Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
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Comparative Study
A phase II trial for the optimisation of treatment position in the radiation therapy of prostate cancer.
Patient immobilisation and position are important contributors to the reproducibility and accuracy of radiation therapy. In addition the choice of position can alter the external contour of the treated area and has the potential to alter the spatial relationship between internal organs. The published literature demonstrates variation in the use of the prone and supine position for prostate cancer radiation therapy. Previous investigators using different protocols for patient preparation, imaging and target volume definition have demonstrated changes in the calculated therapeutic ratio comparing the two positions. We did not use rigid immobilisation, laxatives, rectal catheters or bladder voiding and assessed if in the prone position would cause a reduction of the dose to the rectum. We performed a prospective comparison of the two positions in 26 patients to determine if the differences in the spatial relation between the rectum and the planning target volume (PTV) would impact on dose-volume histograms to organs at risk (OAR). We also determined if any such improvement might permit dose escalation. ⋯ The use of the prone position reduced the dose to the unprepared rectum and unvoided bladder in the majority of cases. It should be considered particularly in cases where large posterior seminal vesicles cause significant overlap between the planning target volume and the rectum.
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The aim of the study was to analyze health-related quality of life changes after postoperative radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer. ⋯ In contrast to bowel symptoms, acute urinary problems recover very soon after the end of postoperative RT. After >1 year, only minor HRQOL changes occurred in comparison to baseline scores.
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To compare the dose coverage of planning and clinical target volume (PTV, CTV), and organs-at-risk (OAR) between intensity-modulated (3D-IMRT) and conventional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) before and after internal organ variation in prostate cancer. ⋯ Dose coverage of the PTV and OAR was better with 3D-IMRT for each patient and remained so after internal volume changes.
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To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing active breathing coordinator (ABC) in 3DCRT for HCC. ⋯ The utilization of ABC in HCC 3DCRT is feasible, and can reduce liver irradiation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Randomized clinical trial on 7-days-a-week postoperative radiotherapy for high-risk squamous cell head and neck cancer.
To evaluate the normal tissue reactions and loco-regional control rates (LRC) in patients treated with 7-days-a-week postoperative continuous irradiation (p-CAIR) compared to conventionally fractionated 5-days-a-week postoperative radiotherapy (CF). ⋯ An improvement in LRC attributable to acceleration of postoperative radiotherapy appeared restricted to the patients with cancer of the oropharynx/oral cavity. In patients with cancer of the larynx acceleration of postoperative radiotherapy did not have any beneficial effect.