PURPOSE To recognize neuropathic pain as a complication of high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy of oral tongue and to evaluate the possible causes of neuropathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty one patients who underwent interstitial brachytherapy for early cancer of oral tongue were evaluated. The patients either underwent primary brachytherapy (42-48 Gy at 3-4 Gy/fraction) or a boost...

PURPOSE In radical radiotherapy for cervical cancer, high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is commonly used after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to deliver a cumulative EQD2 of 80 to 90 Gy to the primary tumor. However, there is less certainty regarding brachytherapy dose contribution to the pelvic lymph nodes. This poses a challenge as to how high a preceding EBRT dose should be prescribe...

Brachytherapy was developed to treat prostate cancer 50 years ago. Current advanced techniques using transrectal ultrasonography were established 25 years ago. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has enabled the prostate to be viewed with improved resolution with the use of modern ultrasound machines. Moreover, the development of software that can provide images captured in real time has improved tre...

PURPOSE Overexpression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), a member of the immunoglobulin family and a glycoprotein enriched on the surface of many types of tumor cells, has been reported to be linked to invasion, metastasis, growth, and survival of malignant cells. Cervical cancer, the second most prevalent cancer in women worldwide and the fifth leading cause of cance...

AIMS AND BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to compare the facilities for brachytherapy in two similar countries, as are Italy and Spain. This survey reports the differences in the use of brachytherapy in these countries. METHODS The data regarding brachytherapy was obtained in 2002 by means of a specially designed web site, because Internet allowed the access to the questionnaire in an easy...

Pulsed Dose Rate (PDR) treatment is a new brachytherapy modality that combines physical advantages of high-dose-rate (HDR) technology (isodose optimization and radiation safety) with radiobiological advantages of low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy. Pulsed brachytherapy uses a stronger radiation source than that employed in LDR brachytherapy and provides a series of short 10 to 30 minutes long ex...

Development of the novel targeted therapies for glioblastoma multiforme is very important. Brachytherapy has been proven to provide a good alternative to surgical removal of the prostate, breast and cervix with reduced risk of certain long-term side effects. Thus, 125I brachytherapy was used to effect on the growth and invasion of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of 125I...

This discussion paper will explore the impact of using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the treatment of cervical cancer with brachytherapy. It is written from the perspective of current departmental practice in the UK and aims to highlight the issues associated with using MRI as a tool for image guided brachytherapy planning. To support the discussion, a literature review was undertaken foc...

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to examine on the CT basis the inter-application displacement of the positions D0.1cc, D1cc and D2cc of the brachytherapy dose applied to the bladder and rectum of the patients with inoperable cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective study included 30 patients with cervical cancer who were treated by concomitant chemo-radiotherapy. HDR intraca...