Tumour stage distribution and survival of malignant melanoma in Germany 2002-2011.

Background: Over the past two decades, there has been a rising trend in malignant melanoma incidence worldwide. In 2008, Germany introduced a nationwide skin cancer screening program starting at age 35. The aims of this study were to analyse the distribution of malignant melanoma tumour stages over time, as well as demographic and regional differences in stage distribution and survival of melanoma patients.

Iodine-125 seed brachytherapy for early stage prostate cancer: a single-institution review.

Purpose: We are reporting the five-year biochemical control, toxicity profile and dosimetric parameters using iodine-125 low dose rate brachytherapy (BT) as monotherapy for early stage prostate cancer at a single institution.

Material And Methods: Between April 2006 and December 2010, 169 men with early stage prostate cancer were treated with BT. Biochemical failure was defined using the Phoenix definition (nadir + 2 ng/mL).

Metastatic male breast cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Metastasized male breast cancer (MMBC) is a rare disease. Given its low incidence, data regarding tumor biology, current treatment options, and survival rates are scarce.

Patients And Methods: A chart review was performed of MMBC patients consecutively registered in regional cancer registries in Germany between 1995 and 2011.

Impact of treatment planning target volumen (PTV) size on radiation induced diarrhoea following selenium supplementation in gynecologic radiation oncology--a subgroup analysis of a multicenter, phase III trial.

Background: In a previous analysis (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 70:828-835,2010), we assessed whether an adjuvant supplementation with selenium (Se) improves Se status and reduces the radiation-induced side-effects of patients treated by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for cervical and uterine cancer. Now, a potential relation between the planning target volume (PTV) of the RT and the Se effect concerning radiation induced diarrhoea was evaluated in detail.

Methods: Whole blood Se concentrations had been measured in patients with cervical (n=11) and uterine cancer (n=70) after surgical treatment, during, and at the end of RT.

Efficacy of low-dose radiotherapy in painful gonarthritis: experiences from a retrospective East German bicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of low-dose radiotherapy in painful gonarthritis.

Methods: We assessed the medical records of 1037 patients with painful gonarthritis who had undergone low-dose radiotherapy between 1981 and 2008. The subjective patient perception of the response to irradiation as graded immediately or up to two months after the completion of a radiotherapy series was evaluated and correlated with age, gender, radiological grading and the duration of symptoms before radiotherapy.