Superficial Hyperthermia plus External Beam Radiation in the Palliation of Locally Progressive Chemoradiation-Resistant Breast Cancer.

Local chest wall progression of chemotherapy/radiation-resistant breast cancer can result in substantial morbidity. In this retrospective review of 39 patients in this difficult clinical setting treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (Eastern Regional Medical Center), approximately one-half of the population experienced meaningful short-term palliation and improvement in quality of life when managed with local superficial hyperthermia plus external beam radiation.

Tumour and target volumes in permanent prostate brachytherapy: a supplement to the ESTRO/EAU/EORTC recommendations on prostate brachytherapy.

The aim of this paper is to supplement the GEC/ESTRO/EAU recommendations for permanent seed implantations in prostate cancer to develop consistency in target and volume definition for permanent seed prostate brachytherapy. Recommendations on target and organ at risk (OAR) definitions and dosimetry parameters to be reported on post implant planning are given.

[Role of transrectal ultrasonography in prostatic brachytherapy]. / Ruolo dell'ecografia transrettale nella brachiterapia prostatica.

UNLABELLED: The rationale for interstitial brachytherapy (seed implant) is based on the principle that dissipation of radiation energy in tissues decreases exponentially as the square of source would receive maximal doses of radiation, there will be a rapid fall-off the dose in surrounding normal tissues. Over the years, a range of isotopes have been tested, and the technique have evolved from free-hand implantation to ultrasound guided template system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2001 to March 2002 we treated 17 patients with clinically localized prostatic cancer. For seed implantation we used the transrectal ultrasound guided implantation of 125I source. Isodose distributions are provided at each 5 mm increment throughout the treatment volume to determine the precise localization of seed placement. RESULTS: 23.5% of patients developed acute urinary retention, 11.8% incidence of transurethral resection after 6 months and 0% incidence of urinary incontinence. Longer follow-up will be necessary for biochemical failure. CONCLUSIONS: Permanent interstitial implantation should be limited to patients with early stage disease with favourable prognostic features. The use of transrectal ultrasound as diagnostic system as guided implantation is the most popular approach even in experienced hands.