International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2004
ReviewEpidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapy with ZD1839: symptom improvement in non-small-cell lung cancer.
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common and frequently incurable disease. Patients with advanced Stage IIIB and Stage IV disease, although not candidates for curative resection, can benefit from receiving treatment (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) that prolongs survival, alleviates symptoms, and/or reduces complications. However, these therapies are often associated with significant adverse events. ⋯ ZD1839 is one of a new class of targeted anticancer agents known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors that has demonstrated activity in the treatment of NSCLC. In clinical trials, ZD1839 produced responses in patients with relapsed or refractory NSCLC, reduced disease-related symptoms, and was associated with an improvement in quality of life. Results from pivotal trials with single-agent ZD1839 are reviewed in this article, with an emphasis on its effects on quality of life and symptom improvement.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2004
Effect of transurethral resection on urinary quality of life after permanent prostate brachytherapy.
To determine the effect of transurethral resection on urinary function after permanent prostate brachytherapy using a validated, patient-administered, quality-of-life (QOL) instrument. ⋯ TURP results in diminished urinary QOL after brachytherapy. However, patients who underwent preimplant TURP had urinary QOL approaching that of non-TURP brachytherapy patients. Significant urinary dysfunction was noted in approximately one-half of patients who underwent postimplant TURP (especially pre- and postimplant TURP). Because most patients with brachytherapy-related urinary obstruction will eventually spontaneously void, TURP should be approached with extreme caution and only after substantial time has transpired.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2004
Short-term androgen deprivation and PSA doubling time: their association and relationship to disease progression after radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between PSA doubling time (PSADT) and initial management of prostate cancer with short-term androgen deprivation (STAD) and the impact of these factors on disease progression after radiation therapy. ⋯ Longer TTBF, Gleason Score 2-6 tumors, and STAD were predictive of longer PSADT. Even after adjusting for these factors in the capacity of their predictive properties for PSADT, STAD and observed PSADT continued to be significant independent predictors of FDM, CSS, and OS. STAD appears to have a pronounced impact on disease progression, probably the result partly of the prolongation of PSADT.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2004
Level II lymph nodes and radiation-induced xerostomia.
To investigate the influence of the cranial border of electively irradiated Level II lymph nodes on xerostomia in patients with oropharyngeal cancer using three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (3D-CRT and IMRT). ⋯ Lowering the cranial border of the Level II lymph nodes from C1 to C2, in the case of bilateral elective neck irradiation, could be considered on the contralateral side when the risk of metastasis on that side is very low. This is especially true when IMRT is used, because the relative reduction of NTCP for xerostomia 1 year after RT could be up to 68% compared with conventional conformal RT up to C1.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2004
Influence of hormonal therapy on late rectal function after permanent prostate brachytherapy with or without supplemental external beam radiotherapy.
Recent clinical studies have reported a relationship between the use of hormonal therapy and degradation in rectal function after external beam radiotherapy. Using a patient-administered quality-of-life instrument, we evaluated the effect of hormonal therapy on late rectal function after permanent prostate brachytherapy with or without supplemental external beam radiotherapy. ⋯ After permanent prostate brachytherapy, no statistically significant difference in bowel habits was discerned when stratified by hormonal status. In addition, only 12% of brachytherapy patients reported deterioration in bowel function after implantation.