OBJECTIVES We sought to demonstrate that brachytherapy reduces coronary spasm in refractory and highly symptomatic variant angina. BACKGROUND In some patients with variant angina due to extensive vasoconstriction, intensive drug therapy fails to sufficiently relieve symptoms. METHODS In 18 patients with frequent angina episodes despite triple anti-anginal therapy, coronary spasm was induced...

Brachytherapy is an essential component of the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancers. It enables the dose to the tumor to be boosted whilst allowing relative sparing of the normal tissues. Traditionally, cervical brachytherapy was prescribed to point A but since the GEC-ESTRO guidelines were published in 2005, there has been a move towards prescribing the dose to a 3D volume. Image gui...

BACKGROUND Surgical treatment remains the mainstay therapy for recurrence of head and neck cancer after previous radiotherapy. In inoperable cases, interstitial high-dose rate brachytherapy is a treatment option for local dose escalation. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis of all patients who were treated solely with brachytherapy for advanced non-resectable recurrences of squamous...

PURPOSE To report peri-operative fractionated high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy with a 3D customized Freiburg flap applicator to treat locally recurrent Wilms' tumor, followed by immediate hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for a 16-year-old with a second recurrence of nephroblastoma (Wilms' tumor). MATERIAL AND METHODS The tumor was excised and surgical bed was treated with fractiona...

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is an increasing health care issue in the United States, significantly affecting quality of life and impacting health care costs. Radiotherapy has a long history in the treatment of NMSC. Shortly after the discovery of X-rays and (226)Radium, physicians cured patients with NMSC using these new treatments. Both X-ray therapy and brachytherapy have evolved over the ...

PURPOSE To present the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) guidelines for plaque brachytherapy of choroidal melanoma and retinoblastoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS An international multicenter Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force (OOTF) was assembled to include 47 radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and ophthalmic oncologists from 10 countries. The ABS-OOTF produced collaborative guidelines, bas...

PURPOSE Adaptive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based brachytherapy results in improved local control and decreased high-grade toxicities compared to historical controls. Incorporating MRI into the workflow of a department can be a major challenge when initiating an MRI-based brachytherapy program. This project aims to describe the goals, challenges, and solutions when initiating an MRI-based...

STUDY OBJECTIVES High dose rate (HDR) endobronchial brachytherapy is widely used as a palliative treatment for symptomatic airway obstruction by primary or secondary malignant tumors. We report on a successful use of HDR brachytherapy in patients with nonmalignant airway obstruction. DESIGN Case series PATIENTS Six patients received HDR brachytherapy for airway obstruction caused by granula...

PURPOSE Brachytherapy with radioactive high dose rate (HDR) (192)Ir source is applied to small skin cancer lesions, using surface applicators, i.e. Leipzig or Valencia type. New developments in the field of radiotherapy for skin cancer include electronic brachytherapy. This technique involves the placement of an HDR X-ray source close to the skin, therefore combining the benefits of brachythera...

PURPOSE Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology allows physicians to rapidly create customized devices for patients. We report our initial clinical experience using this technology to create custom applicators for vaginal brachytherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Three brachytherapy patients with unique clinical needs were identified as likely to benefit from a customized vaginal applicator. Pat...