Hypofractionation Utilisation in Radiation Therapy: A Regional Department Evaluation

Abstract

Introduction

There has been an uptake in hypofractionation radiotherapy schedules (> 2.45 Gy per fraction) worldwide over the last decade. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the change in fractionation schedules for patients undergoing radiotherapy in regional Queensland. The influence of treatment site, intent and patient social circumstances was assessed, identifying any current gaps in practice.

Methods

This retrospective clinical audit, included patients who underwent radiotherapy in 2012, 2019 and 2022 at a large regional department. This allowed a 10-year analysis and an evaluation of any impact of COVID-19. Demographic data and treatment information was collected and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

There was a notable trend favouring hypofractionation for patients treated for breast and prostate cancer. In 2012, 62.7% of breast cancer patients were treated with conventional fractionation and 37.3% were treated with hypofractionation, versus 2.4% and 92.1%, respectively, in 2022. Prostate cancer fractionation changed from 99.4% of patients treated with conventional fractionation and 0.6% with hypofractionation in 2012 to 23.2% and 74.1%, respectively, in 2022. The standard of care also shifted for palliative intent, with lung, brain and bone metastases in 2022 being treated with increased hypofractionated and ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy (> 5 Gy per fraction). This coincides with more complex and modulated treatments being readily available, such as stereotactic radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy. Hypofractionated treatments, however, were not influenced by the social factors of patients, having no distinct relationship with Indigenous status, age and patients' distance to treatment.

Conclusion

This study has validated the increase in hypofractionated treatments over a range of cancer sites and treatment intents, with increased treatment complexity. This has a direct impact on both departmental resources and patient-centred care, offering value-based radiotherapy.