Comparison of limited-volume perioperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy and wide-field external irradiation in resected head and neck cancer.

Background: This study aimed to test the safety of using perioperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (PHDRB) in resected head and neck cancer.

Methods: From 2000 to 2008, 97 patients received PHDRB after complete macroscopic resection. Group 1 (previously irradiated patients) received 32 to 40 Gray (Gy) of PHDRB in 8 to 10 twice-daily (bid) treatments (R0-R1 resections).

Determinants of complications and outcome in high-risk squamous cell head-and-neck cancer treated with perioperative high-dose rate brachytherapy (PHDRB).

Purpose: To determine the impact of a set of patient, tumor, and treatment factors on toxicity and outcome in patients with head-and-neck squamous cell cancer treated with surgical resection and perioperative high-dose rate brachytherapy (PHDRB) alone (single-modality [SM] group) (n = 46) or PHDRB combined with postoperative radiation or chemoradiation (combined-modality [CM] group) (n = 57).

Methods And Materials: From 2000 to 2008, 103 patients received PHDRB after complete macroscopic resection. SM patients received 32 or 40 Gy of PHDRB in 8 or 10 twice-daily treatments for R0 and R1 resections.

Use of customized-mold brachytherapy in the management of malignancies arising in the maxillary antrum after maxillectomy: a dosimetric analysis.

Purpose: To explore the feasibility of a intraoral mold high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in the treatment of tumors arising in the maxillary antrum after maxillectomy and to describe the dosimetric profile of HDR brachytherapy in such an unusual location.

Methods And Materials: A customized mold with four 6-French catheters was designed and produced in transparent acrylic resin. The catheters formed a soft loop that allowed the passage of the HDR source.

Phase I-II trial of perioperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: To determine the feasibility of combined perioperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (PHDRB) and intermediate-dose external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) as an alternative to full-dose adjuvant EBRT in patients with unirradiated squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Methods And Materials: Forty patients were treated with surgical resection and PHDRB. PHDRB dose was 4Gy b.

Treatment of upper gum carcinoma with high-dose-rate customized-mold brachytherapy.

Purpose: To design an applicator for the treatment of tumors of the upper gum (UGCs) with high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy.

Methods And Materials: A customized mold with four 6-Fr catheters was built. The two halves of the paired catheters form a functional loop without sharp curves.