Triple course external beam radiotherapy for carcinoma of the prostate.

In 1976 we began using a triple-course technique of external beam irradiation for localized carcinoma of the prostate. The treatment consisted of 2 courses of 20 Gy in 2 weeks to the pelvis and a third course of 20-25 Gy in 2-2 1/2 weeks as a boost to the prostate. A 2 week rest followed the first and second courses. The results of this treatment technique are reported on the first 50 patients who had been followed for at least 3 years. Although 96% of these patients developed bladder and/or bowel reactions, the majority of the symptoms were in the very mild to mild category, with only 2% severe reactions referrable to each organ. The incidence of late complications in this series compared favorably to those reported by other authors. Clinical local control was 96% while post-treatment needle biopsy performed on 22/50 patients yielded a negative rate of 86%. Those with Stages A and B disease had a negative biopsy rate of 94%. Three-year uncorrected disease-free survival for the whole group was 54%. This study has shown that with triple course external beam irradiation, excellent control of localized carcinoma of the prostate can be achieved with minimal acute morbidity.

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx: case report and literature review.

We report the 11th well-documented case of laryngeal rhabdomyosarcoma and only the second of laryngeal alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The optimum treatment of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma has not yet been defined, but it appears that the ideal should consist of an aggressive multimodality approach. This includes surgical extirpation if it can be done without major morbidity, postoperative radiotherapy with a margin around known and suspected disease, and multiagent chemotherapy. Unlike most sarcomas, rhabdomyosarcoma (especially alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma) spreads by way of the lymphatic system as well as the blood stream. Inclusion of the draining lymphatics in the radiation field must be given strong consideration.

Fatal metastatic cystosarcoma phyllodes in an adolescent female: case report and review of treatment approaches.

The third reported case of fatal malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes in an adolescent female is described. The patterns of local recurrence and distant spread in this case, including the response to treatment, were similar to those reported in the first reported case in this age group. A review of the treatment recommendations for cystosarcoma phyllodes revealed that the surgical procedure of choice for the malignant variant has remained controversial, and the conclusions regarding the ineffectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy have been based on insufficient data handed down through the years. Our observations in this case and the information we have obtained from the literature have prompted us to recommend a multidisciplinary approach for malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes, particularly in young women, and we are calling for a multi-institutional study group to further investigate this disease.

Radiation therapy for renal transplant rejection reactions.

Forty-four renal transplant patients were given radiation therapy for severe rejection phenomena. The 29 patients who had only one course of irradiation had a 52.3% successful function rate. Fifteen patients received from two to four courses of irradiation with an ultimate 60% rate of sustained function. Fifty patients who received only steroid and other medical management but no irradiation had a 60% rate of successful renal function. In the irradiation group, no patient whose creatinine level did not respond to radiation therapy maintained a functioning kidney. The data indicate that the overall successful function rate is maintained by radiation therapy in patients who show severe allograft rejection phenomena.

Radical irradiation in the primary management of localized breast carcinoma.

One hundred-twelve females with stage I-III breast carcinoma were treated primarily with radical megavoltage irradiation. The loco-regional area received 50 Gy/5 weeks with a boost to the primary site of 10 Gy/1 week to 20 Gy/2 weeks. Local control rates were as follows: 94 per cent in stage I, 86 per cent in stage II and 69 per cent in stage III. Survival rates were comparable to those reported by other authors. Complications correlated with disease stage and extent of radiation fields.

Palliative irradiation of brain metastases.

The records of 121 patients with brain metastases from a 3-year-period were reviewed. Radiation therapy was given to 113 patients, 80 per cent received 30 Gy in 2 weeks. Before irradiation 11 were operated upon. Significant neurologic improvement was obtained in 60 per cent of the irradiated cases. Recurrences, retreatment and the necessity of higher initial doses in selected cases are discussed.