Successful treatment of melanoma metastatic to the left atrium using external beam radiation therapy.

The successful treatment of a patient with primary nasal melanoma metastatic to the lung, pulmonary vein, and left atrium using radiation therapy is described. The patient was effectively treated with a conventional external beam radiation fractionation scheme (rather than a more commonly used hypofractioned regimen) that was utilized to minimize risk of arterial embolus of the tumor or rupture of a vessel wall. A post-treatment CT demonstrated a significant decrease in the caliber of the right pulmonary vein and tumor thrombus.

Colorectal complications of external beam radiation versus brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

Background: Although radiation therapy plays a central role in the management of prostate cancer, complications remain a troubling byproduct. We sought to determine the prevalence and significance of colorectal complications after external beam radiation (EBRT) versus brachytherapy (BT) for prostate cancer.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing EBRT or BT for prostate cancer from January 1999 to October 2005.