Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for early stage lung cancer and lung metastases in a New Zealand population.

Aim: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) involves the delivery of high doses of precisely targeted radiation in a shorter time period than conventional radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of lung-based SABR in a New Zealand cohort to the global literature.

Methods: A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who received lung-based SABR between May 2015 and September 2019 at Waikato Hospital, New Zealand.

Contemporary salvage post prostatectomy radiotherapy: Early implementation improves biochemical control.

Introduction: The optimal time to commence salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for a rising PSA post radical prostatectomy is not known. We wished to assess the impact of index PSA (iPSA) level prior to SRT on rates of biochemical failure (BCF) post treatment.

Methods: Patients referred to our institution for SRT for a rising PSA post surgery were accrued onto a prospective database.

Using individual patient anatomy to predict protocol compliance for prostate intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

If a prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan has protocol violations, it is often a challenge knowing whether this is due to unfavorable anatomy or suboptimal planning. This study aimed to create a model to predict protocol violations based on patient anatomical variables and their potential relationship to target and organ at risk (OAR) end points in the setting of definitive, dose-escalated IMRT/VMAT prostate planning. Radiotherapy plans from 200 consecutive patients treated with definitive radiation for prostate cancer using IMRT or VMAT were analyzed.

Increasing tumor thickness is associated with recurrence and poorer survival in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor usually occurring on sun-exposed skin in elderly patients. Clinical and pathologic factors associated with disease progression and mortality in patients with MCC are poorly defined. Recently, it has been reported that p63 expression in primary MCC is strongly associated with clinical outcome.

HDR brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation for localised prostate cancer: early experience from the Sydney Cancer Centre.

Introduction: To report the toxicity and early efficacy of high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) as a boost to external beam radiation (EBRT) in the treatment of localised prostate cancer.

Methods: Between December 2002 and November 2007, 101 consecutive patients with intermediate or high risk prostate cancer were treated with EBRT plus an HDR boost. The HDR boost was initially delivered in three fractions of 6.

Rat-bite fever: a cautionary tale.

We present the first ever report of streptobacillary rat-bite fever in New Zealand. The patient was a young man who was admitted with systemic sepsis. He presented with a high fever, hypotension, and tender axillary lymphadenopathy.