International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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To evaluate cause-specific survival (CSS), biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS), and overall survival (OS) in prostate cancer patients aged > or =75 years undergoing brachytherapy with or without supplemental therapies. ⋯ After brachytherapy, high rates of CSS and bPFS are noted in elderly prostate cancer patients. Overall, approximately 65% of patients are alive at 9 years, with survival most closely related to tobacco status. We believe our results support an aggressive locoregional approach in appropriately selected elderly patients.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Oct 2008
Feasibility of using bevacizumab with radiation therapy and temozolomide in newly diagnosed high-grade glioma.
Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has shown promise in the treatment of patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of using bevacizumab with chemoradiation in the primary management of high-grade glioma. ⋯ Use of antiangiogenic therapy with radiation and temozolomide in the primary management of high-grade glioma is feasible. Perfusion imaging with relative cerebral blood volume, perfusion-permeability index, and pVEGFR2 expression may be used as a potential predictor of therapeutic response. Toxicities and patterns of relapse need to be monitored closely.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Oct 2008
Historical ArticleSynopsis of history of American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 1958-2008.
To provide a synopsis of the history of the association of radiation oncologists in the United States, currently known as the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), with the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the organization. ⋯ This synopsis of the history of the Society will provide a source of reference for anyone interested in the history of the Society from its foundation in 1958 to the present, 2008.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Oct 2008
Primary causes of death after permanent prostate brachytherapy.
To evaluate the primary causes of death in low-risk (low-risk), intermediate-risk (intermediate-risk), and high-risk (high-risk) patients undergoing permanent prostate brachytherapy with or without supplemental therapies. ⋯ Although cardiovascular mortality was the predominant cause of death, prostate cancer was responsible for approximately 10% of all deaths. In particular, overall survival was poorest in the high-risk group. Although high-risk patients were most likely to die of prostate cancer, the divergence in overall survival between high-risk and lower-risk patients primarily resulted from an excess of cardiovascular deaths. Changes in lifestyle to improve cardiovascular health may improve overall survival in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Oct 2008
Commissioning and quality assurance of RapidArc radiotherapy delivery system.
The Varian RapidArc is a system for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment planning and delivery. RapidArc incorporates capabilities such as variable dose-rate, variable gantry speed, and accurate and fast dynamic multileaf collimators (DMLC), to optimize dose conformality, delivery efficiency, accuracy and reliability. We developed RapidArc system commissioning and quality assurance (QA) procedures. ⋯ The results of these tests provide strong evidence that DMLC movement, variable dose-rates and gantry speeds can be precisely controlled during RapidArc.