Real world outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: a multicentre observational study.

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy may increase the likelihood of complete (R0) resection for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The optimal approach is unknown and differs amongst treatment centres.

Methods: We identified patients with biopsy-proven borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma who commenced neoadjuvant therapy between January 2012 and June 2019 at three centres in Sydney, Australia.

Impact of audiovisual biofeedback on interfraction respiratory motion reproducibility in liver cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Introduction: Irregular breathing motion exacerbates uncertainties throughout a course of radiation therapy. Breathing guidance has demonstrated to improve breathing motion consistency. This was the first clinical implementation of audiovisual biofeedback (AVB) breathing guidance over a course of liver stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) investigating interfraction reproducibility.

Intravenous contrast-enhanced cone beam computed tomography (IVCBCT) of intrahepatic tumors and vessels.

Purpose: Liver tumors are challenging to visualize on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) without intravenous (IV) contrast. Image guidance for liver cancer stereotactic body ablative radiation therapy (SABR) could be improved with the direct visualization of hepatic tumors and vasculature. This study investigated the feasibility of the use of IV contrast-enhanced CBCT (IV-CBCT) as a means to improve liver target visualization.

First clinical implementation of audiovisual biofeedback in liver cancer stereotactic body radiation therapy.

This case report details a clinical trial's first recruited liver cancer patient who underwent a course of stereotactic body radiation therapy treatment utilising audiovisual biofeedback breathing guidance. Breathing motion results for both abdominal wall motion and tumour motion are included. Patient 1 demonstrated improved breathing motion regularity with audiovisual biofeedback.

Audiovisual biofeedback breathing guidance for lung cancer patients receiving radiotherapy: a multi-institutional phase II randomised clinical trial.

Background: There is a clear link between irregular breathing and errors in medical imaging and radiation treatment. The audiovisual biofeedback system is an advanced form of respiratory guidance that has previously demonstrated to facilitate regular patient breathing. The clinical benefits of audiovisual biofeedback will be investigated in an upcoming multi-institutional, randomised, and stratified clinical trial recruiting a total of 75 lung cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

A randomized controlled trial of lorazepam to reduce liver motion in patients receiving upper abdominal radiation therapy.

Purpose: Reduction of respiratory motion is desirable to reduce the volume of normal tissues irradiated, to improve concordance of planned and delivered doses, and to improve image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). We hypothesized that pretreatment lorazepam would lead to a measurable reduction of liver motion.

Methods And Materials: Thirty-three patients receiving upper abdominal IGRT were recruited to a double-blinded randomized controlled crossover trial.

Are visiting oncologists enough? A qualitative study of the needs of Australian rural and regional cancer patients, carers and health professionals.

Aim: Survival rates for patients with cancer who live in rural and regional areas are worse than in metropolitan areas. This may be due to geographical isolation, delayed diagnosis, inadequate transport, lower socioeconomic status and workforce shortages. We conducted a qualitative study of rural patients, carers and health professionals.

Phase I study of individualized stereotactic body radiotherapy of liver metastases.

Purpose: To report on the outcomes of a phase I study of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for treatment of liver metastases.

Patients And Methods: Patients with liver metastases that were inoperable or medically unsuitable for resection, and who were not candidates for standard therapies, were eligible for this phase I study of individualized SBRT. Individualized radiation doses were chosen to maintain the same nominal risk of radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) for three estimated risk levels (5%, 10%, and 20%).

Phase I study of individualized stereotactic body radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: To report outcomes of a phase I study of individualized stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment (SBRT) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC).

Patients And Methods: Patients with unresectable HCC or IHC, and who are not suitable for standard therapies, were eligible for six-fraction SBRT during 2 weeks. Radiation dose was dependent on the volume of liver irradiated and the estimated risk of liver toxicity based on a normal tissue complication model.

Neoadjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer--a review.

Pancreatic cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. While surgical resection is the only treatment that holds the potential of cure, a minority of patients are surgical candidates. Despite surgery, the overall survival rates remain low.