Pedretti S, De Santis MC, Vavassori V, Bortolato B, Colciago RR, Cagna E, Doino DP, Cocchi A, Gerardi MA, Alterio D, Magrini SM, Tonoli S. Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) in Lombardy, Italy: a survey by the Lombardy section of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO-Lombardy).
Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023;
23:661-667. [PMID:
37129314 DOI:
10.1080/14737140.2023.2208864]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) has changed clinical practice. We proposed a survey to radiotherapy centers in Lombardy to picture the current clinical practice of its use.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The survey consisted of 32 multiple-choice questions, divided into five topics: type of hospital, patients treated in 2019, number of LINACs; presence of protocols and staff involved in IGRT; IGRT in stereotaxis; IGRT in non-stereotactic treatments; availability of medical and technical staff.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven directors answered (77%). Most centers (74%) have produced protocols to ensure uniformity in the IGRT process. The most widely used IGRT modality (92%) is cone-beam CT. Daily IGRT control is favored for prostate (100%), head and neck (87%), and lung (78%) neoplasms. The resident doctors can always perform supervised IGRT matching in only six centers. Radiation therapists perform IGRT controls only for some sites in 12 cases (44%) and always in 9 cases (33%). Radiation oncologists are present in real time, in most cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Today, IGRT can be considered standard practice but at the price of more time-consuming procedures. A balance between a fully physician-controlled process and an increased role for specifically trained RTTs is actively being sought.
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