International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2001
The use of high-dose-rate brachytherapy alone after lumpectomy in patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy.
We present the preliminary results of our in-house protocol using outpatient high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy as the sole radiation modality following lumpectomy in patients with early-stage breast cancer. ⋯ In selected patients with early-stage breast cancer, treatment of the lumpectomy cavity alone with outpatient HDR brachytherapy is both technically feasible and well tolerated. Early results are encouraging, however, longer follow-up is necessary before equivalence to standard whole-breast irradiation can be established and to determine the most optimal radiation therapy technique to be employed.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2001
MR-spectroscopy guided target delineation for high-grade gliomas.
Functional/metabolic information provided by MR-spectroscopy (MRSI) suggests MRI may not be a reliable indicator of active and microscopic disease in malignant brain tumors. We assessed the impact MRSI might have on the target volumes used for radiation therapy treatment planning for high-grade gliomas. ⋯ The use of MRSI to define target volumes for RT treatment planning would increase, and change the location of, the volume receiving a boost dose as well as reduce the volume receiving a standard dose. Incorporation of MRSI into the treatment-planning process may have the potential to improve control while reducing complications.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2001
Acute urinary toxicity following transperineal prostate brachytherapy using a modified Quimby loading method.
To examine the acute urinary toxicity following transperineal prostate implant using a modified Quimby loading method with regard to time course, severity, and factors that may be associated with a higher incidence of morbidity. ⋯ Interstitial brachytherapy for prostate cancer leads to a high incidence of acute urinary toxicity, most of which is mild to moderate in severity. A prolonged need for catheterization can occur in some patients. Patients receiving brachytherapy alone, those with prostate volumes greater than 30 cc, and those implanted with a greater number of seeds have the highest incidence of significant toxicity.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2001
Dosimetric evaluation of lung tumor immobilization using breath hold at deep inspiration.
To examine the dosimetric benefit of self-gated radiotherapy at deep-inspiration breath hold (DIBH) in the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The relative contributions of tumor immobilization at breath hold (BH) and increased lung volume at deep inspiration (DI) in sparing high-dose lung irradiation (> or = 20 Gy) were examined. ⋯ Compared to FB conditions, at DIBH the mean reduction in percent lung volume receiving > or = 20 Gy was 14.3% with the increase in lung volume alone, 22.1% with tumor immobilization alone, and 32.5% with the combined effect. The dosimetric benefit seen at DIBH was patient specific, and due to both the increased lung volume seen at DI and the PTV margin reduction seen with tumor immobilization.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2001
Multicenter StudyMammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast treated with breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation: long-term outcome and prognostic significance of patient age and margin status.
This study was performed to determine the long-term outcome for women with mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; intraductal carcinoma) of the breast treated with breast-conserving surgery followed by definitive breast irradiation. ⋯ The 15-year results from the present study demonstrated high rates of overall survival, cause-specific survival, and freedom from distant metastases following the treatment of mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast using breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation. Younger age and positive margins of resection were both independently associated with an increased risk of local failure. The 15-year results in the present study serve as an important benchmark for comparison with other treatment modalities. These results support the use of breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation for the treatment of appropriately selected patients with mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.