MedWorm: Brachytherapy

High dose-rate endobronchial brachytherapy: a dosimetric study

Radiologia Brasileira — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:28:55 +0100

CONCLUSION: Overall, the dose distribution in the standard situation was appropriate. No specific parameter that could be related to a higher toxicity was identified. The authors recommend a swift evaluation of the treatment quality through the analysis of the V150/V100 and V200/V100 ratios. (Source: Radiologia Brasileira)

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Risk analysis using fuzzy set theory of the accidental exposure of medical staff during brachytherapy procedures

Journal of Radiological Protection — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Author(s): F Castiglia, M Giardina and E TomarchioAffiliation(s): Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy (Source: Journal of Radiological Protection)

Monte Carlo modeling of

Journal of Medical Physics — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:11:40 +0100

Sahoo S, Selvam T Palani, Vishwakarma R S, Chourasiya GJournal of Medical Physics 2010 35(1):15-22The reference medium for brachytherapy dose measurements is water. Accuracy of dose measurements of brachytherapy sources is critically dependent on precise measurement of the source-detector distance. A solid phantom can be precisely machined and hence source-detector distances can be accurately determined. In the present study, four different solid phantom materials such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene, Solid Water, and RW1 are modeled using the Monte Carlo methods to investigate the influence of phantom material on dose rate distributions of the new model of BEBIG 60 Co brachytherapy source. The calculated dose rate constant is 1.086 &#177; 0.06% cGy h&...

Dr Crippen: On the problem with prostate cancer screening

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:30:10 +0100

At post-mortem, most elderly men have traces of prostate cancer but have died of other causesThere is a much-publicised screening test for early prostate cancer, but GPs hesitate before ordering the test on demand. A slightly raised PSA (a protein that healthy prostates produce in small amounts) may indicate early prostate cancer, but it will not tell you what to do about it. Surgical removal of the prostate has a mortality rate and may cause unpleasant side-effects, like impotence and incontinence. At post-mortem, most elderly men have traces of prostate cancer but have died of other causes. We would have done them no favours, if we had removed their prostates.I saw Ernest, a 67 year old man, three moths ago. His brother, aged 60, had just been found to have inoperable prostate cancer, so...

Vaginal Brachytherapy Instead of EBRT for Endometrial Cancer

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:07:50 +0100

For women with endometrial cancer of high-intermediate risk, adjuvant therapy should be vaginal brachytherapy instead of external beam radiation therapy. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Loose seeds versus stranded seeds in I-125 prostate brachytherapy: Differences in clinical outcome.

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that seed-type affects clinical outcome in prostate brachytherapy, with better bNED for patients with loose seed implants. PMID: 20215039 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

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Axxent eBx

About.com Breast Cancer — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Axxent electronicbrachytherapy treatment system can give you accelerated partial breast radiation without using a radioactive source. Electronic brachytherapy uses a miniature X-ray source to produce radiation, instead of radioactive isotopes. Learn more about electronic brachytherapy here. (Source: About.com Breast Cancer)

High doses required for optimal local control after prostate brachytherapy

MedWire News - Prostate Cancer — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:48:59 +0100

Prostate cancer patients treated with permanent prostate brachytherapy who receive a biologically effective dose of more than 200 Gy achieve significantly better local control than patients who receive lower doses of radiation, researchers report. (Source: MedWire News - Prostate Cancer)

Nucletron appoints new VP for Asia Pacific

Health Imaging News — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:36:08 +0100

Walter Tarca has joined Nucletron as the vice president (VP) for the Asia Pacific, and will oversee its business in the region through an expansion of its direct presence and increased investments in training and educational programs towards the adoption of brachytherapy. (Source: Health Imaging News)

Nucletron appoints new VP for Asia Pacific

Health Imaging News — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:36:08 +0100

Brachytherapy Called New Standard for Endometrial CA (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:40:59 +0100

Endometrial cancer patients with intermediate recurrence risk may be better off with adjuvant internal radiotherapy than with external beam radiation, Dutch researchers said. (Source: MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology)

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[Comment] Radiotherapy for endometrial cancer: a key piece in the jigsaw

LANCET — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

With a rising yearly incidence of more than 20 women per 100 000, endometrial cancer is now the most common gynaecological cancer in developed countries. More than 75% of patients present with disease confined to the uterus. After hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, histopathological variables are used to assign risk of recurrence. Endometrial cancer of high-intermediate risk accounts for around 30% of women with early disease, of whom about 15% either have occult metastases or will develop metastatic disease. Adjuvant treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence has traditionally been external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), which is presently offered to about a third of women with endometrial cancer, with or without vaginal brachytherapy (VBT). However, although EBRT reduces the r...

[Articles] Vaginal brachytherapy versus pelvic external beam radiotherapy for patients with endometrial cancer of high-intermediate risk (PORTEC-2): an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised trial

LANCET — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study established whether vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) is as effective as pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in prevention of vaginal recurrence, with fewer adverse effects and improved quality of life. (Source: LANCET)

High doses required for optimal local control after prostate brachytherapy

MedWire News - Oncology — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Vaginal Brachytherapy May Be Best for Endometrial Cancer

Modern Medicine — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In patients with high-intermediate-risk endometrial cancer, vaginal brachytherapy is just as effective as pelvic external beam radiotherapy for prevention of vaginal recurrence, has fewer toxic effects and leads to improved quality of life, according to a study in the March 6 issue of The Lancet. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Androgen-suppression therapy for prostate cancer and the risk of death in men with a history of myocardial infarction or stroke

BJU International — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Study Type [ndash] Prognosis (inception cohort)Level of Evidence 1b To examine the effect of short-course androgen-suppression therapy (AST) before brachytherapy on all-cause mortality (ACM) rates, stratified by the presence or absence of a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke. AST is used to reduce prostate size to enable men with favourable-risk prostate cancer to undergo brachytherapy, but no disease-specific benefit has been reported for this practice, and AST use has been associated with an increased risk of ACM in some men with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The study comprised 12 792 men with favourable-risk disease, i.e. a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of (Source: BJU International)

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Comment on Moerland et al. study of decline of dose coverage between different implant techniques for I125 prostate brachytherapy.

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Al-Qaisieh B PMID: 20207039 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

Response to “Predictors of Prostate Cancer–Specific Mortality in Elderly Men With Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Treated With Brachytherapy With or Without External Beam Radiation Therapy” (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2009, in press)

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:35:20 +0100

To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by Nanda et al. suggesting a decreased prostate cancer–specific mortality in elderly men with cardiovascular disease treated by brachytherapy with or without external beam radiation therapy for intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Attracted by this surprising finding, we performed an exploratory analysis of our sample of 2,205 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the years 1992–2005 (median follow-up, 5.4 years; median age, 65 years) stratified by several possible definitions of cardiovascular disease (the way of comorbidity assessment has previously been described in detail ). In all stratifications, cardiovascular disease was associated with increased overall mortality, and there was no detectable protective...

American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) Emerging Technology Committee Report on Electronic Brachytherapy

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:35:08 +0100

This report provides a descriptive overview of the technologies, current and future projected applications, comparison of competing technologies, potential impact, and potential safety issues. The full Emerging Technology Committee report is available on the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Web site. (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

Adaptive Management of Cervical Cancer Radiotherapy

Seminars in Radiation Oncology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:43:51 +0100

Since the breakthrough 10 years ago with concomitant radio-chemotherapy, substantial progress in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer has been lacking. Radiotherapy continues to be the cornerstone in the treatment of this disease and now shows much potential for progress, as image guidance of both external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy, linked with strong tools for treatment planning and dose delivery, is becoming available. With these new techniques, it again seems possible to improve the therapeutic ratio as we begin to understand how the treatment for each patient can be individualized, not only in terms of volume (3-dimensional), but also during treatment (4-dimensional), as the tumor regresses and the topography of the target and organs at risk change significa...

[Economic assessment of pulsed dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy with optimized dose distribution for cervix carcinoma.]

Cancer Radiotherapie — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Aside from staff, imaging and dosimetry, the current hospital reimbursements largely underestimated the cost of innovation related to equipment and sources. PMID: 20206571 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cancer Radiotherapie)

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Image-Guided Treatment of Breast Cancer

Journal of the American College of Surgeons — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The article by Dr Silverstein and colleagues was published at a very important time, when key issues of disagreement remain in the management of breast carcinoma. The authors have discussed very eloquently various issues, such as the role of MRI, minimally invasive breast biopsy, sentinel node biopsy, clinical significance of micrometastasis, brachytherapy, and management of ductal carcinoma of situ and future research to improve the survival and overall survival in breast cancer. (Source: Journal of the American College of Surgeons)

Relationship between prostate cancer mortality and number of unfavourable risk factors in men treated with definitive brachytherapy

BJU International — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Study Type [ndash] Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 To explore whether the number of unfavourable pretreatment risk factors predicts cause-specific mortality in men treated with prostate brachytherapy. Between April 1995 and March 2006, 739 patients were treated who had at least one of the following adverse risk factors: pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of >10 ng/mL, a Gleason score of [ge]7, clinical stage [ge]T2b, or a PSA velocity (PSAV) of >2 ng/mL/year. Supplemental external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was delivered to 464 (62.8%) men and 301 (40.7%) received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Of men with more than two risk factors, 87% received EBRT and 62% received ADT. The biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS), cause-specific survival (CSS) and overal...

Characteristic 8 keV X Rays Possess Radiobiological Properties of Higher-LET Radiation.

Radiation Research — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Shridhar R, Estabrook W, Yudelev M, Rakowski J, Burmeister J, Wilson GD, Joiner MC Abstract Electronic brachytherapy systems are being developed that can deliver X rays of varying energy depending on the material of a secondary target. A copper target produces characteristic 8 keV X rays. Our aim was to determine whether 8 keV X rays might deliver greater biological effectiveness than megavoltage photons. Cells of the U251 human glioma cell line were used to compare the biological effects of 8 keV X rays and (60)Co gamma rays in terms of relative biological effectiveness (RBE), oxygen enhancement ratio (OER), and DNA damage. The RBE at 50% and 10% survival was 2.6 and 1.9, respectively. At 50% survival, the OER for cells treated with 8 keV X rays was 1.6 compared with 3.0 for ...

Seroma

About.com Breast Cancer — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A seroma can occur after surgery or breast brachytherapy. Seromas may be painful or cause mild discomfort. Learn more about seromas here. (Source: About.com Breast Cancer)

Prospective comparison of PSA kinetics following two different prostate cancer brachytherapy planning methods: Preoperative and real-time intraoperative dosimetry planning.

Urologic Oncology — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our initial finding of highly superior postimplant CT dosimetry calculations of the IoP method are now substantiated by the biochemical favorable results (PSA kinetics) of this method. PMID: 20189847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Urologic Oncology)

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Research Findings Update Understanding Of Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Fresh data on breast cancer are presented in the report 'Local recurrence of invasive micropapillary breast cancer after MammoSite brachytherapy: a case report and literature review.' Controversy exists over the optimal patient selection criteria for accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI), which has been introduced as an alternative to whole- breast irradiation. (Source: Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer)

Time Trends and Local Variation in Primary Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer [Genitourinary Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:01:02 +0100

Conclusion Substantial variation exists in management of localized prostate cancer that is not explained by measurable factors. A critical need exists for high-quality comparative effectiveness research in localized prostate cancer to help guide treatment decision making. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

Electromagnetic Navigation

Clinics in Chest Medicine — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:57:19 +0100

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy using overlaid CT Images is a safe procedure. It improves the diagnostic yield of the flexible bronchoscopy for peripheral lesions and also allows sampling of the mediastinal lymph nodes. Additionally, the system provides several other advantages: there is no additional radiation, and it has a short learning curve. It can also be used for fiducial marker placement for brachytherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery. It plays a complementary role to other modalities such as ultrathin bronchoscopy or an endobronchial ultrasonography. (Source: Clinics in Chest Medicine)

Accelerated partial-breast irradiation using high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy: 12-year update of a prospective clinical study.

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Twelve-year results with APBI using HDR multicatheter interstitial implants continue to demonstrate excellent long-term local tumour control, survival, and cosmetic results with a low-rate of late side effects. PMID: 20181401 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

Vorsprung durch Technik: Evolution, implementation, QA and safety of new technology in radiotherapy

Radiotherapy and Oncology — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

These are exciting times in radiotherapy. The challenge repeatedly presented to the radiotherapy team by each new patient is one of treatment optimisation i.e., of delivering high and effective doses to the required targets but minimising unwanted side-effects, and this has continued to drive research and the development of technology and techniques. This issue of Radiotherapy and Oncology contains mainly papers from presentations at the recent ESTRO 10th Biennial Conference on Physics and Radiation Technology for Clinical Radiotherapy (Maastricht, September 2009) . Each of these meetings presents the current state of the art and draws together developments over the interval since the last , as also reflected in publications in the journal over that period. Better insights into radiobiolog...

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Marie Curie Planted Seeds of Progress for Cancer Treatment

About.com Breast Cancer — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Madam Marie CuriePhoto ©Official 1911 Nobel Prize Photo Women's History Month Maria Skłodowska was born the youngest child of teachers in Warsaw, Poland. Family fortunes were not great, and Maria lost her mother at age twelve. Maria had to work as a tutor and governess to help finance her sister's education. Later, she was able to study in Paris at the Sorbonne with her sister's support. She also took courses in secret from the Floating University, an underground educational institution in politically-turbulent Poland that educated women, and later also men. Determined to work and make progress in her chosen field of science, Maria studied and practiced physics and chemistry - subjects her father had taught. In 1894, Marie earned her second degree - this one in mathematics, and met...

Feasibility of 125I brachytherapy combined with sorafenib treatment in patients with multiple lung metastases after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:54:33 +0100

Conclusion 125I brachytherapy combined with sorafenib is safe, feasible and promising approach in the treatment of patients with multiple lung metastases after OLT for HCC, but large-scale randomized clinical trials are necessary for confirmation. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s00432-010-0821-zAuthors Chuanxing Li, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China 651 Dongfeng Road, East Guangzhou 510060 Guangdong People’s Republic of ChinaFujun Zhang, Sun Yat-sen University Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China 651 Dongfeng Road, East Guangzhou 5...

Dose perturbation due to the polysulfone cap surrounding a Fletcher-Williamson colpostat.

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:54:03 +0100

Authors: Price MJ, Kry SF, Eifel PJ, Salehpour M, Mourtada F We conducted a metrological evaluation of the dosimetric impact due to the polysulfone cap used with the Fletcher-Williamson (FW) colpostat for 192Ir high-dose rate and pulsed-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy using Monte Carlo simulations. Polysulfone caps with diameter of 30 mm, 25 mm, 20 mm, and 16 mm (mini-ovoid) were simulated and the absorbed dose rate in the surrounding water was calculated and compared to the dose rate for a bare 192Ir source in water. The dose perturbation depended on the cap diameter, distance away from the cap surface, and angular position around the cap. The largest dose rate reductions were found to be in the direction of the tumor bed where the cap is thickest. The range of perturbation over...

In response to the "Letter to the editor" by Al-Qaisieh et al.: Decline of dose coverage between intraoperative planning and post implant dosimetry for I-125 permanent prostate brachytherapy: Comparison between loose and stranded seed implants.

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moerland MA, Deursen MJ, Elias SG, Vulpen MV, Jürgenliemk-Schulz IM, Battermann JJ PMID: 20172616 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

MammoSite Brachytherapy

About.com Breast Cancer — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

MammoSite breast brachytherapy is an alternative radiation treatment to external beam radiation of the breast. MammoSite breast brachytherapy takes 5 days to completely treat early stage breast cancer with radiation after a lumpectomy. Learn more about MammoSite breast brachytherapy here. (Source: About.com Breast Cancer)

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Retrospective analysis of definitive radiotherapy for patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma: Consideration of the optimal treatment method with a focus on late morbidity.

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our results regarding efficacy from the viewpoint of organ preservation are promising. Special care would be taken for the use of ICBT for patients with superficial esophageal cancer, especially if they have received chemoradiotherapy. PMID: 20153906 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

Dose optimization of intra-operative high dose rate interstitial brachytherapy implants for soft tissue sarcoma

Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:47:35 +0100

Conclusions</b> : Optimization with dose points defined away from the implant plane and on target results in superior target coverage with optimal values of other indices. GrO offer better target coverage for implants with non-uniform geometry and target volume. (Source: Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics)

Choroidal melanoma in a 7-year-old child treated by trans-scleral local resection

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:29:02 +0100

Conclusions Trans-scleral local resection with adjuvant brachytherapy in children is possible using the same techniques as for adults. Although the follow-up is short, our patient retained the eye with good vision and our cytogenetic studies allowed us to reassure the mother. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s00417-009-1295-zAuthors Andrea Russo, Royal Liverpool University Hospital St Paul’s Eye Unit, Oncology Service Liverpool UKSarah Ellen Coupland, University of Liverpool Department of Pathology 5th Floor Duncan Building, Daulby Street Liverpool L69 3GA UKMichael O’Keefe, Children’s University Hospital Temple Street Dublin 1 IrelandBertil E. Damato, Royal Liverpool University Hospital St Paul’s Eye Unit, Oncology Service Liverpool...

From point A to the sculpted pear: MR image guidance significantly improves tumour dose and sparing of organs at risk in brachytherapy of cervical cancer

Radiotherapy and Oncology — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Point A dose is a poor surrogate of HR-CTV dose, and the use of 3D image-based dose planning is encouraged. MRI-based IGABT significantly improves target coverage and OAR dose. (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology)

American Society for Radiation Oncology Announces Patient Protection Plan

NABTC — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:01:59 +0100

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced a six-point patient protection on February 3, 2010. The plan was described as the culmination of a long-term effort to assure that patients receive safe and effective radiation therapy, an effort that continued at the ASTRO Board of Directors winter meeting on January 28-31, 2010. The ASTRO plan includes the following recommendations: 1) creating a database for the reporting of linear accelerator- and computed tomography-based medical errors, 2) launching an enhanced practice accreditation program, specifically addressing new, advanced technologies such as IMRT, SBRT, and brachytherapy, 3) expanding educational programs, with special emphasis on quality assurance and safety, 4) working with patient support organizations to dev...

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The treatment of solid tumors by alpha emitters released from (224)Ra-loaded sources-internal dosimetry analysis.

Physics in Medicine and Biology — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:46:05 +0100

Authors: Arazi L, Cooks T, Schmidt M, Keisari Y, Kelson I Diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy (DART) is a proposed new form of brachytherapy, allowing the treatment of solid tumors by alpha particles. DART utilizes implantable sources carrying small activities of radium-224, which continually release into the tumor radon-220, polonium-216 and lead-212 atoms, while radium-224 itself remains fixed to the source. The released atoms disperse inside the tumor by diffusive and convective processes, creating, through their alpha emissions, a high-dose region measuring several mm in diameter about each source. The efficacy of DART has been demonstrated in preclinical studies on mice-borne squamous cell carcinoma and lung tumors and the method is now being developed toward clinical trial...

IsoRay Announces It Has Provided Seeds To Canada For Research Initiatives To Expand The Use Of Cesium-131 For New Cancer Applications

Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

IsoRay, Inc. announced that it has successfully shipped the first set of Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds to a Canadian customer for the purpose of furthering research and development of Cesium-131 in Canada. Cesium-131 is currently approved by Health Canada for the treatment of low-risk prostate cancers and has been cleared by the US FDA for treatment of a wide variety of malignant disease (e.g. prostate, head and neck, brain, breast, lung, eye, etc.). (Source: Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer)

From point A to the sculpted pear: MR image guidance significantly improves tumour dose and sparing of organs at risk in brachytherapy of cervical cancer.

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Point A dose is a poor surrogate of HR-CTV dose, and the use of 3D image-based dose planning is encouraged. MRI-based IGABT significantly improves target coverage and OAR dose. PMID: 20138380 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

Is There a Role for Adjuvant Hysterectomy after Suboptimal Concurrent Chemoradiation in Cervical Carcinoma?

Clinical Oncology — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:36:34 +0100

Conclusions: Adjuvant hysterectomy after unsuccessful ICBT does not seem to increase late toxicity and reduces the risk of pelvic recurrence and may improve survival. The role of adjuvant hysterectomy after suboptimal chemoradiation merits further investigation in clinical trials. (Source: Clinical Oncology)

Short-Term Quality of Life Following Partial Breast Irradiation with Balloon Brachytherapy- Comparison with Whole Breast Irradiation

The Breast Journal — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: The Breast Journal)

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Radiation Protection of Persons Living Close to Patients with Radioactive Implants

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:00:51 +0100

Conclusion: If necessary, a patient with permanent radioactive implants can reduce radiation exposure of family members by wearing special X-ray protection clothing for a limited period of time. This kind of radiation protection is very efficient and considerably simpler to accomplish than a reduction of exposure time or an increase of the distance between the patient and family members. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00066-010-2073-xAuthors Theodor W. Kaulich, University Hospital of Radiooncology Medical Physics Tübingen GermanyMichael Bamberg, University Hospital of Radiooncology Tübingen Germany Journal Strahlentherapie und OnkologieOnline ISSN 1439-099XPrint ISSN 0179-7158 Journal Volume Volume 186 Journal Issu...

Partial-Breast Irradiation or Whole-Breast Radiotherapy for Early Breast Cancer: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:00:49 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorDOI 10.1007/s00066-010-3001-9Authors Csaba Polgár, National Institute of Oncology Department of Radiotherapy Budapest HungaryVratislav Strnad, University Hospital Erlangen Department of Radiation Oncology Erlangen GermanyGyörgy Kovács, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck Interdisciplinary Brachytherapy Unit Lübeck Germany Journal Strahlentherapie und OnkologieOnline ISSN 1439-099XPrint ISSN 0179-7158 Journal Volume Volume 186 Journal Issue Volume 186, Number 2 / February, 2010 (Source: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie)

Current Topics in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer with Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy

Urologic Clinics of North America — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This article focuses on the development of a real-time ultrasound-guided implant technique, the importance of radiation dose, trimodality treatment of high-risk disease, long-term treatment outcomes, and treatment-associated morbidity. (Source: Urologic Clinics of North America)

Helping patients with localized prostate cancer reach treatment decisions.

Canadian Family Physician Medecin de Famille Canadien — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Family physicians can help minimize the decisional regret experienced by patients after treatment by encouraging patients to consider their values and social supports, as well as the accuracy and appropriateness of the information used in the decision-making process. PMID: 20154243 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Canadian Family Physician Medecin de Famille Canadien)

Current Topics in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer with Low-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy.

The Urologic Clinics of North America — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

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Robotic brachytherapy and sublobar resection for T1 non-small cell lung cancer in high-risk patients.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Robotic (125)I brachytherapy seed placement is a feasible adjuvant procedure to reduce the incidence of recurrence after sublobar resection in medically compromised patients. Tailored robotic seed placement delivers an exact dosing regimen in a minimally invasive fashion with equivalent precision to open surgery. PMID: 20103299 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)

Radioimmunotherapy of Lymphoma: Bexxar and Zevalin

Seminars in Nuclear Medicine — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:14:19 +0100

This article reviews the basis for dose selection, the nuclear medicine procedures involved, the results obtained to date, and issues related to patient and staff safety. (Source: Seminars in Nuclear Medicine)

Guest Editorial

Seminars in Nuclear Medicine — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:14:18 +0100

Nuclear medicine offers both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Up to 10 years ago, the therapeutic spectrum primarily covered benign and malignant thyroid diseases. Additionally, relatively few patients were treated with 89Sr for bone pain palliation or with radioactive colloids for malignant pleural or peritoneal metastatic spread. However, the last years have witnessed a proliferation of additional techniques that have enhanced our therapeutic capabilities. With the advent of Zevalin, 90Y DOTATOC, and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), the importance of nuclear medicine therapy has increased considerably. This issue of Seminars in Nuclear Medicine will summarize the progress and potential of therapeutic radioisotopes. (Source: Seminars in Nuclear Medicine)

Radioembolization of Liver Tumors With Yttrium-90 Microspheres

Seminars in Nuclear Medicine — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:14:18 +0100

This article focuses on procedural and technical aspects for selection, preparation, and performance of treatment as well as post-therapeutic monitoring and response assessment. (Source: Seminars in Nuclear Medicine)

The Importance Of Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing Frequency In Assessing Biochemical And Clinical Failure After Prostate Cancer Treatment

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

UroToday.com - A research group under Dr. Eric Klein at the Cleveland Clinic evaluated how the frequency of PSA testing influences the determination that biochemical failure (bF) has occurred. In turn, those without a bF are less likely to undergo testing, such as a bone scan to find clinical failure (cF). The findings by Dr. Jay Ciezki and colleagues appear in the online version of Urology. The report is a retrospective study of 5,616 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy or brachytherapy between 1996 and 2007. bF for radical prostatectomy was defined as a PSA 0... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Anaesthesia for radiation therapy - Gliwice experience.

Neoplasma — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:44:03 +0100

In conclusion we demonstrated the feasibility and safety of anaesthesia applied in our radiotherapy patients. The custom designed mobile anaesthesia workstation allowed us to provide safe and efficient anaesthesia in any place outside the Department of Anaesthesiology. Keywords: anaesthesia for radiotherapy, paediatric radiotherapy, brachytherapy, intraoperative radiotherapy, childhood cancers. PMID: 20099980 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Neoplasma)

IsoRay hires Cavanagh as VP for R&D

Health Imaging News — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:14:35 +0100

William Cavanagh has joined IsoRay as the vice president of research and development for IsoRay Medical, which produces the Cesium-131 brachytherapy seed. (Source: Health Imaging News)

IsoRay hires Cavanagh as VP for R&D

Health Imaging News — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:14:35 +0100

William Cavanagh has joined IsoRay as the vice president of research and development for IsoRay Medical, which produces the Cesium-131 brachytherapy seed. (Source: Health Imaging News)

Robotic Brachytherapy and Sublobar Resection for T1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in High-Risk Patients [ORIGINAL ARTICLES: GENERAL THORACIC]

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:27:18 +0100

Conclusions Robotic 125I brachytherapy seed placement is a feasible adjuvant procedure to reduce the incidence of recurrence after sublobar resection in medically compromised patients. Tailored robotic seed placement delivers an exact dosing regimen in a minimally invasive fashion with equivalent precision to open surgery. (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)

IsoRay Hires Vice President of Research and Development

HSMN NewsFeed — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:04:45 +0100

RICHLAND, Wash.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--IsoRay, Inc. (AMEX:ISR ) announced today that William Cavanagh has joined the IsoRay team as Vice President of Research and Development for IsoRay Medical. Mr. Cavanagh has an extensive background in bringing medical produ... Devices, Oncology, PersonnelIsoRay, Cesium-131, brachytherapy, radiotherapy, prostate cancer (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

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IsoRay Announces It Has Provided Seeds To Canada For Research Initiatives To Expand The Use Of Cesium-131 For New Cancer Applications

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0100

IsoRay, Inc. (AMEX: ISR) announced today that it has successfully shipped the first set of Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds to a Canadian customer for the purpose of furthering research and development of Cesium-131 in Canada. Cesium-131 is currently approved by Health Canada for the treatment of low-risk prostate cancers and has been cleared by the US FDA for treatment of a wide variety of malignant disease (e.g. prostate, head and neck, brain, breast, lung, eye, etc.)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

IsoRay Announces It Has Provided Seeds To Canada For Research Initiatives To Expand The Use Of Cesium-131 For New Cancer Applications

Cancer / Oncology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Current technological clinical practise in breast radiotherapy; results of a survey in EORTC-Radiation Oncology Group affiliated institutions.

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This survey provides insight in the current practise of radiation technology used in the treatment of breast cancer among institutions participating in EORTC-ROG clinical trials. PMID: 20116120 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

IsoRay supplies Cesium-131 seeds to Canada

Health Imaging News — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:40:09 +0100

IsoRay Medical has supplied the first set of Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds for the purpose of furthering research and development in cancer therapy. (Source: Health Imaging News)

IsoRay supplies Cesium-131 seeds to Canada

Health Imaging News — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:40:09 +0100

IsoRay Medical has supplied the first set of Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds for the purpose of furthering research and development in cancer therapy. (Source: Health Imaging News)

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Health-Related Quality of Life up to Six Years After 125I Brachytherapy for Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Purpose: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after prostate brachytherapy has been extensively described in published reports but hardly any long-term data are available. The aim of the present study was to prospectively assess long-term HRQOL 6 years after 125I prostate brachytherapy.Methods and Materials: A total of 127 patients treated with 125I brachytherapy for early-stage prostate cancer between December 2000 and June 2003 completed a HRQOL questionnaire at five time-points: before treatment and 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 6 years after treatment. The questionnaire included the RAND-36 generic health survey, the cancer-specific European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire (EORTCQLQ-C30), and the tumor-specific EORTC prostate cancer module (EORTC...

Urinary side effects and complications after permanent prostate brachytherapy: the MD Anderson Cancer Center experience

International Braz J Urol — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:25:40 +0100

Conclusion: The therapeutic system was found to be dermatologically non-irritant and hence, a therapeutically effective amount of alfuzosin hydrochloride can be delivered via a transdermal route. (Source: International Braz J Urol)

IsoRay tests Cs-131 brachytherapy seed for colorectal cancer

Health Imaging News — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:05:20 +0100

The first Cesium-131 (Cs-131) implant for the treatment of colorectal cancer was performed by doctors at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City on Oct. 10, 2009, and the patient had no evidence of cancer recurrence or any side effects that can be attributed to the Cs-131 seed implant at the last follow-up visit, according to IsoRay. (Source: Health Imaging News)

IsoRay tests Cs-131 brachytherapy seed for colorectal cancer

Health Imaging News — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:05:20 +0100

IsoRay Announces World's First Cesium-131 Colon Cancer Treatment at Cornell Medical Center

HSMN NewsFeed — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:48:18 +0100

RICHLAND, Wash.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--IsoRay, Inc. (AMEX:ISR ), announced today that on October 10, 2009, Dr. Bhupesh Parashar, Dr. A Gabriella Wernicke and Dr. KS Clifford Chao from the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Dr. Jeffery Milsom from the Departm... Devices, OncologyIsoRay, Cesium-131, colorectal cancer, brachytherapy (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

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High-dose-rate brachytherapy for patients with maxillary gingival carcinoma using a novel customized intraoral mold technique

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:19:08 +0100

Conclusion: High-dose-rate brachytherapy using the novel customized intraoral mold might be a treatment option of not only salvage therapy, but definitive therapy of UGC. (Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics)

Brachytherapy: long disease-free survival for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients

MedWire News - Oncology — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A high-quality brachytherapy implant used as monotherapy for intermediate-risk prostate cancer can achieve rates of disease control comparable to high-quality surgery, study findings confirm. (Source: MedWire News - Oncology)

Brachytherapy: long disease-free survival for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients

MedWire News - Prostate Cancer — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

VA responds to NRC report on brachytherapy violations

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has responded to a report issued by (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

Determining DVH parameters for combined external beam and brachytherapy treatment: 3D biological dose adding for patients with cervical cancer

Radiotherapy and Oncology — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Without an EBRT boost ‘parameter adding’, as proposed by the GEC-ESTRO, yielded accurate results for the values for DVH parameters. If an EBRT boost is given ‘distributions adding’ should be considered. (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology)

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Flexible bronchoscopic management of benign tracheal stenosis: long term follow-up of 115 patients

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: BTS in elderly patients with co-morbidities can be safely and effectively treated by flexible bronchoscopic treatment modalities .The use of HDR brachytherapy to treat granulation tissue formation following successful airway restoration is promising . (Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery)

Hormone Therapy Ups All-Cause Mortality in Older Men With Localized Prostate Cancer

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:09:54 +0100

In men with localized prostate cancer who are in their mid-70s or older, adding neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT) to brachytherapy significantly increases all-cause mortality, researchers report in the January 5th online issue of Cancer. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Determining DVH parameters for combined external beam and brachytherapy treatment: 3D biological dose adding for patients with cervical cancer.

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Without an EBRT boost 'parameter adding', as proposed by the GEC-ESTRO, yielded accurate results for the values for DVH parameters. If an EBRT boost is given 'distributions adding' should be considered. PMID: 20080309 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for local boost irradiation in unfavourable locally recurrent gynaecological cancer

Radiotherapy and Oncology — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Image-guided SBRT for local dose escalation resulted in high rates of local control but was associated with significant late toxicity. (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology)

Review of intraoperative imaging and planning techniques in permanent seed prostate brachytherapy

Radiotherapy and Oncology — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Techniques for permanent low dose rate seed brachytherapy for prostate cancer have evolved in the recent years with increasing use of interactive planning in the operating room (OR) during seed placement. This overcomes one of the main sources of error in the original two-stage technique in which a planning study performed at a time distant from the implant is used to define seed positions and then an attempt to reproduce this at the time of implant is required. This review addresses the various ways in which real-time dosimetry may be used. Three basic approaches are described; intraoperative planning when a plan is produced as a separate stage prior to the implant during a single OR procedure, interactive planning which incorporates stepwise modification of the treatment plan b...

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Meetings

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:20:42 +0100

February 11-12, 2010 School of Breast Brachytherapy & Brachytherapy Physics (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for local boost irradiation in unfavourable locally recurrent gynaecological cancer.

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Image-guided SBRT for local dose escalation resulted in high rates of local control but was associated with significant late toxicity. PMID: 20079550 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

Clinical efficacy of CT-guided iodine-125 seed implantation therapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

European Radiology — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:17:52 +0100

Conclusions This study suggests that CT-guided brachytherapy using 125I seeds implantation appears to be safe, effective, uncomplicated, and could produce adequate pain relief for treating unresectable pancreatic cancer. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory InterventionalDOI 10.1007/s00330-009-1703-0Authors Wang Zhongmin, Soochow University School of Radiation Medicine and Public Health Suzhou 215123 ChinaLiu Yu, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital Department of Radiology Shanghai 200025 ChinaLiu Fenju, Soochow University School of Radiation Medicine and Public Health Suzhou 215123 ChinaChen Kemin, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital Department of Radiology Shanghai 200025 ChinaHuang Gang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine Shanghai 200025 China Journa...

Review of intraoperative imaging and planning techniques in permanent seed prostate brachytherapy.

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Polo A, Salembier C, Venselaar J, Hoskin P, Techniques for permanent low dose rate seed brachytherapy for prostate cancer have evolved in the recent years with increasing use of interactive planning in the operating room (OR) during seed placement. This overcomes one of the main sources of error in the original two-stage technique in which a planning study performed at a time distant from the implant is used to define seed positions and then an attempt to reproduce this at the time of implant is required. This review addresses the various ways in which real-time dosimetry may be used. Three basic approaches are described; intraoperative planning when a plan is produced as a separate stage prior to the implant during a single OR procedure, interactive planning which incorporat...

[Testosterone replacement therapy for prostate cancer.]

Der Urologe. Ausg. A — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kaminsky A, Sperling H During the male 40s total testosterone levels decrease continuously. If clinical symptoms like decreasing libido, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, altered distribution of body fat, reduction in physical strength, or alterations in psychological mood are combined with a decreased serum testosterone level late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is obvious. Before the substitution of testosterone is initiated, it is essential to exclude prostate cancer because the progress of prostate cancer depends on androgens. The question is now how to treat patients who suffer from androgen deficiency but have cured prostate cancer in their history? Concerning this there are only a few studies with a small number of patients which show that testosterone substitution therapy i...

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New Cervical Cancer Research From Brigham And Women's Hospital Outlined

Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study To evaluate factors affecting survival and toxicity in patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer treated with external- beam radiotherapy and low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Seventy patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer treated between 1980 and 2000 were identified. (Source: Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer)

Prostate-specific antigen relapse-free survival and side-effects in 734 patients with up to 10 years of follow-up with localized prostate cancer treated by permanent 125iodine implants

BJU International — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Study Type [ndash] Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4 To report our analysis of the oncological outcome, side-effects and complications after 125I-brachytherapy, based on 10 years of experience, as low dose-rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy is an accepted, effective and safe therapy for localized prostate cancer. Between April 1999 and December 2006, 734 consecutive patients were treated with clinically localized prostate cancer with a follow-up of [ge]30 months. No patients received external beam radiotherapy and 43% received hormonal therapy before brachytherapy; this therapy was given for 3[ndash]4 months. All patients had LDR prostate brachytherapy administered by one radiation oncologist. Biochemical failure was defined according to the 'Phoenix consensus'. The median follow-up ...

Brachytherapy – feasible for young prostate cancer patients

MedWire News - Oncology — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Prostate cancer patients aged 55 years or under have excellent biochemical recurrence rates and low toxicity after being treated with 125iodine brachytherapy, study findings demonstrate. (Source: MedWire News - Oncology)

Brachytherapy – feasible for young prostate cancer patients

MedWire News - Prostate Cancer — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Intracoronary Beta-Radiation Therapy for In-stent Restenosis: Long-Term Success Rate and Prediction of Failure

Journal of Interventional Cardiology — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: During the mean, a period of 3 years, more than half of the patients receiving intracoronary radiation therapy reached primary end-point, representing, in the main, TVR. During this period a mortality rate of nearly 13% was documented. These results signify a delayed, though continued, restenotic process after index procedure. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;**:1[ndash]6) (Source: Journal of Interventional Cardiology)

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Concurrent Weekly Nedaplatin, External Beam Radiotherapy and High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in Patients with FIGO Stage IIIb Cervical Cancer: A Comparison with a Cohort Treated by Radiotherapy Alone

Karger Publishers — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Gynecol Obstet Invest 2010;69:224232 (DOI:10.1159/000273207) (Source: Karger Publishers)

High dose three-dimensional conformal boost using the real-time tumor tracking radiotherapy system in cervical cancer patients unable to receive intracavitary brachytherapy.

Yonsei Medical Journal — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:48:33 +0100

CONCLUSION: The use of the high dose 3DCB in the treatment of cervical cancer is safe and feasible where intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) is unable to be performed. The escalation of the 3DCB dose is currently under evaluation. PMID: 20046520 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Yonsei Medical Journal)

Mortality in men with localized prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy with or without neoadjuvant hormone therapy

Cancer — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Discrepancies exist regarding the impact of neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT) on the risk of all-cause mortality (ACM) in men who receive brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to examine the effect of NHT on the risk of ACM in men with prostate cancer who receive with brachytherapy.The study cohort included 2474 men with localized prostate cancer who either received NHT (N = 1083) or did not receive NHT (N = 1391) and brachytherapy without supplemental external beam radiation between 1991 and 2005 at centers within the 21st Century Oncology Consortium. All men had at least 2 years of follow-up. Low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk disease was present in 65%, 23%, and 12% of men, respectively. A Cox regression multivariate analy...

Computed Tomography-Guided High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Safety, Efficacy, and Effect on Survival.

Nuklearmedizin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Based on our results the study treatment could be safely performed. The study treatment had a beneficial effect on OS in patients with advanced HCC,with respect to (and depending on) the CLIP score and compared with OS in a historical control group. A high rate of local control was also observed, regardless of applied dose in a range of 15 to 25 Gy. PMID: 20056348 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Nuklearmedizin)

Combined external and intracavitary irradiation in treatment of advanced cervical carcinomas: predictive factors for local tumor control and early recurrences.

International Journal of Oncology — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:48:50 +0100

Authors: Sorbe B, Bohr L, Karlsson L, Bermark B In a series of 131 primary cervical carcinomas in FIGO stages I-IV suitable for combined external pelvic and intraluminal cervical-vaginal brachytherapy predictive and prognostic factors were analyzed with regard to locoregional tumor control, recurrences and survival data. Patients with prior surgery or patients treated with external beam therapy alone were excluded from this series. Concomitant chemotherapy was given to 47 patients (36%). The external beam therapy was given with a four-field technique (50-60 Gy) and brachytherapy with high dose-rate (Ir-192) using a ring applicator set. The dose (18-30 Gy) was specified according to the rules in ICRU 38 (a minimum dose to the surface of the target volume). Three or five fractions were g...

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Descending Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy - Results and Consequences.

Aktuelle Urologie — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kälble T, Schmitt C, Bartschat T, Alt B, Yiakoumos T Nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy is the ther-apy of choice in selected prostate cancer patients. In an internal quality control including a questionnaire, our nerve-sparing radical prostatectomies have been analysed for oncological and functional results as well as patient satisfaction. 171 consecutive nerve sparing radical prostatectomies have been analysed, 123 bilateral, 48 unilateral. The median follow-up was 26 (2-56) months. The operations were performed by 5 surgeons. In 27 % the T-category and in 12 % the Gleason score had been understaged preoperatively, 9 % had positive margins and in 4 % lymph nodes were positive. 99 % of the patients stated that they would again prefer the operation as treatment of first ...

Descending nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy--results and consequences.

Aktuelle Urologie — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kälble T, Schmitt C, Bartschat T, Alt B, Yiakoumos T Nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy is the therapy of choice in selected prostate cancer patients. In an internal quality control including a questionnaire, our nerve-sparing radical prostatectomies have been analysed for oncological and functional results as well as patient satisfaction. 171 consecutive nerve sparing radical prostatectomies have been analysed, 123 bilateral, 48 unilateral. The median follow-up was 26 (2-56) months. The operations were performed by 5 surgeons. In 27% the T-category and in 12% the Gleason score had been understaged preoperatively, 9% had positive margins and in 4% lymph nodes were positive. 99% of the patients stated that they would again prefer the operation as treatment of first choice...

The second decade of prostate brachytherapy: Evidence and cost based outcomes

Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:27:04 +0100

Abstract: Permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB) is an established and successful treatment option for localized prostate cancer. Under ultrasound guidance, the procedure can be performed in the ambulatory setting and represents a conformal, ablative technique. For low-risk patients, PSA control is expected in over 90% with outcomes now reported past 12 years. High-risk patients can benefit from PPB as part of a program that may include external beam therapy and androgen ablation. Morbidity tends to center on urinary function, but with modern adaptive techniques, this can be minimized. Sexual functioning is likely disturbed less with PPB than with surgery or external beam radiation therapy. Finally, cost benefit analysis confirms PPB as the most attractive radiation option. With the incide...

Anti-Androgen Therapy Adds No Benefit in Mid-Risk Radiation-Treated Prostate Cancers

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:20:26 +0100

Androgen suppression therapy - and its attendant side effects -- may not be necessary for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with combination brachytherapy and external beam irradiation, New York-based investigators report. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Masthead

Brachytherapy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:46:48 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

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Brachytherapy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:46:48 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Editorial Board

Brachytherapy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:46:48 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Guide for Authors

Brachytherapy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:46:48 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Intraperitoneal radioactive phosphorus (32P) and vaginal brachytherapy as adjuvant treatment for uterine papillary serous carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma: The Indiana University experience

Brachytherapy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:46:43 +0100

Conclusions: Adjuvant therapy for UPSC and CCC with intraperitoneal 32P and vaginal brachytherapy after adequate surgical staging and maximal cytoreduction is well tolerated and appears to be effective. Further study is warranted. (Source: Brachytherapy)

Salvage prostate brachytherapy toxicities reported

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Prostate cancer patients who receive MRI-guided salvage brachytherapy following (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

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Results of combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) in treatment of obstructive endobronchial non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Combined HDR/PDT treatment for endobronchial tumors is well tolerated and can achieve prolonged local control with acceptable morbidity when PDT follows HDR and when the spacing between treatments is 1 month or less. This treatment regimen should be studied in a larger patient population. (Source: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy)

Drug Eluting Balloons

Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:05:34 +0100

Ever since the first percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was carried out in Switzerland in 1977, restenosis remains a major drawback of this minimally invasive treatment intervention. Numerous attempts to increase vessel patency after PTA have included systemic medications and endovascular brachytherapy, but these techniques have not met our expectations in preventing restenosis. Nitinol stents have been shown to reduce rates of restenosis and target lesion revascularization in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of long femoropopliteal obstructions. Despite further technical refinements in nitinol stent technology, restenosis occurs in approximately every third patient undergoing femoropopliteal stenting. Similarly, initial clinical trials with drug-eluting stents have fail...

Vesical instillations of hyaluronic acid to reduce the acute vesical toxicity caused by high-dose brachytherapy do not affect the survival: a five-year follow-up study

Clinical and Translational Oncology — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:09:23 +0100

Conclusion Vesical instillations of HA decrease the incidence and the degree of acute vesical toxicity induced by high-dose BT, and reduce the percentage of patients that develop toxicity of degree 2 or more. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Research ArticlesDOI 10.1007/s12094-009-0451-6Authors Pilar Ma. Samper Ots, Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica C/Glorieta del Ejército, s/n ES-28047 Madrid SpainConcha López Carrizosa, Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica C/Glorieta del Ejército, s/n ES-28047 Madrid SpainAurora Rodríguez, Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica C/Glorieta del Ejército, s/n ES-28047 Madrid SpainJuan de Dios Sáe...

Philly VA Medical Center refutes NRC charges in brachytherapy cases

Health Imaging News — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:46:44 +0100

Representatives of the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center have rejected claims by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that the center had committed eight regulatory violations in connection with a series of brachytherapy treatments for prostate cancer in which patients received incorrect radiation doses. (Source: Health Imaging News)

Philly VA Medical Center refutes NRC charges in brachytherapy cases

Health Imaging News — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:46:44 +0100

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[Radiation therapy and medical imaging.]

Bulletin du Cancer — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Berges O, Dhermain F, Bidault F The goal of radiation therapy is to deliver a high-dose of radiation to the tumour or target region to improve local control of disease and a low-dose to normal soft tissues to limit side effects. Conformal radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery have been developed to achieve the desired dose distribution. They require precise imaging of internal anatomy so that it is well adapted to the tumour and organs at risk. Indeed, morphological imaging such as computed tomography is already recommended for radiotherapy planning. But radiation oncologists are also considering other imaging modalities for treatment planning and imaging tools capable of controlling patient motion during treatm...

Dosimetric Study of Cs-131, I-125, and Pd-103 Seeds for Permanent Prostate Brachytherapy

Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:13:13 +0100

Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals Dec 2009, Vol. 24, No. 6: 701-705. (Source: Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals)

Dosimetric characterization of an (192)Ir brachytherapy source with the Monte Carlo code PENELOPE.

Physica Medica — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, recommendations of the AAPM TG-43U1 report have been followed to characterize the Varisource VS2000 (192)Ir high dose rate source, provided by Varian Oncology Systems. In order to obtain dosimetric parameters for this source, Monte Carlo calculations with PENELOPE code have been carried out. TG-43 formalism parameters have been presented, i.e., air kerma strength, dose rate constant, radial dose function and anisotropy function. Besides, a 2D Cartesian coordinates dose rate in water table has been calculated. These quantities are compared to this source reference data, finding results in good agreement with them. The data in the present study complement published data in the next aspects: (i) TG-43U1 recommendations are followed regarding to phantom ambient conditions and to...

Periprostatic fat measured on computed tomography as a marker for prostate cancer aggressiveness

World Journal of Urology — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:59:53 +0100

Conclusions Periprostatic fat and fat-density as measured with CT were not correlated with PC aggressiveness in patients receiving brachytherapy. However, 31% of the patients with a normal BMI had a fat-density of >75 percentile of the periprostatic fat-density. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00345-009-0497-7Authors Joep G. H. van Roermund, University Medical Center Utrecht Department of Urology PO Box 85500 3508 GA Utrecht The NetherlandsGijsbert H. Bol, University Medical Center Utrecht Department of Radiation Oncology Utrecht The NetherlandsJ. Alfred Witjes, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre Department of Urology Nijmegen The NetherlandsJ. L. H. Ruud Bosch, University Medical Center Utrecht Department of Urology PO Box ...

SenoRx claims victory in patent suit

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Breast brachytherapy developer SenoRx is claiming victory in patent litigation (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

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VA lowers estimate of patients affected by brachytherapy mistakes

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) last week said (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

Cushing's lost cases of "radium bomb" brachytherapy for gliomas.

Journal of Neurosurgery — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Seymour ZA, Cohen-Gadol AA Although recent efforts to advance the treatment of gliomas through radiotherapy and chemotherapy may seem to be a relatively new area of growth and development, these efforts have been in progress since the therapeutic potential of radiation therapy was discovered in the late 19th century. Cushing's use of brachytherapy has been mentioned several times in the literature without receiving an appropriate in-depth analysis. The reasoning behind Cushing's initial use of brachytherapy was not fully examined, and a close analysis of the outcomes of this therapy was not made. In addition, Cushing's use of his "radium bomb" occurred more commonly than the 3 cases previously documented. The authors reviewed all the patient records available at the Cushing Br...

[Percutaneous mechanical atherectomy for treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.]

Der Radiologe — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Buecker A, Minko P, Massmann A, Katoh M Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is still an extremely important politico-economic disease. Diverse treatment procedures exist but the pillars of therapy are changes in lifestyle, such as nicotine abstinence and walking exercise as well as drug therapy. Further therapy options are considered after conventional procedures have been exhausted. These further options consist of improvement of the blood supply by surgical or minimally invasive procedures. The latter therapy options include balloon dilatation and stenting as the most widely used techniques. More recent techniques also used are cryoplasty, laser angioplasty, drug-coated stents or balloons as well as brachytherapy or atherectomy, whereby this list makes no claims to ...

Brachytherapy offers superior cancer control for prostate patients

MedWire News - Oncology — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Brachytherapy (BT) achieves superior cancer control in prostate cancer patients with low- or intermediate-risk disease compared with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), but at the cost of higher rates of urinary toxicity, report researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Oncology)

Brachytherapy offers superior cancer control for prostate patients

MedWire News - Prostate Cancer — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

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Does Neoadjuvant Hormonal Therapy Improve Urinary Function When Given to Men With Large Prostates Undergoing Prostate Brachytherapy?

The Journal of Urology — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy on urinary function in men with a prostate volume of 50 cc or greater undergoing prostate brachytherapy.Materials and Methods: A total of 395 men with 50 cc or greater glands were treated with 3 months of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (204) or implantation alone (191). Urinary function was assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score, the urinary retention incidence and subsequent transurethral prostate resection.Results: Median patient age was 67 years and median followup was 6 years. Mean prostate volume in neoadjuvant hormonal therapy cases was 72.9 cc, which decreased to 54.3 cc after 3 months (p (Source: The Journal of Urology)

Editorial Comment

The Journal of Urology — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

These authors evaluated an important subject in a large number of patients with long followup. NHT is still commonly used in clinical practice to downsize PV, although prior studies show a detrimental effect of NHT on the urinary retention rate and quality of life. Oncological outcomes cannot be improved, as supported by the current results. In a smaller subgroup of patients with I-PSS greater than 15 a benefit of NHT was noted only in the urinary retention rate and in relative but not absolute posttreatment I-PSS changes. Apart from considering NHT in patients at increased risk for long-term morbidity (not limited to urinary retention) before brachytherapy, alternative prostate cancer treatments must be offered to our patients. External beam radiotherapy is associated with more favorable ...

Editorial Comment

The Journal of Urology — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The role of cytoreductive therapy before low dose rate brachytherapy in men with a bulky prostate motivated this observational study. Consideration should be given to selection biases inherent in such data and the low number of events undermines successful multivariate analysis to account for them. Only 5 retention episodes inform most of the conclusions. Dosimetric indexes are expectedly unrelated to urinary retention due to radioactive decay properties. For example, less than 10% of the 125I dose is deposited in week 1 and, hence, it is unlikely to cause urinary retention in that period. (Source: The Journal of Urology)

Reply by Authors

The Journal of Urology — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We wish to reiterate that neoadjuvant hormonal therapy does not increase morbidity in patients with large prostates treated with brachytherapy. In addition, there may be an advantage to NHT in men with a prostate gland larger than 50 cc and an initial I-PSS of 15 or greater. We disagree that external beam radiotherapy is associated with more favorable outcomes than brachytherapy (reference 3 in comment). Pinkawa et al compared 52 patients receiving 125I or external beam radiotherapy who were followed a median of 16 months. Gastrointestinal complaints were worse in the external radiation group while genitourinary complaints were more bothersome in the brachytherapy group. However, the dose of external radiation delivered to these patients was low by current standards (70 to 72 Gy). In addit...

Perioperative Intensity-Modulated Brachytherapy for Refractory Orbital Rhabdomyosarcomas in Children

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:05:00 +0100

Conclusion: This interdisciplinary, individually tailored and function-preserving treatment procedure has proven to be a well-tolerated therapeutic option in cases with refractory orbital RMS. It provides both improvement of local tumor control and quality of life. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00066-009-2012-xAuthors Rainer Joachim Strege, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein Department of Neurosurgery Campus Kiel GermanyGyörgy Kovács, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein Interdisciplinary Brachytherapy Unit Campus Lübeck GermanyJens Eduard Meyer, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein Department of Head-and-Neck Surgery Campus Lübeck GermanyDetlef Holland, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein Department of Ophthalmology Campus...

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Impact of Hormonal Therapy on Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer Treated With Combination Brachytherapy and External Beam Irradiation

The Journal of Urology — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We addressed the relative importance of radiation dose vs hormonal therapy for intermediate risk prostate cancer. With high biologically effective dose combination treatment androgen suppressive therapy did not have a significant impact on the 8-year biochemical failure-free rate. We question its routine use in this setting. (Source: The Journal of Urology)

Brachytherapy Spacers.

Biomedical Safety & Standards — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:25:21 +0100

Page: 6DOI: 10.1097/01.BMSAS.0000365718.72332.ab (Source: Biomedical Safety & Standards)

A Murine Model for the Study of Molecular Pathogenesis of Radiation Proctitis

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:05:58 +0100

Conclusions: Radiation-induced proctitis was associated with a dose-dependent, characteristic proinflammatory cytokine response pattern in a novel mouse model suitable for interventional studies. (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

Outcomes Following Iodine-125 Monotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: The Results of Leeds 10-Year Single-Center Brachytherapy Experience

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:05:48 +0100

This study reports the 10-year experience of permanent brachytherapy monotherapy at a single UK center.Methods and Materials: Between March 1995 and September 2004, 1,298 patients underwent trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) planned transperineal brachytherapy delivering 145 Gy using I-125. No patient received supplemental external beam; 44.2% received neoadjuvant hormones. In 688, CT postimplant dosimetry was available. Outcome data were analyzed in terms of overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), and PSA relapse-free survival (PSA-RFS).Results: The mean age was 62.9 (range, 34–83) years. Median follow-up was 4.9 years (range, 2.03–11.7 years). OS and DSS were 85% and 95%, respectively, at 10 years. Twenty-one patients died from prostate cancer (1.6%) and 34 (2.5%) from un...

Published Study Highlights Advantages Of SAVI Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy

Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The SAVI applicator for breast brachytherapy is a safe, effective therapy for breast cancer, according to a newly published study in a peer- reviewed journal. The study showed that SAVI's unique design provides fewer complications, excellent cosmetic results, outstanding dosimetry and increases the number of women eligible for breast brachytherapy. (Source: Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer)

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Whole pelvic helical tomotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer: technical implementation of IMRT with helical tomothearapy

Radiation Oncology — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: HT provides feasible clinical outcomes in locally advanced cervical cancer patients. Long-term follow-up and enroll more locally advanced cervical carcinoma patients by limiting bone marrow radiation dose with WPHT technique is warranted. (Source: Radiation Oncology)

Impact of Multiphase Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT on Therapy Management in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Nuklearmedizin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion:(68)Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT influences therapeutic management in about one third of patients examined. CT and PET are comparably sensitive, deliver complementary information and equally contribute to therapeutic decision-making. Thus, despite the merits of the PET modality, the CT component must not be neglected and an optimized multiphase CT protocol is recommended. PMID: 19996582 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Nuklearmedizin)

Published Study Highlights Advantages of SAVI Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy

HSMN NewsFeed — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:51:18 +0100

SAVI Applicator Minimizes Risk to Healthy Tissue, Allows More Patients to Receive Breast Brachytherapy ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--The SAVI(TM) applicator for breast brachytherapy is a safe, effective therapy for breast cancer, according to a ... Devices, OncologyCianna Medical, SAVI Applicator, brachytherapy, radiotherapy, breast cancer (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Radioactive seed migration after prostate brachytherapy with Iodine-125 using loose seeds versus stranded seeds

International Braz J Urol — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:35:09 +0100

Conclusions: Seed migration after brachytherapy might occur and it does affect post-implant dosimetry. (Source: International Braz J Urol)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma

Radiotherapy and Oncology — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The outcomes of SBRT for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma appear comparable to conventionally fractionated chemoradiotherapy with or without brachytherapy boost. The practical advantages of SBRT are of particular interest for such poor prognosis patients. Patient selection, however, is key in order to avoid compromising such practical gains with excessive gastrointestinal toxicity. (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology)

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For High-Grade Prostate CA, Combined Therapies Are Better Than Any One Alone

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:09:03 +0100

High-grade prostate cancer patients treated with a triple protocol of brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy and hormonal therapy fare better than the published success rates for any one of those treatments, alone or with radical prostatectomy. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Verification of air-kerma strength of 125I seed for permanent prostate implants in Japan

International Journal of Clinical Oncology — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:14:50 +0100

Conclusion This is the first report of a single-seed assay performed for the model STM1251 125I seed. In this study the manufacturer’s stated strength agreed well with the measured value. Nevertheless, the advisability of performing a single-seed assay at every institution should be considered, by referring to the appropriate regulations; for example, those used in the United States. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10147-009-0914-3Authors Iori Sumida, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology 2-2 Yamada-oka Suita, Osaka 565-0871 JapanMasahiko Koizumi, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology 2-2 Yamada-oka Suita, Osaka 565-0871 JapanYutaka Takahashi, Osaka Univ...

Prediction of PSA bounce after permanent prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer

International Journal of Clinical Oncology — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:14:50 +0100

Conclusion PSA bounce is not a rare phenomenon after prostate brachytherapy. It is more common in younger patients and patients receiving higher doses of radiation. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10147-009-0909-0Authors Kunimitsu Kanai, Keio University School of Medicine Department of Urology 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-8582 JapanJun Nakashima, Keio University School of Medicine Department of Urology 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-8582 JapanAkitomo Sugawara, Keio University School of Medicine Department of Radiology Tokyo JapanNaoyuki Shigematsu, Keio University School of Medicine Department of Radiology Tokyo JapanHirohiko Nagata, Keio University School of Medicine Department of Urology 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku...

IBt Bebig partners with Core Oncology

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Brachytherapy developer International Brachytherapy (IBt) Bebig has announced (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The outcomes of SBRT for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma appear comparable to conventionally fractionated chemoradiotherapy with or without brachytherapy boost. The practical advantages of SBRT are of particular interest for such poor prognosis patients. Patient selection, however, is key in order to avoid compromising such practical gains with excessive gastrointestinal toxicity. PMID: 19963295 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

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IsoRay ink distribution deal with GE subsidiary

Health Imaging News — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:40:35 +0100

IsoRay Medical's subsidiary IsoRay has signed on with low-dose rate research and development group Oncura, a subsidiary of GE Healthcare, in the distribution of the I-125 brachytherapy seed, OncoSeed. (Source: Health Imaging News)

IsoRay ink distribution deal with GE subsidiary

Health Imaging News — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:40:35 +0100

Eckert & Ziegler plans to re-enter U.S. market

Health Imaging News — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:39:36 +0100

Radiation technology company Eckert & Ziegler is planning to re-enter its radiation therapy division in the U.S. market by way of a strategic alliance with brachytherapy treatment information group Core Oncology of Santa Barbara, Calif. (Source: Health Imaging News)

Eckert & Ziegler plans to re-enter U.S. market

Health Imaging News — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:39:36 +0100

Comparison of early and late efficacy of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with or without subsequent brachytherapy: The effect on blood pressure in patients with renovascular hypertension.

Cardiology Journal — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:14:03 +0100

Conclusions: Intravascular gamma brachytherapy using self-centering source performed after balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective method of prevention of restenosis after PTRA in patients with renovascular hypertension. PMID: 19950087 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cardiology Journal)

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IsoRay Announces Iodine Distribution Agreement with GE Subsidiary, Oncura

HSMN NewsFeed — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:27:46 +0100

RICHLAND, Wash., Dec. 3--(HSMN NewsFeed)--IsoRay, Inc. (Amex: ISR ) announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement with Oncura to distribute the I-125 brachytherapy seed, OncoSeed. Dwight Babcock, Chairman and CEO stated, By adding I-125 ... Devices, Oncology, DistributionIsoRay, Oncura, brachytherapy, OncoSeed (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Ten year results of transscleral resection of large uveal melanomas:Local tumour control and metastatic rate.

The British Journal of Ophthalmology — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: TSR is an alternative to enucleation for the treatment of large uveal melanomas. Results should improve with better patient selection and more effective methods of adjuvant radiotherapy. PMID: 19965818 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The British Journal of Ophthalmology)

A multidisciplinary approach to fertility-sparing therapy for a rare vulvar tumor

Fertility and Sterility — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion(s): By using several disciplines and subspecialists, this patient received personalized treatment for a rare cancer, focused at curing her cancer and optimizing her future fertility. (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

Controversies concerning the application of brachytherapy in central nervous system tumors

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:43:26 +0100

Abstract Introduction Brachytherapy (BRT) is defined as a therapy technique where a radioactive source is placed a short distance from or within the tumor being treated. Much expectation has been placed on its efficacy to improve the outcome for patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors due to the initial promising results from single institution retrospective studies. However, these optimistic findings have been highly debated since the selection criteria itself is preferable to other therapeutic modalities. The fact that BRT demonstrated no significant survival advantage in two prospective studies, together with the emerging role of stereotactic convergence therapy as a promising alternative, has further decreased the enthusiasm for BRT. Despite all the negative...