Hypofractionation

Hypofractionation (HF) was first introduced in the 1960s and gained widespread use in practice as radiobiological parameters become widely known. Over the past 10 years, significant improvements in radiotherapy (RT) applications following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) have been realized in the whole or partial breast hypofractionated radiotherapy (HF-RT). More than 7,000 women with early-stage breast cancer were selected for the whole-breast HF [1]. Similar results were reported in all of the studies conducted until today for both HF-RT and conventional fractionation (CF) in terms of local recurrence and morbidity. In this chapter, the mechanisms of action of HF in the RT of breast cancer and the results of large randomized clinical trials will be discussed. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Principles and practice of modern radiotherapy techniques in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among the female population. With advances in systemic therapies and modern radiotherapy techniques, breast cancer patients can have a long life-expectancy. However, it is crucial that radiation therapy is carried out with minimum complications and with the utmost efficiency. Principles and Practice of Modern Radiotherapy Techniques in Breast Cancer provides practical and current theoretical knowledge to the planning and implementation of breast cancer radiation therapy. All aspects of breast cancer are covered, including epidemiology, molecular and biological basis and integrating systemic therapies during all steps of treatment. The illustrated section of this book identifies anatomical structures in daily practice by presenting target and critical structures in actual treatment positions. These images show and mark the anatomical points of the patient lying in the position that breast radiation therapy would be performed. This text serves as a valuable resource for clinicians, residents and fellows practicing and learning breast cancer radiotherapy. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

The organs at risk and radiation tolerance doses

During the last two decades, early diagnosis and better treatment options have improved the survival rates of breast cancer patients [1]. Radiotherapy (RT) is an essential component of the treatment of patients with early and locally advanced disease and has been shown to reduce local recurrence risk by approximately 20% and breast cancer mortality risk by 5% [2]. However, RT-induced toxicities may manifest from months to decades after treatment and may be related to severe morbidity and mortality. Older RT techniques are particularly associated with an excess risk of non-breast cancer mortality, which was mainly from heart disease [2]. The goal of modern RT techniques is to improve the therapeutic ratio by increasing tumor control and decreasing toxicity. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Analysis of cancer registration data in Ege University: Evaluation of 34134 cases [Ege Üniversitesi'nde kanser kayit analizleri: 34134 Olgunun degerlendirmesi]

Objectives: Ege University Cancer data is being collected by Ege University Cancer Fight against Cancer, Practice and Research Center within the "Izmir Cancer Incidence and Data Collection Project" which initiated in 1991. Gender, tumor type, stage and their relationship with residence place were analyzed in 34134 cases that was diagnosed cancer and treated in our hospital between 1992-2004. Methods: Of the patients, 56.6% were male and 43.4% were women. Stage distribution was as following: 31.6% local, 43% local advanced and 25.4% metastatic disease. Results: It was observed that men compared to women (p=0.00), patients who live outside Izmir compared to patients living in Izmir (p=0.00) presented to the hospital with more advanced disease. When residence area, stage and gender were evaluated together, it was determined that women (p=0.011) and men (p=0.04) who were living in Izmir have been diagnosed at early stage. According to tumor groups, while patients with larynx, prostate or breast cancer who were living in Izmir has been diagnosed at early stage (p=0.05, p=0.008, p=0.000, respectively), no significant correlation could be detected among patients with lung, colorectal, cervix and endometrial cancer. Conclusion: People who live in cities benefit from proximity to developed diagnose and medical centers and the effects of screening and training programmes are observed over women. Cancer training programmes should be enlarged for men besides rural areas