Effective bladder preservation strategy with low-dose radiation therapy and concurrent intraarterial chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the toxicity and response, bladder preservation, and survival of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with multimodality therapy consisting of low-dose radiation therapy (RT) and concurrent intraarterial chemotherapy (IACT).

Methods And Materials: . Between November 1999 and July 2005, a total of 27 consecutive, previously untreated patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer underwent transurethral bladder tumor resection followed by concurrent low-dose RT and IACT.

Can Kampo therapy prolong the life of cancer patients?

Our policy regarding the performance of radiotherapy to squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix has not changed since 1969. We have already reported the treatment results which were as good as those from other institutions. Since 1978, Kampo therapy was first introduced in the treatment of cancer patients in dealing with problems such as the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and various types of general malaise.

Prognostic significance of HIF-2alpha expression on tumor infiltrating macrophages in patients with uterine cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2alpha, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-PAS protein, is the principal regulator of the hypoxic transcriptional response. An immunohistochemical study reported strong HIF-2alpha expression in the cytoplasm of tumor infiltrative macrophages (TIMs). Thus we assessed the expression of HIF-2alpha in human cervical cancer tissue before radiation therapy and its relationship to the clinical outcome.

Radiation therapy for cervical cancer in the elderly.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of radical radiation therapy (RT) for cervical cancer in elderly patients.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of 727 patients with cervical cancer who underwent radical RT at the Tokushima University Hospital and compared the treatment results of three age groups: /=75 years (older group [OG], 132 patients).

Results: At the last follow-up, 155 YG (46%), 77 YOG (30%), and 48 OG patients (36%) had died of cervical cancer; the median follow-up periods were 82, 87, and 68 months, respectively.

Quality assurance of I-125 seeds for prostate brachytherapy using an imaging plate.

Purpose: OncoSeed is delivered in a sterile environment in the form of a cartridge, so it is impractical to resterilize and reload seeds after calibration. We investigated a new method using an imaging plate dosimetry system to characterize all seeds in the OncoSeed cartridge in a sterile environment.

Methods And Materials: Seeds within the cartridge were placed on an imaging plate, and the imaging plate irradiated.

Randomized phase II study of immunomodulator Z-100 in patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer with radiation therapy.

Objective: To find the optimal dose of immunomodulator Z-100 in patients with stage IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix in combination with radiation therapy.

Methods: The patients were randomly assigned to the dosage levels of 2, 20 or 40 mug of Z-100. Z-100 was subcutaneously injected twice a week during radiotherapy and once in two weeks during the maintenance period.

Chemoradiation therapy for cervical cancer: toxicity of concurrent weekly cisplatin.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the toxicity of concurrent weekly cisplatin and radiation therapy (RT) for locally advanced cervical cancer.

Materials And Methods: Between April 2001 and December 2004, 21 consecutive previously untreated patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) at the Tokushima University Hospital. Clinical stages were II: 5, III: 15, IVA: 1.

Quality assurance of I-125 seed permanent implant therapy using a self-color developing reflection-type dosimetry sheet film.

Purpose: We evaluated a self-color developing sheet-type film for the detection of dead seeds in I-125 permanent implant therapy for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: As a preliminary study, we irradiated X-rays to a self-developing reflection-type sheet film and created a relational curve between absorbed dose and film density. I-125 seeds were placed on a film and the approximate absorbed dose of I-125 was calculated from the relational curve of X-rays.

Phase III double-blind randomized trial of radiation therapy for stage IIIb cervical cancer in combination with low- or high-dose Z-100: treatment with immunomodulator, more is not better.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of low or high-dose immunomodulator, Z-100, in combination with radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

Methods: Between 1995 and 1999, 221 patients with stage IIIb squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were randomly assigned to treatment with Z-100 either at 0.2 microg or 40 microg in a double-blind manner in combination with radiotherapy.