Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) is a modern radiation technique, yielding a significant improvement in dose distribution in irradiated tissue (in comparison to conventional radiation techniques). With launching IMRT at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, a new era has dawned in the development of radiotherapy in Slovenia. Having considered the reports from the worldwide institutions, where IMRT has longer been a part of clinical routine, we may conclude that medical team gained an effective weapon and the patients new hope for successful completion of treatment.
F.22 Improvement to existing health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 1045371In the article, the most important novelties and findings in the field of radiotherapy and systemic therapy when combined with irradiation are described and evaluated. These are altered fractionation regimens, modulation of hypoxia, concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, new options in combining irradiation with systemic therapy (including biological agents), technological innovations, and infection with human papillomavirus. Described novelties create a promising basis for additional improvement of treatment results in this particular group of cancers in Slovenia.
F.21 Development of new health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 935547Booklet summarizes basic knowledge on cancers of the head and neck (etiology, epidemiology), available diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options on a way that is understandable to laics, i.e. patients and their relatives. Specifically, the text is focused on side effects of different treatment modalities used in these patients with practical instructions included how to reduce or even avoid adverse effects.
F.12 Improvements to an existing service
COBISS.SI-ID: 251878656Implementation of tracheoesophageal speech prosthesis significantly improved reestablishment of speech communication after removal of the larynx. We found out that during 10-year period tracheoesophageal speech prosthesis was used in 25% of patients who underwent laryngectomy in Slovenia. Due to its voice quality, the tracheosecophageal speech prosthesis must be considered the second best after esophageal speech, despite certain drawbacks (when compared to esophageal speech, e.g. use of arms during communication, daily maintenance of protests, dependence on health supply).
F.18 Transfer of new know-how to direct users (seminars, fora, conferences)
COBISS.SI-ID: 27495897In the article, etiology, pathology, symptoms, diagnostics and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma as well as retrospective analysis of treatment results and value of prognostic factors in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated at the nstitute of Oncology Ljubljana between 1990–2003 are described. We conclude that treatment results after using radiotherapy with or without chemotherpay in Slovenian patients during study period are comparable the results of retrospective series employing convetional radiotherapy from other parts in the worly.
F.22 Improvement to existing health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 969339