3D heterogeneous dose distributions for total body irradiation patients.

One major objective of total body irradiation (TBI) treatments is to deliver a uniform dose in the entire body of the patient. Looking at 3D dose distributions for constant speed (CstSpeed) and variable speed (VarSpeed) translating couch TBI treatments, dose uniformity and the effect of body heterogeneities were evaluated. This study was based on retrospective dose calculations of 10 patients treated with a translating couch TBI technique.

Attenuator design for organs at risk in total body irradiation using a translation technique.

Total body irradiation (TBI) is an efficient part of the treatment for malignant hematological diseases. Dynamic TBI techniques provide great advantages (e.g.

A brief intervention for fatigue management in breast cancer survivors.

The purpose of this randomized control trial was to verify the effectiveness of a brief group intervention that combines stress management psycho-education and physical activity (ie, independent variable) intervention in reducing fatigue and improving energy level, quality of life (mental and physical), fitness (VO 2submax), and emotional distress (ie, dependent variables) in breast cancer survivors. This study applied Lazarus and Folkman stress-coping theoretical framework, as well as Salmon's unifying theory of physical activity. Eighty-seven French-speaking women who had completed their treatments for nonmetastatic breast cancer at a university hospital in Quebec City, Canada, were randomly assigned to either the group intervention (experimental) or the usual-care (control) condition.

Determinants of delay for breast cancer diagnosis.

Background: A study was conducted to identify determinants of diagnostic delay in order to develop strategies to reduce the waiting time for breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods: A cohort of 696 women diagnosed with early breast cancer was recruited in two radiation oncology centers of Quebec, Canada, in 2002-2003. A structured questionnaire was administered to identify potential determinants of diagnostic delay.

The impact of the number of excised axillary nodes and of the percentage of involved nodes on regional nodal failure in patients treated by breast-conserving surgery with or without regional irradiation.

Purpose: After breast-conserving surgery, recommendations for regional nodal radiotherapy are usually based on the number of positive nodes. This number is dependent on the number of nodes removed during the axillary dissection. This study examines whether the percentage of positive nodes may help to select patients for regional radiotherapy.

Impact of locoregional radiotherapy in node-positive patients treated by breast-conservative treatment.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of locoregional radiation in node-positive patients treated by tumorectomy and radiation therapy.

Methods: A retrospective study including all our 1368 T1-2 node-positive patients was conducted. Conservative surgery was followed by breast irradiation.