MedWorm: Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy reduces death in high-risk PCa patients

Modern Medicine — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Brachytherapy alone, or in combination with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), significantly reduces mortality rates in patients with high-risk prostate cancer, report the authors of a study from Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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London Cancer New Drugs Group Rapid Review: SIRT WITH YTTRIUM-90 MICROSPHERES FOR THE THIRD LINE TREATMENT OF LIVER METASTASES FROM COLORECTAL CANCER

NeLM - Drug Specific Reviews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: London Cancer New Drugs Group Area: Evidence > Drug Specific Reviews Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT; micro-brachytherapy or 'radio-embolisation') is used for the treatment of non-resectable hepatic metastases secondary to colorectal cancer, with limited or no extrahepatic disease. It may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy. It aims to deliver radiation directly into the metastases, minimising the risk of radiation damage to healthy surrounding tissues. Under local anaesthesia, glass or resin microspheres containing a small radioactive source (yttrium-90) designed to embolise into small vessels around the metastases, are injected into branches of the hepatic artery (usually via a percutaneous femoral approach). In this way the microspheres can be selec...

Development of an adjoint sensitivity field-based treatment-planning technique for the use of newly designed directional LDR sources in brachytherapy.

Physics in Medicine and Biology — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:36:45 +0100

Authors: Chaswal V, Thomadsen BR, Henderson DL Abstract The development and application of an automated 3D greedy heuristic (GH) optimization algorithm utilizing the adjoint sensitivity fields for treatment planning to assess the advantage of directional interstitial prostate brachytherapy is presented. Directional and isotropic dose kernels generated using Monte Carlo simulations based on Best Industries model 2301 I-125 source are utilized for treatment planning. The newly developed GH algorithm is employed for optimization of the treatment plans for seven interstitial prostate brachytherapy cases using mixed sources (directional brachytherapy) and using only isotropic sources (conventional brachytherapy). All treatment plans resulted in V100 > 98% and D90 > 45 Gy for the t...

EBRT More Costly, Toxic Than Other Prostate Cancer TherapiesEBRT More Costly, Toxic Than Other Prostate Cancer Therapies

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:48:37 +0100

External-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer is more costly and more toxic than either prostatectomy or brachytherapy. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Narrow safety range of intraoperative rectal irradiation exposure volume for avoiding bleeding after seed implant brachytherapy

Radiation Oncology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: By retrospective analysis exploring rV100 as intraoperative rectal dose-volume thresholds in 125I seed implant brachytherapy for prostate cancer, it is proved that rV100 should be less than 0.1 cc for preventing rectal bleeding. (Source: Radiation Oncology)

mTHPC mediated interstitial photodynamic therapy of recurrent nonmetastatic base of tongue cancers: Development of a new method

Head and Neck — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionThe initial results are encouraging. There is room for improvement to control the destructive potential of iPDT through planning and monitoring tools. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012 (Source: Head and Neck)

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External-Beam Radiation Therapy and High–Dose Rate Brachytherapy Combined With Long-Term Androgen Deprivation Therapy in High and Very High Prostate Cancer: Preliminary Data on Clinical Outcome

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:33:53 +0100

Conclusions: Intermediate-term results at the 5-year time point indicate a favorable outcome without an increase in the rate of late complications. (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

Patterns of care for brachytherapy in Europe: updated results for Spain

Clinical and Translational Oncology — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:53:15 +0100

Conclusion The three most common treatment sites (gynaecological, breast and prostate) remain unchanged from 2002, with prostate treatments showing large increase. Advanced dosimetric techniques (MRI, PET-CT and CT-dosimetry) continue to gain adherents. Some centres treat small numbers of patients, a finding that deserves more attention in terms of cost and quality of care. Although BT remains strong in Spain, it could be further strengthened by making modern dosimetric techniques and treatments more widely available. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Research ArticlesPages 36-42DOI 10.1007/s12094-012-0759-5Authors Ferran Guedea, Department of Radiation Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Gran vía s/n, km 2,7, ES-08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelo...

Brachytherapy Alone Or In Combination With External Beam Radiation Therapy May Be An Effective Option For High-Risk Prostate Cancers

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Brachytherapy for high-risk prostate cancers patients has historically been considered a less effective modality, but a new study from radiation oncologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson suggests otherwise. A population-based analysis looking at almost 13,000 cases revealed that men who received brachytherapy alone or in combination with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) had significantly reduced mortality rates. Their findings are reported online in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology,Biology,Physics... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Brachytherapy Lowers Prostate Cancer Mortality

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

According to a study from radiation oncologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, high-risk prostate cancer patients who receive brachytherapy, alone or together with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) had considerably lower mortality rates. The study is published online January 23 in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics. Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy where a radiation source is placed directly at the site of a tumor. The treatment is generally used to treat men with low and intermediate risk prostate cancers... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Brachytherapy Ups Prostate Cancer Survival (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:28:57 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Treatment of high-grade prostate cancer with brachytherapy significantly reduced prostate cancer-specific mortality compared with external beam radiation alone, results of a large study showed. (Source: MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology)

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Prostate brachytherapy reduces death rates of high-risk men

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:39:14 +0100

Prostate brachytherapy for high-risk prostate cancer patients has historically (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

Brachytherapy reduced death rates in high-risk prostate cancer patients, analysis finds

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:26:26 +0100

A population-based analysis looking at almost 13,000 cases revealed that men who received brachytherapy alone or in combination with external beam radiation therapy had significantly reduced mortality rates. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Brachytherapy reduced death rates in high-risk prostate cancer patients, study finds

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Thomas Jefferson University) A population-based analysis looking at almost 13,000 cases revealed that men who received brachytherapy alone or in combination with external beam radiation therapy had significantly reduced mortality rates. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

The Role of Transabdominal Sonography in Facilitating Successful Brachytherapy Outcomes in Cervical Cancer

Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article discusses the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical cancer. This article further explains the importance of the brachytherapy technique, the role of transabdominal sonography, and how both can lead to a successful outcome for the patient. (Source: Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography)

Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy and intravitreal bevacizumab for retinal capillary hemangioma

International Ophthalmology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:33:55 +0100

Abstract The purpose of this study is to report a case of retinal capillary hemangioma treated with ruthenium-106 brachytherapy combined with intravitreal bevacizumab. A 58-year-old woman presented with blurred vision in her left eye for 15 days. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting fingers at 3 m in her left eye. Examination showed a peripheral endophytic retinal capillary hemangioma, with associated macular edema and diffuse hard exudates in a macular star pattern. B-scan ultrasonography revealed a solid, highly reflective retinal tumor measuring 7.1 × 7.5 mm in basal dimension and 3.5 mm in thickness. The hemangioma and macular edema were treated with ruthenium-106 brachytherapy (500 Gy) followed 1 month later with an ...

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Consequences of dose heterogeneity on the biological efficiency of (103)Pd permanent breast seed implants.

Physics in Medicine and Biology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:30:17 +0100

This study investigates the effect of dose heterogeneity, TH and ISA on metrics that are commonly used to quantify biological efficiency in brachytherapy. The special case of 29 breast cancer patients treated with permanent (103)Pd seed implant is considered here. BED is compared to equivalent uniform BED (EUBED) capable of considering the spatial heterogeneity of the dose distribution. The effects of TH and ISA on biological efficiency of treatments are taken into account by comparing TG43 with Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations for each patient. The effect of clonogenic repopulation is also considered. The analysis is performed for different sets of (α/β, α) ratios of (2, 0.3), (4, 0.27) and (10, 0.3) [Gy, Gy(-1)] covering the whole range of reported α/β values in the literature. BE...

Development of a Research Agenda for the Management of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Proceedings from a Multidisciplinary Research Consensus Panel

Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:07:49 +0100

This article reports the proceedings from this meeting. (Source: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR)

Cost analysis comparing adjuvant epimacular brachytherapy with anti-VEGF monotherapy for the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Eye — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Authors: T L Jackson, L Kirkpatrick, G Tang & S Prasad (Source: Eye)

Comparison of limited‐volume perioperative high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy and wide‐field external irradiation in resected head and neck cancer

Head and Neck — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsComplications and locoregional failure rates were similar to those reported in the reference standards despite a much smaller treatment volume. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012 (Source: Head and Neck)

Radiological response of ceramic and polymeric devices for breast brachytherapy.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Nogueira LB, Campos TP Abstract In the present study, the radiological visibility of ceramic and polymeric devices implanted in breast phantom was investigated for future applications in brachytherapy. The main goal was to determine the radiological viability of ceramic and polymeric devices in vitro by performing simple radiological diagnostic methods such as conventional X-ray analysis and mammography due to its easy access to the population. The radiological response of ceramic and polymeric devices implanted in breast phantom was determined using conventional X-ray, mammography and CT analysis. PMID: 22285059 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied Radiation and Isotopes)

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Resurecting brachytherapy from brink of oblivion

Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Anusheel MunshiJournal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics 2011 7(4):391-392 (Source: Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics)

High dose rate interstitial brachytherapy in carcinoma eyelid: Can it be a primary treatment modality?

Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Mohammad Javed Ali, Santosh G Honavar, Vijay Anand P ReddyJournal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics 2011 7(4):498-499 (Source: Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics)

Patterns indicated great variation in use of accelerated partial breast irradiation with brachytherapy

HemOncToday.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:46:00 +0100

Hattangadi JA. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011;104:1-13. (Source: HemOncToday.com)

Radiochromic film dosimetry of rectal inhomogeneity and applicator attenuation in high dose rate brachytherapy of uterine cervix.

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:30:03 +0100

Authors: Uniyal SC, Naithani UC, Sharma SD, Srivastava AK Abstract Heterogeneities existing in the patient during treatment are neglected, as the treated subject is considered homogeneous in most of the commercially-available treatment planning systems (TPSs) used for high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. The choice of a suitable dosimeter for experimental dosimetry near the HDR source is crucial, mainly due to existence of steep dose gradients. The present work aimed to assess the effect of rectal air heterogeneity and applicator attenuation in the HDR Ir-192 brachytherapy treatment of carcinoma uterine cervix by utilizing GAFCHROMIC EBT2 film dosimetry. The dose to rectal walls under the condition of rectal air heterogeneity was measured experimentally using EBT2 film in a rectal p...

Evaluation of organ doses in brachytherapy treatment of uterus cancer using mathematical reference Indian adult phantom

Radiation Protection Dosimetry — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study also includes a comparison of the dimension of organs in the phantom model with measured values of organs in the various investigated patients. (Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry)

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Segmentectomy and Brachytherapy Mesh Implantation for Clinical Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Journal of Surgical Research — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:29:23 +0100

Conclusions: It appears that the local recurrence noted with non-anatomic wedge resection is not an equivalent concern when anatomic segmentectomy with adequate margins are obtained. This implies that adjuvant brachytherapy following anatomic segmentectomy is not required for local control, thus avoiding the costs of radiation therapy and its associated potential toxicity. These data suggest that proper anatomic segmentectomy alone may be associated with local recurrence rates similar to those of anatomic lobectomy in the setting of clinical stage I NSCLC. (Source: Journal of Surgical Research)

Evaluation of time, attendance of medical staff, and resources during radiotherapy for breast cancer patients

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:47:54 +0100

Conclusion In this prospective analysis, data of human resources and room occupation during treatment of breast cancer are presented for the first time. Each patient consumes about 12 h of human resources for treatment and 3.75 h for general tasks (physicians 4.7 h, physicists 1.8 h, and technicians 9.2 h). Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original articlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00066-011-0020-0Authors E. Blank, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1–3, 68167 Mannheim, GermanyN. Willich, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, GermanyR. Fietkau, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Cancer Center...

Quantification of trends in radiation oncology infrastructure in Pakistan, 2004–2009

Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: While there was an increase in number of radiotherapy centers, equipment and human resources available, this was insufficient to comply with international guidelines. An adequate enhancement in radiation oncology infrastructure is needed to cope with the predicted rise in cancer incidence. (Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology)

Thin CaSO(4):Dy thermoluminescent dosimeters for calibration of (90)Sr+(90)Y applicators.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Antonio PL, Oliveira ML, Caldas LV Abstract Clinical applicators are used in brachytherapy to treat superficial lesions of skin and eye. They should be periodically calibrated according to quality control programs and international recommendations. Thin CaSO(4):Dy thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to calibrate various applicators with a dermatological applicator as a reference. The obtained absorbed dose rates were compared with those quoted in their calibration certificates. Depth-dose curves were constructed for all the applicators. A mail dosimetry system was developed for calibration of clinical applicators. PMID: 22304964 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied Radiation and Isotopes)

Results of the GYNECO 02 Study, an FNCLCC Phase III Trial Comparing Hysterectomy with No Hysterectomy in Patients with a (Clinical and Radiological) Complete Response After Chemoradiation Therapy for Stage IB2 or II Cervical Cancer.

The Oncologist — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Results of the current trial seem to suggest that completion HT had no therapeutic impact in patients with clinical and radiological complete response after CRT (but this conclusion is limited by the lack of power). PMID: 22234626 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Oncologist)

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Postoperative vaginal brachytherapy in endometrial cancer.

Bulletin du Cancer — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mazeron R, Khodari W, Gilmore J, Champoudry J, Dumas I, Morice P, Lhommé C, Haie-Méder C Abstract Several randomized studies published in recent years have greatly changed the management of postoperative endometrial cancer, especially for lesions of intermediate prognosis. Vaginal brachytherapy is now standard treatment for these lesions at the expense of external beam radiation, which, despite an improvement in locoregional control, has no impact on overall survival. This review aims to take stock of new indications for vaginal brachytherapy detailing the trials that led to change standards or care. PMID: 22231748 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Bulletin du Cancer)

Studies: Proton therapy effective treatment for prostate cancer

Health Imaging News — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:56:58 +0100

Two studies published in the January issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology•Biology•Physics demonstrated the effectiveness of proton therapy in treating prostate cancer. One study revealed the therapy’s effectiveness while limiting side effects, the other showed that external beam therapy can achieve results comparable to brachytherapy. (Source: Health Imaging News)

Bioevaluation study of (32)P-CP-PLLA particle brachytherapy in a rabbit VX2 lung tumor model.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that (32)P-CP-PLLA particle localized on the injecting sites. This novel brachytherapy device efficiently suppressed the growth of the VX2 tumors implanted in the rabbit. PMID: 22245365 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied Radiation and Isotopes)

Predictive and prognostic value of circulating nucleosomes and serum biomarkers in patients with metastasized colorectal cancer undergoing Selective Internal Radiation Therapy

BMC Cancer — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Panels of biochemical markers are helpful to stratify pretherapeutically colorectal cancer patients for SIR-therapy and to early estimate the response to SIR-therapy. (Source: BMC Cancer)

Advantages and Motivations Uncertain Behind Use of Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

JNCI — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JNCI)

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Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer: Patterns in Utilization and Guideline Concordance

JNCI — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions APBIb after breast-conserving surgery has been rapidly adopted in the United States. Use varied by race, ethnicity, and widely by region, especially among patients who may not be suitable for this radiation technique. (Source: JNCI)

Evaluation of clinical benefits achievable by using different optimization algorithms during real-time prostate brachytherapy.

Physica Medica — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Application of the blind inverse optimization (BIO) algorithm led to clinically best dose parameters for PTV and the rectum. Use of geometrical optimization (GO) led to smaller doses in the urethra, which was however associated with a certain dose decrease also in PTV. PMID: 22221470 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physica Medica)

[Comment] Hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer

The Lancet Oncology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In radiobiology, the α-β ratio, defined as the dose at which killing of cells by linear (α) and quadratic (β) components are equal, is used to quantify the fractionation sensitivity of tissues and tumours. With data from low-dose-rate brachytherapy and external-beam radiotherapy series, Brenner and Hall were the first to report a low α-β ratio of 1·5 for prostate cancer; many investigators have since recorded similar values (lower than those of surrounding normal tissues, such as the rectum and bladder). (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

Gold nanoparticle-aided brachytherapy with vascular dose painting: Estimation of dose enhancement to the tumor endothelial cell nucleus.

Medical Physics — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The results predict that a substantial dose boost to the nucleus of endothelial cells can be achieved by applying tumor vasculature-targeted AuNPs in combination with brachytherapy. Such vascular dose boosts could induce tumor vascular shutdown, prompting extensive tumor cell death. PMID: 22225308 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Medical Physics)

Characterization of ultrasound elevation beamwidth artifacts for prostate brachytherapy needle insertion.

Medical Physics — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The authors found properly adjusting the TRUS imaging settings to lower the ultrasound gain and power effectively minimized the appearance of elevation beamwidth artifacts and in turn reduced the localization errors of the needle tip. PMID: 22225294 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Medical Physics)

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[Update on interstitial brachytherapy].

Der Radiologe — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bretschneider T, Peters N, Hass P, Ricke J Abstract CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: Minimally invasive treatment procedures, such as image-guided local tumour ablation have gained increasing relevance in oncologic concepts. Limitations of thermal ablation procedures have led to the development of percutaneous, computed tomography (CT) guided brachytherapy. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: Thermal ablation procedures, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) show limitations regarding maximum tumour size (<5 cm), cooling effects of adjacent vessels and surrounding risk structures. METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: The image-guided interstitial brachytherapy allows the si...

[Transarterial ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma : Status and developments].

Der Radiologe — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

[Transarterial ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma : Status and developments]. Radiologe. 2012 Jan;52(1):44-55 Authors: Radeleff BA, Stampfl U, Sommer CM, Bellemann N, Hoffmann K, Ganten T, Ehehalt R, Kauczor HU Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and represents the main cause of death among European patients with liver cirrhosis. Only 30-40% of patients diagnosed with HCC are candidates for curative treatment options (e.g. surgical resection, liver transplantation or ablation). The remaining majority of patients must undergo local regional and palliative therapies.Transvascular ablation of HCC takes advantage of the fact that the hypervascularized HCC receives most of its blood supply from the hepatic artery. In this context t...

Thomas Shanahan, MD

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Nearly a year ago, a woman in her late 70s from central Illinois was admitted to the hospital with severe shortness of breath and a recent lung biopsy showing lung cancer. As the story is told in the Springfield Journal Register, it was thought that her prognosis was very poor so it was recommended that life support measures be stopped in favor of letting nature take its course. Inconsistent with the presumed diagnosis of end-stage lung cancer was the significant abdominal bloating the patient had. Through force of personality and the conviction to do what was right, one physician persisted against the consensus and ultimately “cured” the patient using classical medical intuition to relieve the intestinal obstruction and associated respiratory distress caused by Ogilvie’s syndrome. T...

Perspectives for 2012 from the Editor-in-Chief

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The New Year brings us not only to a new volume for Brachytherapy, but also marks the beginning of our second decade. The journal came into being 10 years ago and since then much has been accomplished. The quality of our published articles has been most impressive. In less than 4 years from our inception we became “medlined,” a rare feat on a first attempt. Brachytherapy was so very well received by the National Libraries of Medicine that the Journal was put onto PubMed retroactively back to volume 1, issue 1—another very rare achievement! Soon thereafter, we were assigned an impact factor, which has steadily gone up. Brachytherapy is recognized worldwide as the leading journal dedicated to Brachytherapy in the treatment of human cancers. Brachytherapy is based in New York City, yet...

ABS brachytherapy consensus guidelines

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Queen Elizabeth II called 1992, an “annus horribilis” or terrible year for the Royal Family. For the brachytherapy world, 2009 was our horrible year. It was on June 30, 2009 that events at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center were made public by the New York Times (“At V.A. Hospital, a Rogue Cancer Unit” by Walt Bogdanich). The impact from these events continues to reverberate throughout our specialty and community. As has been well documented by the Department of Veteran Affairs Office of the Inspector General, problems identified by the government included using the wrong strength seeds, no postimplant dosimetry, no peer review, and no quality assessments . (Source: Brachytherapy)

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American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for transrectal ultrasound-guided permanent prostate brachytherapy

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Updated guidelines for patient selection, workup, treatment, postimplant dosimetry, and followup are provided. These recommendations are intended to be advisory in nature with the ultimate responsibility for the care of the patients resting with the treating physicians. (Source: Brachytherapy)

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The clinical outcomes for HDR are excellent, with high rates of biochemical control, even for high-risk disease, with low morbidity. HDR monotherapy, both for primary treatment and salvage, are promising treatment modalities. (Source: Brachytherapy)

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Part I: General principles

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Updated ABS recommendations are provided for brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Practitioners and cooperative groups are encouraged to use these recommendations to formulate their clinical practices and to adopt dose-reporting policies that are critical for outcome analysis. (Source: Brachytherapy)

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Part II: High-dose-rate brachytherapy

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These guidelines update those of 2000 and provide a comprehensive description of HDR cervical cancer brachytherapy in 2011. (Source: Brachytherapy)

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Part III: Low-dose-rate and pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Updated ABS guidelines are provided for LDR and PDR brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Practitioners and cooperative groups are encouraged to use these guidelines to formulate their clinical practices and to adopt dose-reporting policies that are critical for outcome analysis. (Source: Brachytherapy)

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American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for adjuvant vaginal cuff brachytherapy after hysterectomy

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Recommendations are made for adjuvant vaginal cuff brachytherapy. Practitioners and cooperative groups are encouraged to use these recommendations to formulate their treatment and dose reporting policies. These recommendations will permit meaningful comparisons of reports from different institutions and lead to better and more appropriate use of vaginal brachytherapy. (Source: Brachytherapy)

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal cancer

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Recommendations are made for interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal cancer and recurrent disease in the vagina. Practitioners and cooperative groups are encouraged to use these recommendations to formulate treatment and dose-reporting policies. Such a process will result in meaningful outcome comparisons, promote technical advances, and lead to appropriate utilization of these techniques. (Source: Brachytherapy)

Masthead

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Editorial Board

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

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Guide for Authors

Brachytherapy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

A 3-D Liver Segmentation Method with Parallel Computing for Selective Internal Radiation Therapy

Information Technology in Biomedicine, IEEE Transactions on - new TOC — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study describes a new 3-D liver segmentation method in support of the selective internal radiation treatment as a treatment for liver tumors. This 3-D segmentation is based on coupling a modified k-means segmentation method with a special localized contouring algorithm. In the segmentation process, five separate regions are identified on the computerized tomography image frames. The merit of the proposed method lays in its potential to provide fast and accurate liver segmentation and 3-D rendering as well as in delineating tumor region(s), all with minimal user interaction. Leveraging of multicore platforms is shown to speed up the processing of medical images considerably, making this method more suitable in clinical settings. Experiments were performed to assess the effect of parall...

Brachytherapy Alone Appears Safe, Effective in Prostat...Brachytherapy Alone Appears Safe, Effective in Prostat...

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:47:24 +0100

High-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) is safe and effective in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Can imaging help improve the survival of cancer patients?

Cancer Imaging — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:24:03 +0100

Authors: Miles K Abstract Survival, quality-adjusted survival and mortality are important and related measures of outcome in cancer care. The impact of imaging on these outcomes can be ascertained from observational and modelling studies, frequently performed to evaluate cost-effectiveness. Examples where incorporation of imaging into cancer care can be shown to improve survival include breast cancer screening, characterization of solitary pulmonary nodules, staging of non-small cell lung cancer, treatment response assessment in Hodgkin lymphoma, postoperative surveillance of colorectal cancer and selective internal radiation therapy of colorectal liver metastases. Modelling suggests the greatest opportunities for improvements in survival through imaging detection of cancer may lie...

Brachytherapy alone appears safe, effective in intermediate-risk prostate cancer

Modern Medicine — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - High-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR) is safe and effective in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, according to a small study online November 16 in the Journal of Urology. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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Long term clinical outcomes of brachytherapy, bare-metal stenting, and drug-eluting stenting for de novo and in-stent restenosis lesions: Five year follow-up.

Cardiology Journal — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:12:03 +0100

Conclusions: DES application for in-stent restenosis and de novo lesions was superior to brachytherapy and BMS application with respect to all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 6: 654-661). PMID: 22113753 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cardiology Journal)

Current therapy of patients with endometrial carcinoma

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:44:29 +0100

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 18-FDG positron emission tomography (18FDG PET-CT), and computed tomography (CT) have demonstrated disappointing detectability of lymph node metastases in endometrial cancer. The treatment of choice in patients with endometrial cancer is hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy. Above all, obese patients with comorbidity have benefited the most from laparoscopically assisted approaches. For inoperable patients in FIGO stage I/II, radiation remains an alternative to hysterectomy. The role of pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy is the most controversial issue in endometrial carcinoma treatment. The current spectrum of treatment ranges from no lymphadenectomy, exclusive pelvic or additional inframesentric paraaortic sampl...

Comparative effectiveness of cryotherapy vs brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer

BJU International — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS• Although less costly, cryotherapy was associated with more urinary and ED complications and greater need for salvage ADT.• Conversely, cryotherapy was associated with fewer bowel complications. Patients and providers alike should consider these population‐based outcomes when discussing therapeutic options for localised prostate cancer. (Source: BJU International)

20 Gy Versus 44 Gy of Supplemental External Beam Radiotherapy With Palladium-103 for Patients With Greater Risk Disease: Results of a Prospective Randomized Trial

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

We report brachytherapy outcomes for patients with higher risk features randomized to substantially different supplemental EBRT regimens.Methods and Materials: Between December 1999 and June 2004, 247 patients were randomized to 20 Gy vs. 44 Gy EBRT followed by a palladium-103 boost (115 Gy vs. 90 Gy). The eligibility criteria included clinically organ-confined disease with Gleason score 7–10 and/or pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level 10–20 ng/mL. The median follow-up period was 9.0 years. Biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) was defined as a PSA level of ≤0.40 ng/mL after nadir. The median day 0 prescribed dose covering 90% of the target volume was 125.7%; 80 men received androgen deprivation therapy (median, 4 months). Multiple parameters were evaluated for t...

[Should the treatment of anal carcinoma be adapted in the elderly? A retrospective analysis of acute toxicities in a French centre and a review of the literature.]

Cancer Radiotherapie — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by brachytherapy showed an acceptable toxicity profile, and seems to be adapted in selected elderly patients. It could be recommended as reference treatment in elderly patients with a good physiological status. PMID: 22197192 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cancer Radiotherapie)

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Advantages And Motivations Uncertain Behind Use Of Brachytherapy For Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Accelerated partial breast irradiation using brachytherapy (APBIb) for the treatment of breast cancer has been rapidly increasing over the last several years in the U.S. as an alternative to standard whole-breast irradiation (WBI), according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Various types of APBI recurrence (external beam radiation, intraoperative radiotherapy, brachytherapy using multiple interstitial catheters, or intracavitary brachytherapy using a balloon catheter) deliver radiation to breast tissue at the highest risk of recurrence... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Prostate cancer treatment ascertained from several sources: analysis of disagreement and error

Annals of Oncology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Interviews of prostate cancer patients and caregivers are useful alternatives to medical record abstraction, particularly if carried out during, or soon after, treatment. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

Cancer of the prostate gland

Medicine — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:10:11 +0100

Abstract: Prostate cancer constitutes a major health problem. It is estimated that the lifetime risk of western men having prostate cancer is about 30%, with the risk of dying from the cancer being 3%. Increasing age is the strongest pre-determinant for the development of prostate cancer. Virtually all cancers are adenocarcinomas, the grade being indicated by the Gleason score. Often, there are no presenting symptoms. Investigations such as serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination and biopsies via a transrectal ultrasound probe are required for diagnosis. Staging, if required, consists of magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography for locally advanced disease and/or a bone scan for detection of bony metastases. Management depends largely on the stage of the ...

Breast Cancer Brachytherapy May Be Overused (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Radiology — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:43:12 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Many women who were not ideal candidates for accelerated partial breast irradiation based on treatment guidelines still received APBI, according to a population-based study. (Source: MedPage Today Radiology)

Backers of APBI brachytherapy hit back at MD Anderson study

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:06:14 +0100

The controversy over accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) brachytherapy (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

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Expert Panel Points Out Short-Comings of Study Comparing Partial Breast Brachytherapy to Whole-Breast Irradiation Presented at SABCS

Cancer Network — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:30:01 +0100

The results of a study presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) prompted enough controversy to warrant a statement from 3 major medical societies and an expert panel teleconference on December 14, 2011 to discuss the analysis of data presented by the MD Anderson Cancer Center physicians. (Source: Cancer Network)

Comparison of health‐related quality of life between subjects treated with radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy

Journal of Clinical Nursing — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. Study findings suggest that healthcare providers should have a better understanding of patients’ complications after treatment and this can ultimately raise the quality of life for prostate cancer patients.Relevance to clinical practice. The impact of quality of life among post prostate cancer treatment is common. Urological nurses should therefore take the responsibility regarding the consequence of urinary incontinence and sexual function and seeking appropriate nursing interventions for these complications. (Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing)

Study finds variations in APBI brachytherapy adoption

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:44:57 +0100

A new study has found that the adoption of brachytherapy-based accelerated (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

A Single-Dose Conformal Delivery of Radiotherapy Following Osteoplasty

HSS Journal — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:57:08 +0100

We present an innovative approach of delivering targeted intra-operative radiotherapy to a solitary osteolytic metastasis in one application, while sparing healthy bone marrow from radiation toxicity and substantially reducing the overall treatment time. A 78-year-old Caucasian male with MM, previously treated with chemotherapy, who was off chemotherapy for 2 years due to bone marrow suppression, presented with a solitary recurrence at the left anterior superior iliac spine of the left iliac wing as diagnosed by PET-CT scan. This lesion was treated with a minimally invasive osteoplasty and intra-operative brachytherapy with to a dose of 8 Gy delivered to the surgical cavity only, followed by injection of the bone cement into the cavity. Three months after the procedure, the area of ...

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Breast Cancer - How Advantageous Or Detrimental Is Brachytherapy?

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

An investigation published December 16th in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reveals that over the last several years in the U.S., accelerated partial breast irradiation using brachytherapy (APBIb) for treating breast cancer has increased rapidly as an alternative treatment to conventional whole-breast irradiation (WBI). APBI delivers a high dose of radiation to areas of the breast where cancer is most likely to recur... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Advantages and motivations uncertain behind use of brachytherapy for breast cancer radiotherapy

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Journal of the National Cancer Institute) Accelerated partial breast irradiation using brachytherapy for the treatment of breast cancer has been rapidly increasing over the last several years in the US as an alternative to standard whole-breast irradiation, according to a study published Dec. 16 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Active surveillance for prostate cancer compared with immediate treatment

Cancer — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:These data demonstrate that active surveillance represents a considerable cost savings over immediate treatment for prostate cancer in a theoretical cohort after 5 and 10 years of follow‐up. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. (Source: Cancer)

Hepatocellular carcinoma: computed-tomography-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy (CT-HDRBT) ablation of large (5–7 cm) and very large (>7 cm) tumours

European Radiology — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:49:47 +0100

Conclusions CT-HDRBT is a promising therapy for HCCs that exceed indications for thermal ablation. Key Points • Computed Tomography guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy offers new therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma • CT-HDRBT can be safely practised in HCCs exceeding 5 cm in diameter • CT-HDRBT offers high rate of local control where thermal ablation is impossible • CT-HDRBT could be a valid alternative to TACE for intermediate stage HCC Content Type Journal ArticleCategory InterventionalPages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00330-011-2352-7Authors Federico Collettini, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, GermanyDirk Schna...

SABCS: Study links APBI to higher complication rates

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) brachytherapy is associated with (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

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International Practice Survey on Palliative Lung Radiotherapy: Third International Consensus Workshop on Palliative Radiotherapy and Symptom Control.

Clinical Lung Cancer — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Various patient, tumor, treatment, and logistic factors are associated with the variable use and external beam dose fractionation of palliative lung treatments. The copublication of the ASTRO Guideline for Palliative Lung Cancer Care and International Workshop Consensus statements should assist clinicians by providing evidence-based care. PMID: 22169482 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Lung Cancer)

Breast cancer outcome worse with partial than whole breast irradiation

MedWire News - Breast Cancer — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:01:34 +0100

Women treated with accelerated partial breast brachytherapy are twice as likely to require subsequent mastectomy as those who receive whole breast irradiation, according to research presented at the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Texas, USA. (Source: MedWire News - Breast Cancer)

Brachytherapy Doubles Mastectomy Risk And Complications

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:00:00 +0100

A breast cancer patient who undergoes brachytherapy has double the chance of losing her breasts compared to one who is treated with whole-breast irradiation, researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, explained at SABCS (34th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium). Brachytherapy is radiation treatment given by placing radioactive material directly in (or near) the target. Brachytherapy simply means internal radiation therapy. For breast cancer patients, a small radioactive source is placed inside the breast after lumpectomy... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

After Partial Breast Irradiation, Side Effects, Complications, Mastectomy More Likely

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) brachytherapy, the localized form of radiation therapy growing increasingly popular as a treatment choice for women with early-stage breast cancer, is associated with higher rate of later mastectomy, increased radiation-related toxicities and post-operative complications, compared to traditional whole breast irradiation (WBI), according to researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The retrospective study was presented in the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium's press briefing by Benjamin Smith, M.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Breast cancer outcome worse with partial than whole breast irradiation

MedWire News - Oncology — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

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Mastectomy Risk High With Brachytherapy for Breast CancerMastectomy Risk High With Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:45:41 +0100

Whole-breast radiotherapy carries lower risk for disease progression compared with brachytherapy for invasive breast cancer. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Targeted Radiation May Not Be Better for Breast Cancer

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0100

Study found brachytherapy had double the risk of mastectomies, compared to radiation of entire breast Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Breast Cancer, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Brachytherapy Was Associated With Twofold Increased Risk For Mastectomy, Complications

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0100

Compared with women treated with whole-breast irradiation, women treated with brachytherapy experienced a twofold increased risk for losing their breasts, according to findings presented at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 6-10, 2011. Benjamin D. Smith, M.D., assistant professor in the department of radiation oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues evaluated the Medicare claims of all U.S. female beneficiaries (n=130,535) aged older than 66 years diagnosed with incident-invasive breast cancer between 2000 and 2007... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Targeted Radiation May Not Be Better for Breast Cancer

Gynecology News - Doctors Lounge — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Study found brachytherapy had double the risk of mastectomies, compared to radiation of entire breast (Source: Gynecology News - Doctors Lounge)

APBI Brachytherapy Associated with Higher Rate of Later Mastectomy, Increased Toxicities, and Post-Operative Complications, Compared to Traditional Radiation Therapy in Women with Early Breast Cancer

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - News Releases — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) brachytherapy, the localized form of radiation therapy growing increasingly popular as a treatment choice for women with early-stage breast cancer, is associated with higher rate of later mastectomy, increased radiation-related toxicities and post-operative complications, compared to traditional whole breast irradiation (WBI), according to researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (Source: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - News Releases)

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Study Questions Brachytherapy, a Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment

NYT Health — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:52:46 +0100

Brachytherapy can be completed in a week, but it may not be as effective or safe as conventional radiation treatment. (Source: NYT Health)

Targeted Radiation May Not Be Better for Breast Cancer

Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Study found brachytherapy had double the risk of mastectomies, compared to radiation of entire breast (Source: Cancercompass News: Breast Cancer)

SABCS: Limiting Radiation Increases Mastectomies (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0100

SAN ANTONIO (MedPage Today) -- Women had almost double the risk of mastectomy when they received brachytherapy instead of whole-breast irradiation after conservative surgery for early breast cancer, investigators reported here. (Source: MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology)

SABCS: Limiting Radiation Increases Mastectomies (CME/CE, with video)

MedPage Today Radiology — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0100

Study finds side effects, complications, mastectomy more likely after partial breast irradiation

EurekAlert! - Cancer — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) Accelerated partial breast irradiation brachytherapy, the localized form of radiation therapy growing increasingly popular as a treatment choice for women with early-stage breast cancer, is associated with higher rate of later mastectomy, increased radiation-related toxicities and post-operative complications, compared to traditional whole breast irradiation, according to researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)

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Brachytherapy was associated with twofold increased risk for mastectomy, complications

EurekAlert! - Cancer — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(American Association for Cancer Research) Compared with women treated with whole-breast irradiation, women treated with brachytherapy experienced a twofold increased risk for losing their breasts, according to findings presented at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)

The Personal Patient Profile-Prostate decision support for men localized prostate cancer: A multi-center randomized trial.

Urologic Oncology — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The Personal Patient Profile-Prostate is the first intervention to significantly reduce decisional conflict in a multi-center trial of American men with newly diagnosed localized CaP. Our findings support efficacy of P3P for addressing decision uncertainty and facilitating patient selection of a CaP treatment that is consistent with the patient values and preferences. PMID: 22153756 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Urologic Oncology)

Repeat brachytherapy a viable option for prostate cancer

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0100

CHICAGO - Prostate cancer patients who undergo brachytherapy treatments that (more) (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

Editorial Comment

Urology — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Urologists are coming under close scrutiny by third-party payers and the government for their ownership of ancillary services, including laboratory services such as blood work and pathology, imaging equipment, treatment facilities including surgicenters, lithotripters, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. These relationships have not gone unnoticed in the lay press and are frequently recounted on the front pages of the nation's more prominent newspapers. In this article, Hollingsworth and colleagues at the University of Michigan looked at whether urologist investment in lithotripters in the state of Michigan changed practice patterns, specifically with regard to ureteroscopy (URS) and shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). The authors queried the state's ambulatory surgery database to perform...

Clear Cell Cancer of the Uterine Corpus: The Association of Clinicopathologic Parameters and Treatment on Disease Progression

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:54:38 +0100

This paper presents a single-institution experience regarding the clinicopathologic features and treatment strategies used in uterine clear cell cancer (UCC), a rare, aggressive histologic subtype of uterine cancer with poor prognosis and discusses parameters associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients (n=80) diagnosed with UCC and treated between 1994 and 2009 at a single academic institution. Data on demographics, FIGO stage, treatment regimens, and recurrences were collected. Patients with early-stage UCC had an excellent survival regardless of adjuvant therapy. Advanced-stage patients had a worse survival. Vaginal apex brachytherapy was associated with an increased OS (P=0.02) but not PFS (P=0.10)...

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Effect of Socio-Economic Factors on Delayed Access to Health Care among Chinese Cervical Cancer Patients with Late Rectal Complications after Radiotherapy.

Gynecologic Oncology — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Delayed reporting and late-stage presentation of late rectal sequelae are more prevalent among Chinese cervical cancer patients with 55years or older, low education, poor marital status, or poor financial status. Effective social support and educational programs should be implemented to encourage these patients to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. PMID: 22138228 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Gynecologic Oncology)

Chemoradiation with adjuvant hysterectomy for stage IB-2 cervical cancer: a 10-year experience

Gynecological Surgery — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:22:47 +0100

Abstract To review outcomes of patients with stage IB-2 cervical carcinoma treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT) followed by total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), common iliac and para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PAL). A retrospective review of patients with stage IB-2 cervical cancer treated with CRT followed by TAH/PAL from 1999 to 2009 was performed. Brachytherapy was limited to 1,500–1,800 cGy. Sixty-nine patients were identified. The mean age was 46.7 years, tumor diameter 5.4 cm, and all patients had complete clinical response to CRT. The mean follow-up was 61.7 months. There were no central pelvic relapses and two pelvic sidewall failures (97% pelvic control). The mean time to progression was 31.6 months, and 5-year disease-specific survival ...

External Radiation, Brachytherapy Effective in Prostate CancerExternal Radiation, Brachytherapy Effective in Prostate Cancer

Medscape Hematology-Oncology Headlines — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:21:56 +0100

Ten-year survival rates are high when patients with unfavorable localized prostate cancer are treated with external beam radiotherapy boosted with conformal high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Hematology-Oncology Headlines)

Prostate Brachytherapy and Second Primary Cancer Risk: A Competitive Risk Analysis [Urologic Oncology]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Overall, we found no difference in SPC incidence between patients with prostate cancer treated with prostatectomy or brachytherapy. Furthermore, no increased tumor incidence was found compared with the general population. We observed a higher than expected incidence of bladder SPC after brachytherapy in the first 4 years of follow-up, probably resulting from lead time or screening bias. Because of power limitations, a small increased SPC risk cannot be formally excluded. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

What is High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy?

About.com Prostate Cancer — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

There are a number of treatment choices for men who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Radiation therapy has long been one of the mainstays of prostate cancer treatment and there have been many advances within the field of radiation oncology over the last several years....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Prostate Cancer)

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Radiotherapy: practical applications and clinical aspects

Medicine — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:35:24 +0100

This article will describe the role of radiation therapy in various clinical situations, including the side effects of treatment. (Source: Medicine)

Endometrial cancer - reduce to the minimum. A new paradigm for adjuvant treatments?

Radiation Oncology — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Recent data from randomised trials indicate that external beam radiation therapy - particularly in combination with extended lymph node dissection - or radical lymph node dissection increases toxicity without any improvement of overall survival rates. Thus, reduced surgical aggressiveness and limitation of radiotherapy to vaginal-vault-brachytherapy only is sufficient for most cases of early stage endometrial cancer. (Source: Radiation Oncology)

Re: Risk of Death From Prostate Cancer After Radical Prostatectomy or Brachytherapy in Men With Low or Intermediate Risk Disease: N. D. Arvold, M. H. Chen, J. W. Moul, B. J. Moran, D. E. Dosoretz, L. L. Bañez, M. J. Katin, M. H. Braccioforte and A. V. D'Amico J Urol 2011; 186: 91–96

The Journal of Urology — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In their introduction Arvold et al note that previous studies comparing prostate cancer specific mortality (PCSM) following brachytherapy (BT) and prostatectomy (RP) in men with low and intermediate risk disease were limited by insufficient statistical power. However, their study is also limited by inadequate statistical power. Followup in both groups was short but particularly for the BT group (median 3.6 years). Median time to death after RP has been shown to be as long as 13 years after biochemical recurrence. Thus, the followup was probably too short in the present study to allow a reliable pattern of PCSM to emerge. (Source: The Journal of Urology)

Validation and comparison of the two kattan nomograms in patients with prostate cancer treated with 125iodine brachytherapy

BJU International — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: BJU International)

Validation and comparison of the two Kattan nomograms in patients with prostate cancer treated with 125iodine brachytherapy

BJU International — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS• In our population, the 5‐year BFFF outcomes rates were superior to nomogram predictions.• Neither nomogram predicted outcomes after 125I‐brachytherapy in this non‐US cohort.• The postoperative nomogram was also a poor predictor, although it included D90 dosimetry values, as a variable of treatment quality.• Strict inclusion criteria, perhaps more favourable than the ones on which the Kattan nomograms were based, could be the explanation for these discrepancies. (Source: BJU International)

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Thermoluminescent and Monte Carlo dosimetry of IR06-103Pd brachytherapy source.

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:48:02 +0100

Authors: Saidi P, Sadeghi M, Hosseini H, Tenreiro C Abstract This work presents experimental dosimetry results for a new 103Pd brachytherapy seed, in accordance with the AAPM TG-43U1 recommendation that all new low-energy interstitial brachytherapy seeds should undergo one Monte Carlo (MC) and at least one experimental dosimetry characterization. Measurements were performed using TLD-GR200A circular chip dosimeters using standard methods employing thermoluminescent dosimeters in a Perspex phantom. The Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) code, version 5 was used to evaluate the dose-rate distributions around this model 103Pd source in water and Perspex phantoms. The consensus value for dose-rate constant of the IR06-103Pd source was found equal to 0.690 cGy·h-1·U-1. The anisotropy funct...

Establishment of air kerma reference standard for low dose rate Cs-137 brachytherapy sources.

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:48:02 +0100

Authors: Sharma SD, Kumar S, Srinivasan P, Chourasiya G Abstract A guarded cylindrical graphite ionization chamber of nominal volume 1000 cm3 was designed and fabricated for use as a reference standard for low-dose rate 137Cs brachytherapy sources. The air kerma calibration coefficient (NK) of this ionization chamber was estimated analytically using Burlin's general cavity theory, as well as by the Monte Carlo simulation and validated experimentally using Amersham CDCS-J-type 137Cs reference source. In the analytical method, the NK was calculated for 662 keV gamma rays of 137Cs brachytherapy source. In the Monte Carlo method, the geometry of the measurement setup and physics-related input data of the 137Cs source and the surrounding material were simulated using the Monte Carlo N-P...

The impact of uncertainties associated with MammoSite brachytherapy on the dose distribution in the breast.

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:48:02 +0100

This study also combines the impact of these uncertainties on the MammoSite treatment efficacy. The current study demonstrates that the combined uncertainties associated with the MammoSite brachytherapy technique - up to the value of 2 mm balloon deformation, 1 mm source deviation, and 15% contrast concentration - have no impact on the tumor control probability. PMID: 22089003 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics)

Six-Year Analysis of Treatment-Related Toxicities in Patients Treated with Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation on the American Society of Breast Surgeons MammoSite Breast Brachytherapy Registry Trial

Annals of Surgical Oncology — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:40:52 +0100

Conclusions Treatment-related toxicities 6 years after treatment with APBI using the MammoSite device are similar to those reported with other forms of APBI with similar follow-up. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Breast OncologyPages 1-7DOI 10.1245/s10434-011-2133-1Authors A. J. Khan, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USADouglas Arthur, Department of Radiation Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USAF. Vicini, Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USAP. Beitsch, Department of Surgery, Dallas Breast Center, Dallas, TX, USAH. Kuerer, Department of Surgery, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USAS. Goyal, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer...

Factors Influencing Urinary Symptoms 10 Years After Permanent Prostate Seed Implantation

The Journal of Urology — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Purpose: We investigated the factors that influenced urinary symptoms in the first 10 years after prostate brachytherapy.Materials and Methods: A total of 1,932 men were treated with prostate brachytherapy alone or with external beam irradiation and followed a mean of 6.8 years. The influence of pretreatment American Urological Association symptom score (7 or less, 8 to 19, 20 or greater), external beam radiotherapy, 125I or 103Pd, biological effective dose, age, prostate size and hormone therapy on the change in American Urological Association symptom score (11,491) was compared.Results: The mean change from initial score (7.4) was 11.4, 5.5, 3.3, 2.7, 1.5, 1.2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1.3 and 1.4 points at 3, 6 months and 1 to 10 years, respectively (p (Source: The Journal of Urology)

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Editorial Comment

The Journal of Urology — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The present data set is unique due to its size and length of observation. In this mixed group of patients with prostate cancer treated with low dose rate brachytherapy at a highly experienced center, mean AUASS continued to decrease beyond 1 year after implantation and remained near baseline throughout the reported 10-year period. (Source: The Journal of Urology)

Patterns of imaging failures in glioblastoma patients treated with chemoradiation: a retrospective study

Medical Oncology — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:59:29 +0100

This study sought to investigate recurrence patterns of GBM treated with temozolomide-based chemoradiation. Records for 31 patients treated for newly diagnosed GBM between 2007 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Ten patients received maximal surgical resection followed by conventionally fractionated radiation (CFR) to a median dose of 60 Gy with concurrent and planned adjuvant temozolomide. Twelve patients were treated with maximal surgical debulking, intracavitary brachytherapy (ICB), and external beam radiation therapy with concurrent and planned adjuvant temozolomide. The remaining 9 patients had unresectable disease and underwent biopsy followed by a hypofractionated course of radiation to a median dose of 60 Gy over 10 fractions. Tumor failure was classified as l...

Proton beam therapy for the treatment of uveal melanoma in Scotland

British Journal of Ophthalmology — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion PBT is reserved for the treatment of mainly medium-sized and large-sized uveal melanomas in Scotland. The eye retention and disease-specific survival rates confirm its suitability as an eye-preserving primary treatment in these patients. It is evident that PBT is a conservative treatment option for uveal melanoma, including those of larger size. (Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology)

High Dose Brachytherapy as Monotherapy for Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer

The Journal of Urology — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: High dose rate brachytherapy as monotherapy is safe and effective for patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer. We recommend caution for percent positive biopsy cores exceeding 75% or clinical stage T2c. Excluding such patients the 5-year biochemical disease-free survival rate was 97.5%. (Source: The Journal of Urology)

Methods of verifying the output of the treatment planning system used for high dose rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy.

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The verification method proposed was found to be accurate and independent of TPS parameters, with suitable acceptance margins of ±10%. PMID: 22098792 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology)

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Cardiovascular comorbidity and treatment regret in men with recurrent prostate cancer

BJU International — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS• Among men with recurrent prostate cancer, those with cardiovascular comorbidity were >50% more likely to experience treatment regret than men without cardiovascular comorbidity.• These data provide a rationale for men with cardiovascular comorbidity to give additional consideration to active surveillance for their newly diagnosed prostate cancer. (Source: BJU International)

Stereotactic brachytherapy 'highly effective' for certain gliomas in children

Modern Medicine — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Stereotactic brachytherapy (SBT) with iodine-125 seeds is "safe, minimally invasive, and highly effective" in children with inoperable low-grade gliomas, German researchers say. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Comparative In Vitro Microdosimetric Study of Murine- and Human-Derived Cancer Cells Exposed to Alpha Particles.

Radiation Research — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lazarov E, Arazi L, Efrati M, Cooks T, Schmidt M, Keisari Y, Kelson I Abstract Diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) is a proposed new form of brachytherapy using ? particles to treat solid tumors. The method relies on implantable (224)Ra-loaded sources that continually release short-lived ?-particle-emitting atoms that spread inside the tumor over a few millimeters. This treatment was demonstrated to have a significant effect on tumor growth in murine and human-derived models, but the degree of tumor response varied across cell lines. Tumor response was found to correlate with the degree of radionuclide spread inside the tumor. In this work we examined the radiosensitivity of individual cells to determine its relationship to tumor response. Cells were irradiate...

Principles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:56:43 +0100

Abstract: The management of most malignancies is multidisciplinary with chemotherapy and radiotherapy widely employed. The reasons why tumours are destroyed and normal tissues recover after radiotherapy are complex and thought to be due to differences in intrinsic radiosensitivity and the ability to repair and repopulate between normal and malignant tissue. Some tumours are hypoxic which makes them radioresistant. Most radiotherapy treatments are carried out using a linear accelerator, which produces photons or high energy X-rays which are “skin-sparing” and can treat deep-seated tumours. Brachytherapy (short distance treatment) with implanted or internal radiation sources can also be used, and indeed is an essential part of the radical radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma.Chemotherapy ...

Completion of and early response to chemoradiation among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive and HIV‐negative patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma in South Africa

Cancer — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:HIV‐positive patients fared worse than HIV‐negative patients because of later presentation and a decreased likelihood of completing treatment. The current findings emphasize the importance of completing irradiation therapy. Further studies will address the association of these variables with survival. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society. (Source: Cancer)

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Dosimetric characteristic of a new 125I brachytherapy source

Radiation Protection Dosimetry — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

A new brachytherapy 125I source has been investigated at Iranian Agricultural, Medical and Industrial Research School. Dosimetric characteristics [dose-rate constant , radial dose function gl(r) and anisotropy function F(r,)] of IRA-125I were theoretically determined in terms of the updated AAPM task group 43 (TG-43U1) recommendations. Versions 5 and 4C of the Monte Carlo radiation transport code were used to calculate the dosimetry parameters around the source. The Monte Carlo calculated dose-rate constant of the 125I source in water was found to be 92x10–4 Gy h–1 U–1 with an approximate uncertainty of ±3 %. Brachytherapy seed model, 6711-125I, carrying 125I radionuclides, was modelled and benchmarked against previously published values. Finally, the calculated re...

Tissue modeling schemes in low energy breast brachytherapy.

Physics in Medicine and Biology — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:58:40 +0100

Authors: Afsharpour H, Landry G, Reniers B, Pignol JP, Beaulieu L, Verhaegen F Abstract Breast tissue is heterogeneous and is mainly composed of glandular (G) and adipose (A) tissues. The proportion of G versus A varies considerably among the population. The absorbed dose distributions in accelerated partial breast irradiation therapy with low energy photon brachytherapy sources are very sensitive to tissue heterogeneities. Current clinical algorithms use the recommendations of the AAPM TG43 report which approximates the human tissues by unit density water. The aim of this study is to investigate various breast tissue modeling schemes for low energy brachytherapy. A special case of breast permanent seed implant is considered here. Six modeling schemes are considered. Uniform and no...

Response to “Risk of All-Cause and Prostate Cancer–Specific Mortality After Brachytherapy in Men With Small Prostate Size” (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2011;79:1318–1322)

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:54:41 +0100

To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by Nguyen et al. , which demonstrated that men with small prostates (volumes ≤20 cc) at the time of brachytherapy had a 33% higher risk of all-cause mortality (ACM). The methodology and interpretation of the results, however, raise several concerns. (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

In Reply to Tunio and Hasmi

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:54:41 +0100

To the Editor: We thank Drs. Tunio and Hasmi for their interest in our article. In our retrospective analysis of 6,416 patients treated with brachytherapy in large community practices, we found that a prostate gland size ≤20 cc was associated with a 33% increase in all-cause mortality (ACM), but no difference in prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM), suggesting that a small prostate should not necessarily be a contraindication to brachytherapy . (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

Joint Leeds/Mount Vernon Brachytherapy Course

Clinical Oncology — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:53:17 +0100

(Source: Clinical Oncology)

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Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study randomized trial of I-125 brachytherapy.

Clinical Trials — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:10:03 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The multidisciplinary COMS Group not only successfully conducted a randomized trial that answered the primary study questions but also has contributed to clinical and epidemiologic knowledge of choroidal melanoma through numerous publications. As a consequence of the COMS, a standard approach to I-125 brachytherapy for treatment of choroidal melanoma became widely available to affected patients. PMID: 22013172 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Trials)

Additional rectal and sigmoid mucosal points and doses in high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for carcinoma cervix: A dosimetric study

Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our dosimetric study suggests that sigmoid points and 0.1 cm 3 receive significantly higher doses than rectal points during ICA-HDR in carcinoma of the uterine cervix. No definite conclusion on reproducible spatial distribution on orthogonal X-rays could be achieved. To document and reduce sigmoid doses, some form of 3D image-based planning is necessary. (Source: Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics)

Phase II trial of adjuvant pelvic radiation "sandwiched" between ifosfamide or ifosfamide plus cisplatin in women with uterine carcinosarcoma.

Gynecologic Oncology — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Ifosfamide "sandwiched" with RT appears to be an efficacious regimen for surgically staged CS patients with no residual disease, even in patients with advanced stage. The addition of cisplatin to the regimen added toxicity without improving efficacy. Even with ifosfamide alone, the efficacy of this 'sandwich' regimen comes with a moderate but tolerable toxicity profile. PMID: 22055846 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Gynecologic Oncology)

Point: Balloon versus strut brachytherapy—Which device offers the most dose modulation capability and normal tissue sparing?

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The dosimetric superiority of the Contura MLB (CMLB) to a single-lumen balloon device has been clearly established, with the CMLB delivering consistently lower doses to the skin and chest wall . The currently accruing Phase III trial (NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413) requires that the skin receive less than 145% of the prescription dose, but recent data suggest that toxicity is minimized when the dose to the skin is below 120% . In the series from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), 100% of patients treated with the CMLB had skin doses below this more rigorous constraint . Early results of a multi-institution Phase IV trial evaluating the dosimetry of the CMLB in the first 144 patients treated demonstrate that very low skin doses are consistently achieved, even in patients with skin distances as...

Counterpoint: The device with the most dose modulation capacity

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The Strut-Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI; Cianna Medical, Aliso Viejo, CA) is designed to maximize the capacity to modulate dose allowing target tissue coverage with simultaneous normal tissue sparing. There are four sizes of SAVI catheters: 6-1 mini, 6-1, 8-1, and 10-1 with 7, 7, 9, and 11 catheters, respectively. Multiple sizes allow insertion in virtually any clinical situation including the most challenging, such as a tumor bed sandwiched between the chest wall (CW) and skin, cardiac proximity, thin breast tissue in the medial chest, or in the setting of breast augmentation. As the device opens in a continuous motion, it allows enormous possibilities to fit both length and width of cavities. The central catheter is approximately 7mm longer to allow the dose to project forward from the t...

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Rebuttal to Dr. Yashar

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The Strut-Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI, Cianna Medical, Alisa Viejo, CA) is neither an interstitial implant nor a balloon device. Proponents of this device have borrowed dosimetric guidelines and constraints from both the interstitial and balloon literature, seemingly choosing the least rigorous option available. The SAVI currently uses the volume of normal tissue receiving 200% of the prescription dose (V200) constraint established with multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy but does not use the dose homogeneity index (DHI) recommended for this technique. SAVI users justify this omission by explaining that the DHI is less meaningful for balloon implants. Although very low skin doses are achievable with the SAVI, this clearly comes at the price of a higher V200 and a smaller PTV. The tw...

Rebuttal to Dr. Cuttino

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

What has not been mentioned in the reference to treatment volume with the SAVI, published in the same papers, is that 5% of these patients had skin bridges of (Source: Brachytherapy)

Combined transperineal implant and external beam radiation for the treatment of prostate cancer: A large patient cohort in the community setting

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Combination treatment using brachytherapy and EBRT is well tolerated, with acceptable overall survival and bRFS rates and should be considered a standard treatment option for patients. Hormones should be considered for high-risk patients. (Source: Brachytherapy)

Reviewers for volume 10

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Brachytherapy gratefully acknowledges the following individuals for their work as the scientific reviewers of articles submitted to the journal for volume 10: F Abboud, PhD (Source: Brachytherapy)

Masthead

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

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Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Guide for Authors

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Editorial Board

Brachytherapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Brachytherapy)

Adaptive brachytherapy of cervical cancer, comparison of conventional point A and CT based individual treatment planning.

Acta Oncologica — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. The individualized delivered treatment plans ensured that doses to OARs were within acceptable limits. This was not the case in 42% of the corresponding standard plans. Further optimized treatment plans were found to give an overall better dose coverage. In lack of MR capacity, it may be favorable to use CT for planning due to possible protection of OARs. The CT based target volumes were, however, not equivalent to the volumes described in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based recommendations. Prescription and assessment of dose, when introducing such target volumes, should be evaluated and preferably compared to well known treatment regimens. PMID: 22035118 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Oncologica)

Comparison of different adjuvant radiotherapy approaches in childhood bladder/prostate rhabdomyosarcoma treated with conservative surgery

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:57:31 +0100

Conclusion All modalities provide good sparing of normal tissue. BT and IMPT are superior to IMRT with regard to doses on rectum and growth plates. BT is equivalent to IMPT in adequately selected tumors. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00066-011-2261-3Authors Frank Heinzelmann, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, GermanyDaniela Thorwarth, Department of Radiation Oncology/Medical Physics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, GermanyUlf Lamprecht, Department of Radiation Oncology/Medical Physics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, GermanyTheodor W. Kaulich, Department of Radiation Oncology/Medical Physics, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, GermanyJörg Fuchs, Department of Pediatric Surgery,...

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Stereotactic Brachytherapy With Iodine-125 Seeds for the Treatment of Inoperable Low-Grade Gliomas in Children: Long-Term Outcome [Pediatric Oncology]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion We demonstrate that SBT represents a safe, minimally invasive, and highly effective local treatment option for pediatric patients with inoperable LGG WHO grades I and II. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

Patterns of care and treatment outcomes for elderly women with cervical cancer

Cancer — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:Elderly women with cervical cancer are less likely to undergo surgery, receive adjuvant radiation, and receive brachytherapy. After adjusting for treatment disparities, cancer‐specific mortality is higher in older women. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. (Source: Cancer)

Monte Carlo estimation of dose difference in lung from 192Ir brachytherapy due to tissue inhomogeneity

Radiation Protection Dosimetry — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Lung brachytherapy using high-dose rate 192Ir technique is a well-established technique of radiation therapy. However, many commercial treatment planning systems do not have the ability to consider the inhomogeneity of lung in relation to normal tissue. Under such circumstances dose calculations for tissues and organs at risk close to the target are inaccurate. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the dose difference due to tissue inhomogeneity using the Monte Carlo simulation code MCNP-5. Results showed that there was a relative sub dosage by treatment planning systems calculations in neighbouring tissues around the radioactive source due to inhomogeneity ignorance. The presence of lung instead of normal tissue resulted in an increase in relative dose, which approached 8 % at ...

Absorbed dose assessment of cardiac and other tissues around the cardiovascular system in brachytherapy with 90Sr/90Y source by Monte Carlo simulation

Radiation Protection Dosimetry — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Cardiac disease is one of the most important causes of death in the world. Coronary artery stenosis is a very common cardiac disease. Intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) is one of the radiotherapy methods which have been used recently in coronary artery radiation therapy for the treatment of restenosis. 90Sr/90Y, a beta-emitting source, is a proper option for cardiovascular brachytherapy. In this research, a Monte Carlo simulation was done to calculate dosimetry parameters and effective equivalent doses to the heart and its surrounding tissues during IVBT. The results of this study were compared with the published experimental data and other simulations performed by different programs but with the same source of radiation. A very good agreement was found between results of this work and the...

MedWorm: Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy reduces death in high-risk PCa patients

London Cancer New Drugs Group Rapid Review: SIRT WITH YTTRIUM-90 MICROSPHERES FOR THE THIRD LINE TREATMENT OF LIVER METASTASES FROM COLORECTAL CANCER

Development of an adjoint sensitivity field-based treatment-planning technique for the use of newly designed directional LDR sources in brachytherapy.

EBRT More Costly, Toxic Than Other Prostate Cancer TherapiesEBRT More Costly, Toxic Than Other Prostate Cancer Therapies

Narrow safety range of intraoperative rectal irradiation exposure volume for avoiding bleeding after seed implant brachytherapy

mTHPC mediated interstitial photodynamic therapy of recurrent nonmetastatic base of tongue cancers: Development of a new method

External-Beam Radiation Therapy and High–Dose Rate Brachytherapy Combined With Long-Term Androgen Deprivation Therapy in High and Very High Prostate Cancer: Preliminary Data on Clinical Outcome

Patterns of care for brachytherapy in Europe: updated results for Spain

Brachytherapy Alone Or In Combination With External Beam Radiation Therapy May Be An Effective Option For High-Risk Prostate Cancers

Brachytherapy Lowers Prostate Cancer Mortality

Brachytherapy Ups Prostate Cancer Survival (CME/CE)

Prostate brachytherapy reduces death rates of high-risk men

Brachytherapy reduced death rates in high-risk prostate cancer patients, analysis finds

Brachytherapy reduced death rates in high-risk prostate cancer patients, study finds

The Role of Transabdominal Sonography in Facilitating Successful Brachytherapy Outcomes in Cervical Cancer

Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy and intravitreal bevacizumab for retinal capillary hemangioma

Consequences of dose heterogeneity on the biological efficiency of (103)Pd permanent breast seed implants.

Development of a Research Agenda for the Management of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Proceedings from a Multidisciplinary Research Consensus Panel

Cost analysis comparing adjuvant epimacular brachytherapy with anti-VEGF monotherapy for the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Comparison of limited‐volume perioperative high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy and wide‐field external irradiation in resected head and neck cancer

Radiological response of ceramic and polymeric devices for breast brachytherapy.

Resurecting brachytherapy from brink of oblivion

High dose rate interstitial brachytherapy in carcinoma eyelid: Can it be a primary treatment modality?

Patterns indicated great variation in use of accelerated partial breast irradiation with brachytherapy

Radiochromic film dosimetry of rectal inhomogeneity and applicator attenuation in high dose rate brachytherapy of uterine cervix.

Evaluation of organ doses in brachytherapy treatment of uterus cancer using mathematical reference Indian adult phantom

Segmentectomy and Brachytherapy Mesh Implantation for Clinical Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Evaluation of time, attendance of medical staff, and resources during radiotherapy for breast cancer patients

Quantification of trends in radiation oncology infrastructure in Pakistan, 2004–2009

Thin CaSO(4):Dy thermoluminescent dosimeters for calibration of (90)Sr+(90)Y applicators.

Results of the GYNECO 02 Study, an FNCLCC Phase III Trial Comparing Hysterectomy with No Hysterectomy in Patients with a (Clinical and Radiological) Complete Response After Chemoradiation Therapy for Stage IB2 or II Cervical Cancer.

Postoperative vaginal brachytherapy in endometrial cancer.

Studies: Proton therapy effective treatment for prostate cancer

Bioevaluation study of (32)P-CP-PLLA particle brachytherapy in a rabbit VX2 lung tumor model.

Predictive and prognostic value of circulating nucleosomes and serum biomarkers in patients with metastasized colorectal cancer undergoing Selective Internal Radiation Therapy

Advantages and Motivations Uncertain Behind Use of Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer: Patterns in Utilization and Guideline Concordance

Evaluation of clinical benefits achievable by using different optimization algorithms during real-time prostate brachytherapy.

[Comment] Hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Gold nanoparticle-aided brachytherapy with vascular dose painting: Estimation of dose enhancement to the tumor endothelial cell nucleus.

Characterization of ultrasound elevation beamwidth artifacts for prostate brachytherapy needle insertion.

[Update on interstitial brachytherapy].

[Transarterial ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma : Status and developments].

Thomas Shanahan, MD

Perspectives for 2012 from the Editor-in-Chief

ABS brachytherapy consensus guidelines

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for transrectal ultrasound-guided permanent prostate brachytherapy

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Part I: General principles

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Part II: High-dose-rate brachytherapy

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Part III: Low-dose-rate and pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for adjuvant vaginal cuff brachytherapy after hysterectomy

American Brachytherapy Society consensus guidelines for interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal cancer

Masthead

Table of Contents

Editorial Board

Guide for Authors

A 3-D Liver Segmentation Method with Parallel Computing for Selective Internal Radiation Therapy

Brachytherapy Alone Appears Safe, Effective in Prostat...Brachytherapy Alone Appears Safe, Effective in Prostat...

Can imaging help improve the survival of cancer patients?

Brachytherapy alone appears safe, effective in intermediate-risk prostate cancer

Long term clinical outcomes of brachytherapy, bare-metal stenting, and drug-eluting stenting for de novo and in-stent restenosis lesions: Five year follow-up.

Current therapy of patients with endometrial carcinoma

Comparative effectiveness of cryotherapy vs brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer

20 Gy Versus 44 Gy of Supplemental External Beam Radiotherapy With Palladium-103 for Patients With Greater Risk Disease: Results of a Prospective Randomized Trial

[Should the treatment of anal carcinoma be adapted in the elderly? A retrospective analysis of acute toxicities in a French centre and a review of the literature.]

Advantages And Motivations Uncertain Behind Use Of Brachytherapy For Breast Cancer Radiotherapy

Prostate cancer treatment ascertained from several sources: analysis of disagreement and error

Cancer of the prostate gland

Breast Cancer Brachytherapy May Be Overused (CME/CE)

Backers of APBI brachytherapy hit back at MD Anderson study

Expert Panel Points Out Short-Comings of Study Comparing Partial Breast Brachytherapy to Whole-Breast Irradiation Presented at SABCS

Comparison of health‐related quality of life between subjects treated with radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy

Study finds variations in APBI brachytherapy adoption

A Single-Dose Conformal Delivery of Radiotherapy Following Osteoplasty

Breast Cancer - How Advantageous Or Detrimental Is Brachytherapy?

Advantages and motivations uncertain behind use of brachytherapy for breast cancer radiotherapy

Active surveillance for prostate cancer compared with immediate treatment

Hepatocellular carcinoma: computed-tomography-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy (CT-HDRBT) ablation of large (5–7 cm) and very large (>7 cm) tumours