International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 2009
Estimation of citation-based scholarly activity among radiation oncology faculty at domestic residency-training institutions: 1996-2007.
Advancement in academic radiation oncology is largely contingent on research productivity and the perceived external influence of an individual's scholarly work. The purpose of this study was to use the Hirsch index (h-index) to estimate the research productivity of current radiation oncology faculty at U.S. academic institutions between 1996 and 2007. ⋯ Using the h-index as a partial surrogate for research productivity, it appears that radiation oncologists in academia today comprise a prolific group, however, with a highly skewed distribution. According to the present analysis, the h-index correlated with academic ranking. Thus, it potentially has utility in the process of promotion decisions. Overall, women in radiation oncology were less academically productive than men; the possible reasons for the gender differential are discussed.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 2009
Comparative StudySooner or later? Outcome analysis of 431 prostate cancer patients treated with postoperative or salvage radiotherapy.
To evaluate the outcome of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) and salvage RT (SART) using a three-dimensional conformal two-dynamic arc (3D-ART) or 3D six-field technique in 431 prostate cancer patients. ⋯ PORT and early referral for SART offer better disease control after radical prostatectomy. The greater urinary toxicity occurring after PORT and 3D-ART requires further investigation to improve the therapeutic index.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 2009
Comparative StudyVolumetric intensity-modulated arc therapy vs. conventional IMRT in head-and-neck cancer: a comparative planning and dosimetric study.
Volumetric intensity-modulated arc therapy (RA) allows for rapid delivery of highly conformal dose distributions. In this study, planning and dosimetry of RA were compared with conventional intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans of head-and-neck cancer patients. ⋯ RA is a fast, safe, and accurate technique that uses lower MUs than conventional IMRT. Double arc plans provided at least similar sparing of OAR and better PTV dose homogeneity than single arc or IMRT.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 2009
Comparative StudyIntensity-modulated radiotherapy reduces radiation-induced morbidity and improves health-related quality of life: results of a nonrandomized prospective study using a standardized follow-up program.
The purpose of this study was to compare intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and three-dimensional conventional radiotherapy (3D-CRT) with regard to patient-rated xerostomia, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute and late xerostomia and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). ⋯ IMRT results in a significant reduction of patient- and observer-rated xerostomia, as well as other head and neck symptoms, compared with standard 3D-CRT. These differences translate into a significant improvement of the more general dimensions of HRQoL.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 2009
Multicenter StudyExtrapolation of normal tissue complication probability for different fractionations in liver irradiation.
The ability to predict normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) is essential for NTCP-based treatment planning. The purpose of this work is to estimate the Lyman NTCP model parameters for liver irradiation from published clinical data of different fractionation regimens. A new expression of normalized total dose (NTD) is proposed to convert NTCP data between different treatment schemes. ⋯ The Lyman parameters generated presently and the new form of NTD may be used to predict NTCP for treatment planning of innovative liver irradiation with different fractionations, such as hypofractioned stereotactic body radiation therapy.