International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 2005
Stereotactic proton beam therapy for intracranial arteriovenous malformations.
To investigate hypofractionated stereotactic proton therapy of predominantly large intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) by analyzing retrospectively the results from a cohort of patients. ⋯ Stereotactic proton beam therapy applied in a hypofractionated schedule allows for the safe treatment of large AVMs, with acceptable results. It is an alternative to other treatment strategies for large AVMs. AVMs are likely not static entities, but probably undergo vascular remodeling. Factors influencing angiogenesis could play a new role in a form of adjuvant therapy to improve on the radiosurgical results.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · May 2005
High-dose-rate brachytherapy in uterine cervical carcinoma.
High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is in wide use for curative treatment of cervical cancer. The American Brachytherapy Society has recommended that the individual fraction size be <7.5 Gy and the range of fractions should be four to eight; however, many fractionation schedules, varying from institution to institution, are in use. We use 9 Gy/fraction of HDR in two to five fractions in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix. We found that our results and toxicity were comparable to those reported in the literature and hereby present our experience with this fractionation schedule. ⋯ The results of our study indicate that HDR brachytherapy at 9 Gy/fraction is both safe and effective in the management of carcinoma of the cervix, with good local control and a minimum of normal tissue toxicity.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Error in the delivery of radiation therapy: results of a quality assurance review.
To examine error rates in the delivery of radiation therapy (RT), technical factors associated with RT errors, and the influence of a quality improvement intervention on the RT error rate. ⋯ Errors in the delivery of RT are uncommon and usually of little clinical significance. Patient subgroups and technical factors associated with errors can be identified. The introduction of new technology can produce new ways for errors to occur, necessitating ongoing evaluation of RT errors for quality assurance. Modifications to processes of care can produce important reductions in error rates.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Initial clinical experience with frameless radiosurgery for patients with intracranial metastases.
To review the initial clinical experience with frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for treating intracranial metastatic disease. ⋯ Frameless optically guided radiosurgery is less invasive, can be performed as a standard radiotherapy-based simulation procedure, and maintains submillimetric accuracy. Our initial results with frameless SRS for metastatic disease suggest survival times and local control (88%) eqiuvalent to frame-based methodologies. Practical noninvasive delivery makes treatment and potential retreatment to avoid WBRT more feasible.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2005
Treatment of bone metastases with palliative radiotherapy: patients' treatment preferences.
To determine the proportion of patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT) for bone pain who would like to participate in the decision-making process, and to determine their choice of palliative RT regimen (2000 cGy in five fractions vs. 800 cGy in one fraction) for painful bone metastases. ⋯ Most participating patients preferred to decide either by themselves or with the radiation oncologists which treatment option they preferred. An 800-cGy-in-one-fraction regimen was favored, independent of the treated site. The convenience of the treatment plan and the likelihood of bone fracture were the most important factors influencing patients' choice.