Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
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Comparative Study
Influence of internal mammary node irradiation on long-term outcome and contralateral breast cancer incidence in node-negative breast cancer patients.
There is no general consensus concerning irradiation (RT) of internal mammary nodes (IMN) in axillary node-negative breast cancer. Based on a large series of patients treated in a single institute and followed up for a long period of time, we looked at the influence of IMN RT on late outcome of these patients as well as the development of contralateral breast cancer (CBC). ⋯ IMN RT in node-negative tumours was associated with increase in OS and CSS in patients with inner or centrally located lesions. An increase in CBC development was also noticed in long-survivors of IMN RT patients; however, these findings have to be interpreted with caution because of the difference in follow-up between the 2 groups. Further studies are warranted to investigate the potential role of IMN irradiation in the development of CBC.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Quality of life impact of treatments for localized prostate cancer: cohort study with a 5 year follow-up.
To assess long-term quality of life (QoL) impact of treatments in localized prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy. ⋯ Brachytherapy is the treatment causing the least impact on QoL except for moderate urinary irritative-obstructive symptoms. Our study provides novel long-term valuable information for clinical decision making, supporting brachytherapy as a possible alternative to radical prostatectomy for patients seeking an attempted curative treatment, while limiting the risk for urinary incontinence and sexual impact on QoL.
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Comparative Study
Radiotherapy boost dose-escalation for invasive breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery: 2093 patients treated with a prospective margin-directed policy.
To investigate the outcome of invasive early breast cancer patients that underwent breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), treated with a prospective margin-directed institutional policy for RT boost dose, based on final margins status (FMS). ⋯ Our experience showed that a margin-directed policy of RT boost dose-escalation seems to reduce the negative impact of FMS on LR, but it is not able to overcome the unfavorable effect of higher nuclear grade, higher T stage and triple negative subtype.
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Comparative Study
Population-based outcomes of boost versus salvage radiosurgery for brain metastases after whole brain radiotherapy.
We conducted a retrospective population-based study to examine the survival outcomes in patients with brain metastases treated with salvage stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), compared to boost SRS, after previous whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). ⋯ In selected patients with brain metastases treated with WBRT, survival following salvage SRS is as good as survival after WBRT + boost SRS.
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Many head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors experience diminished quality of life due to radiation-induced dysphagia. The aim of this study was to investigate frequency, intensity and dose-volume dependency for late dysphagia in HNC patients treated with curative IMRT. ⋯ Radiation-induced dysphagia is still important, with a high degree of retention and penetration. Introduction of parotid-sparing IMRT has reduced the severity of dysphagia, primarily through a major reduction in xerostomia. Dose-response relationships were found for specific dysphagia endpoints.