Dose optimization of 2D X-ray image acquisition protocols in image-guided radiotherapy.

Purpose: In contemporary radiotherapy, patient positioning accuracy relies on kV imaging. This study aims at optimizing planar kV image acquisition protocols regarding patient dose without degrading image quality.

Materials And Methods: An image quality test-object was placed in-between PMMA plates, suitably arranged to model head or pelvis.

Investigating Predictive Factors of Dysphagia and Treatment Prolongation in Patients with Oral Cavity or Oropharyngeal Cancer Receiving Radiation Therapy Concurrently with Chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy (RT) treatment for head and neck cancer has been associated with dysphagia manifestation leading to worse outcomes and decrease in life quality. In this study, we investigated factors leading to dysphagia and treatment prolongation in patients with primaries arising from oral cavity or oropharynx that were submitted to radiation therapy concurrently with chemotherapy. The records of patients with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer that received RT treatment to the primary and bilateral neck lymph nodes concurrently with chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed.

Clinical factors affecting the survival of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic malignant pleural effusion, treated with hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy or chemical talc pleurodesis: a monocentric, prospective, randomized trial.

Background: There is a plethora of treatment algorithms for managing patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs), sharing many common points and principles. Our study aims to compare hyperthermic intrapleural chemotherapy (HITHOC) and talc pleurodesis (TALC), as treatment options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic MPE.

Methods: This prospective, randomized trial was conducted at a single thoracic surgery center, the "Theagenio" Cancer Institute, in Greece, under the identification code NCT01409551 and was completed.