Publications by authors named "Ellen Zwijnenburg"
Background/objectives: Studies have shown that dose to the parotid gland stem cell rich (SCR) regions should be reduced to lower the risk of xerostomia after radiotherapy (RT). This study aimed to assess whether stem cell sparing (SCS)-RT can be adopted in routine clinical practice.
Methods: Multiple planning studies were performed to compare SCS-RT with standard (ST)-RT using 30 head and neck cancer patients.
Background: Reconstruction of skin defects after oncological surgery for a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is often mandatory to facilitate adjuvant treatment and/or to prevent chronic wound problems. Some of the most challenging regions to reconstruct after resection of a skin tumor are the frontal and parietal parts of the skull.
Methods: This article describes three patients with large skin defects after oncological surgery that were reconstructed with the use of a (hemi) visor flap.
Background And Purpose: Primary radiotherapy is often preferred for early-stage cancer of the nasal vestibule (CNV), combining high disease control with preservation of nasal anatomy. However, due to practice variation and an absence of comparative trials, no consensus exists on preference for brachytherapy (BT) or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). We compared these modalities in terms of disease control, nose preservation rates and toxicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the skin mainly seen in the elderly. Its incidence is rising due to ageing of the population, increased sun exposure, and the use of immunosuppressive medication. Additionally, with the availability of specific immunohistochemical markers, MCC is easier to recognize.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Multimodality imaging including F-FDG-PET has improved the detection threshold of nodal metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The aim of this retrospective analysis is to investigate the impact of FDG-PET/CT-based nodal target volume definition (FDG-PET/CT-based NTV) on radiotherapy outcomes, compared to conventional CT-based nodal target volume definition (CT-based NTV).
Materials And Methods: Six-hundred-thirty-three patients treated for HNSCC with definitive (chemo)radiotherapy using IMRT/VMAT techniques between 2008 and 2017 were analyzed.
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of modern image guided brachytherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule, to explore tumor volume as a prognostic factor for local and regional recurrence, and to assess patient satisfaction with nasal function and appearance after treatment.
Methods And Materials: In a retrospective analysis, we reviewed the medical records of 102 patients with Wang T1-T2 nasal vestibule cancer treated at a single institution with brachytherapy as the sole treatment. Median follow-up time was 42 months (range, 3-210 months).
Background: The purpose of this study was to report long-term disease control and late radiation toxicity for patients reirradiated for head and neck cancer.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 137 patients reirradiated with a prescribed dose ≥45 Gy between 1986 and 2013 for a recurrent or second primary malignancy. Endpoints were locoregional control, overall survival (OS), and grade ≥4 late complications according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria.
Purpose: To provide a comprehensive risk assessment on the patterns of recurrence in electively irradiated lymph node regions after definitive radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Methods And Materials: Two hundred sixty-four patients with stage cT2-4N0-2M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx treated with accelerated intensity modulated radiation therapy between 2008 and 2012 were included. On the radiation therapy planning computed tomography (CT) scans from all patients, 1166 lymph nodes (short-axis diameter ≥5 mm) localized in the elective volume were identified and delineated.
Purpose: In cervical cancer patients the nodal clinical target volume (CTV, defined using the major pelvic blood vessels and enlarged lymph nodes) is assumed to move synchronously with the bony anatomy. The aim of this study was to verify this assumption by investigating the motion of the major pelvic blood vessels and enlarged lymph nodes visible in CT scans.
Methods And Materials: For 13 patients treated in prone position, four variable bladder-filling CT scans per patient, acquired at planning and after 40 Gy, were selected from an available dataset of 9-10 CT scans.
Purpose: To prospectively assess the outcome and toxicity of frameless stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as a treatment option for boosting primary oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) in patients who not suitable for the standard brachytherapy boost (BTB).
Methods And Materials: Between 2005 and 2010, 51 patients with Stage I to IV biopsy-proven OPC who were not suitable for BTB received boosts by means of SBRT (3 times 5.5 Gy, prescribed to the 80% isodose line), after 46 Gy of IMRT to the primary tumor and neck (when indicated).