A novel method to evaluate salivary flow rates of head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy: a pilot study.

Introduction: The procedure used to evaluate salivary flow rate is called sialometry. It can be performed through several techniques, but none appears to be really efficient for post-radiotherapy patients.

Objective: To adequate sialometry tests for head and neck cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy.

Impact of low-level laser therapy on hyposalivation, salivary pH, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy.

Late effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer treatment have been increasingly investigated due to its impact on patients' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on hyposalivation, low salivary pH, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients post-radiotherapy. Twenty-nine patients with radiation-induced xerostomia received laser sessions twice a week, during 3 months (24 sessions).

Low-Level Laser for Mitigation of Low Salivary Flow Rate in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiochemotherapy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the impact of low-level laser (LLL) on low salivary flow rate in patients undergoing radiochemotherapy (RT-CT) for head and neck cancer.

Background Data: LLL has shown efficiency in preventing hyposalivation in patients under different pathological conditions, including those undergoing RT-CT.

Methods: During all RT-CT, 17 patients received laser therapy and 10 received clinical care only.

Low-level laser therapy for the prevention of low salivary flow rate after radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Objective: To determine whether low-level laser therapy can prevent salivary hypofunction after radiotherapy and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 23 head and neck cancer patients, of whom 13 received laser therapy and 10 received clinical care only. An InGaAlP laser was used intra-orally (at 660 nm and 40 mW) at a mean dose of 10.

Strategies to evaluate the impact of rectal volume on prostate motion during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the rectal volume influence on prostate motion during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-one patients with prostate cancer underwent a series of three computed tomography scans including an initial planning scan and two subsequent scans during 3D-CRT. The organs of interest were outlined.

Waiting time to radiotherapy as a prognostic factor for glioblastoma patients in a scenario of medical disparities.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of waiting time (WT) to radiotherapy (RT) on overall survival (OS) of glioblastoma (GBM) patients as a reliable prognostic variable in Brazil, a scenario of medical disparities.

Method: Retrospective study of 115 GBM patients from two different health-care institutions (one public and one private) in Brazil who underwent post-operative RT.

Results: Median WT to RT was 6 weeks (range, 1.

Low-level laser therapy on bone repair of rat tibiae exposed to ionizing radiation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the repair of rat tibiae exposed to ionizing radiation (IR).

Background Data: IR causes structural changes that delay bone tissue repair. Properly dosed, LLLT improves the bone repair process.

Initial care and outcome of glioblastoma multiforme patients in 2 diverse health care scenarios in Brazil: does public versus private health care matter?

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and survival features of patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated in 2 health care scenarios--public and private--in Brazil.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical, treatment, and outcome characteristics of glioblastoma multiforme patients from 2003 to 2011 at 2 institutions.

Results: The median age of the 171 patients (117 public and 54 private) was 59.

Long-term oral effects in patients treated with radiochemotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the late oral complications and the role of salivary gland hypofunction in the severity of mucosal reaction in nonsurgical head and neck cancer patients, submitted to radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Five hundred fifteen charts from patients treated between 2005 and 2009 were reviewed, and 41 patients met the inclusion criteria. Salivary gland function was assessed using a simplified grading system (GSX) and sialometry.

[Mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiochemotherapy].

The objective of present study was to classify oral mucositis according to the Common Toxicity Criterion (CTC) international parameters in head and neck tumor patients simultaneously treated with radio and chemotherapy, and characterize a patient profile in our area, observing the individuals' habits, tumor characteristics, treatment protocol and acute reaction intensity. Fifty patients undergoing simultaneous 66 to 70 Gy megavoltage radiotherapy and cisplatin/carboplatin chemotherapy were evaluated in this study. Weekly evaluations of the degree of mucositis were perfoemed according to CTC, a four-degree ordinal scale; 36% of all patients and 100% of those with diabetes discontinued treatment due to mucositis, showing that this pathology contributes to the severity of mucositis.

Protracted hypofractionated radiotherapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy: a pilot study of clinical and radiologic response.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic response of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy given low-dose orbital radiotherapy (RT) with a protracted fractionation.

Methods And Materials: Eighteen patients (36 orbits) received orbital RT with a total dose of 10 Gy, fractionated in 1 Gy once a week over 10 weeks. Of these, 9 patients received steroid therapy as well.

RTOG criteria to evaluate acute skin reaction and its risk factors in patients with breast cancer submitted to radiotherapy.

Purpose: Evaluate and classify skin reactions through the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria and characterize factors that can intervene in these reactions.

Method: Prospective study, with 86 women submitted to adjuvant breast radiotherapy with a total dose of 5040cGy, in a 6 MeV Linear Accelerator. Personal data were collected and breast size was measured (distance between field separation and breast height).

Radiotherapy alone in the treatment of uterine cervix cancer with telecobalt and low-dose-rate brachytherapy: retrospective analysis of results and variables.

Purpose: This retrospective analysis aims to report results and variables from patients with cervix cancer treated by radiation therapy alone with telecobalt and low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDRB).

Methods And Materials: Between September 1989 and September 1995, 190 patients with histologic diagnosis of cervix carcinoma were treated with telecobalt for external beam radiotherapy (EBR), followed by one or two insertions of LDRB. Stage distribution according to patients was the following: IB, 12; IIA, 4; IIB, 105; and IIIB, 69.

[Latent TGFbeta1 activation in the lung irradiated in vivo].

Purpose: assess the latent and active TGFb1 localization in the lung, whether or not radiation induces latent TGFbeta1 activation, and the distribution of collagen fibers in the irradiated lung.

Methods: Thirty two C57BL mice were randomly assigned in two groups: GI (non irradiated animals) and GII (irradiated animals). The mice from GII received a single whole - body radiation dose of 7Gy, using a 60Co source at a dose rate of 0.