International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
-
Irradiation of the parotid glands causes salivary dysfunction, resulting in reduced salivary flow. Recovery can be seen with time; however, long-term prospective data are lacking. The objective of this study was to analyze the long-term parotid gland function after irradiation for head-and-neck cancer. ⋯ Salivary output can still recover many years after RT. At 5 years after RT, we found an increase in the salivary flow rate of approximately 32% compared with at 12 months after RT.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2005
Dose and volume parameters for MRI-based treatment planning in intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based treatment planning in intracavitary brachytherapy allows optimization of the dose distribution on a patient-by-patient basis. In addition to traditionally used point dose and volume parameters, dose-volume histogram (DVH) analysis enables further possibilities for prescribing and reporting. This study reports the systematic development of our concept applied in clinical routine. ⋯ A standard loading pattern should be used as the starting point for MRI-based optimization. Individual changes of active dwell positions and dwell weights are guided by a concept of DVH constraints for target and organs at risk. In our clinical routine, the dose to point A and dose received by at least 90% of the volume for the clinical target volume are both comparable to the prescribed dose. The DVH constraints for organs at risk allow reproducible treatment plans, helping to detect and avoid severe overdosage.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2005
A cost comparison analysis of partial versus whole-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery for early-stage breast cancer.
To assess, if and for whom, there are cost savings associated with alternate breast radiotherapy (RT) techniques when compared with the conventional external beam-based whole-breast RT with a boost (WBRT-B). ⋯ Based on societal cost considerations, WBRT-AC appears to be the preferred approach. If one were to pursue a partial-breast RT regimen to minimize patient costs, it would be more advantageous from a societal perspective to pursue external beam-based approaches such as APBI-3D-CRT or APBI-IMRT in lieu of the brachytherapy-based regimens.
-
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jul 2005
Clinical TrialToxicity after three-dimensional radiotherapy for prostate cancer on RTOG 9406 dose Level V.
This is the first report of toxicity outcomes at dose Level V (78 Gy) on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9406 for Stages T1-T2 adenocarcinoma of the prostate. ⋯ Tolerance to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with 78 Gy in 2-Gy fractions remains better than expected compared with historical controls. The magnitude of any effect from fraction size and treatment volume requires additional follow-up.