The Impact of High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy: Measuring Clinical Outcomes in the Primary Treatment of Cervical Cancer.

Purpose: Radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy with combined external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy is used to treat locally advanced cervical cancer. Our institution has transitioned to high-dose-rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) from low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy in 2008, and a review was conducted on the effect of this change on patient outcomes.

Methods And Materials: A single-arm retrospective chart review was performed on locally advanced (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique stage IB-IVA) patients with cervical cancer treated with combined external beam radiation therapy and HDR-ICBT with curative intent between 2008 and 2014.

A comparison of disease recurrence between robotic versus laparotomy approach in patients with intermediate-risk endometrial cancer.

Objective: Advances in minimally invasive surgery, particularly with robotic surgery, have resulted in improved peri-operative outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer. In addition, randomized trials have shown that addition of adjuvant radiotherapy following surgery improves loco-regional disease control among stage I intermediate-risk endometrial cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of combined treatment of robotic surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy in this patient population.

Sequencing of Androgen-Deprivation Therapy With External-Beam Radiotherapy in Localized Prostate Cancer: A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Dose-escalated radiotherapy (RT) with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard definitive treatment of localized prostate cancer (LPCa). The optimal sequencing of these therapies is unclear. Our phase III trial compared neoadjuvant versus concurrent initiation of ADT in combination with dose-escalated prostate RT (PRT).

Real-time measurement of urethral dose and position during permanent seed implantation for prostate brachytherapy.

Purpose: The in vivo dosimetry tool, RADPOS, has been modified to include a metal oxide-silicon semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) array with an electromagnetic positioning sensor. This allows dose monitoring at five points rather than just at single dose point as in the other versions of the device. The detector has been used in a clinical trial, which is the first to measure both urethral dose and internal motion concurrently during permanent seed implantation for prostate brachytherapy using a single probe.

Evaluating contemporary radiotherapy approaches in the primary treatment of cervical cancer.

Purpose: Radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatinum-based chemotherapy became a standard recommendation for the management of advanced cervical cancer in 1999. We reviewed our experience with this approach to determine the impact on patient outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of all cervical cancer patients treated with curative intent using radical radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy from 1992 to 2005 was performed.

Longitudinal assessments of quality of life in endometrial cancer patients: effect of surgical approach and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Purpose: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is often considered for endometrial cancer. We studied the effect of RT and surgical treatment on patients' quality of life (QOL).

Methods And Materials: All patients referred to the gynecologic oncology clinics with biopsy findings showing endometrial cancer were recruited.

Primary vaginal cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation using Cis-platinum.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of concurrent weekly Cis-platinum chemoradiation (CRT) in the curative treatment of primary vaginal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all primary vaginal cancer patients treated with curative intent at the Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre between 1999 and 2004 using concurrent Cis-platinum CRT.

Results: Twelve patients were treated with concurrent weekly CRT.

Feasibility study of using MOSFET detectors for in vivo dosimetry during permanent low-dose-rate prostate implants.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using new micro-MOSFET detectors for QA and in vivo dosimetry of the urethra during transperineal interstitial permanent prostate implants (TIPPB).

Methods And Materials: This study involves measurements for several patients who have undergone the implant procedure with iodine-125 seeds. A new micro-MOSFET detector is used as a tool for in vivo measurement of the initial dose rate within the urethra.

Palliative radiotherapy for recurrent granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: a report of 3 cases with radiological evidence of response.

Background: The role of radiotherapy for recurrent or residual granulosa cell tumor of the ovary (GCTO) is controversial. One reason for this controversy may be that most published studies on this topic have not utilized sectional imaging to assess response to radiotherapy. We report on three cases of recurrent or residual GCTO that were treated with radiotherapy for which pre- and post-treatment CT scans were available to assess response.

Effective palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic recurrent or residual ovarian cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) for symptomatic recurrent or residual ovarian cancer.

Methods: A review was conducted on patients (pts) treated with palliative RT for symptomatic ovarian cancer at The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre between 1990 and 2003. Patient demographics, tumor factors, treatment variables, and clinical outcome were entered into a database.

Radiotherapy for the treatment of primary vaginal cancer.

Disease control rates and toxicity were evaluated among 28 primary vaginal cancer patients treated with curative intent using radiotherapy. At 5 years, the majority (60%) of patients were disease-free and local control was 73% when a combination of external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy were used. Serious late toxicity was seen in 11% of patients.

A prospective clinical trial of green tea for hormone refractory prostate cancer: an evaluation of the complementary/alternative therapy approach.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of green tea, prescribed as an alternative complementary (CAM) formulation on hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

Methods: Patients with HRCP were prescribed green tea extract capsules at a dose level of 250 mg twice daily. Efficacy and toxicity were evaluated during monthly visits.

Radical radiotherapy for cervix cancer: the effect of waiting time on outcome.

Purpose: To assess the effect of treatment waiting time on clinical outcome for patients with cervix cancers treated with radical radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all cervix cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy between 1990 and 2001 at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre. Analyses were performed according to the three following separate definitions of waiting times: interval from start of radiotherapy to (1) date of initial biopsy, (2) date of examination under anesthesia, and (3) date of radiation oncology consultation.

Correlating the degree of needle trauma during prostate brachytherapy and the development of acute urinary toxicity.

Purpose: To determine if there is an association between the degree of prostate trauma during prostate brachytherapy and development of acute urinary toxicity.

Methods And Materials: In a consecutive prospective cohort of permanent (125)I prostate brachytherapy patients, the number of times each needle was repositioned was tracked, and the dosimetry plans were used to determine the number of times needles within 1 cm of the urethra were manipulated. Additionally, prostate volume, total number of needles, number of needles/prostate volume, and the number of periurethral needle manipulations/prostate volume were determined.

Serum prostate-specific antigen profile following radiotherapy for prostate cancer: implications for patterns of failure and definition of cure.

Objectives: A reference range of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values compatible with cure following radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa) has yet to be established. Various thresholds, as low as 0.5 ng/mL, have been used to define biochemical disease-free status.