Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
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Comparative Study
Automated non-coplanar beam direction optimization improves IMRT in SBRT of liver metastasis.
To investigate whether automatically optimized coplanar, or non-coplanar beam setups improve intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment plans for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of liver tumors, compared to a reference equi-angular IMRT plan. ⋯ Compared to an equi-angular beam setup, computer optimized non-coplanar setups do result in substantial improvements in IMRT plans for SBRT of liver tumors.
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Since 1982, the Radiation Oncology Group of the EORTC (EORTC ROG) has pursued an extensive Quality Assurance (QA) program involving all centres actively participating in its clinical research. The first step is the evaluation of the structure and of the human, technical and organisational resources of the centres, to assess their ability to comply with the current requirements for high-tech radiotherapy (RT). ⋯ The use of the FQ helps maintain the minimum quality requirements within the EORTC ROG network: recommendations are made on the basis of the analysis of its results. The present analysis shows that modern RT techniques are widely implemented in the clinic but also that ERDA should be performed more frequently. Repeated assessment using the FQ is warranted to document the future evolution of the EORTC ROG institutions.
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Comparative Study
Additional PET/CT in week 5-6 of radiotherapy for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer as a means of dose escalation planning?
Loco-regional failure after radiotherapy with total doses of 60-70 Gy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a major clinical problem. Escalation of radiation dose is often limited because of exceeding normal tissue constraints. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that a reduction in disease volume during radiotherapy detected by FDG PET/CT would facilitate radiation dose escalation, whilst remaining within normal tissue constraints. ⋯ Our data suggest that despite tumour shrinkage determined by subsequent FDG PET/CT during treatment the tested adaptive targeting strategy would result only in a modest improvement in the context of dose escalation. Further studies on the optimal use of FDG PET/CT and other approaches for dose escalation in loco-regionally advanced NSCLC are warranted.
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Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) represents an advance in the better delineation of the target contours and more accurate dose distributions. The purpose of this study was to identify local control prognostic factors in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) treated with 3D-CRT. ⋯ This study shows that local control was independently related to PTV-1 size. The great majority of local recurrences were located in the high-dose region. Dosimetric parameters may contribute to improving radiotherapy results in multidisciplinary treatment for LA-NSCLC.
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To evaluate the efficacy of dose-individualized stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and adjuvant chemotherapy in stage T1-3N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ Patients treated with the dose-individualization strategy of SBRT showed excellent local control and improved survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy may reduce the frequency of relapse and increase overall survival in stage at T1-3N0M0 NSCLC patients.