International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2004
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialFeasibility of neurocognitive outcome evaluations in patients with brain metastases in a multi-institutional cooperative group setting: results of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trial BR-0018.
A multi-institutional trial was conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) to test the feasibility of performing a test battery consisting of five neurocognitive measures and a quality-of-life instrument in patients with brain metastases. ⋯ Neurocognitive evaluation of patients with brain metastases in a multi-institutional and cooperative group setting is feasible using the test battery and certification process used in this study. This battery and certification process will be incorporated into future RTOG brain tumor trials.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2004
Significance of plasma transforming growth factor-beta levels in radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer.
In dose-escalation studies of radiotherapy (RT) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), radiation pneumonitis (RP) is the most important dose-limiting complication. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) has been reported to be associated with the incidence of RP. It has been proposed that serial measurements of plasma TGF-beta1 can be valuable to estimate the risk of RP and to decide whether additional dose-escalation can be safely applied. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the time course of TGF-beta1 levels in patients irradiated for NSCLC in relation to the development of RP and dose-volume parameters. ⋯ The MLD correlated significantly with the incidence of both radiographic and symptomatic RP. The results of our study did not confirm the reports that increased levels of TGF-beta1 at the end of RT are an independent additional risk factor for developing symptomatic RP. However, the TGF-beta1 level at the end of a RT was significantly associated with the MLD and the pre-RT level.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2004
Clinical TrialPhase I study of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin by continuous infusion chronotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer.
To determine the maximal tolerated dose of chronomodulated 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) given concurrently with radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer. ⋯ Preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer using chronomodulated 5-FU and LV is feasible. The recommended Phase II dose is 5-FU 200 mg/m2 and LV 20 mg/m2 daily for 5 weeks.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2004
Hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy as retreatment for symptomatic non-small-cell lung carcinoma: an effective treatment?
To evaluate prospectively the efficacy, toxicity, and duration of the palliative effect of retreatment with external beam radiotherapy in symptomatic patients with recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer. ⋯ External beam hypofractionated reirradiation can be effective as a palliative treatment for local complaints in non-small-cell lung cancer. The complication rate of reirradiation was acceptably low.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Apr 2004
Characterization of rectal normal tissue complication probability after high-dose external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
Conformal radiotherapy (RT) has allowed radiation dose escalation to improve the outcome of prostate cancer. With higher doses, concern exists that rectal injury may increase. This study analyzed the utility and limitations of the widely used Lyman-Kutcher- Burman (LKB) normal tissue complication probability model in projecting the hazards of rectal complication with high-dose RT. ⋯ Our analysis suggests a dose response for rectal bleeding probability along with a volume effect. We found that the LKB model might have limited utility in determining a large volume effect. We further suggest that LKB model should be used with caution in clinical practice.