The effect of preventive oral care on treatment outcomes of a cohort of oral cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess patient adherence to an oral preventive measures (OPM) protocol and its impact on cancer treatment outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of oral cancer of 133 patients submitted to radiotherapy (RT) was selected, excluding those with metastasis. Patients were grouped according to their local tumor response after finishing RT (favorable or unfavorable) and adherence to an OPM (none, ≤6 months, and >6 months).

Current situation of high-dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer in Brazil.

Objective: To assess the current situation of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cancer of the cervix in Brazil, regarding apparatuses, planning methods, prescription, fractionation schedule and evaluation of dose in organs at risk.

Materials And Methods: In the period between March/2012 and May/2013, a multiple choice questionnaire was developed and sent to 89 Brazilian hospitals which perform HDR brachytherapy.

Results: Sixty-one services answered the questionnaire.

Investigation of genetic polymorphisms related to the outcome of radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between ATM, TP53 and MDM2 polymorphisms in prostate cancer patients and morbidity after radiotherapy. The presence of ATM (rs1801516), TP53 (rs1042522, rs1800371, rs17878362, rs17883323, and rs35117667), and MDM2 (rs2279744) polymorphisms was assessed by direct sequencing of PCR fragments from 48 patients with histologically proven prostate adenocarcinoma and treated with external beam radiation. The side effects were classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) score.

Effect of low level laser therapy in the reduction of oral complications in patients with cancer of the head and neck submitted to radiotherapy.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low level laser therapy on reducing the occurrence and severity of oral complications in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Sixty head and neck cancer outpatients from a cancer hospital receiving radiotherapy were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. The laser group was irradiated with an InGaAlP laser and the control received sham laser.

Effect of intraoral low-level laser therapy on quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Background: Low-level laser therapy has been used to reduce complications of head and neck cancer treatment. The aim was to assess the impact of laser in the quality of life (QOL) of patients receiving radiotherapy.

Methods: Sixty outpatients were randomly assigned into 2 groups.