Template-based Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: A Cost-effective Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Planning Procedure for Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been widely accepted for the treatment of prostate cancer. In comparison with traditional three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), it improves local control while minimizing side effects. However, IMRT comes at a significantly higher cost.

A three-isocenter jagged-junction IMRT approach for craniospinal irradiation without beam edge matching for field junctions.

Purpose: Traditionally craniospinal irradiation treats the central nervous system using two or three adjacent field sets. We propose a technique using a three-isocenter intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan (jagged-junction IMRT) which overcomes problems associated with field junctions and beam edge matching and improves planning and treatment setup efficiencies with homogenous target dose distribution.

Methods And Materials: Treatments for 3 patients with a prescription of 36 Gy in 20 fractions were retrospectively planned with jagged-junction IMRT and compared to conventional treatment plans.

Evaluation of dosimetric parameters and disease response after 125 iodine transperineal brachytherapy for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Purpose: To analyze dosimetric outcomes after permanent brachytherapy for men with low-risk and "low-tier" intermediate-risk prostate cancer and explore the relationship between the traditional dosimetric values, V100 (volume of prostate receiving 100% of the prescribed dose) and D90 (minimum dose to 90% of the prostate), and risk of biochemical failure.

Methods And Materials: A total of 1,006 consecutive patients underwent implantation between July 20, 1998, and Oct 23, 2003. Most (58%) had low-risk disease; the remaining 42% comprised a selected low-tier subgroup of intermediate-risk patients.

Long-term survivorship of esophageal cancer patients treated with radical intent.

To investigate the recent trends in definitive management of esophageal cancer, the records of 138 consecutive patients treated with radical intent in a single institution between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed and analyzed. The median follow-up period was 5.7 years (range 1.

Hemoglobin levels do not predict biochemical outcome for localized prostate cancer treated with neoadjuvant androgen-suppression therapy and external-beam radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate whether hemoglobin (Hb) levels affect outcome in men with localized prostate adenocarcinoma (LPA) treated with neoadjuvant androgen-suppression therapy (NAST) and external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Methods And Materials: A total of 563 men with LPA treated with NAST (median: 5.3 months) and EBRT who had Hb levels during treatment were retrospectively reviewed.

Computed tomography determination of prostate volume and maximum dimensions: a study of interobserver variability.

Objective: (1) To evaluate the reproducibility of prostate volume, maximum dimensions and geometrical center coordinates determination using computed tomography (CT) and (2) to identify patterns of interobserver variability.

Materials And Methods: Forty patients, suitable for our brachytherapy program, were selected for the study. All patients underwent CT scanning and the prostate volumes were determined by three radiation oncologists.

Testosterone recovery following prolonged adjuvant androgen ablation for prostate carcinoma.

Background: This study was conducted to describe the rate and completeness of the recovery of testosterone production following prolonged temporary androgen ablative therapy in men with prostate carcinoma undergoing curative radiation therapy.

Methods: Two-hundred and sixty-seven men treated with between 3 months and 3 years of adjuvant androgen ablation (AA) were followed at 6-month intervals following cessation of their androgen deprivation therapy. A comparative group of 518 men not undergoing AA were also followed.