International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 1999
Incidence and time of occurrence of regional recurrence in stage I-II breast cancer: value of adjuvant irradiation.
The value of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) of the axilla and supraclavicular fossa is controversial in early-stage breast cancer. This retrospective study was undertaken to identify pathological risk factors that would predict which subsets of patients would benefit from regional nodal irradiation (RNI). ⋯ After a complete axillary dissection, only N1 patients with retrieved nodes < or = 5 may be considered for axillary RT. Elective supraclavicular RT is suggested for patients with N1bii or N1biv stage. Supraclavicular irradiation decreases the incidence and delays the appearance of SCF.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 1999
Clinical TrialA phase II study of concurrent accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy and carboplatin/oral etoposide for elderly patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer.
To investigate feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy and concurrent carboplastin/oral etoposide in elderly (> 70 years) patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. ⋯ Concurrent accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy and carboplatin/oral etoposide produced relatively low and acceptable toxicity. The survival results appeared to be comparable to those obtained in nonelderly patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer treated by full-dose radiation.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 1999
The utility of serial complete blood count monitoring in patients receiving radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer.
It is standard practice in our department to monitor weekly complete blood counts (CBCs) in patients receiving definitive radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The clinical utility and cost effectiveness of this practice has not been analyzed. ⋯ These results suggest that weekly monitoring of CBCs in prostate cancer patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy may not be necessary. We recommend a baseline CBC be performed, and if normal, no other monitoring unless clinically indicated. This strategy would result in a cost savings approaching $30,000 per 100 treated patients. Further research on the cost effectiveness and utility of serial blood tests in patients receiving partial body radiation therapy is needed.