Factors influencing conformity index in radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

The radiotherapy conformity index (CI) is a useful tool to quantitatively assess the quality of radiotherapy treatment plans, and represents the relationship between isodose distributions and target volume. A conformity index of unity implies high planning target volume (PTV) coverage and minimal unnecessary irradiation of surrounding tissues. We performed this analysis to describe the CI for lung cancer 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and to identify clinical and technical determinants of CI, as it is not known which factors are associated with good quality 3D conformal radiotherapy treatment planning.

A phase II trial for the optimisation of treatment position in the radiation therapy of prostate cancer.

Background: Patient immobilisation and position are important contributors to the reproducibility and accuracy of radiation therapy. In addition the choice of position can alter the external contour of the treated area and has the potential to alter the spatial relationship between internal organs. The published literature demonstrates variation in the use of the prone and supine position for prostate cancer radiation therapy.

Treatment with a belly-board device significantly reduces the volume of small bowel irradiated and results in low acute toxicity in adjuvant radiotherapy for gynecologic cancer: results of a prospective study.

Background And Purpose: To determine whether treatment prone on a belly-board significantly reduces the volume of small bowel irradiated in women receiving adjuvant radiotherapy for gynecologic cancer, and to prospectively study acute small bowel toxicity using an accepted recording instrument.

Material And Methods: Thirty-two gynecologic patients underwent simulation with CT scanning supine and prone. Small bowel was delineated on every CT slice, and treatment was prone on the belly-board using 3-5 fields-typically Anterior, Right and Left Lateral, plus or minus Lateral Boosts.

Escalated dose for non-small-cell lung cancer with accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy.

Background And Purpose: To prospectively assess the feasibility and efficacy of a hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy regimen (72 Gy in 24 daily fractions, 3 Gy per fraction) in patients (pts) with non-resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Material And Methods: We included 25 pts with a histologically or cytologically proven NSCLC, with KPS > or = 70 and < or =10% weight loss over prior three months, and with tumour stage I/II medically inoperable (9 pts) or non-resectable stage III a/b without pleural effusion (16 pts). Eleven pts received induction chemotherapy.

Accelerated radiation therapy, seven fractions per week, for advanced head and neck cancer--a feasibility study.

Aim: The feasibility and improved efficacy of six conventional fractions per week has previously been proven in a Danish randomized trial. We tested the tolerance and efficacy of seven conventional fractions per week using a concomitant boost technique.

Methods: From September 1996 to May 1998, 20 patients with squamous cancer of the head and neck were treated with radiation alone.