[Neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiochemotherapy for rectal carcinoma].

The current standard treatment for resectable tumours in clinical stages II and III is neoadjuvant radio(chemo)therapy. Improved radiation techniques and chemotherapy (CT) with continuous infusion of 5-FU during adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) has led to an additional improvement of adjuvant therapeutic results. The efficacy of new cytostatic drugs and antibodies is presently being clinically tested for perioperative therapy.

Radiotherapy of Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis : Results and Implications of a National Patterns-of-Care Study.

Purpose: This patterns-of-care study was performed to define the current clinical experience with radiotherapy of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in adults in Germany and to define open questions resulting from this study.

Material And Methods: A standardized questionnaire was sent to 198 German radiotherapy institutions. Data about patient characteristics, stage of disease, practice and fractionation of radiotherapy, outcome of therapy, etc.

Radiotherapy for bony manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Review and proposal for an international registry.

Purpose: To examine the role of radiotherapy (RT) in adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) for osseous manifestations, to define open questions regarding RT, and to develop recommendations for the clinical decision-making and problem-solving process.

Material And Methods: A literature review using different medical databases was conducted including the last 3 decades, and resulting questions regarding the use of ionizing radiation were systematically compiled.

Results: The literature review revealed a local control rate of 96% (93% complete remissions) in patients with osseous single-system disease and of 92% (76% complete remissions) in patients with bony involvement in multi-system disease.

[Radiation therapy for Morbus Ledderhose -- indication and clinical results].

Background: Morbus Ledderhose (ML) is a rare hyperproliferative disorder of the plantar aponeurosis which is similar in its clinical course to Morbus Dupuytren (MD). We examined whether radiotherapy (RT) can effect symptoms and prevent disease progression.

Patients And Methods: From June 1996 to December 2001, 25 patients (12 female/13 male) aged 9-76 (median: 56) years had radiotherapy (RT) for symptomatic ML.

Endourethral brachytherapy for prevention of recurrent urethral stricture following internal urethrotomy--first clinical experiences and results.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of endourethral brachytherapy for prevention of recurrent urethral stricture after internal urethrotomy.

Materials And Methods: Endourethral high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy was performed in 10 male patients with recurrent urethral strictures after radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of prostatic adenoma. Brachytherapy commenced on the day of the actual intervention and continued over 3 days; the radiotherapy dose was 4 x 3 = 12 Gy for the first 3 patients and 4 x 4 Gy = 16 Gy for the following 7 patients.

[Radiotherapy of keloids. Patterns of care study -- results].

Background: Keloids are benign diseases of the skin. Because of the high rate of relapses after operation often postoperative irradiation is used. Treatment modalities must be collected by Patterns of Care Studies before therapy advice may be given from DEGRO.