Clinical oncology : a journal of the Royal College of Radiologists
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Dec 2011
Palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases in the last 3 months of life: worthwhile or futile?
To determine the efficacy of radiotherapy for the palliation of pain from bone metastases among patients in their last 3 months of life. ⋯ Despite their limited lifespan, patients reported pain relief after palliative radiotherapy. Patients suffering from painful bone metastases with an estimated survival of 3 months should still be considered for palliative radiotherapy.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Oct 2011
Can nurses manage gastrointestinal symptoms arising from pelvic radiation disease?
About 17,000 patients receive radiotherapy for pelvic cancer in the UK annually. Up to 50% are left with altered bowel function affecting quality of life. The UK National Cancer Survivorship Initiative Vision acknowledges that the needs of cancer survivors are not being met and challenges professionals to develop new models of care. ⋯ An experienced nurse, working within a defined scope of practice, with medical support can manage care in patients with mild or moderate symptoms arising after pelvic radiotherapy. An ongoing randomised controlled trial is assessing patient outcomes.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Oct 2011
Linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery for brain arteriovenous malformations.
Most papers dealing with radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) present the results of gamma-knife treatment, whereas linac radiosurgery is becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, there is still much uncertainty about the rationale of combined endovascular and radiosurgical treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate obliteration and rebleeding rates, and to determine factors influencing obliteration and adverse effects after linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery for cerebral AVMs. ⋯ At least a 3 year follow-up is required to accurately assess the outcome. The best effects of the treatment are achieved for small (<3cm), low-grade lesions with a low AVM score. The bleeding risk after stereotactic radiosurgery gradually decreases.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Sep 2011
Clinical TrialPalliative response and functional interference outcomes using the Brief Pain Inventory for spinal bony metastases treated with conventional radiotherapy.
To report pain and functional interference responses in patients radiated for painful spinal metastases, and to determine if location within the vertebral column or dose fractionation are associated with response. ⋯ Conventional radiotherapy with 8Gy in a single fraction for spine metastases resulted in effective palliation of pain at 3 months and had a positive effect on a patient's mood. Location within the spine was not a predictive factor.