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Showing 28 results for Radiotherapy
Long-term survival following two recurrences and re-irradiation courses for a nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case report
Haddad P, Moshtaghi M, Kazemian A, Jamali-Zavareh M,
Volume 68, Issue 7 (10-2010)
Abstract

Background: Local recurrence in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) presents is a major challenge. Patients experience substantial morbidity as well as poor survival if no further treatment is offered. Residual or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma is usually managed by chemotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), interstitial, and intracavitary brachytherapy or salvage surgery. This case presents the treatment of two consecutive localized recurrences of NPC.

Case presentation: The patient was a 59-year-old man who underwent a course of radical external-beam radiotherapy for a primary NPC in 1999, then another course of external radiation in 2004 for his first recurrence, and finally a course of brachytherapy for the second recurrence in 2005. The patient is well now in 2010, with no signs of disease five years after the third radiotherapy.

Conclusion: Our experience of re-irradiation for this twice recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been promising with encouraging tumor control and acceptable treatment-related toxicity profile. This case indicates the efficacy of definitive re-irradiation for regional recurrence and the necessity for long-term observation for the salvageable early-stage local failure.


3-Dimentional radiotherapy versus conventional treatment plans for gastric cancer
Mahdi Aghili , Maryam Moshtaghi , Farhad Samiee , Ebrahim Esmati , Mahbod Esfahani , Hasan Ali Nedaee , Peiman Haddad ,
Volume 68, Issue 8 (11-2010)
Abstract
Background: The current standard of adjuvant management for gastric cancer after curative resection based on the results of intergroup 0116 is concurrent chemoradiation. Current guidelines for designing these challenging fields still include two-dimensional simulation with simple AP-PA parallel opposed design. However, the implementation of radiotherapy (RT) remains a concern. Our objective was to compare three-dimensional (3D) techniques to the more commonly used AP-PA technique.
Methods: A total of 24 patients with stages II-IV adenocarcinoma of the stomach were treated with adjuvant postoperative chemoradiation with simple AP-PA technique, using Cobalt-60. Total radiation dose was 50.4Gy. Landmark-based fields were simulated to assess PTV coverage. For each patient, three additional radiotherapy treatment plans were generated using three-dimensional (3D) technique. The four treatment plans were then compared for target volume coverage and dose to normal tissues (liver, spinal cord, kidneys) using dose volume histogram (DVH) analysis.
Results: The three-dimensional planning techniques provided 10% superior PTV coverage compared to conventional AP-PA fields (p<0.001). Comparative DVHs for the right kidney, left kidney and spinal cord demonstrate lower radiation doses using the 3D planning techniques (p<0.0001), the liver dose is higher (p=0.03), but is still well below liver tolerance.
Conclusion: Despite the department protocol using conventional planning, 3D radiotherapy provides 10% superior PTV coverage. It is associated with reduced radiation doses to the kidneys and spinal cord compared to AP-PA techniques with the potential to reduce treatment toxicity.

Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly Gemcitabine and Cisplatin in locally advanced cervical cancer
Amouzegar Hashemi F, Hamed Akbari E, Kalaghchi B, Esmati E,
Volume 69, Issue 9 (12-2011)
Abstract

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: More than 80 years, the standard treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer was radiotherapy. However, based on several phase III randomized clinical trials in the past decade, concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy is the current standard of treatment for this disease. Gemcitabine has potent radiosensitizing properties in preclinical and clinical trials, so it can be utilized simultaneously with radiation.
Methods:  Thirty Women with untreated invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the cervix of stage IIB to stage IVA were enrolled in the study in Radiation Oncology department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran from September 2009 to September 2010. Sixty mg/m2 gemcitabine followed by 35 mg/m2 cisplatin were concurrently administered with radiotherapy to the whole pelvic region on day one of each treatment week for five weeks One and three months after treatment, patients underwent a complete physical examination and MRI to determine the response to treatment.
Results:  The mean age of the participants was 58.13±11.83 (29-78) years. After 3 months of treatment, 73.3% had complete and 26.7% had partial response to treatment. Grade 3 anemia was seen in 10%, grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 3.3% and grade 3 leukopenia in 10% of the patients.
Conclusion: According to the positive results of this study in stage IIB, further phase II and III clinical trials are suggested to evaluate the role of chemoradiation by gemcitabine in advanced cervical cancers.


Comparing the effects of conventional and hypofractionated radiotherapies on early skin toxicity and cosmetic outcomes after breast cancer conserving surgery
Amouzegar Hashemi F, Kalaghchi B, Sebzari Ar, Haddad P, Shahabi Z,
Volume 70, Issue 9 (12-2012)
Abstract

Background: The high number of breast cancer patients who receive radiation therapy after surgery has caused many to think about a shorter period of radiotherapy, which can significantly reduce the radiotherapy machine time, labor hours, and fewer patient visits. This study was designed to evaluate the acute skin effects and cosmetic outcomes of short course radiotherapy in early-stage breast cancer in comparison with the conventional treatment method.
Methods: Fifty-two patients with operable breast cancer (pT1-3pN0M0) who underwent breast conservation surgery in Tehran Cancer Institute during January 2011 to January 2012, were randomly assigned to undergo radiotherapy by either receiving conventional treatment (dose: 50 Gy in 25 fractions) with subsequent electron boost or a short-course hypofractionated radiotherapy (dose: 42.5 Gy in 16 fractions) and a subsequent electron boost.
Results: There were no skin changes during the first or the second week of treatment in the two groups. Cutaneous complications began after the third week as grade 1 skin toxicity after termination of the short-course radiotherapy but there were no difference in complication rate after four weeks of treatment. Six months and one year after treatment, there were no differences in terms of skin complications or cosmetic outcomes between the two groups.
Conclusion: Although the use of a whole-breast irradiation with a hypofractionated schedule was associated with desirable outcomes, in term of skin toxicity and cosmetics, but longer follow-up periods with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.


A review of bone metastasis and its treatments, with a special emphasis on local and systemic radiotherapy
Peiman Haddad , Afsaneh Maddah Safaei , Armaghan Fard Esfahani ,
Volume 71, Issue 10 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background: Bone is one of the most common sites of metastatic disease in malignancies. Many of the cases are asymptomatic and may be diagnosed in primary or secondary follow-up, but in symptomatic cases pain is the prominent symptom which is mostly exaggerated at nights. The improved survival of cancer patients with bony metastases in recent years, specially in breast and prostate cancer, has given a greater importance to the careful choice of treatments in this setting. This can lead to a better quality of life, lower treatment cost, prevention of disabilities, less delay in primary cancer therapies, and decrease of life-threatening events for the patients. Here we review the metastatic disease of the bone and its treatments, with emphasis on local and systemic radiation therapy. Current literature about bone metastasis and its treatments was reviewed through a search of available databases on internet for papers published in 1995-2013. Special attention was given to the research trials and studies performed by the authors on this setting. Treatment of bone metastases consist of analgesics, radiotherapy, surgery and bisphosphonates. Control of bone metastases is a challenging process, necessitating a multi-disciplinary approach and teamwork between the treating physicians. Radiotherapy is the most useful modality for this purpose in oncology, given both as a local and systemic therapy. We hope that this review would be able to help in choosing the best treatment option for this common palliative situation in Iranian cancer patients.
Delivered dose to scrotum in rectal cancer radiotherapy by thermoluminescence dosimetry comparing to dose calculated by planning software
Peiman Haddad , Zhaleh Karimimoghaddam , Farshid Farhan , Mahbod Esfahani , Mahdieh Afkhami , Farnaz Amouzegar-Hashemi,
Volume 71, Issue 11 (2-2014)
Abstract
Background: Colorectal carcinoma is a common malignancy, in treatment of which pelvic radiotherapy plays an important role. But this may lead to azospermia. We designed a study to determine the delivered dose to the testis with thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) and compare it to the dose calculated by the Three-dimensional planning software. Methods: We measured the testicular doses by TLD the TLDs were fixed to the scrotum in six points anteriorly and posteriorly in two random fractions of the radiation course. All patients received a 50-50.4 Gy radiation dose to the pelvis in a prone position with standard fractionation and 3-dimensional planning, through three or four fields. The average dose of the TLD measurements was compared to the average of 6 relevant point doses calculated by the planning software. Results: In 33 patients with a mean age of 56 years, the mean testis dose of radiation measured by TLD was 3.77 Gy, equal to 7.5% of the total prescribed dose. The mean of point doses calculated by the 3-dimensional planning software was 4.11 Gy, equal to 8.1% of the total prescribed dose. A significant relationship was seen between the position of the inferior edge of the fields and the mean testis dose (P= 0.04). Also body mass index (BMI) was inversely related with the testicular dose (P= 0.049). Conclusion: In this study, the mean testis dose of radiation was 3.77 Gy, similar to the dose calculated by the planning software (4.11 Gy). This dose could be significantly harmful for spermatogenesis, though low doses of scattered radiation to the testis in fractionated radiotherapy might be followed with better recovery. Based on above findings, careful attention to testicular dose in radiotherapy of rectal cancer for the males desiring continued fertility seems to be required.
Post treatment thyroid dysfunction and obesity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a brief report
Ali Ghasemi , Abdollah Banihashem , Nosrat Ghaemi , Saghi Elmi , Habibollah Esmaeili , Reza Erfani Sayyar, Sam Elmi ,
Volume 72, Issue 1 (4-2014)
Abstract
Background: In most children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) who have received chemotherapy with and without radi-otherapy, some late effects due to treatment may occur such as endocrinopathies. Methods: We evaluated growth criteria (including short stature, obesity) and thyroid test function in 50 children with ALL (n= 25) and NHL (n= 25) 3-17 year-old in remis-sion period who randomly received chemotherapy with (n= 25) or without (n= 25) radi-ation such as our treatment groups. The values for height, weight and BMI in less than 5th or more than 95 th percentile considers abnormal. Results: Six (12%) patients were in less than 5th percentile height (short stature). Two patients (4.0%) had over-weight and 48 (96%) were in normal range of BMI. Six (12%) patients were in less than 5th and 3 (6%) were in more than 95 th weight percentile. There was no significant difference between two different treatment groups for TSH (P= 0.662 (but there was a significant difference between these groups in case of T4 (P= 0.049(. Mean and SD for T4 in patients with chemotherapy alone was less than in whom received chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. There was no significant difference between ALL and NHL groups for TSH, T4 (P= 0.567, 0.528 respectively). Two boys with ALL without history of radiation had hypothyroidism that had based on their la-boratory data. Conclusion: Regarding to effects of thyroid dysfunction on short stature and obesity in adolescent with ALL and NHL, we suggest to have more attention about growth, thy-roid test to avoid late side effect of malignancy treatment.
Radiosensitivity of radioresistant colorectal cancer cells after treatment with docosahexaenoic acid and irradiation
Farideh Hosseini, Mohammad Reza Sam , Nasrollah Jabbari ,
Volume 72, Issue 3 (6-2014)
Abstract
Background: Radiotherapy has been used to treat many types of cancers over the past years. Radiotherapy generates side effects on normal tissues. Radiosensitizer products provide decrease in tumor proliferation and reduce radiation dose in radiotherapy. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) as an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid has anti-proliferative effects on malignant cells. In this study, the effects of DHA accompanied by ionizing radiation on growth rate and survival fraction of HT29 colorectal cancer cells were evaluated. Methods: The present study was performed at the Institute of Biotechnology, affiliated to Urmia University, Urmia, Iran in the year 2013. In this laboratory experiment, ma-lignant cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. HT-29 cells were cultured at 5105 cells/well into 6-well culture plates for overnight. Thereafter, the cells were pretreated with either 50 or 100 µM DHA for 4 hours and malignant cells were irradiated with either dose of 2 or 10 Gy. Cell viability was evalu-ated by trypan blue staining after 48 hours. Moreover, malignant cells were pretreated with either 50 or 100 µM DHA for 48 hours and irradiated with dose of 2 to 10 Gy. Thereafter, survival rate was evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay after 6 days. Results: Cell viabilities were found to be 59.8% and 17.5% for 50 µM DHA in combi-nation with doses of 2 and 10 Gy respectively. Using 100 µM DHA diminished cell vi-ability up to 47% and 13.9% following doses of 2 and 10 Gy respectively. Treatment of cells with DHA accompanied by increasing doses of γ-rays significantly diminished survival rate. In treated cells with 50 and 100 µM DHA, survival rate were measured to be 79.1%, 57.6%, 42.8%, 40.5%, 34% and 55.8%, 43.7%, 33.6%, 27.9%, 23.5% for doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Gy respectively. Conclusion: Our study indicates that DHA decreases colorectal cancer cells prolifera-tion and could provide a new radiosensitizer drug to enhance the efficacy of colorectal cancer radiotherapy.
Cytokinesis blocked micronucleus assay for evaluation of chromosomal breaks in esophageal cancer
Soraya Emamgholizadeh Minaei, Hossein Mozdarani , Seyed Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri , Morteza Motazakker , Mohsen Mansouri ,
Volume 72, Issue 8 (11-2014)
Abstract
Background: Radiotherapy can cause DNA damage in normal cells, misrepaired or unrepaired double strand breaks in DNA lead to chromosomal breaks. As a result patient experience early and late effects in normal tissue during and after radiotherapy. Cytogenetic techniques can be used as a cancer predictive assay because there is an association between chromosome abnormalities and the risk of developing cancer. Also it can assess patient's complications during the therapy. The aim of the present study was evaluation of the cytogenetic alteration in peripheral blood lymphocytes of esophageal cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Methods: The present study is an experimental and prospective research. It was done at radiotherapy department at Omid Center in Urmia from January to December 2012. Blood samples were obtained from 15 esophageal cancer patients, before (0 Gy), during (21.6 Gy), and after radiotherapy treatment (43.2 Gy). Blood samples were cultured in RPMI-1640 complete medium containing 1% phytohaemagglutinin and incubated in a CO2 incubator. Cytochalasin-B was added to the cultures at a final concentration of 5 µg/ml. Finally, harvesting, slide making, and analysis were performed according to standard procedures. Results: This study consisted of 15 patients, including 7 men and 8 women from 55 to 84 years old (70.07±11.548). Results indicate that, in the middle of treatment the average frequency of micronuclei increased significantly compared with their concurrent pre-treatment samples (greater than four-fold). Also, an increase in chromosome damage (MN frequency) proportional increasing radiation doses at the end of treatment was observed (P=0.001). Conclusion: Increasing in the MN frequency in the second and third stages is due to radiation effects. Thus, the use of the MN technique for assessing of the side effects in patients during the therapy is very helpful. Moreover, MN assay can be used as a predictive assay for detecting individuals (patient or healthy) with intrinsic radiosensitivity.
How accurate is MRI to predict response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer?
Afsaneh Alikhasi , Monir Sadat Mirai Ashtiani , Farshid Farhan , Mehdi Aghili , Mohammad Sadegh Fazeli , Mohammad Babaei, Afsaneh Maddah-Safai, Peiman Haddad,
Volume 73, Issue 10 (1-2016)
Abstract

Background: This study investigated compatibility between post chemoradiation magnetic resonance images and histologic findings after operation and chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods: In this prospective study, 63 patients referred to Cancer Institute of Emam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from October 2011 to October 2013 with locally advanced rectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation (50.4 Gy external beam radiation with concomitant capecitabine 825 mg/m2 PO twice a day with or without 60 mg/m2 oxaliplatin weekly). Patients had an MRI before chemoradiation and MRI assessment were used to identify Tumor (T) and lymph node (N) staging by an experienced radiologist. Patients were recommended to repeat MRI after surgery but it was not obligatory. Findings of post chemoradiation MRI and histopathologic reports were compared. Downstaging was defined as at least one stage decrease in T or N in histopathologic report comparing to their first MRI, on condition of no sign of disease progression.

Results: 32 patients (50.79%) had T downstaging and 36 of them (57.14%) showed N downstaging: none had disease progression. In this study MRI had an accuracy of 55.5% for rectal tumor (T) restaging after chemoradiation comparing to pathology. MRI sensitivity for T restaging was 33.3% to 83.3%.  There was a higher possibility to have errors in restaging of T1-2 stages. Specificity of MRI for T restaging was higher than its sensitivity, 66.6%. In this study lymph node involvement (N) was determined according to morphology and size. MRI has an accuracy of 42.8% for detecting lymph node involvement. Its sensitivity and specificity for N restaging were 50% and 66.6% respectively. All patients had MRI before chemoradiation, although 21 of them repeated MRI after chemoradiation since it was not mandatory. 19 of these 21 patients underwent surgery.

Conclusion: Although MRI is a suitable imaging for staging locally advanced rectal cancer its use for restaging after chemoradiation is under question. According to this study, MRI accuracy rates for both T and N restaging were below the rates of previous studies.


Chromosomal radiosensitivity in lymphocytes of head and neck cancer patients as determind by mironucleus and G2 assays
Farshid Farhan , Cyrus Azimi , Majid Mahmoodi , Mohammad-Ali Mohagheghi , Farideh Farzanfar , Azam Noor-Mohammadi, Malihea Khaleghian , Abbas Jafari , Mehrangiz Ghaem-Maghami , Kouros Divsalar ,
Volume 74, Issue 1 (4-2016)
Abstract

Background: It is reported that high frequency of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals is a marker of cancer predisposition. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro frequency of chromosomal damage in lymphocytes of patients with head and neck cancer against gamma irradiation compared with those in healthy individuals.

Methods: In a case and control study, peripheral blood lymphocytes of 101 patients with head and neck cancer were collected before the onset of radiotherapy. Lymphocytes of 40 healthy individuals were also collected as controls. Head and neck cancer patients and the control group were consecutively recruited between April 2012 and February 2015 from Clinics of Cancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Lymphocytes of patients or control group were cultured and exposed to gamma radiation in G2- and G0- phase of the cell cycle. The induced chromosomal aberrations such as chromosome and chromatid breakages, chromosome and chromatid gaps, chromatid exchanges and micronuclei were scored in one-hundred metaphase cells of each individual. The mean of each chromosomal aberration was compared in patient and control groups. Early and late tissue reactions were scored during radiotherapy treatment or thereafter.

Results: There was no significant difference in demographic characterization between the two study groups. The frequency of radiation- induced G2 aberrations in lymphocytes of patients was significantly higher than in those of healthy donors (P= 0.001 for chromosomal breaks). The frequency of radiation-induced micronuclei in G0 assay was also higher in patients than in those in controls (P= 0.05). The results also indicate that there is no correlation between the two assays. No significant correlation was also observed between aberration frequencies in lymphocytes and the degree of both early and late normal tissue reactions.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the in vitro chromosomal radiosensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with head and neck cancer against gamma irradiation was significantly higher than that in healthy individuals.


Micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with of the gastrointestinal cancer
Bahareh Abbasi , Nafiseh Ansarinejad , Farshid Fardad , Tayeb Ramim ,
Volume 75, Issue 2 (5-2017)
Abstract

Background: The Micronuclei has been discussed as an indicator of chromosomal damage in radiotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the changes of micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with of the gastrointestinal cancers pre- and post-chemo-radiation.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with gastrointestinal cancers who referred to oncology ward of Rasool Akram Hospital in Tehran from January to March, 2016. After obtaining informed consent from all patients, 3 cc of peripheral blood samples was obtained for cytogenetic assessment in two stages, before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. The frequency of micronuclei was examined per 1,000 lymphocytes with two nuclei.

Results: Sixty-one patients were evaluated and 11 patients were excluded at the end of study. Fifty patients (34 males, 16 females) with a 59.74±13.34 years old were evaluated. 24 (48%) and 26 patients (52%) were in the less than 60 years’ age group and more than one, respectively. 37 cases (74%) with gastric cancer and 13 cases (26%) with esophageal cancer enrolled in the study. The significant differences were meaningful pre- and post-treatment (44.88 vs. 364.4 /1000 cells) (P=0.005). Also, there were no significant differences of the mean number of micronuclei between pre- and post-treatment according the type of cancer, sex and age groups. Further analysis according by age, sex and cancer of the esophagus or stomach showed no statistically significant differences between the groups in micronuclei number. In other words, chemotherapy and radiation in patients, regardless of age, sex and type of gastrointestinal cancer is very significant impact on the micronuclei production in peripheral blood of patients.

Conclusion: The number of micronuclei in peripheral blood increased significantly in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancer (esophagus and stomach) under the chemo-radiation therapy. It seems that this increase was not correlated with age, sex and type of cancer (stomach or esophagus).


Influence of the contrast agents on dose-volume histograms in radiotherapy treatment planning based on CT-scan
Sahel Heydarheydari , Negin Farshchian , Abbas Haghparast , Seyed Masoud Rezaeijo,
Volume 75, Issue 11 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: In three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) image is commonly used to assist radiation oncologists in diagnosing regions of interest, so that normal and target tissues can be better delineated. CECT causes the temporary increase in the CT number and the corresponding electron density (ρe). Administrated contrast agents (CA) during CT simulation and altering the ρe of structures can be effective on radiation calculations and dose-volume histograms (DVHs) in radiotherapy treatment planning. Therefore, present study was designed and performed to determine the influence of the administrated CA on DVHs.
Methods: Current study performed as a self-controlled clinical trial study with before/after method at Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah City, during the period from June 2015 till August 2016. Ten patients with pelvic cancer included in this study through simple sampling. Cases with prior reactions to CA, diabetes, renal diseases, and asthma were excluded. Two sets of CT-scans were taken for each patient in the same position and coordinates. Primary study sets contained pre-contrast images and secondary study sets were performed post-contrast. Both sets of CT images were transferred to the treatment planning system (ISOgray® software, Version 4.1.3.23 L, DOSIsoft®, Cachan, France). All treatment plans were generated on pre-contrast and subsequently copied to the post-contrast CT. Quantitative calculations were performed in treatment planning including the difference in ρe before and after CA administration.
Results: The prostate (1.27%), the bladder (0.62-0.79%) and the rectum (0.43-0.56%) showed the largest changes in average ρe increase. The results confirm the expected relationship of increasing attenuation, CT number, and ρe with increased tissue density due to the CA. However, the DVHs showed insignificant difference between pre-and post-contrast CTs for 18 MV photon beam.
Conclusion: The results showed statistical insignificant difference between with and without CA CTs treatment plan in pelvic field for targets and OARs. These results may serve as a reference to justify the use of CECT data sets for 3D-CRT planning of pelvic region cancers using DosiSoft ISOgray system.

Evaluation of gold nanoparticles radio sensitization effect in radiation therapy of cancer: review article
Hossein Khosravi , Hamid Bouraghi ,
Volume 76, Issue 12 (3-2019)
Abstract
In recent years, the use of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in radiation therapy has been studied by experimentation and Monte Carlo simulation repeatedly. Although the idea of increasing doses has been raised by high-atomic elements since decades ago, but due to the adaptation of gold nanoparticles with the biological system, scientists have incited more about the various uses of these materials in radiation therapy. The results of all studies in this field are consistent with the increase in tumor-derived doses with gold nanoparticles in radiotherapy. But the results of the interaction of radiation energy are still controversial with the size of gold nanoparticles. In other words, in the Monte Carlo simulations the gold nanoparticles with a size of about 10 to 100 nm, and in biological studies, the nanoparticles with a dimension of 1.9 nm were used. On the other hand, some studies of energy dependence have been developed in dose enhancement, and in some other studies the effect of the size of gold nanoparticles has been investigated on photon energy. However, in some respects, the results of radiation therapy using by gold nanoparticles does not appear to be definitive, although the photoelectric effect in low energies is considered to be the dominant phenomenon. The main idea behind the GNP dose enhancement in some studies is not able to explain the results especially in recent investigation on cell lines and animal models radiation therapy using GNPs. With the rapid development of nanotechnology in the biomedical field, GNPs have been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment for disease. Numerous pre-clinical studies in vitro and in vivo have proved the potential value of metal-based GNPs as radio sensitizers in cancer treatment. Various studies have indicated that radio sensitizing ability could be influenced by nanomaterial size, concentration, surface coating, and the radiation energy. Hence, gold nanostructures provide a versatile platform to integrate many therapeutic options leading to effective combinational therapy in the fight against cancer. In this review article, the recent progress in the development of gold-based NPs towards improved therapeutics will be discussed. A multifunctional platform based on gold nanostructures with targeting ligands, therapeutic molecules, and imaging contrast agents, holds an array of promising directions for cancer research.

Comparison of dosimetric and radiobiological effects of various IMRT techniques regarding to joint volume between target tissue and organs at risk in prostate cancer patients
Amin Banaei, Bijan Hashemi, Mohsen Bakhshandeh, Bahram Mofid,
Volume 77, Issue 2 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is one of the most usable methods in prostate radiotherapy that is used with different techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the dosimetric and radiobiological effects of prostate IMRT techniques regarding to joint volume between the target tissue and organs at risk as a patients anatomical parameter.
Methods: This research was a cross-sectional, analytical, and quantitative study that was carried out from April 2016 to June 2018 at the radiotherapy and oncology center of Shoheday-e-Tajrish Hospital and Medical Physics Department of Tarbiat Modarres University Tehran, Iran. Four various prostate IMRT techniques (9, 7 and 5 fields and automatic) were planned on 63 prostate cancer patients CT scans. Radiobiological effects were calculated using Relative Seriality model for the organs at risk (bladder and rectum) and target tissue. Results of mentioned prostate IMRT techniques were compared based on the patient’s anatomical parameter. 
Results: For the patients with joint volumes ranged from 0 to 15%, statistical differences were not observed among various IMRT techniques. The tumor control probability and complication free tumor control probability values decreased as a function of joint volume. The normal tissue complication probability value increased as a function of joint volume. The 9 and 7 fields IMRT techniques had not any significant differences (P=0.06) in all of the joint volume ranges. In patients with the joint volumes higher than 30%, the 9 and 7 fields techniques showed significantly better radiobiological values in comparison with 5 fields and automatic techniques (P=0.009).
Conclusion: In the patients with lower percentage of joint volume, all the mentioned prostate IMRT techniques showed same radiobiological effects; however, in the patients with higher joint volume percentages (> 30%), the 9 and 7 fields techniques have better results. It is proposed to use the 7 fields technique instead of the 9 fields technique, especially in prostate cancer cases with high uncertainty in patients’ setup.

Dosimetric comparison of treatment of left breast cancer using two different dose schedules Dosimetric comparison of treatment of left breast cancer using two different dose schedules
Arezoo Kazemzadeh, Iraj Abedi, Alireza Amouheidari, Atefeh Shirvany,
Volume 78, Issue 9 (12-2020)
Abstract
Background: To date, different kinds of treatment methods have been proposed for radiotherapy of cancer patients. Choosing the kind of treatment method affects the quality of the patient's treatment. This study aims to investigate the effect of the number of radiation treatment sessions on the dose received by the patient and the distribution of tumor dose and dose received by organs at risk in breast cancer radiation therapy. These results help us to select the appropriate treatment schedules for the treatment of left breast patients.
Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was performed on the treatment plans of 35 patients with left breast cancer who referred to Isfahan Milad Hospital between July 2019 and April 2020. They were candidates for left breast radiation therapy. Also, these patients had no history of surgery or chemotherapy, and no supraclavicular or axillary lymph nodes were involved. Patients were treated with a conventional fraction regimen (CF) or hypofractionated (HF) treatment schedule. Different dosimetry parameters for the target and organ at risks such as conformity index, homogeneity index and mean dose were obtained from the dose-volume histogram plot. Finally, the results of both plans were compared with each other.
Results: The data obtained from this study indicate a decrease in the average dose of all organs in the hypo fractionated regimens compared to conventional plans. The differences between two plans were statistically significant for tumor, lung, and skin (P=0.0). Moreover, the maximum dose for the skin was also reduced when hypofractionated regimens were used. However, the values of the homogeneity index and conformity index of tumor in the two methods did not show a significant difference (P were 0.99 and 0.86, respectively).
Conclusion: In general, the results of the current study indicate that the hypofractionated regimen leads to a reduction in dosimetric factors compared to conventional fraction plans. It seems that this method can be used as an alternative treatment plan for breast cancer radiation therapy due to the reduced duration of the treatment period.
 
Bartholin gland cancer in a young woman: a case report
Ali Taghizadeh, Leila Pourali , Amirhosein Jafarian , Farokh Seilanian Toosi , Ghazal Ghasemi, Marjaneh Farazestanian, Mitra Enzebati,
Volume 79, Issue 11 (2-2022)
Abstract
                                                                        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Background: With 6,020 new cases and 1,150 deaths annually in the United States, vulvar cancer is uncommon, resulting in age-adjusted incidence rates of 2.8 and 1.7 per 100,000 in white and black women, respectively. Vulvar cancer represents about 4% to 6% of malignancies of the female genital tract and 0.6% of all cancers in women. Vulvar cancer predominantly affects postmenopausal women, and it is the most common anogenital cancer in women with more than 70 years of age. HPV infection is associated with a significant number of vulvar cancers. Bartholin Gland carcinoma is a rare form of vulvar malignancy that accounts for less than 5% of all vulvar cancers and 0.001% of all genital cancers. The aim of this study was to report a rare case of Bartholin's cancer in a young patient.
Case Report: The patient was a 37-year-old woman p2l2 (history of two pregnancy and two delivery) who had complains of severe pain in perineal area and was referred to the gynecology emergency clinic, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, in June 2020. In past medical history she had no previous history of medical illnesses or surgical interventions. She had swelling and pain in perineal area since one year ago. Bartholin Gland abscess was diagnosed and she received some oral antibiotics, but did not improve. On the last examination under anesthesia, a firm mass of about 3 cm was palpated in the third distal part of posterior vagina which was at the site of Bartholin Gland and was necrotic. The pathologic report of the mass biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was underwent chemo radiation therapy. At a follow up visit about 5 month later she was cured completely and there was not any symptom of recurrence or metastasis.
Conclusion: In dealing with any patient with diagnosis of Bartholin Gland abscess, in the case of resistance to medical treatment, further evaluation and biopsy of the mass should be considered to rule out Bartholin's gland cancer.
 

 

The role of rectal sparing devices in post-prostatectomy radiotherapy: a review article
Arezoo Mehrabian, Hamed Ghaffari, Soheila Refahi , Mohammad Haghparast , Abolhasan Rezaeyan,
Volume 80, Issue 12 (3-2023)
Abstract

                                                                
Adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy can control biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy and reduce the risk of distant metastases. Dose-escalated radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy can lead to improved biochemical relapse-free survival. Over the last decades, despite the technological advancements in prostate radiotherapy, radiation-induced rectal toxicity is still the main limiting factor for dose escalation owing to the anatomical proximity of the prostate gland to the rectum. To this end, several rectal sparing devices, including Endorectal balloons (ERBs), prostate-rectum spacers (e.g. SpaceOAR hydrogel), and rectal retractor have been explored to increase the distance between the prostate and the rectum to reduce rectal radiation doses and toxicities. Over the last decade, several studies applied these devices during post-prostatectomy radiotherapy setting. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to evaluate the impact of rectal sparing devices on dose-volume parameters of anorectal, radiation-induced rectal toxicity, and prostate bed motion during post-prostatectomy radiotherapy. The results showed that although using ERBs can lead to stability in the target volume position, it cannot reduce rectal radiation doses, in particular dose to the anterior rectal wall. The application of ERBs can reduce the received dose of the anal wall and increase the geometric reproducibility of the clinical target volume (CTV) position. However, the role of ERBs in reducing the received dose of the rectal wall is still controversial, which can be associated with the displacement of the anterior rectal wall towards the prostate bed (high radiation dose area). The use of SpaceOAR hydrogel can significantly increase the distance between the rectum and the prostate bed and ultimately reduce the dose received by the rectal wall. Also, the use of rectal retractor remarkably reduces rectal radiation doses. The dosimetric and clinical results of the use of SpaceOAR hydrogel and rectal retractor are very promising, and these devices can be used for patients after the necessary evaluations by radiation oncologist in post-prostatectomy radiotherapy. However, further studies will be required to elucidate the efficacy of SpaceOAR hydrogel and rectal retractor in reducing radiotherapy-induced rectal toxicity following post-prostatectomy radiotherapy.

Keywords: prostatectomy, prostate cancer, radiotherapy, rectum.


Secondary cancers evaluation inside organs at risk during the prostate cancer radiotherapy: a brief report
Reza Shamsabadi, Seyed Hamid Zoljalali Moghadam, Hamidreza Baghani , Seyed Ali Zoljalali Moghadam ,
Volume 81, Issue 3 (6-2023)
Abstract
Background: In prostate cancer radiotherapy, due to the proximity of the prostate to the rectum, it can be affected by high radiation doses. It has been reported that about 70% of secondary cancers after prostate cancer radiotherapy occur in the bladder and rectum, which are exposed to direct radiation. Since prostate cancer radiotherapy may be accompanied by side effects, the aim of this study is to investigate the risk of secondary cancers after the radiotherapy of prostate cancer inside the outfield organs.
Methods: The dose volume histogram data relevant to 39 patients with prostate cancer (who were treated with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy technique in 2022 in Tehran) were extracted, and the uniform absorbed dose inside the sensitive tissues was calculated according to the gEUD concept. Then, the risks of secondary malignancies following prostate cancer radiotherapy were calculated using the model introduced by the BEIR report. Accordingly, the lifetime attributable risk values (LAR) were estimated based on the desired organs and patient age at exposure time through the calculation of Excess relative risk (ERR) and Excess absolute risk (EAR) values.
Results: From the obtained results, the gEUD values for the rectum ranged from 51.04 Gy to 74.69 Gy and for the bladder from 27.22 Gy to 75.51 Gy. The maximum calculated risk values for the rectum and bladder were calculated to be 49.85% and 74.91%, respectively. Besides, a significant level of secondary cancer risk within the rectum and bladder was obtained for most of the studied patients. Furthermore, small values of secondary cancer risks were estimated for patients who were irradiated at older ages, and higher ones were obtained for patients who were irradiated at younger ages.
Conclusion: The results showed that there is a higher probability of developing secondary malignancies in the bladder than the rectum. The information obtained in this research can improve the performance of the treatment process, so that information about secondary cancers following radiation therapy for prostate cancer will ultimately help doctors design more effective and optimal treatment designs.

Retinoblastoma treatment over time: a review article
Hassan Asadigandomani, Seyed Mohsen Rafizadeh, Elias Khalili Pour , Babak Masoomian,
Volume 81, Issue 4 (7-2023)
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is the most common primary malignant ocular malignancy in children. The management and treatment of retinoblastoma is a very complex process and requires attention to different aspects, such as the stage of the disease based on the International classification of retinoblastoma (ICRB) or International intraocular retinoblastoma classification (IIRC), the genetic status of the tumor and mutations, psycho-social factors of the family and society, cultural beliefs, and available economic resources. From the identification of this malignancy until the beginning of the 20th century (before the introduction of radiation therapy as one of the treatment options), enucleation was the only treatment option for this disease. In addition to not controlling metastatic and extensive features of the disease and increasing the chance of death in these cases, enucleation causes many adverse psychological and aesthetic complications in patients, and especially children, who are the main population affected by this disease. Tremendous progress has been made since the 20th century to identify and invent new methods to preserve the eyes and less invasive treatments (globe salvage treatments), and the set of efforts led to the inventing of new treatment methods such as radiation therapy, systemic chemotherapy, local treatments such as cryotherapy and thermotherapy, intra-arterial chemotherapy and intraocular chemotherapy. In summary, the set of treatments from the beginning until now has gone towards increasing survival, reducing the rate of enucleation and providing more targeted and less invasive treatments. Despite these advances, early diagnosis is the most important prerequisite for better outcomes. However, early detection is influenced by socioeconomic factors and is a major challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In fact, the provision of advanced medical care in high-income areas has provided excellent survival, globe, and vision-saving rates. Unfortunately, these results do not hold true for medical systems in low- and middle-income areas, leading to poor patient outcomes. In this article, we briefly introduce various retinoblastoma treatment methods from the beginning of detection until now, and we assess the evolution of the treatment of this disease from the beginning until now, which has reduced the need for enucleation as a treatment for this disease.

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