International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Mar 2005
Radiochemotherapy in the conservative treatment of anal canal carcinoma: retrospective analysis of results and radiation dose effectiveness.
This retrospective analysis reports the results on patients with anal canal carcinoma treated by combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. ⋯ This analysis suggests that the treatment scheme employed was effective for anal sphincter preservation and local control; however, the incidence of distant metastases was relatively high. The clinical stage was the main prognostic factor for overall survival. Local control was higher in patients treated with doses of more than 50 Gy at primary tumor. The high incidence of inguinal failure implies the need for elective RT in this region.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAccelerated versus conventional fractionated postoperative radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer: results of a multicenter Phase III study.
To determine whether, in the postoperative setting, accelerated fractionation (AF) radiotherapy (RT) yields a superior locoregional control rate compared with conventional fractionation (CF) RT in locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx. ⋯ Accelerated fractionation does not seem to be worthwhile for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after resection; however, AF might be an option for patients who delay starting RT.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Mar 2005
Methodology for biologically-based treatment planning for combined low-dose-rate (permanent implant) and high-dose-rate (fractionated) treatment of prostate cancer.
The combination of permanent low-dose-rate interstitial implantation (LDR-BRT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) has been used in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. While a high radiation dose is delivered to the prostate in this setting, the actual biologic dose equivalence compared to monotherapy is not commonly invoked. We describe methodology for obtaining the fused dosimetry of this combined treatment and assigning a dose equivalence which in turn can be used to develop desired normal tissue and target constraints for biologic-based treatment planning. ⋯ We describe new methodology for biologically based treatment planning for patients who receive combined low-dose-rate brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Using relevant mathematical tools, we demonstrate the feasibility of fusing dose distributions from each treatment for this combined regimen, which can then be expressed as isoeffective dose distributions. Based on this information, dose constraints for the rectum and urethra are described which could be used for planning such combination regimens.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Mar 2005
Results of the 2003 Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) surveys of residents and chief residents in the United States.
To document demographic characteristics of current residents, career motivations and aspirations, and training program policies and resources. ⋯ Median program resources and numbers of outliers are documented to allow residents and program directors to assess the relative adequacy of experience in their own programs. Policy-making bodies and individual programs should consider these results when developing interventions to improve educational experiences of residents and to increase retention of radiation oncologists in academic practice.