Clinical oncology : a journal of the Royal College of Radiologists
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Nov 2012
Stage for stage comparison of recurrence patterns after definitive chemoradiotherapy or surgery for oesophageal carcinoma.
Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) has been advocated as an alternative treatment for oesophageal carcinoma, but received criticism for perceived poorer locoregional disease control when compared with surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the relative incidence and pattern of oesophageal carcinoma recurrence after dCRT and surgery in patients receiving stage-directed therapy with curative intent. ⋯ These findings provide further support for a randomised trial of dCRT versus surgery in both oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Oct 2012
Long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of re-irradiation for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma using intensity-modulated radiotherapy.
To analyse the outcomes and to evaluate the prognostic factors involved in the re-irradiation of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). ⋯ Re-irradiation using IMRT is available to improve local tumour control and to prolong patients' survival. A smaller tumour volume, higher fractional dose, younger patient ages, lower rN(0) stage and early recurrent stage are all independent prognostic factors for overall survival of recurrent NPC. It is of clinical importance to select the appropriate recurrent NPC cases for salvage re-irradiation by IMRT.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Sep 2012
Cost-effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiotherapy in prostate cancer.
To compare the costs and effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for the radical treatment of localised prostate cancer at elevated doses (>70 Gy). ⋯ For radical radiation treatment (>70 Gy) of prostate cancer, IMRT seems to be cost-effective when compared with an equivalent dose of 3DCRT.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Sep 2012
Cost-effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiotherapy in oropharyngeal cancer.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is an advanced radiation technique that is particularly suited to treating head and neck cancers because it can conform a high dose to the target volume while preserving the tissue function of neighbouring structures. The objective of this study was to compare the cost and effectiveness of IMRT with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for the treatment of locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer. ⋯ In the treatment of locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma, the IMRT strategy appears to be cost-effective when compared with 3DCRT.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Aug 2012
Predictive factors for well-being in advanced cancer patients referred for palliative radiotherapy.
Well-being falls within a broad category of quality of life indicators and encompasses both physical and emotional factors. Identification of the most important factors affecting overall well-being may allow health care practitioners to target these symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine factors most predictive of well-being in advanced cancer patients. ⋯ Greater distress in physical and emotional symptoms assessed by ESAS contributes significantly to poorer well-being. Management for patients with advanced cancer should be directed towards these symptoms, as they form the basis for well-being. Although emotional symptoms may be scored lower than physical symptoms by patients, both significantly affect well-being.