Phase II trial of image-based high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for previously irradiated gynecologic cancer.

Purpose: To report the disease-free Grade ≥3 complication-free survival of a Phase II protocol of reirradiation with high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy (ITB) in previously irradiated gynecologic cancer.

Methods And Materials: Fifteen patients with previously irradiated cervical (n = 6), endometrial (n = 6), and vulvovaginal tumors (n = 3) were treated with HDR-ITB alone to a median dose of 38 Gy in 8 b.i.

Efficacy of orgotein in prevention of late side effects of pelvic irradiation: a randomized study.

Purpose: To study whether orgotein is effective in preventing late radiation-induced effects.

Methods And Materials: Patients >18 years old who were diagnosed with rectal cancer, had an indication for pelvic irradiation (RT) after surgery, and complied with the selection criteria were randomly assigned at the end of RT to receive orgotein for 7 weeks or no treatment (control). The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group toxicity scale was used to evaluate the RT-induced side effects for up to 2 years.

Postoperative radiochemotherapy in rectal cancer comparison of two combination schemes: alternating versus concomitant.

Aims And Background: To compare the results on disease control and toxicity of two different schedules of adjuvant combined treatment in advanced rectal cancer.

Methods: From January 1995 to September 1998, 127 patients with stage B2-C rectal cancer were treated with postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy with two different schemes: three cycles of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin followed by pelvic radiotherapy and three weeks after radiation therapy was completed, another three cycles of chemotherapy were administered (alternating arm), or two cycles of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin followed by concurrent radiochemotherapy and three weeks after ending another two cycles of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin were administered (concomitant arm).

Results: Grade 3 acute toxicity was more frequent in the concomitant schedule group (33% vs 13%, P = 0.

The efficacy of orgotein in the treatment of acute toxicity due to radiotherapy on head and neck tumors.

Aims And Background: To assess the efficacy of orgotein in the treatment of acute secondary effects of radiotherapy on head and neck tumors.

Material And Methods: Data were collected on 41 patients who received radiotherapy for tumors of the head and neck. Radiotherapy was the exclusive treatment in 19.

Radiation myelopathy in over-irradiated patients: MR imaging findings.

The objective of this work is to report the MRI findings in patients with radiation myelopathy due to accidental local over-irradiation syndrome. Eight patients (seven males and one female) were suffering from over-irradiation syndrome as a result of treatments from a malfunctioning linear electron accelerator. The mean accidental estimated dose was 136 Gy delivered to the "open-neck" (seven cases) and to the thoracic wall (one case), during a mean of 5.