Postmastectomy electron-beam chest-wall irradiation in women with breast cancer.

Purpose: This retrospective study evaluates the results of postmastectomy electron-beam chest-wall irradiation in patients with breast cancer.

Methods And Materials: From 1980 to 1994, 144 women with localized breast cancer received postmastectomy radiotherapy. The chest wall was irradiated by electron beam, 6 to 12 MeV energy, depending on wall thickness, 2.

Definition of vaginal doses in intrauterine high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate dosimetric aspects of high-dose-rate (HDR) intrauterine brachytherapy applications and to discuss a possible definition of vaginal points for dose reporting.

Methods And Materials: HDR brachytherapy was performed using a "Fletcher-like" applicator. Doses to the vaginal mucosa were assessed using 2 sets of points for each ovoid.

Interstitial brachytherapy in soft tissue sarcomas: the Rambam experience.

Background: There are radiobiologic and technical advantages to the use of interstitial brachytherapy alone or as an adjunct to external beam radiotherapy in the postoperative treatment of soft tissue sarcomas.

Objectives: To review the experience of the Rambam Medical Center in implementing interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of 32 patients with soft tissue sarcomas.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with variously located soft tissue sarcomas were managed with a combination of surgery and brachytherapy of the tumor bed, with or without EBRT.

Late visual and auditory toxicity of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aims And Background: Classical irradiation of carcinoma of the nasopharynx involves large fields and high doses; therefore, significant late toxicity and late side effects are to be expected. Given the fact that nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a relatively radiosensitive disease and a significant proportion of patients are long-term survivors, late visual and auditory complications of treatment are of utmost concern for patients and radiation oncologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term visual and auditory toxicity in patients treated with radiotherapy for NPC.

Pure versus follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: clinical features, prognostic factors, treatment, and survival.

Background: The follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) is a common subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Few studies have compared the clinical behavior and treatment outcome of patients with FVPTC with the outcome of patients with pure papillary carcinoma (PTC). A retrospective study was performed to identify the influence of FVPTC compared with PTC on therapeutic variables, prognostic variables, and survival.

Phase II study of gemcitabine combined with radiation therapy in patients with localized, unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Background And Objectives: Gemcitabine is an active agent in pancreatic cancer, with known radiosensitizing properties. Therefore, a phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of gemcitabine combined with radiation therapy in patients with localized unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Methods: Weekly gemcitabine at a dose of 1,000 mg/m(2) for 7 weeks was given as an induction phase.

A prospective single-center registry for the use of intracoronary gamma radiation in patients with diffuse in-stent restenosis.

Based on single-center prospective registry data, the study evaluates short- and long-term results of intracoronary gamma radiation in patients with diffuse in-stent restenosis in the reality of routine clinical practice. Percutaneous coronary intervention and subsequent catheter-based irradiation with iridium-192 was performed in 84 vessels (81 patients) with diffuse in-stent restenosis. Repeat coronary angiography was performed in 35 patients with clinical restenosis.