PURPOSE To compare the fits of normal-tissue complication probability (NTCP) models based on rectal dose-wall histograms (DWHs) vs. dose-volume histograms (DVHs) when the two are used to analyze a common set of late rectal toxicity data. METHODS AND MATERIALS Data were analyzed from 128 prostate cancer patients treated with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) at The University of Te...

Introduction Preoperative treatment and adequate surgery increase local control in rectal cancer. However, modalities indications for neoadjuvant may be controversial. Aim of this study was to assess the trends preoperative outcomes patients with cancer included Rectal Cancer Registry Spanish Associations Surgeons. Method This is a STROBE-compliant retrospective analysis prospective database. A...

BACKGROUND Ion beam therapy represents a promising approach to treat prostate cancer, mainly due to its high conformity and radiobiological effectiveness. However, the presence of prostate motion, patient positioning and range uncertainties may deteriorate target dose and increase exposure of organs at risk. Spacer gel injected between prostate and rectum may increase the safety of prostate can...

This study evaluated the efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-based three-dimensional (3D) dose-volume parameters of the rectum as predictor for late rectal complication (LRC) in cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy alone. Eighty-four patients treated with a combination of external radiotherapy and high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy between January 2000 and December 2004 w...

The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship between treatment time and dose uncertainty due to intrafraction organ motion in prostate cancer radiotherapy (RT). Ten consecutive patients with prostate cancer treated by radical RT by volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) were considered. For each patient, pre- and post-treatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was perform...

During a course of external beam radiotherapy the prostate gland moves both between radiotherapy fractions (interfractional motion) and during treatment (intrafractional motion). Some of this motion is related to changes in rectal and bladder filling, and movements are more marked in the antero-posterior direction as a result of rectal filling variability, compared to laterally and superoinferi...

BACKGROUND A knowledge based planning tool has been developed and implemented for prostate VMAT radiotherapy plans providing a target average rectum dose value based on previously achievable values for similar rectum/PTV overlap. The purpose of this planning tool is to highlight sub-optimal clinical plans and to improve plan quality and consistency. METHODS A historical cohort of 97 VMAT pros...

thors called for a more selective use of TME. The authors argue that oncologic outcome is not compromised with this approach based on similar cancer-specific survival patterns between TME and PME in this study. This conclusion was confirmed by metaanalysis. Mirnezami et al. [6] examined the long-term oncological impact of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery using meta-analysis metho...

BACKGROUND Pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can give patient-specific evaluation of suspected pathologically involved volumes in the seminal vesicles (SV) in prostate cancer patients. By targeting this suspicious volume we hypothesize that radiotherapy is more efficient without introducing more toxicity. In this study we evaluate the concept of using MRI-defined target volumes in ...

BACKGROUND Sphincter preservation is the goal in the treatment of rectal cancer and should be considered in all patients with an intact sphincter. Sphincter preservation for tumors of the upper rectum is easily achieved, but surgical management of cancer of the mid and lower third of the rectum continues to evolve. Several recent advances may influence future treatment strategies. METHODS We ...