Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
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The aim of the study was to analyze health-related quality of life changes after postoperative radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer. ⋯ In contrast to bowel symptoms, acute urinary problems recover very soon after the end of postoperative RT. After >1 year, only minor HRQOL changes occurred in comparison to baseline scores.
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The two main modalities to deliver high dose to the prostate and prevent high doses to neighboring organs are intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or external beam radiotherapy combined with brachytherapy. Because of the different biological effectiveness the physical dose distributions were converted to 3-dimensional linear quadratic dose at 2 Gy per fraction (EQD(2)). From the latter, cumulative EQD(2)-volume histograms were determined for comparison of the modalities. ⋯ Because of the high doses within an implant, the dose in 50% of the prostate volume is much higher with the brachytherapy modalities than IMRT-only which may have clinical consequences. With brachytherapy the doses to the OAR are lower or similar to IMRT-only. Dose escalation for prostate tumors is more easily achieved with brachytherapy than with IMRT alone. Therefore, brachytherapy might be the preferred modality to achieve further dose escalation.
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Lower urinary tract symptoms are frequently observed after I-125 seed implantation of the prostate. More knowledge about causes and predictors is necessary to be able to develop less toxic implantation techniques. The aim of this study was to identify implantation related factors that contribute to post-implant urinary morbidity. ⋯ Bladder hotspot dose appears to be an important dosimetric predictor for urinary morbidity both at 3 months and at 6 months after implantation. Other predictors are prostate volume, or equivalently, the number of implanted seeds.
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To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing active breathing coordinator (ABC) in 3DCRT for HCC. ⋯ The utilization of ABC in HCC 3DCRT is feasible, and can reduce liver irradiation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized clinical trial of post-operative radiotherapy versus concomitant carboplatin and radiotherapy for head and neck cancers with lymph node involvement.
Post-operative radiotherapy is indicated for the treatment of head and neck cancers. In vitro, chemotherapy potentiates the cytotoxic effects of radiation. We report the results of a randomized trial testing post-operative radiotherapy alone versus concomitant carboplatin and radiotherapy for head and neck cancers with lymph node involvement. ⋯ Twice-weekly administration of carboplatin concomitant to post-operative radiotherapy did not improve local control or overall survival rates in this population of patients with node-positive head and neck cancers.