Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and paclitaxel along with radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of cervix had a high incidence of acute toxicity. There was no increase in immediate tumor response and progression free survival with this treatment regimen. Hence, this regimen offers no added benefit when compared to the chemo radiation with cisplatin alone.

A case of carcinoma of the lower alveolus metastasizing to the phalanges of the hand is reported. The possible mechanism of such metastases, the clinical and radiological features and the role of fine needle aspiration cytology are discussed.

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The purpose of this study is to determine the extracranial dose in patients treated for pituitary adenoma with conventional and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). Twelve patients receiving treatment with radiation for pituitary adenoma were selected. Six patients underwent SRT, and six patients underwent conventional radiotherapy. Extracranial doses were measured with pre‐irradiation annealed lithium fluoride thermoluminscent dosimetry (TLD) chips. The chips were wrapped and placed on the patients’ skin, over each eyelid, the thyroid, chest, and scrotum for males and over the suprapubic region for females. Postradiation annealing was done, and the TLDs were read in a TLD reader system. The results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test by SPSS, version 6.01. The doses to the thyroid, center, and gonads were significantly higher (74.62±9.12.2emmrad, 65.42±9.35.2emmrad, and 58.42±5.36.2emmrad, respectively) in patients receiving SRT than in conventional radiotherapy portals (69.45±21.19.2emmrad, 38.33±19.44.2emmrad, and 31.41±18.25.2emmrad). But the average doses to the right eye (84.84±8.80.2emmrad) and to the left eye (85.68±5.82.2emmrad) in the stereotactic group were less when compared with the patients treated with conventional radiotherapy, who received 127.5±37.90.2emmrad and 117.29±34.01.2emmrad, respectively. In conclusion, SRT is definitely superior to conventional radiotherapy as far as dose to the surrounding normal structures is concerned. The higher extracranial doses in SRT seem to be within the acceptable range; however, the clinical significance of this is still unclear and needs longer followup.PACS number: 87.53.Ly

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