Comparison of the effects of high-energy photon beam irradiation (10 and 18 MV) on 2 types of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Purpose: Radiation therapy for cancer may be required for patients with implantable cardiac devices. However, the influence of secondary neutrons or scattered irradiation from high-energy photons (≥10 MV) on implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) is unclear. This study was performed to examine this issue in 2 ICD models.

Influence of secondary neutrons induced by proton radiotherapy for cancer patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Background: Although proton radiotherapy is a promising new approach for cancer patients, functional interference is a concern for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of secondary neutrons induced by proton radiotherapy on ICDs.

Methods: The experimental set-up simulated proton radiotherapy for a patient with an ICD.

Evaluation of liver function after proton beam therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: Our previous results for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with proton beam therapy (PBT) revealed excellent local control. In this study, we focused on the impact of PBT on normal liver function.

Methods And Materials: The subjects were 259 patients treated with PBT at the University of Tsukuba between January 2001 and December 2007.

Results of proton beam therapy without concurrent chemotherapy for patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: This study was performed retrospectively to evaluate the outcome of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after proton beam therapy (PBT) alone.

Methods: The subjects were 57 patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC (stage IIIA/IIIB: 24/33) who received PBT without concurrent chemotherapy. The cohort included 32 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 18 adenocarcinoma, and 7 non-small cell carcinoma.

Outcome of T4 (International Union Against Cancer Staging System, 7th edition) or recurrent nasal cavity and paranasal sinus carcinoma treated with proton beam.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features, prognostic factors, and toxicity of treatment for unresectable carcinomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus (NCPS) treated with proton beam therapy (PBT).

Methods And Materials: Seventeen patients (13 men, 4 women) with unresectable carcinomas of the NCPS who underwent PBT at the University of Tsukuba between 2001 and 2007 were analyzed. The patients' median age was 62 years (range, 30-83 years).

Radiotherapy for patients with symptomatic intramedullary spinal cord metastasis.

The study was performed to evaluate radiotherapy for patients with intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) and to identify the clinical features of ISCM. The subjects were 18 patients (8 men, 10 women) with ISCM who underwent radiotherapy between September 2002 and February 2008. The primary lesions were lung cancer in 8 patients (2 small cell, 6 non-small cell), breast cancer in 6, malignant melanoma in 2, renal cell carcinoma in 1, and rectal cancer in 1 patient.

Proton beam therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparison of three treatment protocols.

Background: Our previous results for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with proton beam therapy revealed excellent local control with low toxicity. Three protocols were used to avoid late complications such as gastrointestinal ulceration and bile duct stenosis. In this study, we examined the efficacy of these protocols.

Clinical results of proton-beam therapy for locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of proton-beam therapy for locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer.

Patients And Methods: The subjects were 51 patients with esophageal cancer who were treated between 1985 and 2005 using proton beams with or without X-rays. All but one had squamous cell carcinoma.

Radiotherapy for patients with metastases to the spinal column: a review of 603 patients at Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital.

Purpose: Long- and short-course radiotherapy have similar outcomes in the treatment of spinal metastases. Long-course radiotherapy is recommended for patients with good predicted survival to reduce the risk of in-field recurrence, whereas short-course radiotherapy is used for those with poor predicted survival. Therefore, prediction of prognosis and local control is required for selecting the optimal course of radiotherapy.

Technical considerations for noncoplanar proton-beam therapy of patients with tumors proximal to the optic nerve.

Purpose: To investigate technical feasibilities of noncoplanar proton-beam therapy (PBT) on dose reduction to critical organs.

Material And Methods: The degree of mechanical precision, rotational limitations of the gantry and the treatment couch were evaluated, and dose-volume histograms were compared for noncoplanar and coplanar PBT. Following these studies, three patients with tumors proximal to the optic nerve underwent noncoplanar PBT.

Phase I/II trial of hyperfractionated concomitant boost proton radiotherapy for supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of postoperative hyperfractionated concomitant boost proton radiotherapy with nimustine hydrochloride for supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Methods And Materials: Twenty patients with histologically confirmed supratentorial GBM met the following criteria: (1) a Karnofsky performance status of >or=60; (2) the diameter of the enhanced area before radiotherapy was View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prognostic factors and a scoring system for survival after radiotherapy for metastases to the spinal column: a review of 544 patients at Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital.

Background: To optimize selection of a radiotherapy schedule for patients with spinal metastases, the authors analyzed prognostic factors and developed a scoring system to predict survival in such patients.

Methods: Five-hundred forty-four patients with spinal metastases received radiotherapy at Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital between September 2002 and November 2006. Prognostic factors for survival were studied using a Cox proportional hazards model, and a scoring system was developed based on regression coefficients: Three points were given for an unfavorable tumor type and bad performance status (> or =3); 2 points were given for hypercalcemia, visceral metastases, and previous chemotherapy; and 1 point was given for multiple bone metastases and age > or =71 years.