International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2000
Gamma knife radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia: the initial experience of The Barrow Neurological Institute.
To assess the efficacy and complications of Gamma Knife radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia. ⋯ RS is an effective treatment, and is the least invasive nonpharmacologic therapy for TN. It carries a small risk of mild facial hypesthesia, a side effect which, somewhat ironically, may be desirable, because it appears to correlate favorably with an excellent pain response. We currently include radiosurgery among the appropriate options for TN patients who have failed optimal medical management, with or without prior invasive neurosurgical procedures. We present here BNI scoring systems for pain intensity and facial numbness. These have proved simple and reliable, have facilitated data collection, rendered analysis more objective, and improved our ability to discuss results with patients and colleagues.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2000
The probability of correct target dosage: dose-population histograms for deriving treatment margins in radiotherapy.
To provide an analytical description of the effect of random and systematic geometrical deviations on the target dose in radiotherapy and to derive margin rules. ⋯ Dose-population histograms provide insight into the effects of geometrical deviations on a population of patients. Using a dose-probability based approach, simple algorithms for choosing margins were derived.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2000
The prediction of late rectal complications following the treatment of uterine cervical cancer by high-dose-rate brachytherapy.
This study aimed to correlate patient, treatment, and dosimetric factors with the risk of late rectal sequelae in patients with uterine cervical cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDRICB). ⋯ Risk factors of late rectal complications were advanced stage, age greater than 70 years, and cumulative rectal dose of greater than 65 Gy.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2000
Application of recursive partitioning analysis and evaluation of the use of whole brain radiation among patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery for newly diagnosed brain metastases.
To evaluate the usefulness of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) for brain metastases among patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). ⋯ Despite the inherent biases to select more favorable patients for SRS, the RPA class retains its prognostic value. Omission of WBRT from the initial management was not detrimental in terms of overall survival; however, progressive disease occurred in over 50% of patients treated in this manner. Further studies are required to determine which, if any, patients should be considered for SRS with WBRT held in reserve.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2000
Modeling normal tissue complication probability from repetitive computed tomography scans during fractionated high-dose-rate brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy of the uterine cervix.
To calculate the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of late radiation effects on the rectum and bladder from repetitive CT scans during fractionated high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) of the uterine cervix and compare the NTCP with the clinical frequency of late effects. ⋯ The NTCP for the rectum was almost consistent with the clinical frequency of late effects, whereas the NTCP for bladder was too high. To obtain reliable (SD of 12-13%) NTCP values, 3-4 CT scans are needed during 5-7 fractions of HDRB treatments.