Osteolytic Bone Metastasis: Different Radiotherapy Fractionation Schedules Compared Clinically and Radiographically.

The purpose of this study is to compare three commonly used radiotherapy fractionation schedules for bone metastasis in terms of clinical and radiological effectiveness. A total of 93 patients with osteolytic bone metastasis were randomized to receive 8 Gyin a single fraction (group A), 20 Gy in 5 fractions (group B) and 30 Gy in 10 fractions (group C). Changes in bone density were measured using the Relative Electron Density (RED) type corrected by Thomas (pe = HU/1.

Comprehensive 3DCRT Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Schedule for Localized Prostate Adenocarcinoma in the Era of IMRT: Dosimetric and Endoscopic Analysis.

Moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy (MHRT) has emerged as the preferred treatment modality for localized prostate cancer based on randomized controlled studies regarding efficacy and toxicity using contemporary radiotherapy techniques. In the setting of MHRT, available data on dosimetric parameters and late rectal toxicity are limited. To present the effects of MHRT on late rectal toxicity while conducting an extensive dosimetric analysis in conjunction with rectoscopy results.

Radiotherapy for tumors of the mediastinum - state of the art.

Mediastinal tumors encompass a diverse range of malignancies, originating within or spreading to the mediastinum. The administration of radiotherapy within the anatomical confines of the mediastinum presents unique challenges owing to the close proximity of critical organs, including the heart, lungs, esophagus, and spinal cord. However, recent progress in imaging techniques, treatment modalities, and our understanding of tumor biology has significantly contributed to the development of effective and safe therapeutic strategies for mediastinal diseases.

Myxoid spindle cell sarcoma with ETV6-NTRK3 fusion.

Myxoid spindle cell sarcoma is a rare sarcoma with a demanding histopathologic diagnosis due to the absence of pathognomic immunohistochemistry markers. Genetics include complex karyotypic alterations without characteristic molecular abnormalities for this entity. NTRK alterations are rare findings with great clinical importance since they can be therapeutically targeted with two NTRK inhibitors.

Quantification of Nanoscale Dose Enhancement in Gold Nanoparticle-Aided External Photon Beam Radiotherapy.

The recent progress in Nanotechnology has introduced Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) as promising radiosensitizing agents in radiation oncology. This work aims to estimate dose enhancement due to the presence of AuNPs inside an irradiated water region through Monte Carlo calculations. The GATE platform was used to simulate 6 MV photon histories generated from a TrueBeam linear accelerator with and without a Flattening Filter (FF) and model AuNPs clusters.

Impact of Hippocampal Avoidance - Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation in Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Background/aim: Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is a well-established treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients following response to initial chemoradiotherapy. The benefit of PCI does, however, come at the cost of cognitive decline. This has been attributed to radiation-induced toxicity at the hippocampus, a crucial anatomic area for cognition.

A Comparative Analysis of White Matter Structural Networks on SCLC Patients After Chemotherapy.

Previous sMRI, DTI and rs-fMRI studies in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients have reported that patients after chemotherapy had gray and white matter structural alterations along with functional deficits. Nonetheless, few are known regarding the potential alterations in the topological organization of the WM structural network in SCLC patients after chemotherapy. In this context, the scope of the present study is to evaluate the WM structural network of 20 SCLC patients after chemotherapy and to 14 healthy controls, by applying a combination of DTI with graph theory.

Deformable image registration to assist clinical decision for radiotherapy treatment adaptation for head and neck cancer patients.

Head and neck (H&N) cancer patients often present anatomical and geometrical changes in tumors and organs at risk (OARs) during radiotherapy treatment. These changes may result in the need to adapt the existing treatment planning, using an expert's subjective opinion, for offline adaptive radiotherapy and a new treatment planning before each treatment, for online adaptive radiotherapy. In the present study, a fast methodology is proposed to assist in planning adaptation clinical decision using tumor and parotid glands percentage volume changes during treatment.

Moderate Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: The Triumph of Radiobiology.

Background: Radiotherapy represents one of the main therapeutic modalities for localized prostate cancer. In the last two decades, emerging data regarding the radiobiology of prostate cancer suggests a very low α/β value, which has led the scientific community to evaluate the potential advantage of hypofractionation.

Objective: The aim of this manuscript is to present the rationale of prostate radiobiology and the medical evidence of moderate hypofractionation for prostate cancer.

Chemotherapy-Induced Brain Effects in Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Multimodal MRI Study.

The golden standard of treating Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) entails application of platinum-based chemotherapy, is often accompanied by Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI), which have been linked to neurotoxic side-effects in cognitive functions. The related existing neuroimaging research mainly focuses on the effect of PCI treatment in life quality and expectancy, while little is known regarding the distinct adverse effects of chemotherapy. In this context, a multimodal MRI analysis based on structural and functional brain data is proposed in order to evaluate chemotherapy-specific effects on SCLC patients.

A-blockers for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy: a randomized controlled study.

Background: This is a prospective study aiming to assess the efficacy of α-blockers in treating radiotherapy-induced symptoms of the lower urinary tract and its possible prophylactic role on acute urinary retention (AUR) in patients undergoing radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: Overall, 108 patients with localized PCa were recruited and randomly assigned in to two groups; 54 patients of Group 1 received tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily with the initiation of EBRT and for 6 months and 54 patients of Group 2 served as the control group.

Determination of beam profile characteristics in radiation therapy using different dosimetric set ups.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze and to compare results regarding the penumbra size, flatness and symmetry obtained using six different measuring systems.

Methods: Beam profile measurements were performed in standard water phantom set-up for two photon beams for various square field sizes and for five electron beams for several applicator sizes at several depths. Six measuring systems were used: three ionization chambers; a Semiflex (31002, PTW), a Markus (23343, PTW) and a Roos (34001, PTW); Two semiconductor detectors; a p-type diode (60008, PTW) and an e-type diode (60017, PTW) and a one dimensional Linear Array (LA48, PTW).

Utilizing Yoga in Oncologic Patients Treated with Radiotherapy: Review.

Purpose: Several trials on noncancer population indicate that yoga is associated with meaningful clinical effects. This study evaluated the physical and psychosocial outcomes of yoga in oncologic patients treated with radiotherapy.

Methods: We focused on a research through Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), BioMed Central, and MEDLINE studies up to May 2017.

Stage-II thymoma and emergency coronary artery bypass. To irradiate or not to irradiate to avoid radiation induced vascular injury? Case report and literature review.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present the controversial role of adjuvant radiotherapy to a 72-year-old male patient with Masaoka stage II thymoma and coronary artery bypass and to review the relevant literature.

Methods: The data were collected by relevant studies on PubMed and EMBASE. Articles up to March 2017 were included.

Altered Brain Functional Connectivity in Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients after Chemotherapy Treatment: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

Previous studies in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients have mainly focused on exploring neurocognitive deficits associated with prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). Little is known about functional brain alterations that might occur due to chemotherapy treatment in this population before PCI is administered. For this reason, we used resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to examine potential functional connectivity disruptions in brain networks, including the Default Mode Network (DMN), the Sensorimotor Network, and the Task-Positive Network (TPN).

Primary extramammary invasive Paget's vulvar disease: what is the standard, what are the challenges and what is the future for radiotherapy?

Background: Primary invasive Extramammary Paget's vulvar disease is a rare tumor that is challenging to control. Wide surgical excision represents the standard treatment approach for Primary invasive Extramammary Paget's vulvar disease. The goal of the current study was to analyze the appropriate indications of radiotherapy in Primary invasive Extramammary Paget's vulvar disease because they are still controversial.

Prognostic Value of MRS Metabolites in Postoperative Irradiated High Grade Gliomas.

Purpose: We studied the prognostic significance of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in operated high grade gliomas.

Materials And Methods: Twelve patients were treated with radiotherapy and Temozolomide. The MRS data were taken four weeks after operation (before radiotherapy) and every six months after the completion of RT.

Irradiation Toxicity and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Review.

Background/aim: The evaluation of radiotherapy toxicity in oncologic IBD patients. Defining the optimal patient and treatment factors that would be able to reduce the risk to organs.

Materials And Methods: A review of all published radiotherapy trials was performed to identify the clinical and treatment factors of inflammatory bowel disease's patients treated for different solid tumors.

The key role of bisphosphonates in the supportive care of cancer patients.

Unlabelled: The present review aims at providing an assessment of the clinical significance of Biphosphonates (BPs) in the treatment of patients with cancer.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature review was performed based on database search in PubMed/Medline and included articles up to August 2013.

Results: BPs can reduce, delay, and prevent complications related to bone metastases.

The effect of synbiotics on acute radiation-induced diarrhea and its association with mucosal inflammatory and adaptive responses in rats.

Background: Previous clinical studies advocated that probiotics beneficially affect acute radiation-induced diarrhea. These encouraging results were attributed to the restoration of the intestinal flora; however, there is lack of evidence if and how probiotics influence the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Aims: The present study was conducted to investigate the potential supporting role of a synbiotic preparation (combination of pro- and pre-biotics) on experimentally-induced acute radiation diarrhea from the perspective of mucosal inflammation and histological injury.

Changes of acute-phase protein levels in the serum of lung cancer patients following radiotherapy.

Purpose: the assessment of serum level changes of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin (FER), and albumin (ALB) as inflammation markers in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer patients (stages IIIA - inoperable and stage IIIB) treated with radiotherapy. Significant findings: Normal pre-radiotherapy levels of CRP were found in 18 patients, of FER in 17, and of ALB in 22. Higher levels of CRP were found in 9 patients and of FER in 10.