A novel method to evaluate salivary flow rates of head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy: a pilot study.

Introduction: The procedure used to evaluate salivary flow rate is called sialometry. It can be performed through several techniques, but none appears to be really efficient for post-radiotherapy patients.

Objective: To adequate sialometry tests for head and neck cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy.

Impact of low-level laser therapy on hyposalivation, salivary pH, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy.

Late effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer treatment have been increasingly investigated due to its impact on patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on hyposalivation, low salivary pH, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy. Twenty-nine patients with radiation-induced xerostomia received laser sessions twice a week, during 3 months (24 sessions).

Low-Level Laser for Mitigation of Low Salivary Flow Rate in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiochemotherapy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the impact of low-level laser (LLL) on low salivary flow rate in patients undergoing radiochemotherapy (RT-CT) for head and neck cancer.

Background Data: LLL has shown efficiency in preventing hyposalivation in patients under different pathological conditions, including those undergoing RT-CT.

Methods: During all RT-CT, 17 patients received laser therapy and 10 received clinical care only.

Low-level laser therapy for the prevention of low salivary flow rate after radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Objective: To determine whether low-level laser therapy can prevent salivary hypofunction after radiotherapy and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 23 head and neck cancer patients, of whom 13 received laser therapy and 10 received clinical care only. An InGaAlP laser was used intra-orally (at 660 nm and 40 mW) at a mean dose of 10.

Strategies to evaluate the impact of rectal volume on prostate motion during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the rectal volume influence on prostate motion during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-one patients with prostate cancer underwent a series of three computed tomography scans including an initial planning scan and two subsequent scans during 3D-CRT. The organs of interest were outlined.

Outcome of cerebral arteriovenous malformations after linear accelerator reirradiation.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients undergoing single-dose reirradiation using the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM).

Methods: A retrospective study of 37 patients with brain AVM undergoing LINAC reirradiation between April 2003 and November 2011 was carried out. Patient characteristics, for example, gender, age, use of medications, and comorbidities; disease characteristics, for example, Spetzler-Martin grading system, location, volume, modified Pollock-Flickinger score; and treatment characteristics, for example, embolization, prescription dose, radiation dose-volume curves, and conformity index were analyzed.

Long-term oral effects in patients treated with radiochemotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the late oral complications and the role of salivary gland hypofunction in the severity of mucosal reaction in nonsurgical head and neck cancer patients, submitted to radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Five hundred fifteen charts from patients treated between 2005 and 2009 were reviewed, and 41 patients met the inclusion criteria. Salivary gland function was assessed using a simplified grading system (GSX) and sialometry.

[Mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiochemotherapy].

The objective of present study was to classify oral mucositis according to the Common Toxicity Criterion (CTC) international parameters in head and neck tumor patients simultaneously treated with radio and chemotherapy, and characterize a patient profile in our area, observing the individuals' habits, tumor characteristics, treatment protocol and acute reaction intensity. Fifty patients undergoing simultaneous 66 to 70 Gy megavoltage radiotherapy and cisplatin/carboplatin chemotherapy were evaluated in this study. Weekly evaluations of the degree of mucositis were perfoemed according to CTC, a four-degree ordinal scale; 36% of all patients and 100% of those with diabetes discontinued treatment due to mucositis, showing that this pathology contributes to the severity of mucositis.

Protracted hypofractionated radiotherapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy: a pilot study of clinical and radiologic response.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic response of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy given low-dose orbital radiotherapy (RT) with a protracted fractionation.

Methods And Materials: Eighteen patients (36 orbits) received orbital RT with a total dose of 10 Gy, fractionated in 1 Gy once a week over 10 weeks. Of these, 9 patients received steroid therapy as well.

Resident peritoneal inflammatory cells are pivotal in the development of experimental atherosclerosis.

Aim: Based on evidence that ionizing radiation can ameliorate chronic and autoimmune diseases in patients and experimental animals, we investigated the effects of radiation on the induction and development of experimental atherogenesis.

Methods: Male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups and given an atherogenic diet for 90 days. Peritoneal and thoracic areas (9 Gy) were irradiated on the 1st and 45th days for groups 1 and 2, the 45th day for groups 3 and 4, and not at all for group 5.