Dosimetric comparison of Acuros BV and AAPM TG-43 formalism for interstitial iridium-192 high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was a retrospective dosimetric comparison of iridium-192 (Ir) high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy plans using model-based dose calculation algorithm (MBDCA) following TG-186 recommendations and TG-43 dosimetry protocol for breast, head-and-neck, and lung patient cohorts, with various treatment concepts and prescriptions.

Material And Methods: In this study, 59 interstitial Ir HDR brachytherapy cases treated in our center (22 breast, 22 head and neck, and 15 lung) were retrospectively selected and re-calculated with TG-43 dosimetry protocol as well as with Acuros BV dose calculation algorithm, with dose to medium option based on computed tomography images. Treatment planning dose volume parameter differences were determined and their significance was assessed.

MR relaxation times of agar-based tissue-mimicking phantoms.

Agar gels were previously proven capable of accurately replicating the acoustical and thermal properties of real tissue and widely used for the construction of tissue-mimicking phantoms (TMPs) for focused ultrasound (FUS) applications. Given the current popularity of magnetic resonance-guided FUS (MRgFUS), we have investigated the MR relaxation times T1 and T2 of different mixtures of agar-based phantoms. Nine TMPs were constructed containing agar as the gelling agent and various concentrations of silicon dioxide and evaporated milk.

Narrative Review of High-Dose-Rate Interstitial Brachytherapy in Primary or Secondary Liver Tumors.

The optimal management of intrahepatic malignancies involves a multidisciplinary approach. Although surgical resection has been considered the only curative approach, the use of several minimally invasive ablative techniques has dramatically increased the last two decades, mainly due to the fact that they provide similar oncological results with significantly decreased morbidity. Among these modalities, interstitial liver brachytherapy, probably the most flexible liver ablative method, with excellent clinical data on its safety and effectiveness, is frequently not even mentioned as an option in the current peer reviewed literature and guidelines.

High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy as Monotherapy for Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer. Oncological Outcomes After a Median 15-Year Follow-Up.

Introduction: To evaluate the oncological outcome of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BRT) as monotherapy for clinically localised prostate cancer (PCA).

Material And Methods: Between January 2002 and February 2004, 141 consecutive patients with clinically localised PCA were treated with HDR-BRT monotherapy. The cohort comprised 103 (73%) low-, 32 (22.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer: Rationale, current applications, and clinical outcome.

Background: High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR BRT) has been enjoying rapid acceptance as a treatment modality offered to selected prostate cancer patients devoid of risk group, employed either in monotherapy setting or combined with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and is currently one of the most active clinical research areas.

Recent Findings: This review encompasses all the current evidence to support the use of HDR BRT in various clinical scenario and shines light to the HDR BRT rationale, as an ultimately conformal dose delivery method enabling safe dose escalation to the prostate.

Conclusion: Valid long-term data, both in regard to the oncologic outcomes and toxicity profile, support the current clinical indication spectrum of HDR BRT.