HDR endobronchial brachytherapy (HDRBT) in the management of advanced lung cancer--comparison of two different dose schedules.

Purpose: The aim of this work is to compare the results of various treatment protocols used in palliative HDRBT with the view of analyzing differences in survival and diminishing breathing difficulties.

Material And Methods: A total of 648 patients with advanced lung cancer were divided into two groups according to their clinical stage and the Zubrod-ECOG-WHO score. 303 (46.

HDR brachytherapy (HDR-BT) combined with stent placement in palliative treatment of esophageal cancer.

Purpose: In the study we present the initial results of palliative treatment using combined methods of HDR-BT and stent insertion in patients with advanced esophagus cancer.

Material And Methods: Fifty patients were treated in the Great Poland Cancer Center using HDR-BT between June 2001 and December 2005 and they were enrolled into the study. All patients underwent endoscopic insertion of self-expanding, metal, endoesophageal stents owing to blockages in the lumen of the esophagus which excluded brachytherapy.