Hypofractionation for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Background: Using hypofractionation (fewer, larger doses of daily radiation) to treat localized prostate cancer may improve convenience and resource use. For hypofractionation to be feasible, it must be at least as effective for cancer-related outcomes and have comparable toxicity and quality of life outcomes as conventionally fractionated radiation therapy.

Objectives: To assess the effects of hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy compared to conventionally fractionated external beam radiation therapy for men with clinically localized prostate cancer.

Evolution of definitive external beam radiation therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Purpose: Although the clinical significance of a diagnosis of prostate cancer for some men is debated, for many men it leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Radical treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer has been shown to improve survival in men with intermediate or high-risk disease. There is no high level evidence to support the superiority of radical prostatectomy, with or without adjuvant or salvage external beam radiotherapy in comparison to definitive radiotherapy with or without androgen deprivation, and the choice should be individualized.

The role of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in gynaecological radiation therapy: A dosimetric comparison of intensity modulated radiation therapy versus VMAT.

Introduction: For gynaecological cancers, volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) offers comparable plan quality with shorter treatment delivery times when compared to intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Methods: The clinical IMRT plans of twenty gynaecological cancer patients were compared with a retrospectively generated VMAT plan. Planning target volume (PTV) metrics compared were D95 > 99%, homogeneity index, and conformity index.

Adjuvant radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Background: Men who have a radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer that does not involve lymph nodes, but extends beyond the prostate capsule into the seminal vesicles or to surgical margins, are at increased risk of relapse. In men with these high risk factors, radiotherapy (RT) directed at the prostate bed after surgery may reduce this risk, and be curative.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of adjuvant RT following RP for prostate cancer in men with high risk features compared with RP.

The effect of anaemia on efficacy and normal tissue toxicity following radiotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose: The aims of this analysis were to determine the effect of anaemia on loco-regional control, relapse-free survival, cause-specific survival, overall survival, and acute and late radiation therapy toxicity in patients with Stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with radiotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Between 1991 and 1998, 350 patients were randomly assigned to either conventional radiotherapy, (70 Gy in 35 fractions in 49 days) or to accelerated radiotherapy (59.4 Gy in 33 fractions in 24 days).