Radiotherapy Field (radiotherapy + field)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Gemcitabine-induced radiation recall in the treatment of pancreatic cancer

ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Wan Mohd Nazri WAN ZAINON
Abstract Aim: To evaluate two cases of gemcitabine-induced radiation recall in patients who were treated for localized pancreatic cancer, and review the literature. Methods: The two cases of radiation recall (from a cohort of 80 patients treated for pancreatic carcinoma) were retrospectively identified using patient medical records. Prior publications were identified through an English language literature search of MEDLINE Ovid from January 1966 to October 2006, using the key words gemcitabine and radiation recall. Results: Both the radiation recall reactions were limited to the gastrointestinal system, localized to previous radiotherapy field. No pathology was identified on radiological investigation. The onset of the radiation recall phenomenon was 2 and 10 days, respectively, from the time gemcitabine was initiated. The treatment of radiation recall consisted of the cessation of gemcitabine, initiating steroid therapy and supportive therapy. Both of the patients' symptoms achieved complete resolution. A comprehensive review of the literature found 15 previous cases of radiation recall related to gemcitabine but one reported effect involving the gastrointestinal system. Previously reported sites of recall phenomena included the skin, muscles, brain stem and optic nerve. In the treatment of pancreatic carcinomas, there were only four reported cases, three involving the onset of myositis of abdominal muscle and one case of gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusion: Radiation recall from gemcitabine chemotherapy is uncommon. It can potentially arise in any site that has been irradiated previously. The treating doctor needs to be aware of this phenomenon to be able to manage this condition appropriately. [source]


Granulomatous mycosis fungoides with extensive chest wall involvement

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
Jamie Von Nida
SUMMARY A 40-year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of a mass overlying her right pectoralis major muscle. Histopathology of the lesion revealed a florid granulomatous infiltrate including an atypical lymphocytic component with marked epidermotropism consistent with granulomatous mycosis fungoides. Staging investigations demonstrated the tumour to be localized to the right chest. Consequently, the patient was treated with radiotherapy (50 Gy) to the lesion with good clinical effect. However, she soon developed a clinically palpable lesion on the left chest outside the radiotherapy field. Positron emission tomography scanning demonstrated an extensive left-sided chest wall tumour and also residual tumour on the right. This left-sided lesion failed to respond to systemic chemotherapy. Further radiotherapy (50 Gy) has recently been administered to the left chest lesion; the response is being monitored. While granulomatous inflammation has been previously described in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, it is rare and is often associated with a delay in the diagnosis and difficulty with clinical staging. The clinical presentation can be extremely variable and consequently, diagnosis rests with histological features, immunohistochemical studies and gene rearrangement analysis. [source]


Influence of omental biopsy on adjuvant treatment field in clinical Stage I endometrial carcinoma

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
Jose J. Nieto
In this study to assess the role of omental biopsy in the diagnosis of extrapelvic disease, data from 100 consecutive women with clinical Stage I endometrial cancer undergoing primary surgical treatment in our institution were analysed: 80 women had an omental biopsy, 20 did not, and six had adenocarcinoma in the omentum. No obvious morbidity attributable to this rapid and easily performed surgical procedure was recorded. We conclude that visual inspection and palpation of the omentum at the time of abdominal surgery for endometrial carcinoma is worthwhile and advisable. In addition, adopting a protocol of histological assessment upstaged a further two cases of this series. These data suggest that this technique might influence the prescription of adjuvant pelvic radiation in approximately one in 10 women currently considered for such therapy, as disease can be easily documented as having extended beyond the conventional radiotherapy field. [source]


Impact of demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment factors on swallowing after (chemo)radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2010
Jacqui Frowen BSpPath (Hons)
Abstract Background This prospective study evaluated the impact of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and radiotherapy treatment on swallowing before and after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Methods Eighty-one patients with head and neck cancer were examined using videofluoroscopy swallowing studies (VFSS) before treatment and again at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Results Swallowing was best at baseline, significantly worse 3 months posttreatment, and improved by 6 months posttreatment. Worse swallowing was associated with: living in rural areas; ex-heavy alcohol consumption; hypopharyngeal tumor site; large (particularly T4) tumors; nonconformal radiotherapy; bilateral radiation to the pharynx; and longer radiotherapy fields. Through the use of multiple regression analysis, previous swallowing was determined to be the most common predictor of swallowing outcomes, followed by T classification, alcohol history, and radiotherapy technique. Conclusions The pretreatment and treatment factors that influenced swallowing in this cohort should be considered when planning treatment, in discussing potential side effects with patients, and when developing and testing future treatment techniques. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010 [source]