Radiation therapy for benign diseases: patterns of care study in Germany.

Background: Radiotherapy of benign diseases is controversial and rarely applied in Anglo-American countries, whereas in other parts of the world it is commonly practiced for several benign disorders. Similar to a European survey, a patterns of care study was conducted in Germany.

Method: Using a mailed questionnaire, radiation equipment, treatment indication, number of patients, and treatment concepts were assessed in 1994, 1995, and 1996 in 134 of 152 German institutions (88%): 22 in East and 112 in West Germany; 30 in university hospitals and 104 in community hospitals.

[Radiotherapy of benign diseases: a pattern of care study in Germany].

Background: Radiation therapy of benign diseases is controversially discussed and rarely applied in Anglo-American countries, while in other parts of the world, especially Central and East Europe, it is commonly practised for several benign disorders. Similar to the European Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology survey, a patterns of care study was performed in Germany.

Method: A questionnaire was mailed in 3 years (1994, 1995, 1996) to all radiation facilities in Germany, which assessed equipment, indications, number of patients and treatment concepts.

[Neutropenic enterocolitis].

A 58-year old patient with metastasizing squamous cell carcinoma of the left lung developed fever, diffuse abdominal pain and profuse diarrhea while treated with paclitaxel and radiation therapy. A sigmoidoscopy was performed to exclude pseudomembranous colitis but showed multiple mucosal petechiae. Histologic examination disclosed neutropenic colitis.

Radiotherapy vs. radiotherapy and razoxane in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas: final results of a randomized study.

Purpose: The effect of the sensitizer razoxane on soft tissue sarcomas (STS) was prospectively evaluated in a randomized, controlled trial. The main purpose of the study was to determine the response rates and local control under the combined treatment compared to irradiation alone.

Methods And Materials: Between 1978 and 1988, 144 patients entered the study; 130 were evaluable for response, toxicity, or survival.