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Purpose Multiple choroidal melanomas arising in the same eye is a very rare entity, usually leading ophthalmologists to entertain other diagnoses. Historically, the only available treatment reported for this rare entity was enucleation. In this study we demonstrate in a series of patients with multiple simultaneous choroidal melanomas that eye salvage is possible using a variety of radiotherapy techniques. Observations Both patients presented with two simultaneous choroidal melanomas in one eye. The first patient was only 30 years old and presented with two largely amelanotic tumours with large exudative retinal detachment. Cytology from fine needle aspiration biopsies from both tumours with immunohistochemistry confirmed two separate melanomas. Sequential radioactive iodine plaque brachytherapy led to regression of both tumours. The second, older patient's two tumours both had the typical appearance of choroidal melanoma and he underwent proton beam irradiation to the entire field leading to tumour regression. Conclusions Multiple choroidal melanomas can rarely arise simultaneously in the same eye, and despite their variable appearance, a definitive diagnosis can be aided by cytology and immunohistochemistry in atypical-appearing cases. While all other previously reported cases have necessitated enucleation, we demonstrate that globe salvage is possible using either proton beam irradiation to the entire tumour field, or with sequential radioactive plaque brachytherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to assess the real target dose coverage when radiation treatments were delivered to lung cancer patients based on treatment planning according to the RTOG-0236 Protocol. We compare calculated dosimetric results between the more accurate anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) and the pencil beam algorithm for stereotactic body radiation therapy treatment planning in lung cancer. Ten patients with non-small cell lung cancer were given 60 Gy in three fractions using 6 and 10 MV beams with 8–10 fields. The patients were chosen in accordance with the lung RTOG-0236 protocol. The dose calculations were performed using the pencil beam algorithm with no heterogeneity corrections (PB-NC) and then recalculated with the pencil beam with modified Batho heterogeneity corrections (PB-MB) and the AAA using an identical beam setup and monitor units. The differences in calculated dose to 95% or 99% of the PTV, between using the PB-NC and the AAA, were within 10% of prescribed dose (60 Gy). However, the minimum dose to 95% and 99% of PTV calculated using the PB-MB were consistently overestimated by up to 40% and 36% of the prescribed dose, respectively, compared to that calculated by the AAA. Using the AAA as reference, the calculated maximum doses were underestimated by up to 27% using the PB-NC and overestimated by 19% using the PB-MB. The calculations of dose to lung from PB-NC generally agree with that of AAA except in the small high-dose region where PB-NC underestimates. The calculated dose distributions near the interface using the AAA agree with those from Monte Carlo calculations as well as measured values. This study indicates that the real minimum PTV dose coverage cannot be guaranteed when the PB-NC is used to calculate the monitor unit settings in dose prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We, as a large community practice, retrospectively reviewed our experience in treating early stage breast cancer to determine rates of breast-conserving therapy (BCT), disease outcomes after such treatment, and risk factors for local recurrence. A hospital tumor registry was used to identify breast cancer cases diagnosed between 1987 and 2003. Rates of BCT and radiotherapy were examined using primary treatment data. For subsequent disease outcomes analyses, cases were limited to only those treated between 1987 and 1994 to allow for adequate follow-up. For the subset of 521 T1–2N0 patients treated with BCT, we calculated crude rates of first failure at 8 years, with outcomes classified as local failure (LF), distant or regional node failure (DNF), dead without failure (DWF), or alive without failure (AWF). Polychotomous logistic regression was done to assess the influence of age at diagnosis, tumor grade, total radiation dose to the tumor bed, and use of systemic therapy. From 1987 to 2003, rates of BCT went from 69% to 89% and the rate of radiation after breast-conserving surgery was 90%. For the subset of 521 T1–2N0 patients treated with BCT who had at least 8 years of follow-up, median age was 58 years, 15% had grade 1 tumors, 83% had T1 tumors, 4.6% had positive margins, 83% got a total radiation dose ≥60 Gy to the tumor bed, and 51% had systemic therapy. At 8 years, 7% of patients had LF, 8% DNF, 10% were DWF, and 75% were AWF. Patient age (p = 0.076), tumor grade (p = 0.056), use of systemic therapy (p = 0.077), and radiation dose (p = 0.127) had borderline significant effects on the risk of LF versus AWF. The majority of patients in this community were treated with BCT and most received radiotherapy. Local control was excellent and comparable to that seen in large academic centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]