International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
-
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
The effect of finite patient dimensions and tissue inhomogeneities on dosimetry planning of 192Ir HDR breast brachytherapy: a Monte Carlo dose verification study.
To evaluate the accuracy of clinical dosimetry planning using commercially available treatment planning systems in (192)Ir high-dose-rate (HDR) breast brachytherapy, with emphasis on skin dose, in view of potential uncertainties owing to the patient finite dimensions and the presence of the lung. ⋯ Dose-volume histogram and all other relevant planning quality indices for the planning target volume calculated by the treatment planning system are credible. Skin and lung dose calculations by the treatment planning system can be thought of as a conservative approach in view of the reported dose overestimation.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Hypofractionated conformal stereotactic radiotherapy alone or in combination with whole-brain radiotherapy in patients with cerebral metastases.
The aim was to evaluate treatment of cerebral metastases with hypofractionated conformal stereotactic radiotherapy (HCSRT) or whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in combination with a stereotactic boost. ⋯ Although there may be a higher risk of distant new metastases, HCSRT as a treatment for brain metastases seems to be as effective as WBRT in combination with a stereotactic boost. Complications are in the range of what has been reported previously.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Nasopharyngeal cancer in the Middle East: experience of the American University of Beirut Medical Center.
To review the data of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center and reflect on the characteristics and treatment outcome of NPC in the Middle East compared with those of Western countries and countries in which NPC is endemic. ⋯ Our results indicate that the characteristics of NPC patients in Lebanon and their parameters of outcome are comparable to those reported in Western series, particularly for the relative frequency and effect of lymphoepithelial histologic type. Because of potential confounding factors, no definite conclusions about induction chemotherapy could be drawn from this retrospective study.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Results of treatment intensification for progressive locoregional disease in head-and-neck cancer patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy.
Patients who develop progressive locoregional disease during radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck represent a management dilemma. We present our experience using treatment intensification for such patients. ⋯ Intensification of treatment in patients who develop progressive locoregional disease is warranted, because it can lead to long-term disease control in a subset of patients with significant but acceptable toxicity.