Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided Radiation Therapy: Technological Innovation Provides a New Vision of Radiation Oncology Practice

Abstract BACKGROUND Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are an approved glioblastoma (GBM) treatment modality that demonstrated a significant improved median overall survival in newly diagnosed GBM patients. Data about morphologic changes in serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for patients with a combination therapy of TTFields and proton boost therapy does not exist. METHODS Twenty-two patients were included in this study. All patients were treated with initial tumor resection followed by combined chemo- and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy was performed with 50.0 Gy photons and a proton boost with 10 Gy equivalent (Gy(RBE)). 11 patients were additionally treated with TTFields. RESULTS A new increase in contrast enhancement and/or a progress in the T2 FLAIR hyperintensity was observed in 54.5% (N=12) at 3 months and in 31.8% (N=7) at 6 months. No differences were observed between patients with and without TTFields therapy at 3 months [63.6% (N=7) vs. 45.5% (N=5); P=0.392] and at 6 months [27.3 (N=3) vs. 36.3% (N=4); P=0.647). By the RANO criteria a progressive disease (PD) was observed in 6 patients (27.3%) at 3 months and in 7 patients (31.8%) at 6 months. Pseudoprogression (PP) was observed in in 36.4% (N=8) at months and in 27.3% (N=6) at 6 months. Neither for PD at 3 months [36.4% (N=4) vs. 18.2% (N=2); P=0.338] or at 6 months [36.4% (N=4) vs. 27.3% (N=3); P=0.647), nor for PP at 3 months [45.5% (N=5) vs. 27.2% (N=3); P=0.375] or at 6 months [18.2% (N=2) vs. 36.4% (N=4); P=0.338] differences for patients with and without TTFields therapy were found. CONCLUSION Increased contrast enhancement and/or increased T2 FLAIR MRI hyperintensity after proton boost therapy are common. Furthermore, the rates for new contrast enhancement, PD, and PP after photon therapy with and without additional TTFields therapy are comparable.

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Technology and the future of healthcare

Journal of Public Health Research ◽

10.4081/jphr.2013.e28 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 28 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Harold Thimbleby

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Social Media ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Human Factors ◽

Technological Innovation ◽

New Drugs ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

The Future ◽

Technological Developments ◽

New Devices

<p>Healthcare changes dramatically because of technological developments, from anesthetics and antibiotics to magnetic resonance imaging scanners and radiotherapy. Future technological innovation is going to keep transforming healthcare, yet while technologies (new drugs and treatments, new devices, new social media support for healthcare, etc) will drive innovation, human factors will remain one of the stable limitations of breakthroughs. No predictions can satisfy everybody; instead, this article explores fragments of the future to see how to think more clearly about how to get where we want to go.</p>

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