Neoadjuvant Treatment of Rectal Cancer: A Repeat UK-wide Survey After Implementation of National Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Guidance

Abstract

Aims

Rectal cancer management has changed significantly in the last decade with the introduction of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), minimally invasive surgery, brachytherapy, and organ preservation. A national survey of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was carried out in 2020 to support the development of national Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) guidance, published in 2021. We performed a repeat survey in collaboration with the RCR, to inform iterations of the RCR Guidance and establish treatment patterns across the UK to facilitate future research and development.

Materials and Methods

A web-based survey was developed and tested by the authors prior to dissemination by the RCR to all UK radiotherapy centres. The repeat survey requested details and strategies of current radiotherapy techniques, including details on setup, doses, organs at risk, peer review, and verification, and asked for the standard management of 5 clinical cases within each multidisciplinary team (MDT) serving that radiotherapy centre. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out.

Results

In total, 42 of 60 (70%) of the NHS centres across the UK answered the repeat IMRT rectal survey, which reflected 70 MDTs answering the clinical scenarios questions. 100% of centres that responded are routinely using IMRT, with 95% of centres using it in all patients. Variation in treatment delivery has reduced since the previous survey. The greatest difference is still in the use of simultaneous integrated boost and definition of organs at risk. The management for the clinical cases was widely different, with answers generally equally distributed between 2-4 options. The highest-scoring treatment strategies ranged from 24% to 57%.

Conclusion

RCR guidance has helped standardise the delivery of radiotherapy to treat rectal cancer in the UK. The variation in neoadjuvant treatment represents an exciting, evolving time in rectal cancer management. Clinical trials are needed to further homogenise treatment, but a degree of national variation is likely to continue.