BACKGROUND To assess the dosimetric effect induced by inter-observer variability in target definition for 3D-conformal RT (3DCRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy by RapidArc (RA) techniques for rectal cancer treatment. METHODS Ten patients with rectal cancer subjected to neo-adjuvant RT were randomly selected from the internal database. Four radiation oncologists independently contoured ...

This study investigated position dependence in planning target volume (PTV)-based and robust optimization plans using full-arc and partial-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The gantry angles at the periphery, intermediate, and center CTV positions were 181°-180° (full-arc VMAT) and 181°-360° (partial-arc VMAT). A PTV-based optimization plan was defined by 5 mm margin expansion of the...

BACKGROUND To dosimetrically evaluate the effect of reduced margin radiotherapy on hippocampal dose for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. METHODS GBM patients enrolled on the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0825 trial at our institution were identified. Standard RTOG 0825 expansions were 2 cm + 3-5 mm from the gross tumor volume (GTV) to the clinical tumor volume (CTV) and from ...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a commercial knowledge-based planning system, in volumetric modulated arc therapy for prostate cancer at multiple radiation therapy departments. METHODS In each institute, > 20 cases were assessed. For the knowledge-based planning, the estimated dose (ED) based on geometric and dosimetric information of plans was generated in...

Gastric cancer is the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer mortality. In advanced gastric cancer patients, the treatment outcomes are dismal. With the development of the molecular targeted therapy, the prognosis in patients with advanced and unresectable gastric cancer are improved. This article reviewed the molecular targeted agents in clinical use, thei...

Recent knowledge on apoptosis has made it possible to devise novel approaches, which exploit this process to treat cancer. In this review, we discuss in detail approaches to induce tumor cell apoptosis, their mechanism of action, stage of development, and possible drawbacks. Finally, the obstacles yet to be overcome and the perspectives for potential clinical use of apoptosis-triggering approac...

BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to establish the rabbit VX2 limb tumor model, and then prepare a "necrotic zone" as a safe margin by volumetric modulated arc therapy and simultaneous integrated boost (VMAT-SIB) technique applied in the areas where the tumor is located adjacent to the bone (GTVboost area). MATERIAL AND METHODS Rabbits in the control group (n=10) were not treated, while thos...