International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialMorbidity of adjuvant brachytherapy in soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity and superficial trunk.
We have previously shown that adjuvant brachytherapy (BRT) improves local control in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremity and superficial trunk. A detailed assessment of the morbidity of this approach has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity associated with adjuvant BRT in terms of wound complications, bone fracture, and peripheral nerve damage. ⋯ The overall morbidity associated with adjuvant BRT was not significantly higher than that with surgery alone. However, BRT and WES > 4 cm were associated with significantly higher wound reoperation rate. This has significant implications for strategies designed to maximize wound coverage in patients who receive BRT.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialValidation of the RTOG recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classification for brain metastases.
The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) previously developed three prognostic classes for brain metastases using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) of a large database. These classes were based on Karnofsky performance status (KPS), primary tumor status, presence of extracranial system metastases, and age. An analysis of RTOG 91-04, a randomized study comparing two dose-fractionation schemes with a comparison to the established RTOG database, was considered important to validate the RPA classes. ⋯ This analysis indicates that the RPA classes are valid and reliable for historical comparisons. Both the RTOG and other clinical trial organizers should currently utilize this RPA classification as a stratification factor for clinical trials.