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Guhlich M, Maag TE, Dröge LH, Hille A, Donath S, Bendrich S, Schirmer MA, Nauck F, Leu M, Riggert J, Gallwas J, Rieken S. Hemostatic radiotherapy in clinically significant tumor-related bleeding: excellent palliative results in a retrospective analysis of 77 patients. Radiat Oncol 2023; 18:203. [PMID: 38124078 PMCID: PMC10734078 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02391-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant bleeding of tumor sites is a dreaded complication in oncological diseases and often results in clinical emergencies. Besides basic local and interventional procedures, an urgent radiotherapeutic approach can either achieve a bleeding reduction or a bleeding stop in a vast majority of patients. In spite of being used regularly in clinical practice, data reporting results to this therapy approach is still scarce. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 77 patients treated for significant tumor-related bleeding at our clinic between 2000 and 2021, evaluating treatment response rate, hemoglobin levels, hemoglobin transfusion necessity, administered radiotherapy dose and overall survival. RESULTS Response rate in terms of bleeding stop was 88.3% (68/77) in all patients and 95.2% (60/63) in the subgroup, wherein radiotherapy (RT) was completed as intended. Hemoglobin transfusions decreased during treatment in a further subgroup analysis. Median overall survival (OS) was 3.3 months. Patients with primary tumors (PT) of the cervix (carcinoma of the cervix, CC) or endometrium (endometrioid carcinoma, EDC) and patients receiving the full intended RT dose showed statistically significant better OS in a multivariable cox regression model. Median administered dose was 39 Gy, treatment related acute toxicity was considerably low. CONCLUSIONS Our data show an excellent response rate with a low toxicity profile when administering urgent radiotherapy for tumor related clinically significant bleeding complications. Nonetheless, treatment decisions should be highly individual due to the low median overall survival of this patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Guhlich
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Teresa Esther Maag
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Leif Hendrik Dröge
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Hille
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Donath
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Bendrich
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus Anton Schirmer
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Friedemann Nauck
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martin Leu
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Joachim Riggert
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Gottingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Gallwas
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Rieken
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Sidhoo S, Ghosh S, Barnes EA, Cuartero J, Fairchild A. Prevalence of palliative radiotherapy abstracts presented at the annual scientific meetings of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology: 2003-2021. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:525. [PMID: 37589867 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-07937-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately half of all radiotherapy (RT) is delivered with palliative intent. Clinical research in palliative RT aims to manage symptoms, improve quality of life (QoL), evaluate supportive care, and determine optimal dose-fractionation schedules. Our aim was to describe the prevalence of palliative research at the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) over time and compare this analysis to previously published work which evaluated the years 1992-2002. METHODS Published abstracts (2003-2021) were independently reviewed by two authors who categorized each as curative-intent; palliative-intent; pertaining to both populations; or neither. Abstracts were considered palliative if they described incurable malignancy and interventions primarily for symptom control or QoL. Type of study, primary, site treated, and symptoms palliated were recorded. Descriptive and summary statistics were calculated including one-way ANOVA test for trend. RESULTS Three hundred thirty-nine out of 4566 abstracts (7.4%, range 2.4-13.9% per year) were classified as palliative. 7.7% (26/339) described phase I-III trials. The main primary site was the lung (39/339) and the most common metastatic site was the bone (34.2%). QoL, symptom and toxicity outcomes were reported in 31.6% (107/339), 37.8% (128/339) and 17.7% (60/339), respectively. The most common symptom investigated was pain (38/339). The proportion of abstracts classified as curative, palliative or reporting toxicity endpoints demonstrated significant change over time (all p<0.0001). CONCLUSION While proportion of palliative themed abstracts has increased with time, there remains a significant gap before equivalence with the prevalence of palliative RT in clinical practice is achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saveen Sidhoo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sunita Ghosh
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A Barnes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Cuartero
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alysa Fairchild
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Oertel M, Schmidt R, Steike DR, Eich HT, Lenz P. Palliative care on the radiation oncology ward-improvements in clinical care through interdisciplinary ward rounds. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:251-257. [PMID: 35951037 PMCID: PMC9938032 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-022-01989-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Palliative care is essential for patients with terminal diseases and aims at effective symptom control. This may stand in opposition to radiation treatment as an oncological treatment modality. The hereby presented work demonstrates the successful integration of a palliative care service in the radiation oncology ward. METHODS Since 2015, 1018 patients were seen by the palliative care service on the radiation oncology ward and have been analyzed in this single center study. To assess teaching efficacy of the consultation service, a survey was conducted among 15 radiation oncology residents. RESULTS Cooperation between the two departments proved to be efficient with rising patient numbers. Palliative care was able to guide appropriate postdischarge care with the number of patients dying on the radiation oncology ward decreasing significantly (p = 0.009). The main topics for consultation were pain medication (92.3%), organization of postdischarge care (92.3%), and psycho-oncological support (84.6%). Most residents had a positive image of the palliative care service and consented on adjectives like "enriching", "empathic", "collegial", "professionally founded", and a "low threshold for consultation". All participants agreed that cooperation deepened their knowledge on palliative care. CONCLUSION A synergistic cooperation between a palliative care consultation service and a radiation oncology department addresses patient symptoms on an individual level. It confers advanced knowledge on palliative care which is essential for resident education and patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Oertel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Muenster, Germany.
| | - Renate Schmidt
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - David Rene Steike
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Hans Theodor Eich
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Philipp Lenz
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Muenster, Germany
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Scirocco E, Cellini F, Donati CM, Capuccini J, Rossi R, Buwenge M, Montanari L, Maltoni M, Morganti AG. Improving the Integration between Palliative Radiotherapy and Supportive Care: A Narrative Review. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:7932-7942. [PMID: 36290904 PMCID: PMC9601168 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29100627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative radiotherapy (PRT) is known to be effective in relieving cancer related symptoms. However, many studies and clinical practice show several barriers hindering its use and worsening the quality of patient support during PRT. Various solutions were proposed to overcome these barriers: training on PRT for supportive and palliative care specialists and training on palliative care for radiation oncologists, and introduction of pathways and organizational models specifically dedicated to PRT. Evidence on innovative organizational models and mutual training experiences is few and sparse. Therefore, the aim of this literature review is to present a quick summary of the information available on improving the PRT quality through training, new pathways, and innovative organizational models. The majority of studies on the integration of PRT with other palliative and supportive therapies present low levels of evidence being mostly retrospective analyses. However, it should be emphasized that all reports uniformly showed advantages coming from the integration of PRT with supportive therapies. To actively participate in the integration of PRT and palliative care, providing comprehensive support to the needs of patients with advanced cancer, radiation oncologists should not only plan PRT but also: (i) assess and manage symptoms and stress, (ii) rapidly refer patients to specialists in management of more complex symptoms, and (iii) participate in multidisciplinary palliative care teams. To this end, improved education in palliative care both in residency schools and during professional life through continuous medical education is clearly needed. In particular, effective training is needed for radiotherapy residents to enable them to provide patients with comprehensive palliative care. Therefore, formal teaching of adequate duration, interactive teaching methods, attendance in palliative care services, and education in advanced palliative care should be planned in post-graduated schools of radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Scirocco
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2143564
| | - Francesco Cellini
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Costanza Maria Donati
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jenny Capuccini
- Palliative Care Unit, AUSL Romagna (Local Health Authority), 48022 Lugo, Italy
| | - Romina Rossi
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Milly Buwenge
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Montanari
- Palliative Care Unit, AUSL Romagna (Local Health Authority), 48022 Lugo, Italy
| | - Marco Maltoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Giuseppe Morganti
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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