Publications by authors named "Maureen Rolfo"
Introduction: To identify organs to which dose limitation using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) can potentially modify the incidence and duration of feeding tube use, during and immediately following therapy for head and neck cancer.
Materials And Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients treated with definitive IMRT (± concurrent chemotherapy) head and neck mucosal cancers were included. Patients received a prophylactic feeding tube and followed up by a dietician for at least eight weeks post-radiotherapy.
Article Synopsis
- Precision radiotherapy requires effective weight management, and this study aimed to analyze weight loss in head and neck cancer patients based on their risk of needing prolonged feeding tube (FT) intervention.
- The study involved 101 patients who were categorized into three risk groups, with specific characteristics linked to their likelihood of requiring FT.
- Results showed that those classified as low-intermediate risk experienced significantly greater weight loss compared to higher risk groups, highlighting the need for close monitoring of these patients to maintain optimal weight during treatment.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to determine if the metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of head and neck tumors is a key factor for predicting the need for feeding tubes (FT) in patients undergoing treatment.
- A total of 79 patients with primary tumors and pre-treatment scans were analyzed, revealing that MTV larger than 17 cc was linked to significantly higher FT use and dependence at six weeks and six months post-radiotherapy.
- The findings suggest that measuring MTV could help inform decisions about prophylactic feeding tubes, though further research is needed to establish its effectiveness compared to traditional clinical evaluations.
Background: The purpose of this study was to establish a risk stratification model for feeding tube use in patients who undergo intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancers.
Methods: One hundred thirty-nine patients treated with definitive IMRT (+/- concurrent chemotherapy) for head and neck mucosal cancers were included in this study. Patients were recommended a prophylactic feeding tube and followed up by a dietician for at least 8 weeks postradiotherapy (post-RT).
Purpose: To determine the validity of QUANTEC recommendations in predicting acute dysphagia using intensity-modulated head and neck radiotherapy.
Material And Methods: Seventy-six consecutive patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck +/- systemic therapy were analyzed. Multiple dose parameters for the larynx (V50Gy, Dmean and Dmax) were recorded.
Purpose: To report the toxicity and long-term outcomes of dose-escalated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for patients with localised prostate cancer.
Methods And Materials: From 2001 to 2005, a total of 125 patients with histologically confirmed T1-3N0M0 prostate cancer were treated with IMRT to 74Gy at the Austin Health Radiation Oncology Centre. The median follow-up was 5.