International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Oct 2003
Activity-based costing: a practical model for cost calculation in radiotherapy.
The activity-based costing method was used to compute radiotherapy costs. This report describes the model developed, the calculated costs, and possible applications for the Leuven radiotherapy department. ⋯ The presented activity-based costing model is a practical tool to evaluate the actual cost structure of a radiotherapy department and to evaluate possible resource or practice changes.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Sep 2003
Clinical TrialOropharyngeal candidiasis caused by non-albicans yeast in patients receiving external beam radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer.
To characterize non-albicans Candida oral infections in patients with head-and-neck cancer receiving external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy. ⋯ Non-albicans Candida is emerging as a relatively common cause of OPC in head-and-neck cancer patients. Chromogenic media are helpful to screen these infections. Our data also suggest a greater likelihood of developing OPC in patients receiving concomitant chemotherapy and EBRT.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Sep 2003
Clinical TrialLate rectal function after prostate brachytherapy.
Using a patient-administered quality of life instrument, to evaluate the effect of permanent prostate brachytherapy on late rectal function. ⋯ Minor bowel changes are noted following prostate brachytherapy. The vast majority of patients did not report any deterioration in bowel function. In addition, the R-FAS continue to improve with time.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Sep 2003
Comparative StudyIs it necessary to eliminate the posterior dose margin in prostate brachytherapy to achieve an acceptably low risk of late rectal morbidity?
The use of a posterior dose margin in (125)I prostate brachytherapy is controversial. The posterior margin is often eliminated to lower the risk of late rectal morbidity (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group protocols 9805 and P-0019), but this may compromise the posterior prostate dose coverage. The purpose of this work is to determine whether it is necessary to eliminate the posterior margin to achieve an acceptably low risk of Grade 2 (bleeding/ulceration) late rectal morbidity. ⋯ Our results indicate that a 2-3-mm posterior dose margin can be used in prostate brachytherapy with a relatively low (2-3%) risk of Grade 2 (bleeding/ulceration) late rectal morbidity, provided the sources in the posterior row are implanted at least 3 mm from the edge of the prostate. A practical guideline is to keep the maximum rectal dose below 150% of the target dose.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Sep 2003
Clinical TrialQuality of life after parotid-sparing IMRT for head-and-neck cancer: a prospective longitudinal study.
Parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head-and-neck cancer reduces xerostomia compared with standard RT. To assess potential improvements in broader aspects of quality of life (QOL), we initiated a study of patient-reported QOL and its predictors after IMRT. ⋯ After parotid-sparing IMRT, a statistically significant correlation was noted between patient-reported xerostomia and each of the domains of QOL: Eating, Communication, Pain, and Emotion. Both xerostomia and QOL scores improved significantly over time during the first year after therapy. These results suggest that the efforts to improve xerostomia using IMRT may yield improvements in broad aspects of QOL.