In the last few years, hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy has gained increasing popularity for prostate cancer treatment, since sufficient evidence exists that prostate cancer has a low α/β ratio, lower than the one of the surrounding organs at risk and thus there is a potential therapeutic benefit of using larger fractionated single doses. Apart from the therapeutic rationale there ar...

The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate the impact of concurrent chemotherapy on definitive radiotherapy for the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) IIIb cervical cancer. Between 2000 and 2009, 131 women with FIGO IIIb cervical cancer were treated by definitive radiotherapy (i.e. whole pelvic external beam radiotherapy for 40-60 Gy in 20-30 fractions w...

BACKGROUND Men with localized prostate carcinoma are faced with important treatment decisions, and quality of life (QoL) information has become a crucial element of decision making. The first objective of this study was to compare the early, health-related QoL (HRQoL) of men with localized prostate carcinoma who were treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, or brachythera...

Brachytherapy is not widely used in Sweden to treat localized prostate cancer. This treatment method has been available for some time, but recent advancements in technology are leading to increased utilization. Findings from isolated, uncontrolled studies of high dose rate brachytherapy in combination with external beam radiotherapy suggest some improvement in treatment outcomes. However, prosp...

Introduction In electron beam therapy bolus is often used to conform as closely as possible to the target volume while avoiding critical structures in the depth. In most cases a flexible bolus can cover the skin without air gap. However, under certain conditions it is difficult –or even not possible– to avoid air gaps between bolus and patient without reducing treatment quality. In a special cl...

We have investigated the thermoluminescent response and fading characteristics of germanium- and aluminium-doped SiO(2) optical fibres. These optical fibres were placed in a solid phantom and irradiated using 6 and 10 MV photon beams at doses ranging from 0.02 to 0.24 Gy delivered using a linear accelerator. In fading studies, the TL measurements were continued up to 14 days post-irradation. We...

BACKGROUND The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of an EEG-controlled closed-loop administration of propofol over a long distance of about 200 km. METHODS We performed a teletherapeutic propofol infusion during total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol in 11 patients undergoing general surgery. The teletherapeutic system consisted of a computer at the patient ...

Advances in the design and delivery of trauma care and acute medical management have increased the number of survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), producing societal consequences and medical challenges. Although access to health care for rural patients remains a critical challenge, teletherapy may represent a viable means for the delivery of therapeutic services to such patients. A case st...

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) for breast cancer has challenged the standard external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and has been shown to be non-inferior for treating early breast cancer in the past decade. Several technologies have been tested for IORT and various randomised controlled trials are still ongoing. Different methods of application of IORT have also been evaluated, from early breast...

A 34-year-old female developed bilateral radiation retinopathy three months after external beam radiotherapy for pituitary adenoma. The clinical symptoms, fundus abnormalities, and microvascular pathology noted on fluorescein angiography resolved spontaneously over a few months. The most dramatic aspect was the progressive improvement and partial reperfusion of the retinal capillary bed.