1
|
Okonogi N, Murakami N, Takatsu J, Iijima K, Kawamoto T, Oshima M, Okuma K, Masui K, Murata K, Okamoto H, Yoshida K, Noda SE, Numajiri H, Watanabe M, Tsuchida K, Muramoto Y, Karino T, Ohno T, Shikama N. Hands-on-training tailored in response to pre-questionnaire-based survey on image-guided brachytherapy effectively reduces anxiety about its implementation. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2024; 65:323-327. [PMID: 38544297 PMCID: PMC11115464 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrae013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
This study assessed the significance of hands-on-training (HoT) and questionnaire-based surveys on 3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) and a combination of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy, the so-called 'hybrid' BT (HBT), in uterine cervical cancer. In October 2023, 29 radiation oncologists, nurses, radiologic technologists and medical physicists from 10 Japanese facilities participated in an HoT on 3D-IGBT and HBT. Questionnaires were distributed to each participant before and after the HoT, and feedback was obtained through online channels. The questionnaire response rate was 83% (24/29), with at least one participant responding from each facility. 'Insertion of applicators and needles', 'human resource shortage' and 'pain relief and sedation' were the primary concerns of radiation oncologists. 'Applicator reconstruction', ' optimization of dwell positions', ' treatment planning' and ' human resource shortages ' were the primary concerns of radiological technologists and medical physicists. The HoT content was adjusted according to the results of preliminary surveys. The concerns expressed by the participants were addressed during the lectures and practical training. Significant reductions in anxiety were observed toward all items of the 10-point self-assessment after the HoT, regardless of the profession. The average score on satisfaction with the HoT (on a 10-point scale) was 9.52 (minimum of 8 and maximum of 10). In conclusion, HoT tailored in response to a pre-questionnaire-based survey effectively reduced participants' anxiety regarding the implementation of 3D-IGBT and HBT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noriyuki Okonogi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Naoya Murakami
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Jun Takatsu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kotaro Iijima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Terufumi Kawamoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masaki Oshima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kae Okuma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Koji Masui
- Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Murata
- National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, QST Hospital, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Okamoto
- Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Ken Yoshida
- Department of Radiology, Kansai Medical University Medical Center, 10-15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi City, Osaka 570-8507, Japan
| | - Shin-ei Noda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka City, Saitama 350-1298, Japan
| | - Haruko Numajiri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Proton Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital, 2-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8576, Japan
| | - Miho Watanabe
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Radiation Oncology, Chiba University Hospital, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8677, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tsuchida
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kanagawa Cancer Center, 2-3-2 Nakao, Asahi-ku, Yokohama 241-8515, Japan
| | - Yoichi Muramoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Karino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Ohno
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Naoto Shikama
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Draghini L, Lancellotta V, Fionda B, De Angeli M, Cornacchione P, Massaccesi M, Trippa F, Kovács G, Morganti AG, Bussu F, Iezzi R, Tagliaferri L. Can interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) be an alternative to surgery in early-stage oral cavity cancer? A systematic review. Strahlenther Onkol 2024; 200:367-376. [PMID: 38108835 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02184-5] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brachytherapy (BT), also known as interventional radiotherapy (IRT), has proven its utility in the treatment of localized tumors. The aim of this review was to examine the efficacy of modern BT in early-stage oral cavity cancer (OCC) in terms of local control (LC), overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and safety. METHODS The SPIDER framework was used, with sample (S), phenomena of interest (PI), design (D), evaluation (E), and research type (R) corresponding to early-stage oral cavity cancer (S); BT (PI); named types of qualitative data collection and analysis (D); LC, OS, DFS, CSS, and toxicity (E); qualitative method (R). Systematic research using PubMed and Scopus was performed to identify full articles evaluating the efficacy of BT in patients with early-stage OCC. The studies were identified using medical subject headings (MeSH). We also performed a PubMed search with the keywords "brachytherapy oral cavity cancer, surgery." The search was restricted to the English language. The timeframe 2002-2022 as year of publication was considered. We analyzed clinical studies of patients with OCC treated with BT alone only as full text; conference papers, surveys, letters, editorials, book chapters, and reviews were excluded. RESULTS The literature search resulted in 517 articles. After the selection process, 7 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this review, totaling 456 patients with early-stage node-negative OCC who were treated with BT alone (304 patients). Five-year LC, DFS, and OS for the BT group were 60-100%, 82-91%, and 50-84%, respectively. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our review suggests that BT is effective in the treatment of early-stage OCC, particularly for T1N0 of the lip, mobile tongue, and buccal mucosa cancers, with good functional and toxicity profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Draghini
- S.C. Radiation Oncology Centre, S.Maria Hospital, via T. Di Joannuccio 1, 05100, Terni, Italy.
| | - Valentina Lancellotta
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Bruno Fionda
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Martina De Angeli
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cornacchione
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Mariangela Massaccesi
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Fabio Trippa
- S.C. Radiation Oncology Centre, S.Maria Hospital, via T. Di Joannuccio 1, 05100, Terni, Italy
| | - Gyoergy Kovács
- Gemelli-INTERACTS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Giuseppe Morganti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale Settore Scientifico Disciplinare, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Bussu
- Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Science, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Iezzi
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia-U.O.C. Radiologia Diagnostica e Interventistica Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go A.Gemelli 8, 00168, Roma, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Parisi S, Sciacca M, Ferrantelli G, Chillari F, Critelli P, Venuti V, Lillo S, Arcieri M, Martinelli C, Pontoriero A, Minutoli F, Ercoli A, Pergolizzi S. Locally advanced squamous cervical carcinoma (M0): management and emerging therapeutic options in the precision radiotherapy era. Jpn J Radiol 2024; 42:354-366. [PMID: 37987880 DOI: 10.1007/s11604-023-01510-2] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC) requires particular attention in diagnostic and clinical management. New diagnostic tools, such as (positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging) PET-MRI, consent to ameliorate clinical staging accuracy. The availability of new technologies in radiation therapy permits to deliver higher dose lowering toxicities. In this clinical scenario, new surgical concepts could aid in general management. Lastly, new targeted therapies and immunotherapy will have more room in this setting. The aim of this narrative review is to focus both on clinical management and new therapies in the precision radiotherapy era.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Parisi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - M Sciacca
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - G Ferrantelli
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy.
| | - F Chillari
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - P Critelli
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - V Venuti
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - S Lillo
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), Pavia, Italy
| | - M Arcieri
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood ``G. Baresi'', University Hospital ``G. Martino'', Messina, Italy
| | - C Martinelli
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood ``G. Baresi'', University Hospital ``G. Martino'', Messina, Italy
| | - A Pontoriero
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - F Minutoli
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| | - A Ercoli
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood ``G. Baresi'', University Hospital ``G. Martino'', Messina, Italy
| | - S Pergolizzi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98124, Messina, ME, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ferioli M, Medici F, Forlani L, Cilla S, Fionda B, Cammelli S, Strigari L, Tagliaferri L, Morganti AG, Buwenge M. Augmented reality in brachytherapy: A narrative review. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2024; 16:57-66. [PMID: 38584890 PMCID: PMC10993895 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2024.137779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Brachytherapy (BRT) plays a pivotal role in the treatment of tumors, offering precise radiation therapy directly to the affected area. However, this technique demands extensive training and skills development, posing challenges for widespread adoption and ensuring patient safety. This narrative review explored the utilization of augmented reality (AR) in BRT, seeking to summarize existing evidence, discuss key findings, limitations, and quality of research as well as outline future research directions. The review revealed promising findings regarding the integration of AR in BRT. Studies have suggested the feasibility and potential benefits of AR in education, training, intra-operative guidance, and treatment planning. However, the evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, with most studies in preliminary phases. Standardization, prospective clinical trials, patient-centered outcomes assessment, and cost-effectiveness analysis emerge as critical areas for future research. Augmented reality holds transformative potential for BRT by enhancing precision, safety, and training efficiency. To fully implement these benefits, the field requires standardized protocols, rigorous clinical trials, and in-depth patient-centered investigations. Policy-makers and healthcare providers should closely monitor developments in AR and consider its implementation in clinical practice, contingent and robust evidence, and cost-effectiveness analysis. The pro-active pursuit of evidence-based practices will contribute to optimizing patient care in BRT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ferioli
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Medici
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ludovica Forlani
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Savino Cilla
- Medical Physics Unit, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Bruno Fionda
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS; Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Cammelli
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lidia Strigari
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS; Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio G. Morganti
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milly Buwenge
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Milazzotto R, Lancellotta V, Posa A, Fionda B, Massaccesi M, Cornacchione P, Spatola C, Kovács G, Morganti AG, Bussu F, Valentini V, Iezzi R, Tagliaferri L. The role of interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) in nasopharynx tumors: A systematic review. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2023; 15:383-390. [PMID: 38026072 PMCID: PMC10669916 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2023.132495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Nasopharyngeal cancers (NPC) are very aggressive, and the recurrence rate after radical therapy is high. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of brachytherapy (BT) also called interventional radiotherapy (IRT) in primary NPC in comparison with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) alone. Material and methods A systematic search was performed in Scopus, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. Clinical query based on PICO framework was as follows: In patients with NPC (P), is EBRT plus IRT (I) superior to EBRT alone (C) in terms of local control (LC) and toxicity (O)? Full articles evaluating the efficacy of IRT as a boost after EBRT in patients with NPC were considered. Results Eight papers, including 1,320 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median 5-year LC for IRT group and no-IRT group was 98% (range, 95.8-100%) and 86% (range, 80.2-91%), respectively; the median 5-year overall survival (OS) for IRT group and no-IRT group was 93.3% (range, 89.2-97.5%) and 82.9% (range, 74.8-91.1%), respectively; the median 5-year DFS for IRT group and no-IRT group was 94.2% (range, 92.5-96%) and 83.9% (range, 73.3-94.6%), respectively; the median 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) for IRT group and no-IRT group was 96% (range, 94.5-97.5%) and 88.2% (range, 83.4-93.1%), respectively. G1-2 and G3-4 toxicities were similar in some articles, or significantly lower in patients treated with IRT in other papers. Conclusions Data suggest that IRT may improve results of external beam radiotherapy in primary NPCs, especially when using new technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Milazzotto
- U.O. Radioterapia Oncologica, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco” Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Lancellotta
- U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Posa
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia-U.O.C. Radiologia Diagnostica e Interventistica Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Fionda
- U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Mariangela Massaccesi
- U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cornacchione
- U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Corrado Spatola
- U.O. Radioterapia Oncologica, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco” Catania, Catania, Italy
- Multidisciplinary Research Center on Brain Tumors Diagnosis and Treatment, University of Catania, Italy
- Department Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate “G.F. Ingrassia”, Università di Catania, Italy
| | - György Kovács
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Gemelli-INTERACTS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Giuseppe Morganti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale Settore Scientifico Disciplinare, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Valentini
- U.O. Radioterapia Oncologica, A.O.U. Policlinico “G. Rodolico-San Marco” Catania, Catania, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Roberto Iezzi
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia-U.O.C. Radiologia Diagnostica e Interventistica Generale, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Knoth J, Konrad S, Lössl K, Motisi L, Mäurer M, Linde P, Lindel K, Niehoff P, Strnad V, Sturdza A, Corradini S. Survey on brachytherapy training among radiation oncology residents in the German-speaking regions of Europe. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:798-805. [PMID: 37462693 PMCID: PMC10450005 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02108-3] [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: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This survey aimed to determine the perception of brachytherapy training among residents in the DACH region, consisting of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. MATERIAL & METHODS An online questionnaire containing 22 questions related to trainee demographics (n = 5) and to brachytherapy training (n = 17) was sent in two iterations in 11/2019 and 02/2020. The following topics were evaluated: institutional support, barriers to training, extent of training, site-specific training (prostate, gynaecology, breast, gastrointestinal and skin), preferences for further training and outlook on overall development of brachytherapy. The responses were mostly based on a Likert scale of 1 to 5, thereby reflecting strength of opinion. Descriptive statistics were used to describe frequencies. RESULTS Among the 108 respondents, approximately 69% of residents considered the ability to perform brachytherapy independently to be important or somewhat important. However, only 31% of respondents reported to have a dedicated brachytherapy training during residency. The major limitation to achieve independence in performing brachytherapy was seen in a low case load in Austria, in the lack of training in Switzerland and in both of them in Germany. CONCLUSION The interest in brachytherapy training among residents in German-speaking countries was generally high, but there is a perceived lack of sufficient case volumes and partially also in formal training opportunities. Fellowships at departments with a high case load as part of a formalised curriculum and dedicated hands-on workshops at national or international conferences might help to overcome these issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Knoth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürel 8-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Stefan Konrad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürel 8-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristina Lössl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laura Motisi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Mäurer
- Department for Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
- Clinician Scientist Program "OrganAge", Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Linde
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife and Radiation Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener St 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katja Lindel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - Vratislav Strnad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alina Sturdza
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürel 8-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Corradini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ferioli M, Medici F, Galietta E, Forlani L, Tagliaferri L, Cilla S, Cammelli S, Morganti AG, Buwenge M. The role of training simulators in interventional radiation therapy (brachytherapy) training: A narrative review. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2023; 15:290-295. [PMID: 37799124 PMCID: PMC10548427 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2023.131240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simulators have revolutionized medical education and training across various disciplines, offering unique advantages in skill acquisition and performance improvement. In the context of interventional radiation therapy (IRT), simulators have emerged as valuable tools for training healthcare professionals in these complex procedures. This narrative review summarized the available evidence on the use of simulators in IRT training, highlighting their impact on proficiency, engagement, and self-confidence as well as their benefits for medical physicists and radiation therapists. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, resulting in inclusion of 10 papers published since 2009, with 5 of them published since 2020. Publications originated from centers in USA, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan, covering a range of IRT settings, including general, prostate, and cervical IRT. The review demonstrated that simulators provide a controlled and realistic environment for skill acquisition, allowing healthcare professionals to practice procedures, optimize image quality, and enhance technical proficiency. The use of simulators addressed the barriers associated with limited caseload and procedural complexity, ultimately contributing to improved education and IRT training. While cost considerations may exist, simulators offer long-term cost-effective solutions, balancing the potential benefits in improving educational outcomes and patient care. Overall, simulators play a crucial role in IRT training, enhancing the skills and competence of healthcare providers and improving access to quality IRT care worldwide. Future research should focus on evaluating the long-term impact of simulation-based training on clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, exploring different simulation models and training approaches, and addressing region-specific barriers to optimize the utilization of IRT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ferioli
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Medici
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Erika Galietta
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ludovica Forlani
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- Gemelli ART (Advanced Radiation Therapy) – Interventional Oncology Center (IOC), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario «Agostino Gemelli» IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Savino Cilla
- Medical Physics Unit, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Silvia Cammelli
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio G. Morganti
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milly Buwenge
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum – Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dizendorf E, Sturdza A, Tagliaferri L, Russo L, Nesvacil N, Kirisits C. Implementation of online workshops on image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (interventional radiotherapy) in locally advanced cervical cancer: Experience of BrachyAcademy. Brachytherapy 2023; 22:343-351. [PMID: 36828765 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide educational support to brachytherapy users during the COVID-19 pandemic, online workshops were developed and implemented by BrachyAcademy, non-profit peer-to-peer educational initiative in Elekta. METHODS AND MATERIALS In 2021-2022 two online workshops were organized. Participating teams had to send a clinical case of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) including brachytherapy Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files and questions to the faculty. During the workshop, feedback was given to each clinical case by five faculty members (two Radiation Oncologists, one Radiologist, two Medical Physicists). Participants competed a post-workshop questionnaire which included combination of qualitative and quantitative questions via yes/no responses, Likert scale, and 1 to 10 scale. RESULTS Twenty-one teams from eight countries (Europe, Asia, Latin America) participated in two online workshops. The total number of participants was 49. The clinical cases represented LACC with The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages from IB3 to IVA. During both, Workshop1 (W1) and Workshop 2 (W2) the following areas of improvement were identified: familiarity with the GEC ESTRO and The International Commission on Radiation Units & Measurements, Report 89 (ICRU 89) recommendations for contouring and planning based on clinical drawings and MRI sequencing choice; appropriate applicator selection; experience with interstitial needles; appropriate applicator reconstruction; dose optimization. The participants rated both workshops with overall scores 8,3 for W1, and 8,5 for W2. In 82% participants the training course fully met expectations for W1, and in 76% in W2. CONCLUSIONS We successfully implemented the online workshops on image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) in LACC. Main performance issues and areas for improvement were identified based on multidisciplinary discussion of participant's clinical cases through all steps of the brachytherapy procedure. We encourage teams to consider online workshops in addition to hands-on training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dizendorf
- Nucletron Operations B.V. (Elekta), Veenendaal, The Netherlands
| | - Alina Sturdza
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Russo
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicole Nesvacil
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Kirisits
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fionda B, Pagliara MM, Chyrek AJ, Guix B, O'Day RFJ, Fog LS, Martínez-Monge R, Tagliaferri L. Ocular Brachytherapy (Interventional Radiotherapy): Preserving the Vision. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023:S0936-6555(23)00043-2. [PMID: 36792447 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2023.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma represents the most common intraocular neoplasia among adults. Brachytherapy (interventional radiotherapy; IRT) has a great advantage, when compared with enucleation, both in terms of organ and function sparing. The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study introduced into clinical practice a standardised procedure that allowed the equivalence of IRT with enucleation in terms of overall survival to be demonstrated. IRT is carried out by placing a plaque in direct contact with the sclera under the uveal melanoma. Several radioactive sources may be used, including 106-ruthenium, 125-iodine, 103-palladium and 90-strontium. It is a multidisciplinary procedure requiring the collaboration of interventional radiation oncologists and ophthalmologists in the operating theatre and medical physicists for an accurate treatment time calculation. It also relies on ultrasound imaging to identify the lesion and verifiy the correct plaque placement. An emerging tool of paramount importance could be the use of artificial intelligence and predictive models to identify those patients at higher risk of developing late side-effects and therefore who may deserve preventive and supportive therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B Fionda
- U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica Ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - M M Pagliara
- U.O.C. Oncologia Oculare, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche Ortopediche e Della Testa Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A J Chyrek
- Brachytherapy Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznań, Poland
| | - B Guix
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Foundation IMOR, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R F J O'Day
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - L S Fog
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - R Martínez-Monge
- Department of Oncology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, CCUN, Pamplona, Spain
| | - L Tagliaferri
- U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica Ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Poder J, Rivard MJ, Howie A, Carlsson Tedgren Å, Haworth A. Risk and Quality in Brachytherapy From a Technical Perspective. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023:S0936-6555(23)00002-X. [PMID: 36682968 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To provide an overview of the history of incidents in brachytherapy and to describe the pillars in place to ensure that medical physicists deliver high-quality brachytherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A review of the literature was carried out to identify reported incidents in brachytherapy, together with an evaluation of the structures and processes in place to ensure that medical physicists deliver high-quality brachytherapy. In particular, the role of education and training, the use of process and technical quality assurance and the role of international guidelines are discussed. RESULTS There are many human factors in brachytherapy procedures that introduce additional risks into the process. Most of the reported incidents in the literature are related to human factors. Brachytherapy-related education and training initiatives are in place at the societal and departmental level for medical physicists. Additionally, medical physicists have developed process and technical quality assurance procedures, together with international guidelines and protocols. Education and training initiatives, together with quality assurance procedures and international guidelines may reduce the risk of human factors in brachytherapy. CONCLUSION Through application of the three pillars (education and training; process control and technical quality assurance; international guidelines), medical physicists will continue to minimise risk and deliver high-quality brachytherapy treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Poder
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - M J Rivard
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - A Howie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Å Carlsson Tedgren
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences (HMV), Radiation Physics, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, The Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Oncology Pathology, The Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Haworth
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sturdza AE, Stephanides M, Jurgenliemk-Schulz I, Eriksen JG, Benstead K, Hoskin P, Vlad S, Escande A, Corradini S, Knoth J, Westerveld H, Tagliaferri L, Najari-Jamali D, Konat-Baska K, Plesinac V, Tan LT, Nout R, Strnad V, Niehoff P, Pieters BR, Tanderup K, Kamrava M. Brachytherapy training survey among radiation oncology residents in Europe. Radiother Oncol 2022; 177:172-178. [PMID: 36328092 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.10.030] [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: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We aim to investigate the current state of brachytherapy (BT) training among the radiation oncology trainees in Europe. MATERIAL AND METHODS A 22-question online survey based on the one by the American Association of Radiation Oncology Residents (2017) with added queries pertinent to training in Europe was sent to 1450 residents in two iterations. These included site-specific training, volume of experience, barriers to training, institutional support, and preferences for further education. Responses to individual statements were given on a 1 to 5 Likert-type scale. The answers were reported by junior (≤3 years of training) and senior years of training (year of training 4/5/6 and junior staff). Descriptive statistics were used to describe frequencies. RESULTS Residents from 21 European countries participated, 445 (31%) responded. 205 (47%) were senior residents. 60% residents consider that performing BT independently at the end of residency is very or somewhat important. Confidence in joining a brachytherapy practice at the end of residency was high or somewhat high in 34% of senior residents. They reported as barriers to achieving independence in BT to be lack of appropriate didactic/procedural training from supervisors (47%) and decreased case load (31%). 68% reported their program lacks a formal BT curriculum and standardized training assessment. CONCLUSIONS Residents in Europe, feel independent BT practice is very or somewhat important, but do not feel confident they will achieve this goal. To address this gap, efforts are needed to develop and implement a formal and comprehensive BT curriculum with easy access to trained instructors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alina Emiliana Sturdza
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Ina Jurgenliemk-Schulz
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Radiation Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jesper Grau Eriksen
- Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kim Benstead
- Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hoskin
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, London, and Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanel Vlad
- Neolife Bucuresti - Enayati Medical City, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandre Escande
- University of Lille, Department of Radiation Oncology, Oscar Lambret Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lille, France
| | - Stefanie Corradini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Knoth
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Katarzyna Konat-Baska
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
| | | | - Li Tee Tan
- Cambridge University Addenbrooke's Hospital, Department of Clinical Oncology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Remi Nout
- Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vratislav Strnad
- Dept. of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Niehoff
- Sana Klinikum Offenbach GmbH, Starkenburgring 66, 63069 Offenbach am Main, University Witten - Herdecke, Germany
| | - Bradley R Pieters
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers/University of Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Treatment and Quality of Life, Netherlands
| | - Kari Tanderup
- Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mitchell Kamrava
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Resident training in brachytherapy in France: A 10-year update after the first survey of SFJRO members. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2022; 14:501-511. [PMID: 36819467 PMCID: PMC9924148 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2022.123969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose A previous survey conducted in 2012 showed that 82% of radiation oncology residents felt they were not receiving optimal brachytherapy training. With almost 10 years of hindsight, the aim was to update these results. Material and methods An anonymized questionnaire based on the 2012 survey was submitted to the 161 French residents enrolled in the 2021 French Society of Young Radiation Oncologists (Société Française des Jeunes Radiothérapeutes Oncologues - SFJRO) national brachytherapy courses. Results With a participation rate of 73%, 86% of the residents were interested in brachytherapy, but 80% consider their training in brachytherapy insufficient. 88% and 69% of the residents stated that they knew gynecological and prostate brachytherapy indications correctly, respectively. The residents have achieved proficiency in the technique of brachytherapy of vaginal vault in 36% (compared with 21% in 2012), utero-vaginal in 13% (12% in 2012), including 4% with interstitial implants, and prostate in only 4% (4% in 2012). In their brachytherapy internships, 18% of the residents declared having no role or an observational role. The main obstacles to training were the need to go to several centers to see several indications (85%), lack of brachytherapy activity in the center (72%), and the difficulty of freeing themselves from hospital duties (71%). Conclusions With results globally stable compared with 2012, brachytherapy training needs improvement. In the absence of a mandatory internship in a reference center or dedicated fellowships, residents must have protected access to training sites by favoring inter-hospital exchanges.
Collapse
|
13
|
Advanced or Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Current and Future Role of Radiation Therapy in the Era of Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081871. [PMID: 35454779 PMCID: PMC9032290 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Nodal and distant metastases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are very rare and lead to dismal prognoses. Immunotherapy is approved only for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients not amenable to surgery or curative radiation therapy. Radiation therapy has a clear role as an adjuvant treatment for locally advanced disease. Radiation therapy may also have an important role in inoperable and metastatic disease. Oligometastatic disease is a condition that needs to be defined for this carcinoma. This review aims to offer to the readers a comprehensive overview of studies about the role of radiotherapy in the management of advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, also assuming possible further developments in the light of the recent discoveries about tumor biology. The present paper has the merit of re-focusing great attention on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of radiotherapy in these not yet properly explored scenarios. Abstract Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective therapeutic option for small localized cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) among patients who are not eligible for or refuse surgery. RT also has a defined role as an adjuvant treatment in cases of adverse features that predispose to tumor recurrence after local excision. Since the development of cSCC is often a late consequence of chronic sun exposure, its occurrence is more common among elderly patients whose comorbidities may contraindicate surgical procedures. These could be impeded not only by frail medical conditions but also by technical issues. Indeed, an aggressive locoregional behavior of cSCC may culminate in unresectability due to widespread invasion of neighboring tissues. Moreover, cSCC could develop distant metastases. Both locally advanced and metastatic cSCCs carry a poor prognosis. In these scenarios, recent discoveries of tumor molecular targets are promoting the use of promising systemic therapies, especially immunotherapy, over RT. However, the results from using immunotherapy and, even more so, of chemotherapy are still not optimal. By contrast, advances in radiation delivery equipment can safely treat even large and complex-shaped cSCC targets in challenging body sites. In addition, RT could also have a role in metastatic cSCC settings by enhancing the effectiveness of concomitant immunotherapy. The aim of this review is to summarize and comment on the body of literature about the use of radiotherapy for operable and inoperable locally advanced cSCCs and for metastatic ones in an attempt to define its current and future role.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lancellotta V, Macchia G, Dinapoli N, Autorino R, Campitelli M, Nardangeli A, Salvati A, Fionda B, Casà C, Cornacchione P, Rovirosa A, Kovács G, Morganti AG, Ferrandina MG, Gambacorta MA, Tagliaferri L. EROS 2.0 study: evaluation of two interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) schedules for endometrial cancer: a comparison of late vaginal toxicity rates. LA RADIOLOGIA MEDICA 2022; 127:341-348. [PMID: 35092552 PMCID: PMC8960610 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-022-01455-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To compare the late toxicity rates after two different high dose rate (HDR) adjuvant intravaginal interventional radiotherapy (IRT-brachytherapy) dose schedules in stage I-II endometrial cancer. METHODS Stage I-II patients with endometrial cancer treated with surgery (with or without lymphadenectomy) and adjuvant HDR-IRT between 2014 and 2020 were included in this analysis. Patients were treated with two schedules. In the first cohort (C1), 21 Gy were delivered in three weekly fractions (7 Gy) prescribed 0.5 cm from the applicator surface. In the second cohort (C2), 24 Gy were delivered in four weekly fractions (6 Gy). The clinical target volume was the upper third of the vagina for C1 and the upper 3 cm for C2. HDR-IRT technique and point prescription (5 mm depth from the applicator surface) were the same for all patients. Vaginal toxicity was scored according to the CTCAE 5.0 scale in terms of the presence versus absence of any toxicity grade. The correlation among toxicity and clinical covariates (age, lymphadenectomy, fractionation, stage) was tested by Pearson correlation test (univariate) and by logistic regression (multivariable). RESULTS 114 stage I and three stage II patients, median age 62 (range: 32-85) years, were included in this analysis. The mean follow-up was 56.3 months in C1 (40-76) and 20 months in C2 (8-42). Vaginal late toxicity was recorded in 40 and 15 patients in C1 and 2, respectively. Age, lymphadenectomy, and fractionation were significantly correlated with toxicity at univariate analysis (p value = 0.029, 0.006, and 0.002, respectively), while stepwise logistic regression confirmed only age and fractionation as significantly correlated parameters (p value = 0.02 and 0.001, respectively). Three-year local relapse-free, distant metastasis-free and cause-specific survival rates were 96.6%, 94.8%, and 99.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This analysis showed lower vaginal late toxicity rate in C2 compared to C1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lancellotta
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Macchia
- Gemelli Molise Hospital, Radiation Oncology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.
| | - Nicola Dinapoli
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Autorino
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Maura Campitelli
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Nardangeli
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salvati
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Fionda
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Calogero Casà
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cornacchione
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Angeles Rovirosa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Clinic i Universitari, Fonaments Clinics Department, University of Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - György Kovács
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00128, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Giuseppe Morganti
- Radiotherapy Center, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Ferrandina
- Woman, Child and Public Health Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Gambacorta
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, 00128, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cellini F, Tagliaferri L, Frascino V, Alitto AR, Fionda B, Boldrini L, Romano A, Casà C, Catucci F, Mattiucci GC, Valentini V. Radiation therapy for prostate cancer: What's the best in 2021. Urologia 2022; 89:5-15. [PMID: 34496707 DOI: 10.1177/03915603211042335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is highly involved in the management of prostate cancer. Its features and potential applications experienced a radical evolution over last decades, as they are associated to the continuous evolution of available technology and current oncological innovations. Some application of radiotherapy like brachytherapy have been recently enriched by innovative features and multidisciplinary dedications. In this report we aim to put some questions regarding the following issues regarding multiple aspects of modern application of radiation oncology: the current application of radiation oncology; the modern role of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for both the management of primary lesions and for lymph-nodal recurrence; the management of the oligometastatic presentations; the role of brachytherapy; the aid played by the application of the organ at risk spacer (spacer OAR), fiducial markers, electromagnetic tracking systems and on-line Magnetic Resonance guided radiotherapy (MRgRT), and the role of the new opportunity represented by radiomic analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cellini
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Frascino
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Alitto
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Fionda
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Boldrini
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Romano
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Calogero Casà
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gian Carlo Mattiucci
- Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
- Radiation Oncology, Mater Olbia Hospital, Olbia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Valentini
- UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
McNair HA, Joyce E, O'Gara G, Jackson M, Peet B, Huddart RA, Wiseman T. Radiographer-led online image guided adaptive radiotherapy: A qualitative investigation of the therapeutic radiographer role. Radiography (Lond) 2021; 27:1085-1093. [PMID: 34006442 PMCID: PMC8497277 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Online MRI guided adaptive radiotherapy (MRIgRT) is resource intensive. To maintain and increase uptake traditional roles and responsibilities may need refining. This novel study aims to provide an in-depth understanding and subsequent impact of the roles required to deliver on-line adaptive MRIgRT by exploring the current skills and knowledge of radiographers. METHOD A purposive sampling approach was used to invite radiographers, clinicians and physicists from centres with experience of MRIgRT to participate. Focus Group Interviews were conducted with two facilitators using a semi-structure interview guide (Appendix 1). Four researchers independently familiarised themselves and coded the data using framework analysis. A consensus thematic framework of ptive Radiotherapy codes and categories was agreed and systematically applied. RESULTS Thirty participants took part (Radiographers: N = 18, Physicists: N = 9 and Clinicians: N = 3). Three key themes were identified: 'Current MRIgRT', 'Training' and 'Future Practice'. Current MRIgRT identified a variation in radiographers' roles and responsibilities with pathways ranging from radiographer-led, clinician-light-led and MDT-led. The consensus was to move towards radiographer-led with the need to have a robust on-call service heavily emphasised. Training highlighted the breadth of knowledge required by radiographers including MRI, contouring, planning and dosimetry, and treatment experience. Debate was presented over timing and length of training required. Future Practice identified the need to have radiographers solely deliver MRIgRT, to reduce staff present which was seen as a main driver, and time and resources to train radiographers seen as the main barriers. CONCLUSION Radiographer-led MRIgRT is an exciting development because of the potential radiographer role development. A national training framework created collaboratively with all stakeholders and professions involved would ensure consistency in skills and knowledge. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Role development and changes in education for therapeutic radiographers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H A McNair
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom; Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom.
| | - E Joyce
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - G O'Gara
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - M Jackson
- St George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - B Peet
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - R A Huddart
- Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
| | - T Wiseman
- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Büttner M, Cordes N, Gauer T, Habermehl D, Klautke G, Micke O, Mäurer M, Sokoll J, Troost EGC, Christiansen H, Niyazi M. Current status and developments of German curriculum-based residency training programmes in radiation oncology. Radiat Oncol 2021; 16:55. [PMID: 33743750 PMCID: PMC7981823 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-021-01785-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The current status of German residency training in the field of radiation oncology is provided and compared to programmes in other countries. In particular, we present the DEGRO-Academy within the international context. Methods Certified courses from 2018 and 2019 were systematically assigned to the DEGRO-Curriculum, retrospectively for 2018 and prospectively for 2019. In addition, questionnaires of course evaluations were provided, answered by course participants and collected centrally. Results Our data reveal a clear increase in curriculum coverage by certified courses from 57.6% in 2018 to 77.5% in 2019. The analyses enable potential improvements in German curriculum-based education. Specific topics of the DEGRO-Curriculum are still underrepresented, while others decreased in representation between 2018 and 2019. It was found that several topics in the DEGRO-Curriculum require more attention because of a low DEGRO-curriculum coverage. Evaluation results of certified courses improved significantly with a median grade of 1.62 in 2018 to 1.47 in 2019 (p = 0.0319). Conclusion The increase of curriculum coverage and the simultaneous improvement of course evaluations are promising with respect to educational standards in Germany. Additionally, the early integration of radiation oncology into medical education is a prerequisite for resident training because of rising demands on quality control and increasing patient numbers. This intensified focus is a requirement for continued high standards and quality of curriculum-based education in radiation oncology both in Germany and other countries. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13014-021-01785-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Büttner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nils Cordes
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz Association/Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tobias Gauer
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radio-Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Gunther Klautke
- Clinic for Radiation Oncology, Chemnitz Medical Center, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Oliver Micke
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Franziskus Hospital Bielefeld, Kiskerstrasse 26, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Matthias Mäurer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jan Sokoll
- PRO RadioOncology GmbH, Poststraße 10-12, 27404, Zeven, Germany
| | - Esther Gera Cornelia Troost
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz Association/Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany.,Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology - OncoRay, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hans Christiansen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Niyazi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Addressing the burden of cervical cancer through IAEA global brachytherapy initiatives. Brachytherapy 2020; 19:850-856. [PMID: 32928684 PMCID: PMC7895316 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2020.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE: Brachytherapy (BT) is an essential component of definitive therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Despite the advantages of the dose distribution with BT in cervical cancer, there is paucity of specific skills required for good-quality BT applications. Furthermore, replacing BT with other modern external beam techniques as a boost can lead to suboptimal results in cervix cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Review of available IAEA resources, research and cooperation programs available from the IAEA was completed. These opportunities can be used to address challenges in Brachytherapy. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides support for BT through various means that includes education and training, both long term, short term and continuing medical education of professionals, providing expert visits to support implementation, development of curricula for professionals, e-learning through the human health campus, contouring workshops, 2D to 3D BT training, and virtual tumor boards. In addition, the IAEA provides support for implementing quality assurance in radiotherapy to its member states and provides guidelines for comprehensive audits in radiation therapy (QUATRO), and produces safety standards and training in radiation safety. In addition, mapping BT resources, making the case for investment and support for setting up BT services and radiotherapy centers are also available. The IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory provides calibration services to Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories for well chambers used to confirm the reference air kerma rate of Co60 and Ir192 high-dose-rate BT sources, as well as for Cs137 low-dose-rate sources. Furthermore, the IAEA supports research and development in radiotherapy (and BT) through coordinated research activities that include controlled randomized clinical trials, Patterns of Care studies among others. Partnerships with professional organizations and funding bodies, as well as through the United Nations Joint Global Programme on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control support radiotherapy activities, including BT in countries worldwide. CONCLUSION: The IAEA supports brachytherapy implementation, training and research and provides resources to professionals in the area.
Collapse
|
19
|
Tagliaferri L, Vavassori A, Lancellotta V, Sanctis VD, Vidali C, Casà C, Aristei C, Genovesi D, Jereczek-Fossa BA, Morganti AG, Kovács G, Guinot JL, Rembielak A, Greto D, Gambacorta MA, Valentini V, Donato V, Corvò R, Magrini SM, Livi L. INTERACTS (INTErventional Radiotherapy ACtive Teaching School) consensus conference on sarcoma interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) endorsed by AIRO (Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology). J Contemp Brachytherapy 2020; 12:397-404. [PMID: 33293980 PMCID: PMC7690224 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2020.98120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the results of INTERACTS (INTErventional Radiotherapy ACtive Teaching School) consensus conference on sarcoma interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy). MATERIAL AND METHODS An international board of multidisciplinary experts was invited to a consensus conference on the state-of-the-art of sarcoma interventional oncology during the 9th Rome INTER-MEETING (INTERventional Radiotherapy Multidisciplinary Meeting), proposing 3 statements for each one speech. At the end of each lecture, the entire group of experts was invited to vote with an electronic device. The preliminary results were presented and discussed at the end of the meeting, during a dedicated session. After the meeting, a survey was distributed within the consensus conference board to share and definitively vote the statements. RESULTS All the invited authors of the consensus conference board completed the final survey. All the 38 statements received more than 70% of agreement, 31 statements (82%) obtained an agreement of level higher or equal to 90%, 6 statements (15.8%) received an agreement level between 80% and 90%, and 1 statement (2.6%) had less than 80% of agreement. CONCLUSIONS The consensus conference demonstrated that interventional radiotherapy must be considered by a multidisciplinary management of patients affected by sarcoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy,
| | - Andrea Vavassori
- Department of Radiotherapy, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy,
| | - Valentina Lancellotta
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy,
- Address for correspondence: Valentina Lancellotta, MD, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, e-mail:
| | - Vitaliana De Sanctis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicina e Psicologia, Sant’Andrea Hospital, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy,
| | - Cristiana Vidali
- Former Deputy Chair of Interventional Radiotherapy AIRO working Group – IntraOperative RadioTherapy, Trieste, Italy,
| | | | - Cynthia Aristei
- Radiation Oncology Section, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Science, University of Perugia and Perugia General Hospital, Perugia, Italy,
| | - Domenico Genovesi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Santissima Annunziata Hospital, Gabriele D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy,
| | - Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa
- Department of Radiotherapy, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy,
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy,
| | - Alessio Giuseppe Morganti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine – DIMES, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy,
| | | | - Jose Luis Guinot
- Foundation Instituto Valenciano de Oncologia (I.V.O.), Valencia, Spain,
| | - Agata Rembielak
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester and Division of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom,
| | - Daniela Greto
- Radiotherapy Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy,
| | - Maria Antonietta Gambacorta
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy,
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy,
| | - Vincenzo Valentini
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy,
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy,
| | - Vittorio Donato
- Radiation Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Roma, Italy,
| | - Renzo Corvò
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Italy,
| | - Stefano Maria Magrini
- Radiation Oncology Department, Ospedali Civili Hospital and Brescia University, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Livi
- Radiotherapy Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy,
| | - Consensus Conference Board
- Consensus Conference Board: Rosa Autorino (radiation oncologist, Rome), Carmelo Caldarella (nuclear medicine physician, Rome), Annamaria Cerrotta (radiation oncologist, Milan), Antonino De Paoli (radiation oncologist, Aviano), Vitaliana De Sanctis (radiation oncologist, Rome), Nicola Dinapoli (radiation oncologist, Rome), Vittorio Donato (radiation oncologist, Rome), Martina Ferioli (radiation oncologist, Bologna), Vincenzo Fusco (radiation oncologist, Rionero in Vulture), Maria Antonietta Gambacorta (radiation oncologist, Rome), Domenico Genovesi (radiation oncologist, Chieti), Daniela Greto (radiation oncologist, Florence), Jose Luis Guinot (radiation oncologist, València), Roberto Iezzi (interventional radiologist, Rome), Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa (radiation oncologist, Milan), György Kovács (radiation oncologist, Rome and Lübeck), Valentina Lancellotta (radiation oncologist, Rome), Antonio Leone (radiologist, Rome), Giulio Maccauro (orthopedic surgeon, Rome), Stefano Maria Magrini (radiation oncologist, Brescia), Alessio Giuseppe Morganti (radiation oncologist, Bologna), Michela Quirino (medical oncologist, Rome), Agata Rembielak (clinical and radiation oncologist, Manchester), Umberto Ricardi (radiation oncologist, Turin), Vittoria Rufini (nuclear medicine physician, Rome), Giuseppe Sanguineti (radiation oncologist, Rome), Luca Tagliaferri (radiation oncologist, Rome), Andrea Vavassori (radiation oncologist, Milan), Cristiana Vidali (radiation oncologist, Trieste)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Alitto AR, Tagliaferri L, Lancellotta V, D'Aviero A, Piras A, Frascino V, Catucci F, Fionda B, Staackmann C, Saldi S, Valentini V, Kovacs G, Aristei C, Mantini G. BIT-ART: Multicentric Comparison of HDR-brachytherapy, Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy and Tomotherapy for Advanced Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer. In Vivo 2020; 34:1297-1305. [PMID: 32354922 PMCID: PMC7279807 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate acute and late genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity in patients with high- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated data of patients from three Radiation Oncology Departments (Rome, Lübeck and Perugia). Patients treated in Rome underwent exclusive intensity-modulated-radiotherapy (IMRT) or IMRT plus high-dose-rate interventional radiotherapy (HDR-IRT). IMRT plus two fractions HDR-IRT was performed in Lübeck, while in Perugia Helical Tomotherapy was performed. The Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Event (Version 4.03) scale was used to describe acute and late toxicity. RESULTS At a median follow-up of 28 months, all 51 patients were alive and disease-free. Patients treated by HDR-IRT plus VMAT showed only G1-2 genitourinary- gastrointestinal (GU-GI) acute and late toxicity. Univariate analysis showed a lower risk of acute GU toxicity (p=0.048) in IMRT+HDR-IRT. CONCLUSION Low grade and less acute GU toxicity was observed in patients undergoing HDR-IRT boost.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rita Alitto
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Vincenzo Frascino
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Catucci
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Fionda
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Staackmann
- Interdisciplinary Brachytherapy Unit, University of Lübeck - University Hospital S-H, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Simonetta Saldi
- Radiation Oncology Section, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Science, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Valentini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gyorgy Kovacs
- Interdisciplinary Brachytherapy Unit, University of Lübeck - University Hospital S-H, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Educational Program Director Gemelli-INTERACTS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cynthia Aristei
- Radiation Oncology Section, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Science, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Mantini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cervical cancer patterns of care in Italy: A radiation oncology survey of MITO and AIRO GYN groups. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2020; 149:102925. [PMID: 32200268 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.102925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Large heterogeneity in therapeutic approaches to cervical cancer (CC) patients has been registered worldwide; a national survey exploring practice settings and equipments in CC treatment was distributed to radiation oncologists. Questionnaires were compiled in 90 of 194 Centers (compliance: 46.3 %). Most of respondents reported the presence of multidisciplinary tumor board, and modern equipments/techniques; 55.5 % of centers reported >1 brachytherapy (BT) equipment, thus implying the need to refer their patients outside for the remaining centers. Post-surgery radiotherapy was performed in 96.7 % of early CC (ECC) cases with pathological high risk factors. Exclusive chemoradiation with concomitant platinum schedules was referred to be used by 84.4 % of centers in locally advanced CC. Alternative options were reported with a range between 4.4 and 28.9 %. The present survey reports a broad spectrum of therapeutic options for CC in Italy. Availability and use of modern techniques is quite diffuse, but the distribution of BT resources and skills remains a challenge.
Collapse
|
22
|
Can brachytherapy be properly considered in the clinical practice? Trilogy project: The vision of the AIRO (Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology) Interventional Radiotherapy study group. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2020; 12:84-89. [PMID: 32190074 PMCID: PMC7073336 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2020.92765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Brachytherapy (BT, interventional radiotherapy - IRT) is a kind of radiation therapy, in which the radioactive source is placed nearby or even inside the cancer itself. Even though this kind of radiation therapy appears effective and valuable, BT has been facing a slow but progressive decline over the past decades in Europe, particularly in Italy. Aims of this study were to identify the practical and theoretical reasons why BT is facing a slow decline in Italy, and to define a vision of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) and a strategy about this emerged issues. Material and methods A programmatic path divided into three steps like a trilogy was launched by AIRO Interventional Radiotherapy study group. The study group performed an initial data collection to highlight both the clinical and the educational topics and problems through specific surveys. After having analyzed the results of the surveys and shared a vision about the emerged issues, a specific strategy was adopted. Results Four relevant domains were identified and for each ones, a strategy has been discussed and defined. This manuscript shows in detail the individual actions defined (accomplished or in progress). Conclusions The AIRO vision implies that specific strategic interventions must be carried out in the field of national guidelines, education, research, and communication with patients and colleagues of other specialties in an interdisciplinary setting.
Collapse
|
23
|
The role of vaginal brachytherapy in stage I endometrial serous cancer: a systematic review. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2020; 12:61-66. [PMID: 32190072 PMCID: PMC7073340 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2020.92698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Serous adenocarcinoma (uterine serous carcinoma – USC) is a rare and aggressive histologic subtype of endometrial cancer, with a high-rate of recurrence and poor prognosis. The adjuvant treatment for stage I patients is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of stage I USC treated exclusively with chemotherapy plus vaginal brachytherapy (VBT). Material and methods A systematic research using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library was conducted to identify full articles evaluating the efficacy of VBT in patients with stage I USC. A search in ClinicalTrials.gov was performed in order to detect ongoing or recently completed trials, and in PROSPERO for searching ongoing or recently completed systematic reviews. Results All studies were retrospective and 364 of evaluated patients were found. The average local control was 97.5% (range, 91-100%), the disease free-survival was 88% (range, 82-94%), the overall survival was 93% (range, 72-100%), the specific cancer survival was 89.4% (range, 84.8-94%), and the G3-G4 toxicity was 0-8%. Conclusions These data support the concept that in adequately selected patients, VBT alone may be a suitable radiotherapy technique in women with stage I USC who underwent surgical staging and received adjuvant chemotherapy.
Collapse
|
24
|
Could a Personalized Strategy Using Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation be an Advantage for Elderly Patients? A Systematic Review of the Literature and Multidisciplinary Opinion. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:3928976. [PMID: 32190051 PMCID: PMC7064828 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3928976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. Elderly patients are underrepresented from a majority of clinical trials and the choice of the best treatment becomes a challenge. The optimal treatment should be personalized and based on a multidisciplinary approach that includes radiation oncologists, surgeons, geriatricians, medical oncologists, social workers, and support services. The global evaluation of the patients and the creation of nomograms may facilitate the definition of long-term treatment benefits minimizing the use of unnecessary therapy. Material and Method. A systematic research using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library was performed to identify full articles analyzing the efficacy of APBI in elderly patients with breast cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for ongoing or recently completed trials, and PROSPERO was searched for ongoing or recently completed systematic reviews.
Collapse
|
25
|
HAPPY - Humanity Assurance Protocol in interventional radiotheraPY (brachytherapy) - an AIRO Interventional Radiotherapy Study Group project. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2019; 11:510-515. [PMID: 31969908 PMCID: PMC6964336 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2019.91222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Interventional procedures may produce emotional distress, particularly in interventional radiotherapy (IRT, brachytherapy - BT). This work would like to propose a series of recommendations/interventions to guarantee a human approach in order to favor the psychological well-being of the patient during interventional radiotherapy. Material and methods Thirty patients affected by gynecological cancer and treated with endovaginal high-dose-rate IRT (HDR-IRT) were selected from January to March 2019. A specific Multiprofessional Task Group (MTG) was defined in order to analyze the needs of patients. Each component of the task group spoke with the patients to examine their needs and to investigate their fears and perception. The results of the MTG were subjected to evaluation by an Expert Team (ET) of 4 physicians from 4 different institutions for a final evaluation. Both teams discussed the patient's needs to generate a list of necessary interventions to fulfill every single need in order to obtain their inner well-being. Another team (Master Team - MT) performed an independent check. Results All patients suggest that the main issue is the "lack of information and fear of the unknown". The fear of feeling pain was a significant source of concern, sadness, and vulnerability for the majority of the patients (76.6%). All patients do not appreciate the use of the word "bunker" to describe the treatment place. In 33.3% of patients the word "brachytherapy" (often unknown) determines insecurity while the term "interventional radiotherapy" reassures. Ninety percent of patients preferred to perform the external genital depilation at home and 80% of them would like the bladder catheter to be placed immediately before the procedure. MTG and ET defined nine "HAPPY recommendations". The MT approved the protocol without changes. Conclusions The aim of the present paper was to produce a protocol consisting in intervention that could improve the internal serendipity and emotional state of patients who underwent HDR-IRT.
Collapse
|
26
|
Critical review of multidisciplinary non-surgical local interventional ablation techniques in primary or secondary liver malignancies. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2019; 11:589-600. [PMID: 31969919 PMCID: PMC6964346 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2019.90466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Local non-surgical interventional percutaneous ablation represents nowadays an important part of the potential treatment strategies. Although surgical ablation represents the gold standard, in the past decade there was an expansion in the use of non-surgical ablative techniques: radiofrequency, microwave, laser, cryoablation, irreversible electroporation, and interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) in primary as well as secondary liver cancers. With the growing experience in the field, there was implemented a new pillar for cancer treatment, together with surgery, chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy, so-called interventional oncology (IO). To date, there are no published papers regarding a comparative interdisciplinary evaluation of all these non-surgical interventional local ablation therapies. Our paper offers a critical interdisciplinary overview of the treatments in both primary and secondary liver tumors, including from a cost-effective point of view. Furthermore, the present status of education in IO and a comparison of actual economic aspects of the treatments are also provided.
Collapse
|
27
|
Buglione M, Noale M, Bruni A, Antonelli A, Bertoni F, Corvo’ R, Ricardi U, Borghetti P, Maddalo M, Simeone C, Mazzeo E, Porreca A, Serni S, Bassi P, Gacci M, Mirone V, Montironi R, Tubaro A, Berruti A, Conti GN, Maggi S, Magrini SM, Triggiani L. Treatment paths for localised prostate cancer in Italy: The results of a multidisciplinary, observational, prospective study (Pros-IT CNR). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224151. [PMID: 31675380 PMCID: PMC6824566 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are several treatments available to newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCA) patients. Although surgery and radiotherapy (RT) with or without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are widely adopted treatment options for localized PCA together with active surveillance (AS), there is no consensus nor randomised trials on treatment selection, prospective quality of life (QOL), along with toxicity outcomes and according to treatment modality in the Italian population. The current study aimed to describe clinical-therapeutic features and QOL at PCA diagnosis, according to different treatment patterns in a large prospective, Italian population, enrolled in the Pros-IT CNR study. Methods The Pros-IT CNR is an on-going national, multicenter, observational, prospective study on patients affected by PCA who have been referred by 97 Italian Urology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology facilities participating in the project. The possible relationships between the treatment patterns reported in the 6 month follow-up case report form and patients’ features at diagnosis were evaluated using exploratory multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and other data analysis method. Results At diagnosis, surgery and AS patients were significantly younger, had fewer comorbidities, lower PSA levels and Gleason Score (GS) values; they were also diagnosed at an earlier stage of disease with respect to the RT or ADT patients who showed significantly worse QoL scores at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions An analysis of the data collected at baseline and 6 months later uncovered substantial differences in ages, comorbidities, clinical and QOL features in the various treatment groups. These findings do not fully reflect the current PCA treatment guidelines and suggest the need for a multidisciplinary consensus guideline to ameliorate both the counselling and treatments of PCA patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Buglione
- Radiation Oncology Department, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marianna Noale
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessio Bruni
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Filippo Bertoni
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Renzo Corvo’
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital “Policlinico San Martino”, Genoa, Italy
| | - Umberto Ricardi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine—University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Borghetti
- Radiation Oncology Department, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marta Maddalo
- Radiation Oncology Department, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudio Simeone
- Department of Urology, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ercole Mazzeo
- Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Angelo Porreca
- Department of Robotic Urological Surgery, Abano Terme Hospital, Abano Terme, Padua, Italy
| | - Sergio Serni
- Department of Urologic Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Bassi
- Department of Urology, Catholic University of Rome, Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Gacci
- Department of Urologic Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Rodolfo Montironi
- Section of Pathological Anatomy, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, School of Medicine–Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Tubaro
- Urology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, "La Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, ASST-Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Maggi
- National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Maria Magrini
- Radiation Oncology Department, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Triggiani
- Radiation Oncology Department, University and Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Clinical evidence of abscopal effect in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with diffusing alpha emitters radiation therapy: a case report. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2019; 11:449-457. [PMID: 31749854 PMCID: PMC6854861 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2019.88138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Alpha particle treatments could enhance the probability of an immune response, which can lead to abscopal effects (AE). We report a case of a patient affected by multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). After the treatment with diffusing alpha emitters radiation therapy (DaRT) of one lesion, an AE was observed on at least two distant ones. Material and methods We investigated a case of a 65-year-old female patient with multiple synchronous lesions of the skin of lower limbs confirmed by a biopsy. Patient was enrolled in a clinical trial N.CTP-SCC-00 (NCT03015883), with the objective to assess effectiveness of DaRT technique. DaRT is based on the insertion of locally 224Ra-loaded seeds in a clinical target volume (CTV). Treatment plan with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was used to entirely cover the CTV. Follow-up and biopsy evaluations were employed to outline the patient outcome. Results We performed seeds implantation according to the Paris system. At 28th day, an evident lesion shrinkage with a persistent minimal area of hyperkeratosis was noted. 76 days after implantation, a complete remission of the treated lesion was observed and an evident reduction of the area with two more distant lesion, which could be associated to an immune-mediated response. One year after the treatment, a complete remission of treated lesion was observed as well as spontaneous regression of untreated distant ones. Conclusions In this study, we reported evidences of an AE in cSCC stimulated by radiation and possibly mediated by immune system. In the next DaRT treatments, our intent is to monitor T-lymphocytes variations in peripheral blood in order to demonstrate indirect activation of the immune system mediated by radiation also in patients with solitary lesions, in which, by definition, an AE cannot be observed.
Collapse
|
29
|
Lancellotta V, Cellini F, Fionda B, De Sanctis V, Vidali C, Fusco V, Barbera F, Gambacorta MA, Corvò R, Magrini SM, Tagliaferri L. The role of palliative interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) in esophageal cancer: An AIRO (Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology) systematic review focused on dysphagia-free survival. Brachytherapy 2019; 19:104-110. [PMID: 31636025 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this review was to examine efficacy of palliative interventional radiotherapy (IRT) in esophageal cancer compared with other treatment in terms of dysphagia-free survival (DyFS) and safety. METHODS AND MATERIAL A systematic research using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane library was performed to identify full articles evaluating the efficacy of IRT as palliation in patients with esophageal cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for ongoing or recently completed trials, and PROSPERO was searched for ongoing or recently completed systematic reviews. We analyzed only clinical study as full text of patients with symptomatic esophageal cancer treated with IRT alone or in combination with other treatment. Conference paper, survey, letter, editorial, book chapter, and review were excluded. Time restriction (1990-2018) as concerns the years of the publication was considered. The primary outcome was the duration of dysphagia relief (DyFS) after brachytherapy vs. other treatment (external-beam radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, argon plasma coagulation, stent, and laser) during followup. Secondary outcomes included overall survival and adverse event rates. RESULTS The literature search resulted in 554 articles. Sixty-six articles were assessed via full text for eligibility. Of these, 59 articles were excluded for various reasons, leaving seven randomized studies. The number of evaluated patients was 905 patients, and median age was 70.5 years. In the IRT group, the median DyFS was 99 days, the most relevant G3-G4 toxicity were fistula development and stenosis reported, respectively, in 8.3% and 12.2%; the overall median survival was 175.5 days. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we provided evidence-based support that IRT is an effective and safe treatment option; therefore, its underuse is no longer justified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lancellotta
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Cellini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Roma, Italy
| | - Bruno Fionda
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Roma, Italy.
| | - Vitaliana De Sanctis
- Faculty of Medicina e Psicologia, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Vidali
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste (ASUITS), Trieste, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Fusco
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Regionale, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy
| | - Fernando Barbera
- Brachytherapy Section, Radiation Oncology Department, Ospedali Civili Hospital and Brescia University, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Gambacorta
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Roma, Italy; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Radiologia, Roma, Italy
| | - Renzo Corvò
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino and Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Maria Magrini
- Radiation Oncology Department, Ospedali Civili Hospital and Brescia University, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|