74 / Chapter 4.4.6 --- Discussion and Conclusion of CSI on Patients --- p.81 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- "Summary, conclusion and future studies" --- p.87 / Chapter 5.1 --- Summary --- p.87 / Chapter 5.2 --- Conclusion --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3 --- Future Studies --- p.89 / References --- p.90 / Publications --- p.104