International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Treatment of bone metastases with palliative radiotherapy: patients' treatment preferences.
To determine the proportion of patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT) for bone pain who would like to participate in the decision-making process, and to determine their choice of palliative RT regimen (2000 cGy in five fractions vs. 800 cGy in one fraction) for painful bone metastases. ⋯ Most participating patients preferred to decide either by themselves or with the radiation oncologists which treatment option they preferred. An 800-cGy-in-one-fraction regimen was favored, independent of the treated site. The convenience of the treatment plan and the likelihood of bone fracture were the most important factors influencing patients' choice.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Clinical TrialReirradiation alternating with docetaxel and cisplatin in inoperable recurrence of head-and-neck cancer: a prospective phase I/II trial.
Inoperable locoregional recurrences of head-and-neck cancer in a previously irradiated volume represent a therapeutic dilemma. Chemotherapy alone has no curative potential, whereas reirradiation and concurrent chemoradiation can salvage a small fraction of patients. Mucosal toxicity of concurrent chemoradiation requires substantial dose reduction of chemotherapy. Alternating chemoradiation offers the chance to give both full-dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The latter may provide a particular advantage for recurrent, potentially radiation resistant tumors. The feasibility and efficacy of a full-dose docetaxel containing alternating chemoradiation schedule was tested. ⋯ Alternating chemoreirradiation in recurrences of head-and-neck cancer resulted in 80% overall response with acceptable toxicity. A significant minority of patients had durable tumor control with a chance of long-term survival.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Impact of IMRT and leaf width on stereotactic body radiotherapy of liver and lung lesions.
The present study explored the impact of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on stereotactic body RT (SBRT) of liver and lung lesions. Additionally, because target dose conformity can be affected by the leaf width of a multileaf collimator (MLC), especially for small targets and stereotactic applications, the use of a micro-MLC on "uniform intensity" conformal and intensity-modulated SBRT was evaluated. ⋯ Standard conformal treatment techniques for SBRT could not be improved with inversely planned IMRT approaches. Dose calculation algorithms applied in optimization modules for IMRT applications in the thoracic region need to be based on the most accurate dose calculation algorithms, especially when using higher energy photon beams.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Initial clinical experience with frameless radiosurgery for patients with intracranial metastases.
To review the initial clinical experience with frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for treating intracranial metastatic disease. ⋯ Frameless optically guided radiosurgery is less invasive, can be performed as a standard radiotherapy-based simulation procedure, and maintains submillimetric accuracy. Our initial results with frameless SRS for metastatic disease suggest survival times and local control (88%) eqiuvalent to frame-based methodologies. Practical noninvasive delivery makes treatment and potential retreatment to avoid WBRT more feasible.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Error in the delivery of radiation therapy: results of a quality assurance review.
To examine error rates in the delivery of radiation therapy (RT), technical factors associated with RT errors, and the influence of a quality improvement intervention on the RT error rate. ⋯ Errors in the delivery of RT are uncommon and usually of little clinical significance. Patient subgroups and technical factors associated with errors can be identified. The introduction of new technology can produce new ways for errors to occur, necessitating ongoing evaluation of RT errors for quality assurance. Modifications to processes of care can produce important reductions in error rates.