scholarly journals A surveillance study of patterns of reirradiation practice using external beam radiotherapy in Japan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideya Yamazaki ◽  
Gen Suzuki ◽  
Norihiro Aibe ◽  
Satoaki Nakamura ◽  
Ken Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
External Beam Radiotherapy ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
External Beam ◽  
Radiation Oncologists ◽  
Decision Making Factors ◽  
Biologically Equivalent Dose

Abstract The aim of this study was to survey the present status and patterns of reirradiation (Re-RT) practice using external beam radiotherapy in Japan. We distributed an e-mail questionnaire to the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology partner institutions, which consisted of part 1 (number of Re-RT cases in 2008–2012 and 2013–2018) and part 2 (indications and treatment planning for Re-RT and eight case scenarios). Of the 85 institutions that replied to part 1, 75 (88%) performed Re-RTs. However, 59 of these 75 institutions (79%) reported difficulty in obtaining Re-RT case information from their databases. The responses from 37 institutions included the number of Re-RT cases, which totaled 508 in the period from 2009 to 2013 (institution median 3; 0–235), and an increase to 762 cases in the period from 2014 to 2018 (12.5; 0–295). A total of 47 physicians responded to part 2 of the survey. Important indications for Re-RT that were considered were age, performance status, life expectancy, absence of distant metastases and time interval since previous radiotherapy. In addition to clinical decision-making factors, previous total radiation dose, volume of irradiated tissue and the biologically equivalent dose were considered during Re-RT planning. From the eight site-specific scenarios presented to the respondents, >60% of radiation oncologists agreed to perform Re-RT. Re-RT cases have increased in number, and interest in Re-RT among radiation oncologists has increased recently due to advances in technology. However, several problems exist that emphasize the need for consensus building and the establishment of guidelines for practice and prospective evaluation.

scholarly journals Radiation necrosis after a combination of external beam radiotherapy and iodine-125 brachytherapy in gliomas

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Indrawati Hadi ◽  
Daniel Reitz ◽  
Raphael Bodensohn ◽  
Olarn Roengvoraphoj ◽  
Stefanie Lietke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Radiation Necrosis ◽  
Irradiation Time ◽  
External Beam Radiotherapy ◽  
High Grade Glioma ◽  
Metabolic Imaging ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
External Beam ◽  
Iodine 125

Abstract Purpose Frequency and risk profile of radiation necrosis (RN) in patients with glioma undergoing either upfront stereotactic brachytherapy (SBT) and additional salvage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) after tumor recurrence or vice versa remains unknown. Methods Patients with glioma treated with low-activity temporary iodine-125 SBT at the University of Munich between 1999 and 2016 who had either additional upfront or salvage EBRT were included. Biologically effective doses (BED) were calculated. RN was diagnosed using stereotactic biopsy and/or metabolic imaging. The rate of RN was estimated with the Kaplan Meier method. Risk factors were obtained from logistic regression models. Results Eighty-six patients (49 male, 37 female, median age 47 years) were included. 38 patients suffered from low-grade and 48 from high-grade glioma. Median follow-up was 15 months after second treatment. Fifty-eight patients received upfront EBRT (median total dose: 60 Gy), and 28 upfront SBT (median reference dose: 54 Gy, median dose rate: 10.0 cGy/h). Median time interval between treatments was 19 months. RN was diagnosed in 8/75 patients. The 1- and 2-year risk of RN was 5.1% and 11.7%, respectively. Tumor volume and irradiation time of SBT, number of implanted seeds, and salvage EBRT were risk factors for RN. Neither of the BED values nor the time interval between both treatments gained prognostic influence. Conclusion The combination of upfront EBRT and salvage SBT or vice versa is feasible for glioma patients. The risk of RN is mainly determined by the treatment volume but not by the interval between therapies.

scholarly journals A164 UPTAKE OF FECAL CALPROTECTIN IN PRACTICE: PATTERNS IN A TERTIARY GI REFERRAL CENTRE

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 28-30
Author(s):  
A Kundra ◽  
T Ritchie ◽  
M Ropeleski
Keyword(s):  
Medical Therapy ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Fecal Calprotectin ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Chart Audit ◽  
Frequency Pattern

Abstract Background Fecal Calprotectin (FC) is helpful in distinguishing functional from organic bowel disease. Also, it has proven useful in monitoring disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The uptake of its use in clinical practice has increased considerably, though access varies significantly. Studies exploring current practice patterns among GI specialists and how to optimize its use are limited. In 2017, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) began funding FC testing at no cost to patients. Aims We aimed to better understand practice patterns of gastroenterologists in IBD patients where there is in house access to FC assays, and to generate hypotheses regarding its optimal use in IBD monitoring. We hypothesize that FC is not being used in a regular manner for monitoring of IBD patients. Methods A retrospective chart audit study was done on all KHSC patients who had FC testing completed from 2017–2018. Qualitative data was gathered from dictated reports using rigorous set definitions regarding indication for the test, change in clinical decision making, and frequency patterns of testing. Specifically, change in use for colonoscopy or in medical therapy was coded only if the dictated note was clear that a decision hinged largely on the FC result. Frequency of testing was based on test order date. Reactive testing was coded as tests ordered to confirm a clinical flare. Variable testing was coded where monitoring tests that varied in intervals greater than 3 months and crossed over the other set frequency codes. Quantitative data regarding FC test values, and dates were also collected. This data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the 834 patients in our study, 7 were under 18 years old and excluded. 562(67.34%) of these patients had a pre-existing diagnosis of IBD; 193 (34%) with Ulcerative Colitis (UC), 369 (66%) with Crohn’s Disease (CD). FC testing changed the clinician’s decision for medical therapy in 12.82% of cases and use for colonoscopy 13.06% of the time for all comers. Of the FC tests, 79.8% were sent in a variable frequency pattern and 2.68% with reactive intent. The remaining 17.5% were monitored with a regular pattern, with 8.57% patients having their FC monitored at regular intervals greater than 6 months, 7.68% every 6 months, and 1.25% less than 6 months. The average FC level of patients with UC was 356.2ug/ml and 330.6 ug/ml for CD. The mean time interval from 1st to 2nd test was 189.6 days. Conclusions FC testing changed clinical decisions regarding medical therapy and use for colonoscopy about 13% of the time. FC testing was done variably 79.8% of the time, where as 17.5% of patients had a regular FC monitoring schedule. An optimal monitoring interval for IBD flares using FC for maximal clinical benefit has yet to be determined. Large scale studies will be required to answer this question. Funding Agencies None

Determinants of biochemical failure and distant metastases-free survival in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 371-371
Author(s):  
Avinash Pilar ◽  
Andrew Bayley ◽  
Danny Shehata ◽  
Zhihui (Amy) Liu ◽  
Alejandro Berlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Dose Escalation ◽  
External Beam Radiotherapy ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Biochemical Failure ◽  
External Beam ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
High Risk Prostate Cancer ◽  
Risk Prostate Cancer

371 Background: Objectives were to1) identify predictors of biochemical failure(BCF) -free survival (FFS) & distant metastases free-survival (DMFS) in high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC) patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with or without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); 2) assess the impact of nodal irradiation & escalation of dose to the nodal volumes in HRPC. Methods: Between Feb 2000 & May 2011, 462 patients with HRPC were treated with EBRT +/- ADT. This spanned an era of technical development; prior to 2002 conventional dose radiotherapy was routinely delivered, between 2002-2008, dose escalation to the prostate & pelvic lymph nodes was undertaken in a phase II trial & subsequently all patients were treated with a dose-escalated protocol. The disease characteristics included, a median PSA of 20ng/ml (range: 1-563), T3-T4 in 33% (n=158), & Gleason grade group (GGG) 3-5 in 72% (n=331). The majority (n=405, 88%) received ADT with EBRT & median duration of ADT was 36 months (range: 0-197). Dose escalated EBRT was utilized in 52% (n=241) & nodal irradiation in 69% (n=317); escalation of dose to nodal volumes was performed in 20% (n=93). Results: The median follow-up was 8.7yrs (range: 0.9-18.9). Median nadir PSA was < 0.05ng/ml (range: <0.05-5.78) with median time to nadir (TTN) of 11 months (range: 2-130). Cumulative incidence rates of BCF at 5 and 10-yrs were 23% & 45%; corresponding rates for DM were 6.6% & 14%, respectively. The 5 & 10-yr FFS rates were 75% & 51%; corresponding DMFS rates were 91.5% & 80%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, T stage (p<0.001), GGG (p<0.001), ADT (p=0.002), dose escalation to prostate (P=0.012) & median nadir PSA (p<0.001) were independent predictors of FFS. The GGG (p=0.007), median nadir PSA (p=<0.001) & Nodal RT (p=0.03) were independent predictors of DMFS. PSA of 20 & TTN predicted neither FFS nor DMFS. Conclusions: Nadir PSA level was an independent predictor of FFS & DMFS. Undetectable PSA level was associated with prolonged FFS & DMFS. Dose escalation to prostate resulted in an improved FFS & Nodal irradiation in an improved DMFS. Further studies are required to identify subgroups that may benefit the most from nodal irradiation.

Clinical outcomes of adjuvant external-beam radiotherapy for differentiated thyroid cancer

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (03) ◽  
pp. 89-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Pixberg ◽  
B. Riemann ◽  
A. Schuck ◽  
A. Heinecke ◽  
K. W. Schmid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Lymph Node Metastases ◽  
Differentiated Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Regional Lymph Node ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
External Beam Radiotherapy ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
External Beam ◽  
Node Metastases

Summary Aim: Evaluate the clinical benefit of external beam radiotherapy (RTx) for locally invasive thyroid carcinoma with follicular cell differentiation (DTC). Patients, methods: The Multicentre Study on Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (MSDS) was planned as a prospective multicenter trial on the benefit of adjuvant RTx in locally invasive DTC (pT4; UICC 1997) with or without lymph node metastases and no known distant metastases. All patients were treated with thyroidectomy, 131I-therapy, and TSH-suppression and were randomized to receive additional RTx or not. In 4/2003 the trial became a prospective cohort study after only 45 of then 311 patients had consented to randomization. 351 of 422 patients met the trial's inclusion criteria. Age was 48 ± 12 years (mean ± SD). 25% were men. Tumours were papillary in 90% and follicular in 10%. Of 47 patients randomized or allocated to RTx, 26 actually received RTx. Results: Mean followup was 930 days. In an actual treatment analysis, 96% (25/26) of the RTx-patients reached complete remission (CR) vs. 86% in the non-RTx patients. Recurrences occurred in 0 vs. 3 % of patients: 6 reoperated for regional lymph node metastases, 1 tracheal invasion treated with tracheoplasty, 1 local invasion necessitating laryngectomy, 2 distant metastases (1 lung, 1 lung + bone). Serious chronic RTx toxicity occurred in 1/26 patients. Conclusion: The MSDS trial showed low mortality and recurrence rates and a weak benefit of RTx in terms of local control that did however not reach statistical significance. Routine RTx in locally invasive DTC can no longer be recommended .

scholarly journals A surveillance study of the current status of reirradiation and patterns of practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideya Yamazaki ◽  
Masato Fushiki ◽  
Takashi Mizowaki ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Status ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Total Radiation Dose ◽  
Biologically Equivalent Dose ◽  
Patterns Of Practice ◽  
Canadian Survey

Abstract The aim of this study was to survey the current status of reirradiation (Re-RT) and patterns of practice in Japan. An email questionnaire was sent to Kansai Cancer Therapist Group partner institutions, using questions similar to those in the Canadian radiation oncologist (RO) survey (2008). A total of 34 ROs from 28 institutions returned the survey. All 28 institutions experienced Re-RT cases in 2014. However, 26 of the 28 institutions (93%) reported difficulty in obtaining Re-RT case information from their respective databases. Responses from 19 institutions included the number of Re-RT cases; this rose from 183 in the period 2005–2009 (institution median = 4; 2–12.9) to 562 in the period 2010–2014 (institution median = 26; 2–225). Important considerations for indication of Re-RT were age (65%), performance status (83%), life expectancy (70%), absence of distant metastases (67%), and interval since previous treatment (73%). Previous total radiation dose (48%), volume of tissue irradiated (72%), and the biologically equivalent dose (BED; 68.5%) were taken into account during Re-RT planning. These factors were similar to those considered in the Canadian survey; however, the present study did not consider age. In eight site-specific scenarios, barring central nervous system recurrence, more than 90% of ROs agreed to perform Re-RT, which was higher than the percentage observed in the Canadian survey. Re-RT cases have increased in number and aroused interest among ROs in this decade of advanced technology. However, consensus building to establish guidelines for the practice and prospective evaluation of Re-RT is required.

scholarly journals Medical Liability in Cancer Care During COVID-19 Pandemic: Heroes or Guilty?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Barranco ◽  
Carlo Messina ◽  
Alessandro Bonsignore ◽  
Carlo Cattrini ◽  
Francesco Ventura
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Tumor Board ◽  
Medical Liability ◽  
Careful Examination

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak rapidly became a public health emergency affecting particularly the frail category as cancer patients. This led oncologists to radical changes in patient management, facing the unprecedent issue whether treatments in oncology could be postponed without compromising their efficacy.Purpose: To discuss legal implications in oncology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.Perspective: Treatment delay is not always feasible in oncology where the timing often plays a key role and may impact significantly in prognosis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the oncologists were found between the anvil and the hammer, on the one hand the need to treat cancer patients aiming to improve clinical benefits, and on the other hand the goal to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection avoiding or delaying immunosuppressive treatments and hospital exposure. Therefore, two rising scenarios with possible implications in both criminal and civil law are emerging. Firstly, oncologists may be “accused” of having delayed or omitted the diagnosis and/or treatments with consequent worsening of patients' outcome. Secondly, oncologists can be blamed for having exposed patients to hospital environment considered at risk for COVID-19 transmission.Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical decision making should be well-balanced through a careful examination between clinical performance status, age, comorbidities, aim of the treatment, and the potential risk of COVID-19 infection in order to avoid the risk of suboptimal cancer care with potential legal repercussion. Moreover, all cases should be discussed in the oncology team or in the tumor board in order to share the best strategy to adopt case by case.

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