Zeszyty Naukowe WCO, Letters in Oncology Science最新文献

Different methods of treatment are dependent on the type of tumour. The dominant form of treatment is still surgery, which can be used as an independent method of treatment or it can be combined with other methods. Surgical treatment may be replaced by other possible alternatives such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Nowadays, the most commonly used radiotherapy is this with the usage of protons or electrons. However, proton beam therapy is becoming increasingly important. On the one hand it has many advantages; for example, it decreases rapidly the dose behind the Bragg peak, reduces significantly the time of treatment or reduces the appearance of secondary malignancies. On the other hand, there are also disadvantages. For instance, high cost of production the beam and the cost of therapy itself, problems with the dose's inhomogeneity during the air passing or appearance of nuclear reactions. Proton therapy is mainly used in the treatment of changes localized in the eye, brain and in paediatrics. The aim of this study is to present applications and limitations of proton beam therapy.

During last year's conference, breast malignancies gained a lot of attention. The sessions were divided into three main parts: “The proceedings in the early stages of advancement”, “Irradiation after preoperative treatment system” and “regional irradiation areas”. Of particular note is the multidisciplinary nature of each session. Lectures were conducted by experts in the field of radiotherapy, as well as medical oncology, surgery and pathology. At the moment, the exchange of views by experts from various fields of medicine seems to be a key element in the healing process of patients.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the most common cause of death. Treatment of breast cancer includes various methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Oncological treatment may adversely impact on the organs’ operations and systems of the human body as well as the mental state of patients, their functional performance and social functioning. The adopted patients’ attitude towards the disease and emotions is of great importance for the quality of life and final treatment results. The objective of this work is to assess a possible impact of therapeutic agents on the women's life after breast cancer treatment. The study includes patients with breast cancer treated in the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wrocław in 2012, 12 mths. after surgery. To evaluate their quality of life, I used QLQ-C30 questionnaire and QLQ-BR23 breast cancer module. In the study group, I have found statistically significant correlations between the age of patients and the therapies (especially breast conserving surgery and radiation) with the quality of life responses.

The aim of this paper is to underline the most important physical aspects of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) techniques. The described trends and some research problems were presented during ASTRO 56 conference in San Francisco.

Aim

Evaluation of tests and guidelines provided by the regulation of the Minister of Health on 18 February 2011 relating to quality assurance in computed tomography.

Material and method

Catphan 600 phantom, 2-part PMMA CT-Phantom IBA phantom and Raysafe Xi modules were used to carry out quality assurance tests on Siemens Sensation Open tomograph. For evaluation of the results Microsoft Excel and Varian Eclipse software were used. The range of the assay with use of Catphan phantom was extended for better assessment of tests provided in regulations.

Results

Performed tests revealed that according to the regulations, CT is working properly. On the other hand, it is easily observed that results vary for different scan settings in tests performed on Catphan phantom.

Conclusions

Performed tests showed that conditions given in regulations are easy to fulfil. Another conclusion is that there are no strict guidelines about scan settings in by the regulation of the Minister of Health on 18 February 2011. In order to maintain constant conditions of testing, the settings from standard workflow should be used.

Bone metastases are a very common problem in prostate cancer, which are associated with considerable morbidity which negatively affect quality of life (QOL) and frequently lead to skeletal-related events. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the treatment options using various diagnostic tools. The optimal management of bone metastases from prostate cancer requires an interdisciplinary approach, with impact from surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, and others. According to ASTRO statement the preferred option of irradiation is single-fraction radiotherapy, especially for patients with a “limited life expectancy”.

Cancer is associated with invasive and crippling treatment, adversely affecting the plane of the physical, psychological and social aspects. The most common cancer among women is breast cancer, bringing with them the effects seen in the sphere of femininity. Patients often feel misunderstood, worse, they are afraid of their position in society, they have problems with the performance of the upper limb and body statics. In cancer treatment, it is an important holistic approach to the patient. One of its elements can be art therapy, and in particular it is by dance therapy and music therapy, affecting the human body by changing the neurophysiological parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle tension. An example of the use of these methods in oncology active music therapy is conducted in the Poznań Society of the Amazons, based on dance in a circle and the repetition of short choreography. The research was conducted on the basis of their own surveys and observations in the classes. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the group to which aspect of life (physical, mental, social) affects most active music therapy, and which overcomes feelings and call. Studies have shown comprehensive action methods of art therapy, because it was impossible to unequivocally state to which plane of life active music therapy affects the most, although it can lead to social aspects. One of the main results is that choreo-active music therapy is relaxing, so necessary in life filled with stress. Dance therapy can be considered as a kind of physiotherapy, can help to increase the efficiency in the case of women with breast cancer, and in particular the functionality of the upper limb. Music can be used as a motivating factor to take exercise. The use of dance in a circle is to boost your sense of equality, acceptance and belonging and to facilitate social contacts.

Several studies now indicate that dose escalation can increase the chances of freedom from biochemical recurrence for early stage prostate cancer treated with primary radiation. These data, and evidence suggesting a low a/b ratio for prostate cancer, have prompted some to use hypofractionated delivery (i.e., small number of high dose fractions) to treat localized prostate cancer. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers fewer high-dose fractions of radiation which could be more radiobiologically favorable than conventional radiotherapy doses. Early experiences using CK for localized low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer showed that such treatment resulted in very high oncological efficacy with minimal toxicity risk.

In the large parts of Europe the impact of the economic situation on the availability of healthcare is noticeable. This effect is mostly visible in specialties such as radiotherapy, where much depends on investing in expensive equipment or qualification of specialists.

The state of radiotherapy in Greater Poland improves. At present, in this region of Poland radiotherapy is being performed at Greater Poland Cancer Centre and Greater Poland Euromedic Medical Center. In the nearest future The Nonresident Radiotherapy Center of Greater Poland Cancer Centre in Kalisz will begin the activity. In the period from 2008 to 2012 it may be noticed in Greater Poland that the number of people per one accelerator and megavoltage accelerator is greatly decreased. The situation of patients from Greater Poland is constantly improving compared to the situation of patients from across the whole country.

In Poland, many steps to raise the level and availability of the radiotherapy were performed. The changes are visible and the indicators show reducing number of persons per one accelerator and megavoltage accelerator. The access to the diagnosis and treatment facilities is becoming better. Also the waiting time for initiation the treatment is shorter. Despite this, Poland still does not meet the WHO standard which regards to installations 1 megavoltage accelerator per 250 000 residents.

Aim

Analysis of the daily correction shifts obtained from the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and from the two orthogonal X-ray images (2D-kV).

Materials and methods

15 patients with prostate cancer treated by radiotherapy were taken for the study. The analysis was based on the image data obtained from two different methods of the image guidance (CBCT and 2D-kV). In particular, analysis included the comparison of the: (i) correction shifts, (ii) systematic and random errors and (iii) margins derived from the CBCT and 2D-kV.

Results

The analysis showed that the widest spreads (standard deviation) of the shifts were recorded along the sagittal and vertical axis, and were respectively 0.5 cm CBCT and 0.3 cm 2D-kV for sagittal and 0.4 cm CBCT and 0.3 cm 2D-kV for vertical axis. The systematic errors resulting from the use of both image guidance methods are comparable. The biggest discrepancy between the random errors was observed for the sagittal and vertical axis, and were respectively 0.46 cm CBCT and 0.29 cm 2D-KV for sagittal and 0.36 cm CBCT and 0.25 cm 2D-kV for vertical axis. The margins calculated for each of the imaging methods were respectively: (i) 1 cm for the sagittal axis and 0.9 cm for the transverse and vertical axes based on the CBCT imaging; and (ii) 0.9 cm for the transverse axis and 0.8 cm for the sagittal and the vertical axes based on the 2D-kV imaging.

Conclusion

CBCT allows the correction of displacement of the prostate based on the soft tissues and the bone anatomy. 2D-kV allows correction of prostate shifts only on the basis of the bones. The results obtained by the method of 2D-kV are flawed by 20% (along the sagittal axis) and by 9% (along the vertical axis) error with respect to the CBCT method.