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A Systematic Review Of Brachytherapy. Is It An Effective And Safe Treatment For Localised Prostate Cancer?, Jenny Doust, Emma Miller, Gillian Duchesne, Michael Kitchener, David Weller Jun 2004

A Systematic Review Of Brachytherapy. Is It An Effective And Safe Treatment For Localised Prostate Cancer?, Jenny Doust, Emma Miller, Gillian Duchesne, Michael Kitchener, David Weller

Jenny Doust

BACKGROUND Brachytherapy is a promising treatment for prostate cancer as it may have reduced rates of impotence and incontinence. OBJECTIVE General practitioners can influence the treatment patients receive by their referral patterns, so it is important they understand the effectiveness and safety of treatment. We reviewed the primary literature on brachytherapy as sole therapy for localised prostate cancer. DISCUSSION Although there have been many studies on the safety and effectiveness of brachytherapy, there have been no trials of brachytherapy versus other treatments that would control for factors such as tumour stage, grade, or initial prostate specific antigen levels. Brachytherapy for …


Prediction Of Radiation Pneumonitis By Dose-Volume Histogram Parameters In Lung Cancer--A Systematic Review, George Rodrigues, Michael Lock, David D'Souza, Edward Yu, Jake Van Dyk Apr 2004

Prediction Of Radiation Pneumonitis By Dose-Volume Histogram Parameters In Lung Cancer--A Systematic Review, George Rodrigues, Michael Lock, David D'Souza, Edward Yu, Jake Van Dyk

Edward Yu

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review of the predictive ability of various dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters (V(dose), mean lung dose (MLD), and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP)) in the incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RP) caused by external-beam radiation therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Studies assessing the relationship between CT-based DVH reduction parameters and RP rate in radically treated lung cancer were eligible for the review. Synonyms for RP, lung cancer, DVH and its associated parameters (NTCP, V(20), V(30), MLD) were combined in a search strategy involving electronic databases, secondary reference searching, and consultation with experts. Individual or group data …


Impaired Diffusion Capacity Predicts For Decreased Treatment Tolerance And Survival In Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Concurrent Chemoradiation, Gregory Videtic, Larry Stitt, Robert Ash, Pauline Truong, A. Dar, Edward Yu, Frances Whiston Jan 2004

Impaired Diffusion Capacity Predicts For Decreased Treatment Tolerance And Survival In Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Concurrent Chemoradiation, Gregory Videtic, Larry Stitt, Robert Ash, Pauline Truong, A. Dar, Edward Yu, Frances Whiston

Edward Yu

PURPOSE: To determine if stratification of limited stage small cell lung cancer (LSCLC) patients by pre-treatment pulmonary function test (PFT) prognostic indicators predicts for treatment-related toxicity risks and survival following concurrent chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1989 to 1999, 215 LSCLC patients received six cycles of alternating cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine and etoposide/cisplatin (EP). Thoracic radiation (RT) was initiated only with EP and at cycle 2 or 3. RT dose was: 40 Gy/15 fractions/3 weeks or 50 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks. RT fields encompassed gross and suspected microscopic disease with a 2 cm margin. Pre-treatment PFT values analyzed included forced expiratory volume in 1s …


A Systematic Review Of The Diagnostic Accuracy Of Natriuretic Peptides For Heart Failure, Jenny Doust, Paul Glasziou, Eva Pietrzak, Annette Dobson Dec 2003

A Systematic Review Of The Diagnostic Accuracy Of Natriuretic Peptides For Heart Failure, Jenny Doust, Paul Glasziou, Eva Pietrzak, Annette Dobson

Jenny Doust

Background The diagnosis of heart failure is difficult, with both overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis occurring commonly in practice. Natriuretic peptides have been proposed as a possible test for assisting diagnosis. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), including a comparison with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Methods Electronic searches were conducted of MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1994 to December 2002 and handsearches of reference lists of included studies. We included studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of BNP against echocardiographic or clinical criteria or that compared the diagnostic accuracy of BNP with ANP. Two reviewers assessed studies for …


Dhandha, Dharma And Disease: Traditional Sex Work And Hiv/Aids In Rural India, J. O'Neil, Treena Orchard, J. Swarankar, J. Blanchard, K. Gurav, B. Barlaya, R. Patil, C. Hussain Khan, S. Moses Dec 2003

Dhandha, Dharma And Disease: Traditional Sex Work And Hiv/Aids In Rural India, J. O'Neil, Treena Orchard, J. Swarankar, J. Blanchard, K. Gurav, B. Barlaya, R. Patil, C. Hussain Khan, S. Moses

Dr. Treena Orchard

This paper discusses the results of two ethnographic studies with female sex workers in rural areas of Karnataka and Rajasthan, India. In particular, we focus on women whose socio-economic status, and religious and occupational practices, are part of sex work systems that have historical precedents such that they can be termed “traditional” sex workers. The approach taken in the ethnographic work was informed by current critical approaches in medical anthropology and public health. The paper argues that in the context of an expanding HIV/AIDS epidemic in rural areas of India, understanding the historical and structural factors that operate to perpetuate …