Quality assurance of brachytherapy afterloaders using a multi-slit phantom.

Brachytherapy is a very successful treatment option for many different tumors. Consequently the quality assurance (QA) of afterloaders is of special interest. For many quality checks verification films are essential.

High-dose-rate (HDR) or pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) perioperative interstitial intensity-modulated brachytherapy (IMBT) for local recurrences of previously irradiated breast or thoracic wall following breast cancer.

Purpose: In patients receiving salvage high-dose-rate (HDR) or pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy for a local recurrence on the chest wall or in the previously treated breast, clinical outcome and benefit were investigated. All patients had previously been treated with full-dose adjuvant external-beam irradiation (EBRT). Disease-free interval after salvage treatment, local tumor control and side effects were analyzed retrospectively.

Comparison of CT- and radiograph-based post-implant dosimetry for transperineal 125I prostate brachytherapy using single seeds and a commercial treatment-planning software.

Background And Purpose: The objective of this investigation was a direct comparison of the dosimetry of CT-based and radiograph- based postplanning procedures for seed implants.

Patients And Methods: CT- and radiograph-based postplans were carried out for eight iodine-125 ((125)I) seed implant patients with a commercial treatment-planning system (TPS). To assess a direct comparison of the dosimetric indices (D90, V100, V400), the radiograph-based seed coordinates were transformed to the coordinate system of the CT postplan.

Feasibility and preliminary outcome of salvage combined HDR brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for local recurrences after radical prostatectomy.

Purpose: Feasibility of combined fractionated intensity modulated brachytherapy (IMBT) and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) as well as the effect of local dose escalation was investigated in a non-randomized retrospective observation trial for histologically-proven macroscopic local recurrences of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

Methods And Materials: Thirty-five patients with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) detectable tumors were treated. Applied dose per IMBT fraction was 15 Gy, prescribed on the target (TRUS visible tumor) surface.

The design and testing of a solid phantom for the verification of a commercial 3D seed reconstruction algorithm.

Background And Purpose: To test the implementation of a new solid phantom and to study the accuracy and the reliability of 3D seed reconstruction algorithms in prostate seed implants.

Patients And Methods: A solid phantom, the Kiel-phantom, to simulate prostate implants was designed. Several measurements were performed with this phantom to test the three-film seed reconstruction using a commercial planning system.

Long-term outcome after elective irradiation of the pelvic lymphatics and local dose escalation using high-dose-rate brachytherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer.

Purpose: To report the 8-year outcome of local dose escalation using high-dose-rate conformal brachytherapy combined with elective irradiation of the pelvic lymphatics for localized prostate cancer.

Methods And Materials: One hundred forty-four consecutively treated men (1986-1992) were recorded prospectively. Twenty-nine (20.