Practice accreditation for radiation oncology: quality is reality.

The Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation Program of the ACR is a voluntary program that was established in 1986. The processes of application and review are described. The most common causes of the deferral of accreditation are listed, as well as resources to help in preparing for an accreditation application.

Treatment outcomes of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for localized prostate carcinoma: a large community-based experience.

Background: The current study documented the implementation of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and assessed the tumor control and toxicity of such treatment in a large, multisite community practice.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed their first 222 consecutive patients with clinically localized (N0) prostate carcinoma treated with a 6-field conformal technique from October 1993 through March 2000. Standardized target definitions, dose planning constraints, and gantry angles were utilized to develop the treatment plan.

Radiotherapy for symptomatic metastases to the mandible in adults.

Since 1996, seven patients from six radiotherapy facilities that treat more than 2,000 patients per year were treated with radiotherapy for symptomatic metastases to the mandible from primary carcinoma of the prostate (3 patients), carcinoma of the breast (2 patients), adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinuses (1 patient), and multiple myeloma (1 patient). All patients presented with pain of several weeks' duration and had radiographic confirmation of a destructive lesion in the mandible. Administered radiotherapy doses ranged from 400 cGy/1 fraction to 4,000 cGy/20 fractions.