International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 2001
Definitions of biochemical failure in prostate cancer following radiation therapy.
The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) published a consensus panel definition of biochemical failure following radiation therapy for prostate cancer. In this paper, we develop a series of alternative definitions of biochemical failure. Using data from 688 patients, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the various definitions, with respect to a defined "clinically meaningful" outcome. ⋯ There is potential for improvement in the ASTRO consensus definition of biochemical failure. Further research is needed, in studies with long follow-up times, to evaluate the relationship between various definitions of biochemical failure and true clinical outcome.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialPhase III radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) trial 86-10 of androgen deprivation adjuvant to definitive radiotherapy in locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate.
To test the hypothesis that androgen ablation before and during radiotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate may, by reducing tumor bulk and enhancing tumor cell kill, improve locoregional control and ultimately survival. ⋯ In patients with Gleason score 2--6 carcinoma of the prostate, a short course of androgen ablation administered before and during radiotherapy has been associated with a highly significant improvement in local control, reduction in disease progression, and overall survival.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 2001
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA phase I/II trial of three-dimensionally planned concurrent boost radiotherapy and protracted venous infusion of 5-FU chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal carcinoma.
Improving the response to preoperative therapy may increase the likelihood of successful resection of locally advanced rectal cancers. Historically, the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate has been < approximately 10% with preoperative radiation therapy alone and < approximately 20% with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. ⋯ 3D planned boost therapy is feasible. In addition to permitting the use of nonaxial beams for improved dose distributions, 3D planning provides tumor and normal tissue dose-volume information that is important in interpreting outcome. Every effort should be made to limit the treated small bowel to less than 150 cc. Tumor size is the most important predictor of response, with small lesions of PTV < 200 cc most likely to develop complete responses.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 2001
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialQuality of life assessment in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients undergoing an accelerated radiotherapy regimen: report of ECOG study 4593. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
To prospectively evaluate the quality of life (QOL) before, at completion, and after therapy for patients receiving an accelerated fractionation schedule of radiotherapy for advanced, unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer in a Phase II multi-institutional trial. ⋯ The FACT-L questionnaire can be successfully administered to non-small-cell lung cancer patients enrolled in a prospective Phase II trial of accelerated radiation fractionation. The decrement in physical and functional QOL during treatment returned to baseline level at 4 weeks after treatment. Emotional well-being improved at all time points. A trend was noted for shorter survival times in patients with the largest negative change in TOI score. These data suggest that the clinical use of hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy did not cause a significant, long-term decrease in the QOL of the treated patients, and that it is feasible to perform a QOL study of patients enrolled in such a trial.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 2001
Comparative StudyFractionated stereotactically guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery in the treatment of functional and nonfunctional adenomas of the pituitary gland.
We evaluated survival rates and side effects after fractionated stereotactically guided radiotherapy (SCRT) and radiosurgery in patients with pituitary adenoma. ⋯ Stereotactically guided radiotherapy is effective and safe in the treatment of pituitary adenomas to improve local control and reduce hormonal overproduction.