Volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy for carcinomas of the oro-pharynx, hypo-pharynx and larynx: a treatment planning comparison with fixed field IMRT.

Purpose: A planning study was performed to evaluate the performance of volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy on head and neck cancer patients. Conventional fixed field IMRT was used as a benchmark.

Methods And Materials: CT datasets of 29 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oro-pharynx, hypo-pharynx and larynx were included.

Ifosfamide-based chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer: evaluation of its role as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The use of Ifosfamide-based chemotherapy in primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), in neoadjuvant settings [NACT] has not been sufficiently evaluated. We present here a retrospective analysis of 78 patients of untreated, locoregionally advanced NPC patients who received Ifosfamide-Cisplatin-based NACT at our institute from 1997 to 2004. Definitive treatment comprised radical radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using weekly Cisplatin.

A treatment planning study comparing volumetric arc modulation with RapidArc and fixed field IMRT for cervix uteri radiotherapy.

Purpose: A treatment planning study was performed to evaluate the performance of the novel volumetric modulated single arc radiotherapy on cervix uteri cancer patients. Conventional fixed field IMRT was used as benchmark.

Methods And Materials: CT datasets of eight patients were included in the study.

Assessment of three-dimensional set-up errors in conventional head and neck radiotherapy using electronic portal imaging device.

Background: Set-up errors are an inherent part of radiation treatment process. Coverage of target volume is a direct function of set-up margins, which should be optimized to prevent inadvertent irradiation of adjacent normal tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) set-up errors and propose optimum margins for target volume coverage in head and neck radiotherapy.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the tonsil: is a higher radiotherapy dose required?

Background: The purpose was to evaluate the prognostic factors and treatment outcome of Indian patients with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the tonsil treated at a single institution.

Methods: In all, 121 patients with DLBCL of the tonsil, treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India, from January 1990 to December 2002, were included. The median age was 45 years and the majority of patients (68%) were males.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nasopharynx: prognostic factors and outcome of 113 Indian patients.

This single institutional study evaluated the prognostic factors and treatment outcome of 113 Indian patients with primary nasopharyngeal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. At presentation, 28% had stage I and 62% had stage II disease. Treatment comprised of a combination of chemotherapy (CTh) and radiotherapy (RT) in the majority of the patients (76%).

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: the role of post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the leading cancers in India. Since a large majority present in loco-regionally advanced stages, surgery followed by adjuvant post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) has been the mainstay of treatment for resectable HNSCC.

Aim: To identify clinico-pathologic factors that could have an impact on outcome in HNSCC in the postoperative setting.

Isolated prostatic metastasis from primary sigmoid colon carcinoma.

Metastasis to the prostate is extremely uncommon. We report a 38-year-old man with sigmoid colon carcinoma, treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, who developed isolated metastasis to the prostate four years after initial treatment. He was treated with chemoradiation and remains disease-free three years after detection of metastasis.

Intraoperative high-dose-rate 192Ir radical implant in early breast cancer: a quality assurance and dosimetry study.

Purpose: To evaluate the variability in catheter length, geometry, and dosimetric parameters of radical intraoperative high-dose-rate breasts implant during 7-11 days.

Methods And Materials: Simulator X-rays, CT scans, and dosimetric studies were repeated on alternate days in 14 consecutive patients treated with radical intraoperative two- or three-plane nylon catheter high-dose-rate implant (34 Gy in 10 fractions within 5 days).

Results: Significant variation was found in catheter length, but no major change was noted in implant geometry, homogeneity, or inhomogeneity indexes.