International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Mar 2001
The local field in infratentorial ependymoma: does the entire posterior fossa need to be treated?
In the past decade, there have been multiple reports indicating that the predominant problem in the curative treatment of intracranial ependymoma is local failure. As a result, many have recommended local field radiotherapy. For infratentorial ependymoma, there is controversy regarding what constitutes the local field. Some radiation oncologists advocate coverage of the entire posterior fossa, whereas others recommend radiotherapy to the tumor bed and a safety margin. ⋯ For nondisseminated, low-grade infratentorial ependymoma, the radiotherapy volume does not need to include the entire posterior fossa. This information can be used to minimize late effects of RT in the era of three-dimensional (conformal) radiotherapy. No conclusion can be reached regarding the appropriate local field for high-grade infratentorial ependymoma because of the small number of patients.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Feb 2001
Individualization of dose prescription based on normal-tissue dose-volume and radiosensitivity data.
The aim of this paper is to illustrate the potential gain in tumor control probability (TCP) of prostate cancer patients by individualizing the prescription dose according to both normal-tissue (N-T) dose-volume and radiosensitivity data. ⋯ There is a potential gain (increase in local tumor control) from dose individualisation strategies based on both N-T dose-volume data and radiosensitivity (assuming that this is available). Dose prescription individualization based only on dose-volume data can be exploited provided that reliable N-T response models are available. There will be additional gains if some estimate of N-T radiosensitivity is available to allow further patient stratification, identification of patients with high radiosensitivity being particularly important.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2001
The status of radiation oncology training programs and their graduates in 1999.
To keep the profession apprised of current trends in the job market, the American College of Radiology (ACR) studied the employment situation of 1999 radiation oncology graduates and the status and plans of radiation oncology training programs. ⋯ Directors' perceptions of graduates' job prospects remain optimistic, and the employment situation remains the same as in past years, when reported unemployment was approximately 1%-2% or less by six months after graduation.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2001
Long-term complications of total body irradiation in adults.
To report long-term pulmonary, thyroid, and ocular complications in patients who had conditioning regimens including total body irradiation (TBI) before bone marrow transplantation (BMT). ⋯ From this retrospective study it was shown that long-term complications of TBI were not symptomatic in most patients. The role of parameters of irradiation and especially position of treatment and beam energy should be emphasized and assessed with a longer follow-up.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2001
Review Comparative StudyQuality of life study in prostate cancer patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy: comparing late bowel and bladder quality of life symptoms to that of the normal population.
The goals of this study were twofold. First, differences were quantified for symptoms that impact bowel and bladder quality of life (QOL) in prostate cancer patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) alone to the prostate vs. whole pelvis with prostate boost. Second, bowel and bladder QOL measures for these patients were compared to those of the normal population of men with a similar age distribution. ⋯ This is the first long-term study of QOL in men treated with high-dose 3DCRT for prostate cancer. It demonstrates that these men enjoy QOL related to bladder function similar to that of the normal population. Few patients report bother from bowel symptoms as a big problem but tend to have more very small to moderate bother than the normal population. Treatment of prostate cancer patients to the whole pelvis may result in decreased QOL as defined by rectal urgency, the use of pads for bowel incontinence, and satisfaction with bowel functioning. However, regardless of field size, men are generally satisfied with their bowel and bladder functioning three to six years post treatment.