MARRTA: Risk matrix in advanced radiotherapy.

Purpose: Proactive risk analyses identify potential risks before they occur, enabling us to pinpoint the most vulnerable aspects of our treatment process, thus promoting safer treatments. The proactive risk matrix methodology assesses the risk from potential errors and failures (initiating events) by evaluating and integrating their frequency, the severity of their potential consequences and the probability of failure of the barriers designed to prevent these consequences. Based on this methodology, the MARRTA project derived a theoretical risk model of advanced radiotherapy treatments and developed software to implement the model and facilitate the risk analysis.

Health-related quality of life in men with localized prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy: validation of an abbreviated version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice in Spain.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is greatly affected by prostate cancer (PCa) and associated treatments. This study aimed to measure the impact of radiotherapy on HRQoL and to further validate the Spanish version of the 16-item Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-16) in routine clinical practice.

Methods: An observational, non-interventional, multicenter study was conducted in Spain with localized PCa patients initiating treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy (BQT).

Dosimetric comparison of volumetric-arc therapy versus sliding window intensity-modulated radiotherapy in postoperative treatment for primary soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh.

Aim: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has demonstrated improved local control in extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) after limb-sparing surgery compared with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. Our purpose was to evaluate sliding-window IMRT (SW-IMRT) and volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) in planning target volume (PTV) coverage and dose to organs-at-risk (OAR).

Methods: Sixteen patients undergoing postoperative RT for lower extremity STS were included.

Merkel cell carcinoma from 2008 to 2012: reaching a new level of understanding.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous carcinoma of the skin who has high aggressiveness, high risk of locoregional and distant spread, a mortality rate considerably higher than that of cutaneous melanoma and a poor survival. Its incidence has increased during the past twenty years. The studies published from 2008 to early 2012 have introduced interesting changes in the understanding of its epidemiology, pathogenesis and consequently in the diagnostic codes and the therapeutic approach.

Scalp metastasis from leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava sign as the first clinical sign: a case report.

The presentation of scalp metastases from leiomyosarcoma of the vena cava is an extremely infrequent event. There are no other publications that describe such finding and very few of leiomyosarcoma in vessels. About this event we have reviewed the English literature describing studies on scalp metastases and skin metastases in general: their incidence, origin, clinical appearance, meaning, and diagnosis.

Merkel cell carcinoma: what do we know about it and what should we do?

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous carcinoma of the skin that is highly aggressive, and has a high risk of locoregional and distant spread, a mortality rate considerably higher than that of cutaneous melanoma and poor survival. Its incidence has increased during the past twenty years. The studies published since 2008 have introduced changes in the understanding of its epidemiology and pathogenesis, and consequently the therapeutic approach.

Prophylaxis with a cream containing urea reduces the incidence and severity of radio-induced dermatitis.

Introduction: Radio-induced dermatitis is one of the most frequent side effects of radiotherapy. Among the commercially available products for the care of irradiated skin is a hydrating lotion containing 3% urea, polidocanol and hyaluronic acid. Its effectiveness for preventing the appearance of radiodermatitis or reducing its severity has been studied on a number of occasions.