Planning study for Merkel cell carcinoma based on the relapse pattern.

Purpose: To develop a technique for radiation (RT) of in-transit path ways (IT) in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Method: In the planning study, IT were ink-marked on the skin during sentinel lymphscintigraphy and wire-marked in planning-CT. Pre- and post-operative planning-CTs were acquired.

Influence of organ at risk definition on rectal dose-volume histograms in patients with prostate cancer undergoing external-beam radiotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate rectal dose-volume relations during three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy of patients with prostate cancer by means of different rectal volume contours.

Patients And Methods: 55 patients with prostate cancer underwent three-dimensional conformal external-beam radiotherapy. Rectal dose-volume histograms were calculated for four separately contoured rectal volumes in all patients resulting in four groups.

Testicular dose in prostate cancer radiotherapy: impact on impairment of fertility and hormonal function.

Purpose: To determine the dose received by the unshielded testicles during a course of 20-MV conventional external-beam radiotherapy for patients with localized prostate cancer. Critical evaluation of the potential impact on fertility and hormonal impairment in these patients according to the literature.

Patients And Methods: The absolute dose received by the testicles of 20 randomly selected patients undergoing radiotherapy of prostate cancer was measured by on-line thermoluminescence dosimetry.

Virtual simulation of a boost field in adjuvant radiotherapy of the breast.

Background And Purpose: In CT-based adjuvant radiotherapy of the breast, virtual simulation techniques have been developed. This paper demonstrates a simple virtual simulation of a boost field.

Material And Methods: 41 fields were planned virtually, 26 as electron beams, 15 as tangential photon beams.