Johan Staby Olsén MD , Antonios Valachis PhD , Bengt Johansson PhD
{"title":"A Randomized Trial on Accelerated Versus Standard Small-margin Radiation Schedule in Patients With Prostate Cancer Treated With Combined Brachytherapy and External Beam Radiation Therapy: Toxicity Outcomes and Patterns of Prostate Movement","authors":"Johan Staby Olsén MD , Antonios Valachis PhD , Bengt Johansson PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101737","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101737","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Hypofractionated radiation therapy requires high accuracy in dose delivery to enable reduced treatment margins and minimize the dose to organs-at-risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether accelerated (delivered 5 times per week) hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) can be performed without increased acute toxicity using a real-time tracking system. We also aimed to investigate patterns of intrafractional prostate movements.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>Patients with prostate cancer planned for combined high dose rate brachytherapy (14.5 Gy × 1) and EBRT (3 Gy × 14) were included in this randomized trial to receive the EBRT part of the treatment either 3 or 5 times per week. EBRT was delivered using small margins (3 mm) using the Raypilot system for real-time tracking of intrafractional prostate movements. Movements were continuously monitored in 3 dimensions. Primary endpoint was toxicity that was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures through european organisation for research and treatment of cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaires QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>During June 2018 to January 2020, 34 patients (median age 70 years) were included in the study of which 17 were randomized to each group. No statistically significant differences in toxicity were found between the study groups. Target displacement was <2 mm during 97.0% of the time and <3 mm during 99.9% of the active treatment time.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>We found no evidence of increased acute toxicity in patients who received accelerated treatment schedule. Provided that the target is properly delineated, a 3 mm margin seems to be feasible and safe when using a real-time tracking system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 101737"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143601864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hung-Ruei Liao MD , Tien-Li Lan MD , Chun-Fu Lin MD , Yi-Yen Lee MD, PhD , Ko-Han Lin MD , Feng-Chi Chang MD , Shih-Chieh Lin MD , Jia-Cheng Lee PhD , Fong-In Chou PhD , Jinn-Jer Peir PhD , Hong-Ming Liu PhD , Yu-Wei Hu MD , Yi-Wei Chen MD, PhD
{"title":"First Application of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Recurrent Clival Chordoma With Brainstem Abutment","authors":"Hung-Ruei Liao MD , Tien-Li Lan MD , Chun-Fu Lin MD , Yi-Yen Lee MD, PhD , Ko-Han Lin MD , Feng-Chi Chang MD , Shih-Chieh Lin MD , Jia-Cheng Lee PhD , Fong-In Chou PhD , Jinn-Jer Peir PhD , Hong-Ming Liu PhD , Yu-Wei Hu MD , Yi-Wei Chen MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101736","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 101736"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lumbosacral Plexopathy After Carbon-ion Radiation Therapy for Postoperative Pelvic Recurrence of Rectal Cancer: Subanalysis of a Prospective Observational Study (GUNMA 0801)","authors":"Takuya Kumazawa MD, PhD , Shintaro Shiba MD, PhD , Yuhei Miyasaka MD, PhD , Masahiko Okamoto MD, PhD , Daijiro Kobayashi MD, PhD , Tatsuya Ohno MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101711","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Data are lacking on the risk factors for radiation-induced lumbosacral plexopathy (RILSP) after carbon-ion radiation therapy (CIRT) for pelvic tumors, such as postoperative recurrence of rectal cancer. We investigated the incidence of RILSP and the associated dosimetric parameters using data from a prospective study of CIRT for postoperative pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer (GUNMA 0801).</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>The GUNMA 0801 study included 28 patients, of which we analyzed 20 without lumbosacral plexopathy prior to CIRT. The total dose of CIRT was 73.6 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) in 16 fractions. The incidence of RILSP and parameters of the dose-volume histogram were evaluated for the lumbosacral plexuses. RILSP was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Median follow-up was 24 months. The incidence of all RILSP (grades 1 and 2) and grade 2 RILSP was 22.5% (9/40) and 10% (4/40) of 40 lumbosacral plexuses in 20 patients, respectively, and no grade ≥ 3 toxicity was observed. Throughout the dose range, the volumes of the irradiated lumbosacral plexuses were significantly higher in patients with RILSP than in patients without RILSP (<em>P</em> < .001 for Dmax, D0.5 cm<sup>3</sup> − D2 cm<sup>3</sup>, V20 Gy(RBE) − V70 Gy(RBE)). D2 cm<sup>3</sup> and V50 Gy(RBE) were considered useful for receiver operating characteristic analysis. Cutoff values for RILSP were 73.82 Gy(RBE) and 33.2% for D2 cm<sup>3</sup> and V50 Gy(RBE), respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>We demonstrated the incidence and predictive dosimetric parameters for RILSP after CIRT and showed that D2 cm<sup>3</sup> ≥ 73.82 Gy(RBE) and V50 Gy(RBE) = 33.2% are cutoff values for predicting RILSP. These results would improve treatment plans using CIRT for patients with pelvic recurrences of rectal cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 3","pages":"Article 101711"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143348953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rong-Tse Hsu MD , Chang-Yo Pan , Wan-Ni Tsai RN , Xiao-Ping Liao RN , Mei-Hua Su RN , Chiung-Wen Lin RN , Cheng-Li Lin MSc , Chih-Ying Liao MD , Chin-Nan Chu MD , Yo-Liang Lai MD, PhD , Ji-An Liang MD , Ting-Chun Lin MD , Chun-Jui Chang MD
{"title":"Key Insights and Implementation of a Patient-Centered Education Video For Managing Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Pilot Study","authors":"Rong-Tse Hsu MD , Chang-Yo Pan , Wan-Ni Tsai RN , Xiao-Ping Liao RN , Mei-Hua Su RN , Chiung-Wen Lin RN , Cheng-Li Lin MSc , Chih-Ying Liao MD , Chin-Nan Chu MD , Yo-Liang Lai MD, PhD , Ji-An Liang MD , Ting-Chun Lin MD , Chun-Jui Chang MD","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101730","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101730","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to develop an educational tool to improve breast cancer patients' understanding of radiation therapy (RT) and analyze its usage.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>A single-arm trial was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Taiwan with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients scheduled for RT. Patients viewed a 4-minute educational video explaining RT mechanisms, self-care for irradiated skin, treatment precautions, and radiation dermatitis toxicity grading. A QR code provided video access. The Skindex-16 (traditional Chinese version) questionnaire assessed skin reactions before, during, and after RT. A satisfaction survey was also administered post-RT.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 57 enrolled patients, 51 completed the study. Most found the video satisfactory (90.2%) and easy to understand (86.3%). The video provided emotional support (90.2%) and reduced anxiety (84.3%). Nearly all patients (96.1%) found the QR code helpful. Skindex-16 outcomes indicated increasing discomfort throughout treatment, with a significant rise midway through RT. Patient characteristics, such as age, education, occupation, and social support, were not correlated with satisfaction, emotional support efficacy, or video-watching frequency. Subgroup analysis showed no significant differences in Skindex-16 scores between conventional and hypofractionated RT. Most patients (82.4%) watched the video most frequently during the first 2 weeks of RT, with 25.5% replaying it when dermatitis worsened.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The in-house educational video enhanced patients' understanding of RT and provided emotional support, with efficacy unaffected by patient characteristics or fractionation. Patients valued QR code access. The timing of watching the video was crucial. Continuous, accessible educational materials were important as symptoms worsened at the first follow-up. This study paved the way for future clinical trials and educational tools for breast cancer patients in radiation oncology departments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 101730"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jina Chang PhD , Hayeon Kim PhD , Ron Lalonde PhD , Elangovan Doraisamy MS , John Vargo MD
{"title":"Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process-based Risk Priority Number Approach in Failure Modes and Effects Analysis for Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided High-dose-rate Brachytherapy for Gynecologic Cancer","authors":"Jina Chang PhD , Hayeon Kim PhD , Ron Lalonde PhD , Elangovan Doraisamy MS , John Vargo MD","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is commonly used to identify, prioritize, and mitigate potential failure modes (FMs) by assigning a risk priority number (RPN). However, traditional RPN-based FMEA has limitations, particularly when handling the degree of interdependency within processes. To address this, we propose a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-based RPN method, designed to prioritize FMs by accurately weighing risk factors in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy (BT) for gynecologic (GYN) cancer.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>A process map covering all steps was developed for MRI-based GYN BT, and potential FMs were identified. Evaluators were given 2 questionnaires, one for conventional FMEA and another for AHP evaluation. For the AHP method, substeps were grouped by job specialty, with identical weights applied to FMs within each specialty group. Fuzzy linguistic terms helped evaluators handle uncertainties, and final fuzzy AHP-based RPN values were calculated by applying weighted risk factor scores.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The process map included 6 primary steps, 33 substeps, and 82 FMs. In the fuzzy AHP RPN analysis, the top 5 FMs were identified as incorrect/suboptimal applicator insertion, incorrect applicator reconstruction, dose-volume histogram not meeting the physician's intent, incorrect/missing contours, and applicator/patient movement. By comparison, the conventional FMEA ranked the top 5 as incorrect/missing contours, incorrect/suboptimal applicator insertion, dose-volume histogram not meeting the physician's intent, applicator/patient movement, and incorrect applicator reconstruction. FMs with rank differences of 10 or more between methods were mostly related to applicator insertion and MRI.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a fuzzy AHP-based RPN method for comprehensive FM prioritization, tailored to the clinical workflow of MRI-based GYN BT. Our findings provide a valuable reference for implementing fuzzy AHP-based risk assessment in MRI-guided BT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 101731"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143521221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Malcolm D. Mattes MD , Erin A. Kaya MD , Rehema J. Thomas MD , Avinash R. Chaurasia MD , Sara E. Beltran Ponce MD , Gabriel Vidal MD , Idalid Franco MD, MPH , John M. Longo MD , Dayssy A. Diaz Pardo MD , Raymond B. Mailhot Vega MD, MPH , Pranshu Mohindra MD, MBBS , Roberto Diaz MD, PhD , Shilpen Patel MD , Curtiland Deville Jr MD
{"title":"Assessment of Approaches Promoting Virtual Radiation Oncology Educational Content to Medical Students","authors":"Malcolm D. Mattes MD , Erin A. Kaya MD , Rehema J. Thomas MD , Avinash R. Chaurasia MD , Sara E. Beltran Ponce MD , Gabriel Vidal MD , Idalid Franco MD, MPH , John M. Longo MD , Dayssy A. Diaz Pardo MD , Raymond B. Mailhot Vega MD, MPH , Pranshu Mohindra MD, MBBS , Roberto Diaz MD, PhD , Shilpen Patel MD , Curtiland Deville Jr MD","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Virtual learning in radiation oncology (RO) has potential to reach medical students who otherwise lack access to RO exposure or mentorship at their school. This study characterized the relative effectiveness of different methods of promoting virtual education content, to inform future efforts to expand access to RO education.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>A 4-part “Oncology Virtual Series for Medical Students” was developed to emulate an oncology interest group (OIG). All academic RO department chairs and residency program directors were asked to engage their respective Dean's office or OIG to promote to <em>all</em> students, especially groups with primarily underrepresented in medicine membership. Promotional emails were also sent to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office of all allopathic United States (US) medical schools, and Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) regional directors. The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) promoted via ASTROgram, social media, and ROhub. Descriptive statistics are reported.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 660 students preregistered, and 140 attended, at least 1 session. Attendees represented 53 allopathic and 2 osteopathic US medical schools, and 18 international schools. One hundred six attendees (87%) were from schools with an affiliated RO department, and 79 (65%) with an affiliated RO residency. Fifteen schools had at least 3 students attend, with the highest number of attendees from the principal investigator's home institution (n = 10). These 15 schools accounted for 52% of all attendees, of which 10 had an affiliated RO residency. Two hundred eighty of six hundred sixty preregistered students (42%) described how they heard about the series: 87 (31%) medical school faculty, 75 (27%) social media post or email, 53 (19%) OIG, 16 (6%) SNMA or LMSA, and 15 (5%) ASTRO.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Disproportionately high attendance was from a few schools, suggesting that radiation oncologists’ individual efforts and pre-existing relationships with students, Dean's offices, and student groups are most effective for promoting nationwide virtual RO education.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 101734"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emily S. Lebow MD , Jordan Eichholz MS , Lillian Boe PhD , Zhigang Zhang PhD , Leah B. Kratochvil BA , Daphna Y. Gelblum MD , Charles B. Simone II MD , Annemarie F. Shepherd MD , Puneeth Iyengar MD, PhD , Jacob Y. Shin MD , Andreas Rimner MD , Bob T. Li MD, PhD, MPH , James M. Isbell MD , Narek Shaverdian MD , Maria T. Thor PhD , Daniel R. Gomez MD, MBA
{"title":"Cell-Free Circulating Tumor DNA for NonInvasive Molecular Profiling Among Patients Undergoing Definitive Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Lung Cancer","authors":"Emily S. Lebow MD , Jordan Eichholz MS , Lillian Boe PhD , Zhigang Zhang PhD , Leah B. Kratochvil BA , Daphna Y. Gelblum MD , Charles B. Simone II MD , Annemarie F. Shepherd MD , Puneeth Iyengar MD, PhD , Jacob Y. Shin MD , Andreas Rimner MD , Bob T. Li MD, PhD, MPH , James M. Isbell MD , Narek Shaverdian MD , Maria T. Thor PhD , Daniel R. Gomez MD, MBA","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2025.101727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>We prospectively explored the utility of liquid biopsy for cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>This prospective clinical cohort consisted of patients with unresectable, locally advanced NSCLC who had liquid biopsy testing before initiation of cancer therapy. Liquid biopsy testing was performed using an institutional assay that included 129 genes and paired white blood cell sequencing. Variant allele frequency was defined as the proportion of mutant alleles at a particular genetic locus. A US Food and Drug Administration-recognized database (OncoKB) was used to classify alterations. We evaluated progression-free survival from the start of radiation therapy using the log-rank test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 25 patients with prospective testing of ctDNA levels before therapy initiation, 18 patients had adenocarcinoma (72%), 7 patients had squamous cell carcinoma (28%), and 23 (92%) were former or current smokers. Twelve patients (48%) received adjuvant durvalumab. The median radiation dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions (range, 55-66 Gy in 20-33 fractions). Seventy-six percent of patients (n = 18) had one or more alterations detected (median, 3 alterations, range, 1-8), including genomic markers of radiation response in 3 patients. The most common driver alteration detected was <em>KRAS</em> mutation in 24% of the cohort (n = 6). The detection of ctDNA levels was significantly associated with pretreatment 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography standardized uptake value metrics, and the association was strengthened by integrating the number of mutations (compared with variant allele frequency) as the outcome variable. Among patients with baseline detectable ctDNA levels, the median progression-free survival was 21.3 months and was not reached among patients without baseline ctDNA level detection (hazard ratio, 4.54, <em>P</em> = .04).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Prospective liquid biopsy testing among patients treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy identifies driver alterations and markers of radiation response with direct implications for therapy personalization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 4","pages":"Article 101727"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143680216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michelle Ann B. Eala MD , Ethan Angelo S. Maslog MD , Nicole Rose I. Alberto MD , Isabelle Rose I. Alberto MD , Frances Dominique V. Ho MD , Edward Christopher Dee MD , Ann Raldow MD, MPH , Reno Eufemon Cereno MD
{"title":"Travel Burden of Radiation Therapy in the Philippines","authors":"Michelle Ann B. Eala MD , Ethan Angelo S. Maslog MD , Nicole Rose I. Alberto MD , Isabelle Rose I. Alberto MD , Frances Dominique V. Ho MD , Edward Christopher Dee MD , Ann Raldow MD, MPH , Reno Eufemon Cereno MD","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Travel burden negatively impacts the stage at diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and quality of life among patients with cancer. Travel burden—quantified as distance, time, and cost of travel—is magnified in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines, where radiation therapy (RT) resources are lacking and are inequitably distributed.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>We compared Philippine Radiation Oncology Society data and the population census to determine the distribution and density of RT facilities across the country's 17 regions. For distance and travel time, we used the Google Maps route planner to determine the best routes from each province to the nearest private and government RT facility. Travel cost was calculated by multiplying distance by the local price of diesel per liter and the mean fuel economy of passenger vehicles in the Philippines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There are only 54 RT facilities in the Philippines (0.5 per 1 million population). More than a third are in the National Capital Region (NCR). Four regions do not have an RT facility. Nationally, the average distance to any RT facility is 101.02 km with a travel time of 2.66 hours and a travel cost of PHP 4811.11 ($85.91). Travel burden to any RT facility is the least in NCR and greatest in Visayas. Travel burden to a government RT facility is greater, with an average distance of 136.94 km, travel time of 3.05 hours, and travel cost of PHP 6353.43 ($113.45). Travel burden to a government RT facility is least in NCR and greatest in Mindanao.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The travel burden of RT in the Philippines is significant and varies regionally and by RT facility type (private or government). Data-driven installation of government RT facilities in underserved regions, alternative reimbursement systems to encourage hypofractionation when appropriate, patient subsidies for housing/transportation while on treatment, better public transportation, and patient navigation are needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 101699"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11751511/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143021763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Isabela Anawate BA , Christian Lumley MD , Sierra Silverwood BA , Magdalena Anchondo MPA , Kgosi Hughes BS , Caroline Kernell BS , Katharine Rendle PhD, MPH, MSW , Rohini Bhatia MD , Surbhi Grover MD, MPH
{"title":"Global Review of Tools Evaluating Quality of Life in Cervical Cancer Survivors Treated With Chemoradiation Therapy","authors":"Isabela Anawate BA , Christian Lumley MD , Sierra Silverwood BA , Magdalena Anchondo MPA , Kgosi Hughes BS , Caroline Kernell BS , Katharine Rendle PhD, MPH, MSW , Rohini Bhatia MD , Surbhi Grover MD, MPH","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This systematic review aimed to identify and compare tools used to evaluate quality of life (QoL) after pelvic radiation for cervical cancer and to describe variations in results within commonly used instruments. This review hypothesized regional preferences in the selection of these tools and an absence of uniformity in their application globally.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>A comprehensive search of 6 databases was conducted between the inception of each included database and June 14, 2023, focusing on studies evaluating the QoL of patients with cervical cancer during and after radiation. Excluded were studies involving cancers originating outside the cervix, those not exclusively undergoing radiation or chemoradiation therapy, such as patients who have undergone surgery, and non-English studies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ultimately, 229 studies covering 25,693 patients and 51 countries were identified. Most studies were conducted in Asia (35.6%) and Europe (32.9%). Ninety-nine QoL instruments were identified, not including those that were specific to a single study. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (20.5%) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL questionnaire cervical cancer module (16.0%) were the most commonly used; however, US-based studies primarily used the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General surveys. Furthermore, there was significant variability in the timelines of survey usage in relation to when treatment was completed, further limiting the comparisons that can be made. Of the 127 studies that reported data on the time points after completion of treatment at which QoL was measured, 72.4% measured QoL within 1 year of treatment completion, and 48.8% measured QoL >1 year after treatment completion, with some studies using multiple time points for their research.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study revealed a fragmented landscape with significant variability in QoL survey use, limiting the generalizability and usefulness of these results to drive meaningful change. There is a need for a global standardized method to evaluate QoL after treatment of cervical cancer with radiation therapy for comparison across regions. Simplified tools may assist with the broader collection of data, which may lead to advancements for improvement of the QoL of these patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 101700"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11733041/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142998464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Beltrán Ponce MD , Bethany Canales MPH , Emily L. McGinley MS, MPH , Tina W.F. Yen MD, MS , Sergey Tarima PhD , Yuhong Zhou PhD, MS, ME , Jean C. Bikomeye MPH , Kirsten M.M. Beyer PhD, MPH, MS
{"title":"Characterizing the Impact of Race and Contemporary Redlining on Receipt of Guideline-Concordant Locoregional Therapy Among Older Women With Breast Cancer","authors":"Sara Beltrán Ponce MD , Bethany Canales MPH , Emily L. McGinley MS, MPH , Tina W.F. Yen MD, MS , Sergey Tarima PhD , Yuhong Zhou PhD, MS, ME , Jean C. Bikomeye MPH , Kirsten M.M. Beyer PhD, MPH, MS","doi":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101688","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.adro.2024.101688","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Improving locoregional control for breast cancer (BC) results in better overall survival. Contemporary redlining is associated with worse BC survival in older patients. Self-reported race is associated with survival, redlining, and access to care. We aim to examine the relationship between race, redlining, and the receipt of guideline-concordant locoregional therapy (LRT) in older women with BC.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and Materials</h3><div>Women aged 66 to 90 years with stage I to III BC diagnosed in 2010 to 2017 with known metropolitan statistical area were identified in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare. Redlining was estimated using Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. Guideline-concordant LRT was assessed based on receipt of surgery and appropriate adjuvant radiation treatment. A logistic regression model was fitted to examine the relationship between redlining and receipt of guideline-concordant LRT, accounting for covariates. Cluster bootstrap at the MSA-level was used.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The cohort included 64,987 women: 31% aged 66 to 70, 82% non-Hispanic (NH) White, 12% with dual Medicaid/Medicare enrollment. Ninety-four percent underwent surgical resection; 84% received guideline compliant LRT. NH Black race was associated with lower receipt of guideline-concordant LRT compared to NH White (odds ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71-0.84). No significant differences were noted between NH White and NH Asian or Hispanic women. Residing in high-redlining areas was associated with lower odds of receiving guideline-concordant LRT compared to low-redlining areas (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.95, <em>P</em> = .002).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In this cohort of older women with BC, NH Black race and redlining, even after adjusting for several important clinical and demographic factors, were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving guideline-concordant LRT. This finding demonstrates the profound impact of interpersonal racism and redlining on receipt of cancer-directed therapies and highlights the need for further work to combat systemic inequities and interpersonal racism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7390,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Radiation Oncology","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 101688"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11751514/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143021842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}