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Biomedical subjects

M Goitein

Publications and source records attributed to M Goitein.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Preliminary results of proton beam irradiation of macular and paramacular melanomas.

Proton beam irradiation has been used for the treatment of 60 eyes with choroidal melanomas located 3 mm or less from the fovea. The average follow-up period was 18 months. 86% of the treated lesions showed regression at the time of this analysis, and the 14% that did not were followed up for less than a year. Visual acuity remained the same in 47% of the treated eyes, improved in 20%, and deteriorated in 33%. 58% of the treated eyes had visual acuity of 20/100 or better at the last follow-up examination. Radiation vasculopathy with macular oedema was the most common complication, and it was observed in 22% of the treated eyes. These preliminary observations suggest that proton beam irradiation may be a reasonable alternative to enucleation even for this group of choroidal melanomas, which is considered unfavourable in respect of the preservation of visual function.

Adolescent

Protons or megavoltage X-rays as boost therapy for patients irradiated for localized prostatic carcinoma. An early phase I/II comparison.

A total of 180 patients with carcinoma of the prostate limited to the pelvis were treated with one of two external beam irradiation techniques between 1972 and 1979. One hundred and sixteen patients were treated with conventional pelvic megavoltage x-ray therapy. Sixty-four patients were treated with combined pelvic x-ray therapy plus a perineal proton beam boost to a carefully defined prostatic tumor volume. A 160 MeV proton beam has been modified to irradiate patients with localized tumors by using conventional treatment schedules. This proton beam has the physical advantage over megavoltage x-rays of reducing the dose to normal tissues adjacent to the tumor volume. By using the proton beam boost we have delivered an increased prostatic tumor dose of 500 to 700 cGy without increasing treatment morbidity at all. The two groups are actuarially analyzed for patient survival, disease-free survival and local recurrence-free survival, and thus far, no significant differences have been noted. Because of the minimal complications observed in the proton group despite a 10% increase in dose, a randomized clinical trial comparing these two treatment techniques is studied.

Clinical Trials as Topic

Multi-dimensional treatment planning: I. Delineation of anatomy.

We discuss the scope of a multi-dimensional treatment program designed to assist in planning radiation therapy. It includes: synthesis of diagnostic information; techniques for the assessment and delineation of anatomy; fully three-dimensional simulation of therapy; calculation and assessment of dose distributions; verification of treatment delivery; and assessment of the patient during and after treatment. In this paper we present details of techniques for the assessment and delineation of anatomy, including the display of CT information in three dimensions and the ability to draw on and edit the image displays.

Computers

Multi-dimensional treatment planning: II. Beam's eye-view, back projection, and projection through CT sections.

Three features of a fully three-dimensional treatment planning program are presented: (1) The beam's-eye-view provides the user with an accurate reproduction of anatomic features from the viewpoint of a treatment source. The source can be moved to any feasible position relative to the patient, permitting a choice which allows sensitive organs to be excluded from the beam. In this view a field defining aperture can readily be designed. (2) Back-projection of such an aperture shows the parts of the original transverse CT sections, or reconstructed sagittal or coronal sections, which may be covered by the selected beam. (3) Projection through the CT data from any desired origin provides an alignment film simulation which can be used to confirm accuracy of treatment, as well as help establish anatomic relationships relative to the margins of a treatment field.

Computers

Energy of proton accelerator necessary for treatment of choroidal melanomas.

We have reviewed 94 patients with choroidal melanoma treated by proton beam therapy at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory. A beam penetration of f27 mm would be required to treat 90% of the lesions. We conclude that a machine energy of at least 55 and, preferably, 60 MeV would be necessary for a clinically viable therapy unit for the treatment of choroidal melanomas. An extracted beam current of 10(-9) A would be more than sufficient.

Choroid Neoplasms

Proton beam irradiation of uveal melanomas. Results of 5 1/2-year study.

Proton beam irradiation was used in the treatment of 76 uveal melanomas from July 1975 to December 1980. Five (7%) were small, 32 (42%) were medium, and 39 (51%) were large melanomas. The follow-up period ranged from two months to 5 1/2 years; 19 patients were followed up for more than two years and 39 were observed for more than a year. Tumor regression has been achieved in all eyes with more than 12 months of follow-up except one, which was enucleated because of secondary complications. Three patients in whom metastatic disease developed died. Our data indicate that proton irradiation can be used for the treatment of relatively large lesions that previously were considered untreatable and reduces the high ocular morbidity experienced with other methods in the treatment of medium and small melanomas.

Adult

Precise positioning of patients for radiation therapy.

We have developed a number of immobilization schemes which permit precise daily positioning of patients for radiation therapy. Pretreatment and post-treatment radiographs have been taken with the patient in the treatment position and analyzed to determine the amount of intratreatment movement. Studies of patients in the supine, seated and decubitus positions indicate mean movements of less than 1 mm with a standard deviation of less than 1mm. Patients immobilized in the seated position with a bite block and a mask have a mean movement of about 0.5 mm +/- 0.3 mm (s.d.), and patients immobilized in the supine position with their necks hyperextended for submental therapy evidence a mean movement of about 1.4 mm +/- 0.9 mm (s.d.). With the exception of those used for the decubitus position, the immobilization devices are simply fabricated out of thermoplastic casting materials readily available from orthopedic supply houses. A study of day-to-day reproducibility of patient position using laser alignment and pretreatment radiographs for final verification of position indicates that the initial laser alignment can be used to position a patient within 2.2 mm +/- 1.4 mm (s.d.) of the intended position. These results indicate that rigid immobilization devices can improve the precision of radiotherapy, which would be advantageous with respect to both tumor and normal tissue coverage in certain situations.

Casts, Surgical

Evaluation of the clinical applicability of proton beams in definitive fractionated radiation therapy.

We report on the treatment of 317 patients treated either wholly or in part with proton beams at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory. These include: 130 patients treated for definitive radiation therapy of choroidal melanoma; 17 patients treated for tumors of the base of skull, cervical spine and cranium, which abut structures of the central nervous system (CNS); 23 patients treated for sarcomas of soft tissue and bone; 65 patients treated for carcinoma of the prostate; 14 patients treated for carcinoma of the rectum and anus; and 23 patients treated for squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity and oro-pharynx. Data on causes of failure and morbidity of treatment are presented. Overall the results are judged to be extremely encouraging. In particular, the treatment of the choroidal melanomas and sarcomas abutting CNS structures have clear clinical value, and the treatment of prostatic tumors and tumors of the head and neck are thought to be promising.

Bone Neoplasms

Definitive radiation therapy for chordoma and chondrosarcoma of base of skull and cervical spine.

Proton-beam radiation therapy has been developed for the treatment of chordomas or sarcomas of bone or soft tissue that abut the central nervous system. The authors report the results of treatment of 10 patients, six with chordoma, three with chondrosarcoma, and one with a neurofibrosarcoma. Local control has been achieved for all patients (with, however, one marginal failure) with a follow-up period ranging from 2 months to 6 years. High doses of radiation, up to 76 Cobalt Gray Equivalents (CGE), have been delivered without significant morbidity. In particular, no neurological sequelae have been observed.

Adult

Proton beam irradiation. An alternative to enucleation for intraocular melanomas.

Proton irradiation was used in the treatment of uveal melanomas in 36 eyes. The average follow-up period was 16 months. One patient developed metastatic disease and died. No eye has been enucleated and tumor regression has been observed in all 22 eyes with a follow-up of more than 12 months. This type of treatment offers definite advantages over previously used methods, can be used for the treatment of relatively large melanomas, and should be considered before enucleation.

Adult

Clinical experience with proton beam radiation therapy.

Our experience with modulated energy proton beams in the definitive treatment of cancer patients indicates that, for the patients accepted, treatment volumes have been smaller and total doses higher than would have obtained for photon techniques alone used in our institution. The reactions of normal tissue have, with very few exceptions, been readily acceptable. The higher radiation doses employed should yield higher tumor control frequencies. Clearly, we cannot assess the efficacy of this modality because of the small number of patients followed for short periods. However, the results are judged by use to warrant intensive evaluation of this modality.

Child

Proton radiation as boost therapy for localized prostatic carcinoma.

A 160-MeV proton beam has been modified to irradiate patients with localized tumors by using convention treatment schedules. This proton beam has the physical advantage of megavoltage x-rays of reducing the radiation dose to normal tissues adjacent to the tumor volume. A perineal proton technique used as boost therapy (2,000 to 2,500 rads) was evaluated in the definitive irradiation of 17 patients with localized prostatic carcinoma. This technique allows repeated daily treatment of the carefully defined target volume with a precision of +/- 2 mm. Total dose to the prostatic tumor, but not to the posterior rectum, has been increased by 500 to 700 rads. After 12 to 27 months of observation, no noteworthy rectal reaction has developed in a patient, easily managed urethral strictures have developed in two patients, and all but one are locally controlled.

Adenocarcinoma