International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 2008
Effect of high-dose-rate 192Ir source activity on late rectal bleeding after intracavitary radiation therapy for uterine cervix cancer.
This retrospective study analyzed the effect of the activity of high-dose-rate (HDR) (192)Ir source on late rectal bleeding after HDR intracavitary radiotherapy (ICRT) in patients with uterine cervix cancer. ⋯ This is the first clinical report concerning the source activity effect of HDR (192)Ir on late rectal bleeding in patients undergoing HDR-ICRT. This suggests that when source activity is higher than 2.4 cGy.m(2).h(-1), ICRT should be performed with more caution not to exceed 100 Gy(3) in total.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Aug 2008
Cost of radiotherapy versus NSAID administration for prevention of heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty.
Heterotopic ossification (HO), or abnormal bone formation, is a common sequela of total hip arthroplasty. This abnormal bone can impair joint function and must be surgically removed to restore mobility. HO can be prevented by postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use or radiotherapy (RT). NSAIDs are associated with multiple toxicities, including gastrointestinal bleeding. Although RT has been shown to be more efficacious than NSAIDs at preventing HO, its cost-effectiveness has been questioned. ⋯ If the costs associated with treatment failure and treatment-induced morbidity are considered, the cost of NSAIDs approaches that of RT. Other NSAID morbidities and quality-of-life differences that are difficult to quantify add to the cost of NSAIDs. These considerations have led us to recommend RT as the preferred modality for use in prophylaxis against HO after total hip arthroplasty, even when the cost is considered.