[A simple method for transposing MRI information to simulation films. Technical note]. / Eine einfache Methode zum Ubertragen von MR-Informationen auf Simulationsfilme. Ein technischer Hinweis.

BACKGROUND: The use of MRI information in the treatment planning process is still expensive and time consuming. Electro-optical devices or specially designed post-processing software in here the risk of picture distortion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 1998 and June 1999 in 48 patients with brain tumors and 11 patients with carcinoma of the prostate CT treatment planning and MRI were performed with identical patient positioning using the same devices as in the simulation. The transposition of organ and tumor volumes between MRI and simulation film takes place by overlying both on the brightening screen by using a grid. MRI and simulation films must be produced using an identical magnification factor. RESULTS: For 9 patients with brain tumors and 2 patients with a carcinoma of the prostate the transposition of MRI information on the simulation films showed the necessity of a modification of the shielding or the treatment portals. CONCLUSIONS: The simple method of direct transposition of MRI structures into simulation films allows to accomplish a verification of the portals and conformation which result of the treatment planning process. Moreover an individualized shielding can also directly be realized.

Vulvar carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of 80 patients.

We evaluated the files of 80 women who were treated for vulvar carcinoma. In 13 women radiotherapy was used as primary treatment, in 45 cases postoperatively and in 22 women because of local recurrence. Patients older than 60 years had a significantly worse 5-year survival rate (39%) than younger women (57%) (p = 0.02). The 5-year survival rate for patients with negative nodes was 72% versus 46% for the N1- and 47% for the N2-status, respectively (p = 0.027). The 5-year actuarial survival rate for patients with tumor manifestation in the clitoris was 77.9% versus 26.1% for patients with tumors in the labia majora (p = 0.0044). There was no difference in survival in patients who had been treated with radical vulvectomy and bilateral groin dissection plus local radiotherapy when compared with patients who had been irradiated (whole pelvis) after tumor resection alone. The 5-year survival rates and the median survival time were identical in both groups (61%/62 months).