Cost-Effectiveness of Proton Versus Photon Therapy in Pediatric Medulloblastoma Treatment: A Patient Volume-Based Analysis.

Background: Proton radiation therapy offers advantages over photon therapy, assisting with severe side effect avoidance. Pediatric patients with medulloblastoma have demonstrated benefit from this technology in recently published cohort studies.

Objectives: To compare the costs and benefits between proton and photon therapy in treating pediatric medulloblastoma.

cDNA microarray analysis of human keratinocytes cells of patients submitted to chemoradiotherapy and oral photobiomodulation therapy: pilot study.

Oral mucositis is an acute toxicity that occurs in patients submitted to chemoradiotherapy to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we evaluated differences in gene expression in the keratinocytes of the oral mucosa of patients treated with photobiomodulation therapy and tried to associate the molecular mechanisms with clinical findings. From June 2009 to December 2010, 27 patients were included in a randomized double-blind pilot study.

Role of radiotherapy fractionation in head and neck cancers (MARCH): an updated meta-analysis.

Background: The Meta-Analysis of Radiotherapy in squamous cell Carcinomas of Head and neck (MARCH) showed that altered fractionation radiotherapy is associated with improved overall and progression-free survival compared with conventional radiotherapy, with hyperfractionated radiotherapy showing the greatest benefit. This update aims to confirm and explain the superiority of hyperfractionated radiotherapy over other altered fractionation radiotherapy regimens and to assess the benefit of altered fractionation within the context of concomitant chemotherapy with the inclusion of new trials.

Methods: For this updated meta-analysis, we searched bibliography databases, trials registries, and meeting proceedings for published or unpublished randomised trials done between Jan 1, 2009, and July 15, 2015, comparing primary or postoperative conventional fractionation radiotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy (comparison 1) or conventional fractionation radiotherapy plus concomitant chemotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy alone (comparison 2).

Long-term survival of a randomized phase III trial of head and neck cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation therapy with or without low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to prevent oral mucositis.

Background: The impact of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to prevent oral mucositis in patients treated with exclusive chemoradiation therapy remains unknown. This study evaluated the overall, disease-free and progression-free survival of these patients.

Methods: Overall, disease-free and progression-free survival of 94 patients diagnosed with oropharynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx cancer, who participated on a phase III study, was evaluated from 2007 to 2015.

American Brachytherapy Society: Brachytherapy treatment recommendations for locally advanced cervix cancer for low-income and middle-income countries.

Purpose: Most cervix cancer cases occur in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC), and outcomes are suboptimal, even for early stage disease. Brachytherapy plays a central role in the treatment paradigm, improving both local control and overall survival. The American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) aims to provide guidelines for brachytherapy delivery in resource-limited settings.

Cost-effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in head and neck cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation.

Background: Oral mucositis is a major event increasing treatment costs of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with chemoradiation (CRT). This study was designed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to prevent oral mucositis in HNSCC patients receiving CRT.

Methods: From June 2007 to December 2010, 94 patients with HNSCC of nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx entered a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial.

Measuring relief of dysphagia in locally advanced esophageal carcinoma patients submitted to high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Background And Purpose: Esophageal neoplasm has a poor prognosis, and palliative care remains an important goal of treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) to improve dysphagia in 115 patients treated at our institution.

Methods And Materials: Patients previously submitted to external beam radiotherapy that at least, 1 month after, presented with residual disease and persistent dysphagia, were given HDRB as palliative treatment.

Phase 2 trial of erlotinib combined with cisplatin and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Background: Cisplatin-based chemoradiation (CRT) is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in cervical cancer, and EGFR inhibition itself has antitumor effects and potentiates CRT. Results of a previous phase 1 trial of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib combined with cisplatin-based CRT (E + CRT) recommended a phase 2 erlotinib dose of 150 mg/day.

Phase III trial of low-level laser therapy to prevent oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a complication of chemoradiotherapy treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients with no effective therapy. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of preventive low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in reducing the incidence of grade 3-4 OM.

Material And Methods: From June 2007 to December 2010, 94 HNSCC patients entered a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial.

Phase I/II study of erlotinib combined with cisplatin and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose: Erlotinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is active against head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and possibly has a synergistic interaction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We investigated the safety and efficacy of erlotinib added to cisplatin and radiotherapy in locally advanced HNSCC.

Methods And Materials: In this Phase I/II trial 100 mg/m(2) of cisplatin was administered on Days 8, 29, and 50, and radiotherapy at 70 Gy was started on Day 8.

Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy in the treatment of primary head and neck mucosal melanomas.

Background/aims: The role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in head and neck mucosal melanomas (HNMM) is not yet clearly defined. The aim of this study is to report the 21-year experience of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute in such treatment.

Methods: From January 1983 to December 2003, 31 patients with confirmed histological diagnosis of HNMM underwent treatment at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute.

Phase I trial of erlotinib combined with cisplatin and radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell cancer.

Purpose: This phase I trial was aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and related toxicity of erlotinib (E) when administered concurrently with standard chemoradiation (CRT) for cervical cancer.

Experimental Design: In a modified Fibonacci design, the study aimed to study three cohorts of at least three patients receiving escalating doses of erlotinib (50/100/150 mg) combined with cisplatin (40 mg/m(2), weekly, 5 cycles) and radiotherapy (external beam 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions, followed by 4 fractions/600 cGy/weekly of brachytherapy) in squamous cell cervical carcinoma patients, stage IIB to IIIB.

Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled, 3 at dose level (DL) 50 mg, 4 at DL 100 mg, and 8 at DL 150 mg.

Retinoblastoma--comparative analysis of external radiotherapy techniques, including an IMRT technique.

Purpose: To compare the numerous external radiotherapy (RT) techniques for the treatment of retinoblastoma, as well as an intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) technique. The latter was elaborated to evaluate the potential dose reduction in the surrounding tissue, as well as the potential avoidance of subdosage in the ora serrata retinae.

Methods And Materials: A 2-year-old patient with unilateral retinoblastoma underwent CT.

Timing of radiation in children with medulloblastoma/PNET.

Background: To evaluate the importance of timing of radiation therapy in children with PNET/medulloblastoma, treated at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA).

Procedure: The records of 101 children with confirmed diagnosis of medulloblastoma were retrospectively reviewed. Patients had a median follow-up of 48 months (0.

Concurrent chemotherapy and hypofractionated twice-daily radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients with stage IIIB disease and bilateral parametrial involvement: a phase I-II study.

Purpose: Stage IIIB cervical cancer patients with bilateral parametrial involvement have a poor prognosis with low survival rates. In an effort to improve outcome of these patients, we initiated a prospective, Phase I-II trial of concomitant chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil and hypofractionated twice-daily radiotherapy. This program was initiated on the basis of the encouraging results obtained in the treatment of bladder cancer using a similar regimen.