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B Kimmig

Publications and source records attributed to B Kimmig.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Outcome of primary combined radio-chemotherapy in head and neck tumors with simultaneous salivary gland protection by amifostine].

AIM: Demonstration and critical evaluation of the use of cytoprotective agents in radiation therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 1996 9 patients with head and neck tumors were irradiated with a mean dose of 66 Gy and simultaneous application of amifostine. Primaries were in the oropharynx (3), tongue (2), tonsils (2) as well as nasopharynx and soft palate. Parallel carboplatin was administered 6 times with a dose of 100 mg/week and amifostine twice a week with 500 mg over 6 weeks. The evaluation was performed clinically and by sialoscintigraphy (Figure 1). RESULTS: There were no lasting side effects, but episodes of hypotension in 7 of 9 patients and nausea. Radiogenic acute toxicity was nearly uneffected, complaints from xerostomia, however, were diminished. All patients showed increased dermal pigmentation and dermatitis. Sialoscintiraphies 6 months after therapy proved better salivary gland function with correlated better patient condition. CONCLUSION: Amifostine might gain a role in the prevention of lasting radiogenic xerostomia. The required dose is not yet clear. A broader use of amifostine would be favored by lower costs of the substance.

Amifostine↗
PubMed1998

[Survival of exclusively irradiated patients with NSCLC. Significance of pretherapeutic hemoglobin level].

BACKGROUND: In a retrospective study files of 96 non-operated, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving radiation therapy were statistically analysed. A correlation of the pre-therapeutical haemoglobin level and the survival of patients after a primary radiation therapy has been described by some authors, but it is an open question whether there is any dose-modification in the treatment schedule, related to different prognostic subgroups of patients, that makes sense. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We have analysed the files of 96 primary radiated patients to evaluate the pre-therapeutical haemoglobin level as well as sex, age, histopathology, total dose and fractionation. The analysis of Karnofsky-status or patient condition was not performed as there was a lack of sufficient data in the patient files. RESULTS: Histopathology, sex, age as well as total dose and fractionation of the radiation treatment were similar in the cohort building 3 groups: Hb < 11 g/dl, Hb between 11 to 15 g/dl and Hb > 15 g/dl. The investigation resulted in the observation, that lower levels of initial serum haemoglobin concentration compared to levels over 15 g/dl are negative prognostic factors. Higher initial haemoglobin concentration is a high significant positive prognostic factor (p = 0.0001). The applied total dose (> 30 Gy, > 50 Gy, > 55 Gy) was not a significant prognostic factor in this patient material, where two thirds of the patients had an advanced cancer (stage IIIB or stage IV). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that initial haemoglobin concentration is a significant prognostic factor for NSCLC patients treated by radiation therapy. Further investigations are necessary to determine whether a dose escalation can improve the outcome of a subgroup of patients with high-normal haemoglobin levels.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

[Prevention and therapy of acute radiation injuries of the skin and mucosa. I. Results of a German multicenter questionnaire].

BACKGROUND: The acute radiation related morbidity is an essential factor for the patient's outcome in radiotherapy. The prophylactic and therapeutic management of acute side effects has a wide clinical range between different radiation oncology departments. In this work, it was to evaluate the remedies, which are used for prevention and therapeutic management of acute radiation related morbidity of the skin and mucosa (mouth, pharynx, esophagus, small and large bowel, rectum and vagina). METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 130 radiotherapeutic departments in Germany in July 1995. The questionnaire had been designed with 22 open questions concerning the preventive and therapeutic management of acute radiation related morbidity of skin and mucosal sites. It has been correlated to the scoring system of the RTOG/EORTC and its German modification according to Seegenschmiedt and Sauer. The evaluation was performed anonymously. RESULTS: From 130 questionnaires, 89 (68.4%) were sent back till August 1995. All of them were evaluable. The recommendations showed a broad spectrum for each site. Especially the oral mucositis was treated in many different ways and combinations. The prevention and therapy of complicating superinfections seem to be the joint principle of most of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The management of the acute radiation related morbidity has a wide clinical spectrum among different radiation therapy centers. Systematic prospectively designed investigations are necessary in order to achieve a further reduction in the radiation related acute morbidity. Therefore, a multicenter collaborative working group has been founded.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

[Prevention and therapy of acute radiation-related morbidity of the skin and mucosa. II, Recommendations of the literature].

BACKGROUND: In a German multicenter questionnaire, answered by 89 departments, we had examined the strategies to prevent or to treat the acute morbidity of the skin and mucosa associated to radiation therapy. In this work, the recommendations from the literature are compared to the results of the questionnaire. METHODS: An extensive research on common data information systems (Medline, Cancerlit, DIMDI and others) was performed. The criteria included the organ related morbidity and therapeutic strategies for its reduction. The obtained data were compared to the results from the questionnaire. RESULTS: The study data found by the research often demonstrate small patient numbers and little convincing results. However, as in the questionnaire, the joint principle seems to be the reduction of acute inflammatory tissue reaction by evasion of bacterial and mycotic overgrowth and reduction of exo- and endogenous toxins. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies with more convincing results are required.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Late results of radiotherapy of soft tissue sarcoma].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of radiation therapy in the treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1970 and January 1990, 58 patients with soft-tissue sarcoma were referred for radiation therapy. The most frequent histologic diagnoses included fibrosarcoma (n = 15), neurofibrosarcoma (n = 5) and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 5). Central tumor sites in the trunk (n = 31) were much more frequent than in the head and neck region (n = 14) or the extremities (n = 13). Thirty-nine of 58 primary tumors were bigger than 5 centimeters. Forty-five patients were irradiated after surgery, 5 patients prior to surgery; in 8 cases only radiation therapy was used. Radiation therapy was performed with Co-60 photons and an average total dose of 58 Gy, fractionated in single doses of 2 Gy. The treatment results were obtained by actual follow-up examinations. RESULTS: Twenty-three of 58 patients survived at least 5 years (39.9%). Of 15 patients with R0 resection 11 were alive after 5 years (73.3%). Local tumor control was achieved in 34 of 58 patients (58.6%). Low 5-year-survival rates were associated with dedifferentiation of the primary tumor (three survivors in 10 patients with G3 tumor), tumor diameters over 5 cm (13 survivors of 39), R2 resection (3 survivors of 16) and tumor sites in the body trunk (11 survivors of 31). CONCLUSIONS: (1) The best results of radiation therapy were achieved after R0 resection of the primary tumor. (2) Tumors in the trunk are prognostically worse because of bigger tumor diameters due to later diagnosis.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Variability of individual normal tissue radiation sensitivity. An international empirical evaluation of endogenous and exogenous response modifiers.

BACKGROUND: The variability of normal-tissue response is of major concern for radiation therapy. Multiple endogenous and exogenous factors are qualitatively known to alter the acute and late tissue response. Which of them are regarded most important by the European radiation oncologists and what is, empirically, their quantitative influence on the acute or late tissue tolerance? METHODS: In August 1997, we sent a questionnaire to 255 European radiation oncology departments. Among others, the questionnaire asked for endogenous and exogenous factors modifying the tissue response to radiation therapy and their quantitative influence on the acute and late radiation morbidity (TD 5/5). Fifty-five questionnaires (21.5%) were answered. RESULTS: Empirically, the most important endogenous factors to modify the acute tissue tolerance are a) metabolic/other diseases with macro- or microangiopathia (17 answers [a]/32% mean decrease of tissue tolerance), b) collagen diseases (9 a/37%) and c) immune diseases (5 a/53%). As endogenous response modifiers for the TD 5/5 are recognized a) metabolic or other diseases leading to macro- or microangiopathia (15 a/31%), b) collagen diseases (11 a/38%) and c) immune diseases (2 a/50%). Inflammations from any reason are assumed to alter the acute tissue tolerance by (6 a/26%) and the TD 5/5 by (10 a/24%). Exogenous modifiers of the acute tissue response mentioned are a) smoking (34 a/44%), b) alcohol (23 a/45%), c) nutrition/diets (16 a/45%), d) hygiene (9 a/26%) and e) medical therapies (10 a/37%). Exogenous factors assumed to influence the TD 5/5 are a) smoking (22 a/40%), b) alcohol (15 a/38%), c) nutrition/diets (9 a/48%), d) hygiene (5 a/34%) and e) medical therapies (10 a/30%). CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous factors are regarded more important by number and extent on the acute and late tissue response than endogenous modifiers. Both may have an important influence on the individual expression of normal tissue response.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1998

Topographic documentation of acute radiation morbidity.

BACKGROUND: The clinical knowledge on the frequency and severity of acute radiation morbidity is very sparse. With established morbidity recording, only severe side effects are revealed. The lower morbidity (I/II degree) as a major part of the data base is neglected. Another problem may be the lack of interdisciplinary and international compatibility in other systems. For these reasons, our intention was to create an easily acceptable, international and interdisciplinary compatible documentation form for routine use in radiotherapy. METHODS: A detailed topographic documentation sheet for each major topographic site of clinical radiation oncology has been developed (CNS, head and neck, thorax, female breast, abdomen, extremities). It is based upon existing toxicity codes and documentation systems (CTC[WHO], RTOG and EORTC, DEGRO, ADT, KIEL). Furthermore, basic oncological data like TNM, previous surgery or chemotherapy, drugs and more are included. For each topographic body site, one DIN A4 format is required for documentation of a 6 to 7-week treatment course. The toxicity prescription is coded according to the "DEGRO/RTOG Coding System for acute side effects" and to the "EORTC Acute Toxicity Code" to achieve optimal international and interdisciplinary compatibility. RESULTS: Complete documentation of toxicities level 0 to 4 is to be performed within 2 to 5 minutes per week/patient within preformed marks. The clinical performance has proven excellent. Not only level III/IV toxicities are recorded, but also level I/II morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The topographic documentation system improves recording of acute morbidity in radiation oncology not only by time, but also in quality. Experimental, radiobiological and former clinical data may be proved for their actual plausibility.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Electronical recording and evaluation of acute radiation morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Relatively uniform documentation systems are used for recording of acute side effects in oncology. Object of this work is to illustrate the applicability of electronic data bases for registration and evaluation of acute side effects in radiation therapy. METHODS: Based on topographic documentation sheets, an electronic data base was developed for each major topographic site. Besides general patient related parameters (TNM, previous chemotherapy, surgical interventions, intercurrent diseases and more), the kind and the degree of acute radiation related side effects are documented for each week of radiation and for day 90 (RTOG) as the joint day between acute and subacute tissue reactions. RESULTS: The temporal expenditure for the recording of the general patient related parameters of a patient is less than a minute. The weekly documentation can be performed during the daily routine work and needs approximately 5 minutes per week. The structure of the data base enables for later analyses of acute radiation related morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic data bases enable a fast and systematic recording and evaluation of acute radiation related side effects. The development of particular registration entities for recording of acute side effects may be a possible application and demonstrates the needs of professional developments.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Pharmacological management of acute radiation morbidity.

BACKGROUND: The acute radiation morbidity may be a serious problem for the patient and may be decreased by pharmacological approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A database research (Medline, Cancerlit, DIMDI, etc.) was performed in order to obtain pharmacological approaches to decrease the acute radiation morbidity. The evaluation was focused on therapeutic principles but not on special drugs. RESULTS: Different approaches may be chosen to protect healthy tissues from the effects of ionizing radiation: 1. administration of cyto- or radioprotective agents prior to irradiation, 2. administration of agents to avoid additional secondary toxicity by inflammation or superinfection during the treatment cycle (supportive care) and 3. administration of rescue agents, such as bone marrow CSFs or hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), after therapy. For radioprotection, there are reports on cellular protection by vitamine E, vitamine C, beta carotene, ribose-cysteine, glutamine, Mgcl2/adenosine triphosphate and WR-2721 (amifostine). In general, preclinical studies show that the combination of pretreatment with amifostine, irradiation, and G-CSF after radiation enhances hematologic recovery. Assessment of these combined effects, including local supportive therapies, merits further clinical investigation. There are data from prospective studies as well as from empirical clinical experience, that radioprotection and clinical supportive care may reduce the treatment related morbidity by 10 to 30% either. CONCLUSIONS: A further improvement of the therapeutic ratio is to be expected by systemically combined application of radioprotectors, supportive care and rescue agents.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1996

[Spiral computed tomography for treatment planning and quality assurance in radiotherapy].

BACKGROUND: The possibilities of spiral CT for radiotherapeutic treatment planning and quality assurance have been systematically investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The influence of parameters such as slice thickness, table speed and increment on geometric accuracy was studied. Ring-, spheric-, PMMA- and humanoid Alderson phantoms were used. Furthermore, patients with infradiaphragmatic irradiation of Hodgkin's disease or with mediastinal irradiation were studied using CT-angiography. Patients with carcinomas of the head and neck before HDR- and PDR-brachytherapy were examined as well. RESULTS: Spiral CT offers 3D volume data information with excellent reduction of breath and motion artefacts for virtual simulation. 2D multiplanar reconstructions with excellent local resolution may be obtained. 3D MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection), based on CT-angiographic imaging, is a good tool for infradiaphragmatic treatment planning of Hodgkin's disease, if small numbers for slice thickness, table speed and increment are used. SSD (Surface Shaded Display) offers good 3D visualization and good geometric control of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy applicators. High qualitative multiplanar reconstructions are useful for CT-based brachytherapy planning. CONCLUSIONS: Spiral CT is a precious tool for 3D treatment planning and virtual simulation in radiotherapy and superior to conventional CT data acquisition. Quality assurance is improved for dose-volume-histograms and for brachytherapy.

Angiography↗
PubMed1996

[Daylight processing system in radiotherapy. Technical changes and cost benefit analysis].

BACKGROUND: In radiotherapy portal and verification imaging take an important place in daily quality assurance procedures. Different types of films and cassettes have to be used to gain an optimal result for photon and electron beams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe a modification of a machine for daylight processing, which has been technically enabled not only to process all X-rays from simulator, brachytherapy, CT and MRI but all film materials from portal and verification imaging as well without changing system's configuration. Using a light gap, verification films are automatically differentiated from portal films or from film material from simulation and the cassettes are automatically loaded with the new verification film. Furtheron, we took some attention on cost effectivity. RESULTS: The daylight processing machine is sufficiently integrated into daily routine work load and spares a lot of staff time. Higher primary costs are overbalanced within a few years by lower supporting costs (Table 1). This is especially due to lower film material costs (Table 2), but also a result of staff time reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapeutic departments may gain much comfort using a daylight processing machine as development unit.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMed1996

[Validity of bone scintigraphy for radiotherapy treatment planning of the skeletal system].

Aim of this paper is to assess the validity of bone scanning for radiation therapy treatment planning in the skeletal system. Radiation therapy treatment planning in the skeletal system is based on plain film radiographs and bone scanning. Between January 1, 1993 and June 30, 1994, 228 patients were irradiated due to malignancies in the skeletal system. Included were bone metastases, lymphomas, sarcomas and bone invasion of neuroblastoma. The morphological display of the plain film radiographs and the bone scintigraphies were compared and modifications of the target volume due to the scan findings quantified. In 17 of 228 patients (7.5%) the target volume was modified by at least 2 cm due to tumor invasion depicted by radionuclide scanning only. Bone scintigraphy enables a sensitive display of bony invasion in skeletal malignancies. Because of a scan induced alteration of the target volume in 7.5% of the cases, bone scanning cannot be abandoned in RT treatment planning.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

[The results of strontium-90 contact therapy to prevent the recurrence of pterygium].

AIM: Aim of the study was the evaluation of the role of adjuvant radiation therapy in the prevention of recurrence after excision. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1, 1985 and April 1, 1993, 64 patients (43 male, 21 female) were referred to radiation therapy after excision of a nasal pterygium. Radiation therapy was done with a strontium-90 eye applicator and a total dose of 30 Gy, fractionated in 6 fractions of 5 Gy each, 3 times a week. Forty-nine patients were treated primarily, 15 patients underwent radiation therapy for the first time in case of recurrent pterygium after multiple re-excisions. All patients had a following of 1 to 9 years with a median of 5.5 years. RESULTS: In 8 of 64 irradiated patients recurrent pterygium was detected (12.5%). Differentiated into the 2 groups 4 of the primarily treated patients had recurrent pterygium (8.16%), the other 4 were in the group with multiple former re-excisions (26.7%). With regard to the initiation of the irradiation after surgery pterygium did not recur in any of the primarily treated patients who were irradiated in between 3 days after surgery. In contrary 3 of 7 primarily treated patients (42.9%) who started radiation therapy between 7 and 10 days after surgery had recurrent pterygium. For the patients with primarily recurrent pterygium no dependence of the initiation of radiation therapy after surgery could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant radiation therapy after excision of pterygium lowers the rate of recurrence from about 40% to 12.5%, in a primarily adjuvant situation to 8.16%. In these patients radiation therapy should be initiated within 3 days after surgery. Patients with primarily recurrent pterygium have an elevated risk of recurrence independently of the initiation of radiation therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Conformal treatment planning for interstitial brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: Quality of a brachytherapy application depends on the choice of the target volume, on the dose distribution homogeneity and radiation injury on critical tissue, which should be postulated by advanced brachytherapy treatment planning systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Basic imaging method for conformal treatment planning is the cross-sectional imaging. The clinical applicability of a new type 3D planning system using CT and/or MRT-simulation or US-simulation for planning purposes was studied. The planning system developed at Kiel University differs from usual brachytherapy planning systems because of the obligatory use of cross-sectional imaging as basic imaging method for reconstruction of structures of interest. Dose distribution and normal anatomy can be visualized on each CT/MRT/US slice as well as coronal, sagittal, axial and free chosen reconstruction (3D), as well as dose-volume histogram curves and special colour-coded visualization of dose homogeneity in the target can be analyzed. RESULTS: Because of the experience in the clinical routine, as well as on the base of 30 simultaneous planning procedures on both 2D (semi-3D) and 3D planning systems we observed similar time consumption. Advantages of 3D planning were the better interpretation of target delineation, delineation of critical structures as well as dose distribution, causing more accurate volume optimisation of dose distribution. CONCLUSION: Conformal brachytherapy treatment planning for interstitial brachytherapy means significant advantages for the clinical routine compared to 2D or semi-3D methods.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1996

Results of adjuvant radiation therapy after surgical excision of pterygium.

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the role of adjuvant radiation therapy in the prevention of recurrence after excision. Between July 1, 1985, and April 1, 1993, 64 patients (43 men, 21 women) were referred for radiation therapy after excision of a nasal pterygium. All patients were followed for 1-9 years (median 5.5 years). Radiation therapy was done with a strontium 90 eye applicator at a total dose of 30 Gy fractionated into six fractions of 5 Gy each. In all, 49 patients were treated after their first excision and 15 patients had undergone multiple prior excisions. In 8 of 64 irradiated patients, recurrent pterygium was detected (12.5%); 4 recurrences developed after first excision and adjuvant radiation therapy (8.16%) and the other 4, following multiple former reexcisions and radiotherapy (26.7%). Pterygium did not recur in any of the primarily treated patients who were irradiated within 3 days of surgery. In contrast, 3 of 7 accordingly treated patients (42.9%) who started radiation therapy at between 7 and 10 days after surgery developed recurrent pterygium. Adjuvant radiation therapy after excision of pterygium lowers the overall rate of recurrence to 12.5%. In an adjuvant situation after first excision, radiation therapy should be initiated within 3 days of surgery, the result being freedom from recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The use of contrast media for quality assurance in radiotherapy planning].

PURPOSE: The target volume definition in radiation therapy was evidently improved by CT and MRI. Basis of treatment planning, however, remains the therapy simulator. Important instruments for adequate fluoroscopic treatment planning are contrast media that recently have been applied less out of legal and professional reasons. Aim of this work is to evaluate the possible benefit of contrast media applications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 1303 simulations between 1.1.1993 and 30.9.1993 105 times intravenous contrast media were applied, supplied by oral or endolymphatic contrast agents. It was studied if the previously intended plan had to be altered due to contrast media application. RESULTS: In 17 out of 105 cases (16.2%) the target volume or the preplanned technique had to be altered after contrast media application. Main reason was the existence of anatomical variations especially in kidney and small bowel detected by use of contrast agents. So standard indications for contrast media applications were defined. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast media are an important tool in treatment planning that should be orientated on diagnostical standards. Applications of contrast agents facilitate the detection of anatomical variations and the selection of the appropriate technique in order to shield sensitive tissues. The therapeutical and legal benefit outweigh potential hazards due to intolerances or professional obstacles.

Contrast Media↗