脑转移癌近距离放射治疗配合外照射治疗的临床分析

目的 探讨立体定向近距离放射治疗配合外照射治疗脑转移癌的方法及疗效。方法 自1994年4月～1999年4月，采用立体定向后装近距离放射治疗配合外照射治疗脑转移癌19例(均为肺癌脑转移、孤立或两个病灶)。近距离治疗剂量为25～35Gy／10～12次／7～10d。全脑外射疗剂量为30～40Gy／3～4周。结果 总缓解率CR PR为84．2％(16／19)。一年局部控制率为60．0％(6／10)。中位生存11个月。随诊期内未出现严重并发症。结论 近距离放射治疗配合外放疗能够改善脑转移癌病人的生存质量及生存期，不会增加严重放射性并发症的发生率。     

鼻咽癌根治性放射治疗的临床分析

目的：通过回顾性分析,了解鼻咽癌外照射及外放疗俣并近距离治疗的临床疗效。方法：自1992年1月－1997年1月,我科对首程收治的83例鼻咽癌患者,先采用常规外照射治疗,这根治剂量60－70Gy后,45例鼻咽腔内基本无病灶残存,结束放疗;对鼻咽腔内有残存病灶者38例采用后装近距离放射治疗方法补充照射剂量,近距离治疗总剂量一般为距施源器中轴8－12mm处12－20Gy／2－5次／周,每次4－6Gy。随诊为3年以上,随访率95．2％,失访4例,按死亡计算。结果：外照射治疗后病灶残存合并近距离组和单纯外放疗组的5年局部控制率分别为61．1％和56．5％,5年生存率分别为66．7％和59．1％。随访期内未见严重放射性并发发症。结论：（1）外照射治疗后,对鼻咽腔内有灶残存者合并近距离治疗,可提高鼻咽癌的局部控制率。（2）外放疗和近距离放射治疗的合理配合,不会增加严重放射并发症的发生率。     

脑生殖细胞瘤放射治疗的近期临床分析

比较常规外放疗与合并组织间近距离照射对脑生殖细胞瘤的疗效和预后。方法：自１９９３年４月－１９９７年１２月,脑脑生殖细胞瘤共２３例,其中１３例（手术后１１例,无病理者２例）单用外放疗,剂量为全脑３０Ｇｙ／４周,局部剂量２０－２５Ｇｙ／２－３周;１０例病人行立体定向置管后装近距离治疗合并外放疗,近距离治疗剂量为２０－２５Ｇｙ／２－３周;１０例病人行立体定向管后装近距离治疗合并外放疗,近距离治疗剂量为２     

金属内支架胆管引流与放射治疗结合治疗肝外胆管癌

目的回顾性分析局部晚期肝外胆管癌金属内支架胆管引流结合放射治疗的疗效。方法1996年1月至2002年9月收治17例不能手术切除肝外胆管癌患者,先接受金属支架行胆管引流,3例治疗1周内失访,其余14例单纯近距离放疗(近距离照射组,n=5)或外照射(外照射组,n=9,其中包括2例近距离 外照射)。Ir192高剂量率近距离放疗在金属内支架置入当天或隔天治疗。外照射的中位剂量48Gy(14～66Gy),2Gy/次。结果经金属内支架置入结合放疗后,10例黄疸患者中8例黄疸消褪,近距离和外照射对缓解黄疸症状无显著差别。全组中位生存期12个月(5～35个月),1、2年生存率分别为40.8%和8.2%。近距离治疗组与体外照射组的中位生存期、1、2年生存率分别为8个月、40.0%、20.2%和12个月、40.0%、13.3%(χ2=1.10,P=0.29)。结论金属内支架胆管引流结合放射治疗可以显著缓解黄疸症状,高剂量放射治疗可以进一步提高长期生存。     

松果体生殖细胞瘤放射治疗分析

目的　探讨立体定向放射治疗技术联合常规放疗在松果体生殖细胞瘤治疗中的应用及治疗效果。方法　 1996年4月— 1997年 9月 7例松果体生殖细胞瘤患者接受放射治疗 ,其中 2例应用γ 刀立体定向单次大剂量放射治疗加全脑全脊髓放射治疗 ,3例应用X 刀立体定向分次放射治疗加全脑全脊髓放射治疗 ,2例应用常规放疗加全脑全脊髓放射治疗。结果　 5例患者行γ 刀、X 刀立体定向放射治疗联合全脑全脊髓放射治疗 ,治疗结束后 4例患者肿瘤消失 ,1例肿瘤明显缩小 ;2例行常规放疗联合全脑全脊髓放射治疗者 ,治疗结束后肿瘤均明显缩小 ;所有患者在治疗过程中均有轻度恶心呕吐 ,白细胞下降 ,治疗结束后临床症状均明显减轻。 1例患者因严重消化道反应及白细胞下降终止治疗 ,于 5个月后出现脊髓转移。 2例随访 2 6个月 ,1例随访 18个月 ,2例随访 12个月 ,均无肿瘤复发。结论　应用立体定向放射治疗技术联合常规放疗能有效控制肿瘤 ,不良反应小 ,安全可靠 ,可能成为松果体生殖细胞瘤首选治疗方法。     

局部晚期鼻咽癌的综合治疗

目的 探讨局部晚期鼻咽癌的综合治疗方法，以期望提高疗效。方法 自1993年1月－1998年12月，局部晚期鼻咽癌首程病人43例于本科治疗。全部经病理证实，39例为鳞癌，4例为未分化癌。采用1992年全国鼻咽癌福州会议制定的鼻咽癌分期方案进行分期：Ⅲ期24例，Ⅳ期19例。病理为未分化癌者放化疗同时进行。鳞癌患者先放疗后化疗。放疗先采用面颈联合野放疗36－42Gy，之后面颈分野，避开脊髓，鼻咽部继续放疗至根治剂量66－76Gy，对其中经鼻咽计算机体层摄影术证实有残存者25例（T4患者除外）外照射后补充近距离治疗2－4次，近距离总剂量为12－18Gy。外照射后有残存者3例，由于残存病灶位于颅底及海绵窦，所以给予伽玛刀补充放射剂量6－9Gy。放疗结束后1－2周，开始行化疗，化疗药物为顺铂或卡铂、5－氟尿嘧啶、甲酰四氢叶酸钙，共进行3－4个疗程。结果 以放疗结束计算生存期，总的3年局部控制率及生存率分别为62.8%和67.4%，总的5年控制率和生存率分别为39.1%和43.5%。随访期内未见严重并发症。结论 本文对晚期鼻咽癌采用以放疗为主的综合治疗，疗效比较满意。根治性外放疗剂量后采用近距离治疗或伽玛刀补量，只要合理设计，就不会增加严重并发症的发生率。     

脑胶质瘤放射治疗实验及临床研究进展

立体定向放射治疗、近距离放疗、放疗加化疗等综合治疗是提高恶性脑胶质瘤控制率的有效途径.而立体定向放射加常规放疗治疗胶质瘤既发挥了放射物理剂量分布的优点,又符合放射生物学原则,较以往治疗提高了患者的生存机会. 手术力争全切除,术后内照射、术后应用肿瘤敏感药物超选择颈内动脉介入化疗、术后敏感药物间质化疗联合增敏放疗,序贯自体免疫治疗,是一种个体综合治疗脑胶质瘤的安全有效方法 .     

脑转移瘤的立体定向放射治疗

立体定向放射（ＳＲＴ）已历时４０余年，取得的成绩较常规外照射是显著的。脑转移癌的占尸检癌症病人的１０％￣２０％，对该病的治疗同原发脑瘤有许多不同之处。本文着重就脑转移瘤的ＳＲＴ的治疗进展情况作一综述，以期在病人的选择，放疗剂量，靶区的规划以及预后因素的分析等方面做一探讨。     

立体定向放射治疗在鼻咽癌初治中的推量应用效果观察

目的探讨立体定向放射治疗在鼻咽癌初治患者放射治疗中的推量应用对局控率和近期疗效的影响。方法常规放射治疗＋立体定向放射治疗鼻咽癌36例。肿瘤体积3～76cm3,应用BJ-6B6MV-X射线进行常规放射治疗,剂量达60～70GY后,应用SGI-TPS拟制立体定向放射治疗计划,BEV方向4～8个非共面照射野,计划靶区体积（PTV）一次治疗量4～5GY,3/周,总剂量12～20GY。结果本组患者1、2、3年的鼻咽局部控制率分别达到97.2%、91.6%和86.1%。除1例患者在治疗后13个月死于远处广泛转移外,无其他特殊并发症发生。结论鼻咽癌初治患者在常规外照射后给予立体定向加量照射,能够取得较好的局部控制。     

骨转移癌痛的立体定向放射治疗

目的评价立体定向大剂量少分次放射治疗骨转移癌痛的临床疗效。方法采用深圳奥沃公司生产的OUR-QGD型立体定向伽玛射线体部治疗系统(简称体部伽玛刀)治疗156例骨转移癌痛患者,用50%等剂量曲线覆盖整个靶区,单次周边剂量给予7.5～10Gy,周边总剂量控制在30Gy,分割3～4次,1周内完成治疗总剂量控制在30Gy,分割3～4次,1周内完成治疗。结果 156例患者治疗后疼痛症状完全缓解110例(70.51%)、部分缓解43例(27.56%),总有效率为98.08%。治疗后随访时间2～20个月,疼痛的中位缓解时间为12.6个月。结论立体定向大剂量少分次放射治疗骨转移癌痛,疗效满意,治疗时间短,止痛起效快,缓解时间长,复发率低,是一种安全、有效的止痛方法。     

Transperineal Low-Dose Rate Iridium-192 Interstitial Brachytherapy in Cervical Carcinoma Stage IIB

PURPOSE: To assess local control, survival and complications in patients with cervical carcinoma Stage IIB treated radically with transperineal Iridium-192 low-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy following external beam radiotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 65 women (age 25-70 years, mean 47 years) with cervical carcinoma Stage IIB were initially treated with external beam radiotherapy on a telecobalt or 6 MV linear accelerator to a dose of 50 Gy delivered in 5-6 weeks. After 2-3 weeks of completing external radiation, patients received interstitial brachytherapy with Iridium-192 (activity 0.5-1 mCi/cm) using a Syed-Neblett perineal template. The median dose delivered to the implant volume was 24 Gy (range 20-32 Gy) delivered at an average dose rate of 0.70 Gy/h (range 0.40-1.20 Gy/h). A point defined at 1.5 cm lateral to the central uterine tandem at the level of os was taken as a representative for assessing the dose to the cervix. Mean doses delivered by interstitial brachytherapy to point A, cervix, point B and rectum were 38 Gy, 34 Gy, 16 Gy and 16 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 53 months, the actuarial disease free survival and overall survival for 65 patients at both 5 and 10 years was 64% and 44%, respectively. Response to radiotherapy was a strong predictor of local control with 82% of patients continuing to have pelvic control after initial complete response. Overall, nine (14%) patients had persistent disease, ten (15%) developed a central recurrence after initial control and three patients developed distant metastasis on follow-up. No patient had any immediate treatment-related complication. Late toxicity included grade I-II rectal reactions in five patients and grade IV bladder complication (vesico-vaginal fistula) in two patients. 5 years after treatment, one patient developed intestinal obstruction, which was relieved after conservative management. Two patients developed vaginal stenosis. The 5- and 10-year disease free survival was 48% in patients aged less than 45 years as compared to 80% in patients of more than 45 years (p = 0.009). Dose to the cervical point was a prognostic indicator with 5- and 10-year disease free survival of 47% in patients who received < 35 Gy in comparison to 80% in patients who had > 35 Gy (p = 0.03). There was no difference in local control and survival in patients with minimal and moderate parametrial involvement. Bulky disease (> 4 cm) at presentation and a longer gap between external radiation and brachytherapy showed a trend towards inferior local control. CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial brachytherapy after external beam irradiation in patients with cervical carcinoma Stage IIB results in acceptable local control, survival and complication rates. Increased dose to the cervical disease results in improved local control and survival and should therefore be considered while optimizing brachytherapy treatment plans. Comparison of the results with those of standard intracavitary therapy remains to be proven in a randomized trial.     

Radical radiotherapy with high-dose-rate brachytherapy for uterine cervix cancer long-term results

The aim of this is to report the results of radical radiotherapy in carcinoma of the cervix treated by high-dose rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (XRT) at a single centre in Singapore. This is a retrospective analysis of 106 consecutive cases with histologically proven cervical cancer, treated by HDR brachytherapy and XRT at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital from 1990 to 1993. External beam radiotherapy to the pelvis was delivered with 6 MV photons, to 45-50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions. High-dose-rate brachytherapy comprised two to three applications of an intrauterine tandem with paired ovoids, to a median dose of 18 Gy to point 'A', carried out during XRT. All 106 patients completed treatment. Their ages ranged from 32 to 80 years (median 57 years). Most patients presented with stage II or III disease (44 and 37%, respectively) and with squamous cell carcinoma (91%). Median follow-up time was 59 months (range 2-169 months). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate across all stages was 71%. The corresponding overall survival rate was 69%. Local control was achieved in 86 patients (81%); six patients had residual disease (6%), and 14 patients had local recurrence (13%). Fourteen patients developed metastatic disease (13%). On univariate analysis, tumour stage, haemoglobin level, number of brachytherapy treatments and overall treatment time were found to be prognostic factors for overall survival. Late complications were mild (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group score 1-2), except for one patient with grade 4 rectal toxicity. The complication rates were 8, 14 and 45%, respectively, for the rectum, bladder and vagina (stenosis). The use of two to three fractions of HDR intracavitary brachytherapy in addition to pelvic XRT achieves good outcomes.     

High-dose-rate brachytherapy for previously irradiated patients with recurrent esophageal cancer

Purpose Our objective was to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and complications of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for patients with recurrent esophageal cancer after external radiotherapy. Materials and methods Six patients with recurrent esophageal cancer after external radiotherapy were treated with HDR brachytherapy (Ir-192 source) from January 2003 to February 2004. The median age of the patients was 69 years. All patients had received external radiotherapy (median dose 60 Gy) before HDR brachytherapy. All patients underwent HDR brachytherapy once a week with a dose of 4 or 5 Gy per fraction in the esophageal mucosa (median total dose 20 Gy). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate local control rates. Results The median overall survival period was 30.0 months. Local control was observed in five patients and residual tumor in one patient. Persistent local control was observed in two patients. No patient died of esophageal cancer, and all patients survived. We observed no severe late complications related to HDR brachytherapy. Conclusion These data suggest that HDR brachytherapy is an effective and safe treatment for patients with recurrent esophageal cancer after external radiotherapy.     

The multimodality therapy of advanced inoperable esophageal carcinoma. A retrospective analysis]

BACKGROUND: The records of 161 patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma were reviewed to determine the influence of concurrent radiochemotherapy and brachytherapy on overall survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1984 to 1999 161 patients suffering from advanced esophageal carcinoma Stage II to IV were treated with radiotherapy alone (131) or radiochemotherapy (30). In 48 patients additional brachytherapy was given. Median follow-up was 8 months (1 to 64 months), the median external beam doses was 51 Gy (18 to 66.6 Gy) and the median brachytherapy dose was 10 Gy (4 to 25 Gy). Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. RESULTS: Median survival for all patients was 10 months, 3-year survival rate 13% and the 5-year survival 5.2%. In univariate analysis the best results were achieved by concurrent radiochemotherapy with a median overall survival of 13 months, a 4-year survival of 18% (p = 0.0368), the combination of external radiotherapy and additional brachytherapy with a median overall survival of 14 months, a 4-year survival of 12.2% (p = 0.0008). After combination of concurrent radiochemotherapy and brachytherapy the 2-year survival rate is 58%. Multivariate analysis revealed simultaneous radiochemotherapy, external beam dose and additional brachytherapy as prognostic factors. Combination of concurrent radiochemotherapy and brachytherapy was possible without significant increase of local toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective analysis demonstrates that concurrent radiochemotherapy and additional brachytherapy are effective treatment schedules without significant increase of toxicity and may improve overall survival of patients with inoperable carcinoma of the esophagus. According to the results of this retrospective study, it would be appropriate to conduct a randomized trial to evaluate the benefit of combination of concurrent radiochemotherapy and brachytherapy.     

一体化超分割后装治疗中晚期宫颈鳞癌的疗效和并发症观察

目的 观察一体化超分割后装治疗中晚期宫颈鳞癌的疗效及并发症的发生情况,并将其和常规后装治疗进行比较。方法 观察组为2004年1月至2005年1月接受一体化超分割后装治疗的患者,共328例,每周治疗2次,每次A点剂量2.5~3.0 Gy,每周累积剂量5.0~6.0 Gy。A点平均总剂量Ⅱ_b期49.8Gy,Ⅲ_b期52.6Gy。对照组选择2002年1月至2003年12月接受常规后装治疗的患者,共331例,每次A点剂量5.0~7.0 Gy,每周治疗1次。A点平均总剂量Ⅱ_b期50.1 Gy,Ⅲ_b期53.5 Gy。体外照射开始时同时行腔内后装治疗,两组的体外照射方式相同,均采用直线加速器产生的15MV X线行盆腔体外照射。结果 观察组Ⅱ_b期近期控制率97.2%(104/107),Ⅲ_b期近期控制率94.1%(208/221)。3年总生存率80.5%(264/328),5年总生存率为68.6%(225/328)。放射性膀胱炎的发生率为5.2%(17/328),放射性直肠炎的发生率为14.6%(48/328)。对照组Ⅱ_b期近期控制率95.4%(103/108),Ⅲ_b期近期控制率92.8%(207/223)。3年总生存率75.2%(249/331),5年总生存率为62.5%(207/331)。放射性膀胱炎的发生率为13.3%(44/331),放射性直肠炎的发生率为32.3%(107/331)。结论 一体化超分割后装加盆腔体外照射治疗中晚期宫颈鳞癌,在近期控制率和远期生存率方面与常规后装加盆腔体外照射相当,但是明显降低了并发症的发生率。     

Chemoradiation in Cervical Cancer with Cisplatin and High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy Combined with External Beam Radiotherapy Results of a Phase-II Study

BACKGROUND: In 1999, five randomized studies demonstrated that chemoradiation with cisplatin and low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy has a benefit in locally advanced cervical cancer and for surgically treated patients in high-risk situations. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of concomitant chemoradiation with cisplatin and high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in patients with cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 27 patients were included in our phase-II trial: 13 locally advanced cases (group A) and 14 adjuvant-therapy patients in high-risk situations (group B). A definitive radiotherapy was performed with 25 fractions of external beam therapy (1.8 Gy per fraction/middle shielded after eleven fractions). Brachytherapy was delivered at HDR schedules with 7 Gy in point A per fraction (total dose 35 Gy) in FIGO Stages IIB-IIIB. The total dose of external and brachytherapy was 70 Gy in point A and 52-54 Gy in point B. All patients in stage IVA were treated without brachytherapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy was performed with external beam radiotherapy of the pelvis with 1.8 Gy single-dose up to 50.4 Gy. Brachytherapy was delivered at HDR schedules with two fractions of 5 Gy only in patients with tumor-positive margins or tumor involvement of the upper vagina. The chemotherapeutic treatment schedule provided six courses of cisplatin 40 mg/m2 weekly recommended in the randomized studies GOG-120 and -123. RESULTS: A total of 18/27 patients (66.7%) completed all six courses of chemotherapy. Discontinuation of radiotherapy due to therapy-related morbidity was not necessary in the whole study group. G3 leukopenia (29.6%) was the only relevant acute toxicity. There were no differences in toxicity between group A and B. Serious late morbidity occurred in 2/27 patients (7.4%). 12/13 patients (92.3%) with IIB-IVA cervical cancer showed a complete response (CR). 13/14 adjuvant cases (92.8%) are free of recurrence (median follow up: 19.1 months). CONCLUSION: Concomitant chemoradiation with cisplatin 40 mg/m2 weekly x 6 using HDR brachytherapy represents a promising treatment of cervical cancer with an acceptable toxicity.     

Combined External Beam and Intraluminal Radiotherapy for Irresectable Klatskin Tumors

BACKGROUND: In most cases of proximal cholangiocarcinoma, curative surgery is not possible. Radiotherapy can be used for palliative treatment. We report our experience with combined external beam and intraluminal radiotherapy of advanced Klatskin's tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 30 patients were treated for extrahepatic proximal bile duct cancer. Our schedule consisted of external beam radiotherapy (median dose 30 Gy) and a high-dose-rate brachytherapy boost (median dose 40 Gy) delivered in four of five fractions, which could be applied completely in twelve of our patients. 15 patients in the brachytherapy and nine patients in the non-brachytherapy group received additional low-dose chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil. RESULTS: The brachytherapy boost dose improved the effect of external beam radiotherapy by increasing survival from a median of 3.9 months in the non-brachytherapy group to 9.1 months in the brachytherapy group. The effect was obvious in patients receiving a brachytherapy dose above 30 Gy, and in those without jaundice at the beginning of radiotherapy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The poor prognosis in patients with advanced Klatskin's tumors may be improved by combination therapy, with the role of brachytherapy and chemotherapy still to be defined. Our results suggest that patients without jaundice should be offered brachytherapy, and that a full dose of more than 30 Gy should be applied.     

Reirradiation of Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of reirradiation as salvage treatment in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1993 and 2000, 20 consecutive patients (twelve males and eight females) with nasopharyngeal cancer, previously irradiated in different Hungarian institutions, were reirradiated for biopsy-proven locally recurrent tumor. Histologically, 85% of the patients had WHO type III, 5% type II, and 10% type I disease. Stages I-IV (AJCC 1997 staging system) were assigned to five (25%), seven (35%), five (25%), and three (15%) patients, respectively; none of them had distant metastases, and only eight (40%) displayed regional dissemination. The median time period between termination of primary treatment and local recurrence was 30 (range, 10-204) months.Brachytherapy was the method most frequently used: in ten cases alone (especially for rT1 tumors), and in eight cases in combination with external beam therapy. Two patients with locally advanced disease underwent external beam therapy only. The median dose in the event of brachytherapy alone was 20 Gy (4 x 5 Gy or 5 x 4 Gy, range, 16-36 Gy), and the dose range for exclusive external irradiation was 30-40 Gy. In cases of combined irradiation, a median 20-Gy brachytherapy (range, 16-40 Gy) was associated with 30-40 Gy of external irradiation. Radiotherapy was supplemented by neck dissection (six patients), nasopharyngectomy (one patient), or chemotherapy (eleven patients). RESULTS: 16 patients were reirradiated once, three twice, and one patient three times, with a median equivalent dose for tumor effect of 36 Gy (mean, 44 Gy; range, 19-117 Gy; the estimated alpha/beta-ratio was 10 Gy). The median equivalent dose of reirradiation for late effect on normal tissue (with an estimated 70% delivery of the tumor dose) amounted to 30 Gy (mean, 37 Gy; range, 13-101 Gy, estimated alpha/beta-ratio 3 Gy). After a median follow-up of 37 (range, 12-72) months, the overall survival was 60% (12/20). Seven of the twelve surviving patients are currently tumor-free. After primary irradiation, xerostomy occurred in all patients as an unavoidable side effect of treatment. Following reirradiation, a severe (grade 3 or higher) late toxicity (CTC criteria, version 2) has been observed in two tumor-free patients (10%) so far (necrosis of soft palate and paresis of glossopharyngeal nerve). CONCLUSION: Retreatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with radiotherapy (preferably a combined modality), can result in longterm local control and survival in a substantial proportion of patients, at the price of an acceptable morbidity.     

Early results of exclusive radiotherapy in advanced stage cervical carcinoma performed with reference to ICRU Report 38.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Most of the studies in which medium dose rate (MDR) or high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy have been used for the treatment of cervical carcinoma were prescribed according to the Manchester system. This study aims to present early results of exclusive radiotherapy, which includes MDR brachytherapy, performed using ICRU 38 recommendations to their full extent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1994 and 1997, 80 patients with advanced stage (FIGO stages IIA-IVA) cervical carcinoma received external beam therapy (EBT) to the pelvis at a total dose of 46 to 50 Gy and two fractions of MDR (approximately 11.5 Gy/h) brachytherapy delivered to the 60 Gy reference isodose. A dose correction factor of 0.80 was used for dose rate effect. Additionally, 10-14 Gy EBT was given as a parametrial boost. Mean follow-up duration was 25.7 months. RESULTS: Local control (LC) and 3-year overall survival were 63% and 68%, respectively, for all patients. For stages II, III, and IV, LC was 75%, 44%, and 60% and 3-year survival was 75%, 62%, and 50%, respectively. Seven patients had severe late complications (8.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study encourage the use of ICRU 38 recommendations with MDR or HDR brachytherapy with some additional measures in terms of the radiobiological aspect.     

High-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for gynecologic malignancies

PURPOSE: The study aimed to assess the outcome of locally advanced cervical and vaginal cancer treated with high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDRB). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1998 and 2004, 16 previously unirradiated patients with locally advanced cervical and vaginal cancer not suitable for intracavitary brachytherapy because of distorted anatomy or extensive vaginal disease were treated with HDRB in combination with external beam radiotherapy. All patients received whole pelvis external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) followed by interstitial implantation. The median whole pelvis external beam dose was 45 Gy (range, 39.6-50.4 Gy) with 11 patients receiving parametrial boost to a median dose of 9 Gy. Twelve (75%) of these patients received chemotherapy concurrent with external beam. All patients received a single HDRB procedure using a modified Syed-Neblett template. A CT scan was performed postimplant for needle placement verification and treatment planning purpose. Dose was prescribed to the tumor volume based on the radiographic and clinical examination. All patients received 18.75 Gy in five fractions delivered twice daily. The median followup was 25 months (6-69 months). RESULTS: Median cumulative biologic effective dose (EBRT+HDRB) to tumor volume was 78.9 Gy10 with the range of 72.5-85.2Gy10. Median cumulative biologic effective dose for the rectum and bladder were 99.4 Gy3 (range, 79.6-107.8 Gy3) and 96.4 Gy3 (range, 78.3-105.3 Gy3), respectively. Complete response was achieved in 13 (81%) patients with 3 patients having persistent disease. Five of these 13 patients developed recurrence at a median time of 14 months (distant in 4 and local and distant in 1). The 5-year actuarial local control and cause-specific survival were 75% and 64%, respectively. In subset analysis, 5-year actuarial local control was 63% for cervical cancer patients and 100% for vaginal cancer patients. No patient had acute Grade 3 or 4 morbidity. Grade 3 or 4 delayed morbidity resulting from treatment occurred in 1 patient with 5-year actuarial rate of 7%. Three patients had late Grade 2 rectal morbidity and 1 patient had Grade 2 small bowel morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Our series suggests that single interstitial implantation procedure with five fractions of 3.75 Gy each to target volume is an effective and safe fractionation schedule. The integration of imaging modality helps in decreasing dose to the critical organs. Additional patients and followup are ongoing to determine the long-term efficacy of this approach.