OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of pretreatment positron emission tomography (PET) standardized uptake value (SUVmax), standardized uptake value corrected for lean body mass (SULpeak) value, metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) parameters of the primary tumour assessed with PET/computed tomography (CT) in the clinical out-come in patients diagnosed with histopathologically confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective evaluation was performed using PET/CT image datasets of 52 histologically proven head and neck cancer patients in 4 weeks' prior receiving definitive chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). Positron emission tomography /CT was performed before the CRT and 12 weeks after it for response evaluation. Image data was used for target volume delineation and for specify SUVmax, SULpeak, MTV and TLG parameters of the primary tumour. According to the results of the therapeutic response evaluation two patient subgroups were created in relation to the presence or absence of viable tumour. Metabolic data from pre-treatment PET/CT and therapeutic response were correlated using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS After completion of the CRT in 24/52 (46%) cases viable residual tumour was detected on restaging PET/CT, while in 28/52 (54%) patients showed complete remission. For the therapeutic success prediction assessment, we could not find any significant correlation with pre-treatment SUVmax and SULpeak values (P>0.44, P>0.33). Total lesion glycolysis provided nearly significant difference (P=0.052) and MTV had shown significant difference (P=0.001) between the two patient subgroups statistically. CONCLUSION Simple metabolic data (SUVmax and SULpeak) from pretreatment fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT were unable to predict therapeutic response, while volumetric information containing MTV and TLG parameters proved to be more useful, thus their inclusion to risk stratification may also have additional value.
It is considered this method is well suited to process large numbers of samples for purposes of detecting contamination with relative ease, little cost in shortened time. Using Z-broth in combination with redox potential monitoring can be recommended for central laboratories for routine testing of drinking water for live presence. As well, using this method for testing of fluids and surfaces for contamination would be advantageous in such environments as the hospital industry, swimming pools and spas, where cleaning routines and transmission prevention protocols could be made much more resultful and cost-effective due to ease and speed of processing both spot check and water samples.
The human brain as an organ has numerous functions; some of them can be visualized by functional imaging techniques (e.g., functional MRI [fMRI] or positron emission tomography). The localization of the appropriate activity clusters requires sophisticated instrumentation and complex measuring protocol. As the inclusion of the activation pattern in modern self-tailored 3D based radiotherapy has notable advantages, this method is applied frequently. Unfortunately, no standardized method has been published yet for the integration of the fMRI data into the planning process and the detailed description of the individual applications is usually missing. Thirteen patients with brain tumors, receiving fMRI based RT planning were enrolled in this study. The delivered dose maps were exported from the treatment planning system and processed for further statistical analysis. Two parameters were introduced to measure the geometrical distance Hausdorff Distance (HD), and volumetric overlap Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of fMRI corrected and not corrected dose matrices as calculated by 3D planning to characterize similarity and/or dissimilarity of these dose matrices. Statistical analysis of bootstrapped HD and DSC data was performed to determine confidence intervals of these parameters. The calculated confidence intervals for HD and DSC were (5.04, 7.09), (0.79, 0.86), respectively for the 40 Gy and (5.2, 7.85), (0.74, 0.83), respectively for the 60 Gy dose volumes. These data indicate that in the case of HD < 5.04 and/or DSC > 0.86, the 40 Gy dose volumes obtained with and without fMRI activation pattern do not show a significant difference (5% significance level). The same conditions for the 60 Gy dose volumes were HD < 5.2 and/or DSC > 0.83. At the same time, with HD > 7.09 and/or DSC < 0.79 for 40 Gy and HD > 7.85 and/or DSC < 0.74 for 60 Gy the impact of fMRI utilization in RT planning is excessive. The fMRI activation clusters can be used in daily RT planning routine to spare activation clusters as critical areas in the brain and avoid their high dose irradiation. Parameters HD (as distance) and DSC (as overlap) can be used to characterize the difference and similarity between the radiotherapy planning target volumes and indicate whether the fMRI delivered activation patterns and consequent fMRI corrected planning volumes are reliable or not.
Introduction and aim: In case of imaging modalities using ionizing radiation, radiation exposure of the patients is a vital issue. It is important to survey the various dose-reducing techniques to achieve optimal radiation protection while keeping image quality on an optimal level. Method: We reprocessed 105 patients' data prospectively between February and April 2017. The determination of the radiation dose was based on the effective dose, calculated by multiplying the dose-length product (DLP) and dose-conversation coefficient. In case of image quality we used signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on manual segmentation of region of interest (ROI). For statistical analysis, one sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used. Results: Using iterative reconstruction, the effective dose was significantly lower (p<0.001) in both native and contrast-enhanced abdominal, contrast-enhanced chest CT scans and in the case of the total effective dose. At native and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans, the noise content of the images showed significantly lower (p<0.001) values for iterative reconstruction images. At contrast-enhanced chest CT scans there was no significant difference between the noise content of the images (p>0.05). Conclusion: Using iterative reconstruction, it was possible to achieve significant dose reduction. Since the noise content of the images was not significantly higher using the iterative reconstruction compared to the filtered back projection, further dose reduction can be achievable while preserving the optimal quality of the images.
Our aim was to present our treatment and verification protocols of linear accelerator-based lung and abdominal stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). During our treatments both the volumetric imaging (3D/4D CBCT/CT) and triggered kV intrafractional tumor motion control could be combined allowing a full control on the whole workflow. The most optimal kV directions from which the tumor is well detectable were defined. Tumor movements measured on cine MRI in treatment position correlated well with the ones on 4D CBCT, thus cine MRI is considered an excellent device to pre-select the appropriate image/treatment verification SABR protocol. In abdominal targets implanted markers and cine MRI are preferred due to limited image quality of CBCT with the current version. In selected lung SABR cases (≥8mm motion) the dose delivery of organs at risk (lungs - GTV, chest wall) could be reduced compared to free breathing conditions, however, the treatment time is at least two-folds higher.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Radiotherapy plays important role in the complex oncological treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The modern 3D radiotherapy treatments are based on cross-sectional CT and MR information, however more attention is being paid to functional hybrid imaging describing the biological and functional morphology of tumor lesions. 18F-DOPA is an amino acid tracer with high specificity and sensitivity, which may play an important role in the precise definition of target volume in the irradiation process of GBM patients. Our study presents the first experiences with 18F-DOPA based PET/CT/MR 3D irradiation planning process.METHODS:In Hungary the 18F-DOPA radiotracer has been available for clinical use since September 2017. Between September 2017 and January 2018, at the Somogy County Kaposi Mór Teaching Hospital Dr. József Baka Diagnostic, Radiation Oncology, Research and Teaching Center 3 histologically verified glioblastoma multiforme patients received 18F-DOPA based 3D irradiation treatment. In the contouring process the native planning CT scanes were fused with the PET/MR series (T1 contrast enhanced, T2 and 18F-DOPA sequences). We defined 18F-DOPA uptake volume (BTV-F-DOPA), the T1 contrast enhanced MRI volume (GTV-T1CE), and the volume of the area covered by oedema on the T2 weighted MRI scan (CTV-oedema) in all patients. We also registered the BTV-F-DOPA volumes not covered by the conventional MR based target volumes.RESULTS:Examining the 3 cases, the average volume of 18F-DOPA tumor was 22.7 cm3 (range 15.3-30.9; SD = 7.82). The average GTV T1 CE was found to be 8.7 cm3 (range 3.8-13.2; SD = 4.70). The mean CTV oedema volume was 40.3 cm3 (range 27.7-57.7; SD = 15.36). A non-overlapping target volume difference (BTV-F-DOPA not covered by CTV oedema area) was 4.5 cm3 (range 1-10.3; SD = 5.05) for PTV definition.CONCLUSION:Based on our results the tumor area defined by the amino acid tracer is not fully identical with the MRI defined T2 oedema CTV. 18F-DOPA defined BTV can modify the definiton of the PTV, and the radiotherapy treatment.
Purpose or ObjectiveReduced-dose protocols have been made available on Varian Edge kV cone beam CT (CBCT) and Halcyon MV CBCT.To assist clinicians in choosing optimal imaging modality for specific patient anatomy, this work compared the imaging dose and positioning accuracy of kV and MV CBCT using various scanning protocols and phantoms.
Absztrakt: Bevezetes es celkitűzes: Az ionizalo sugarzast hasznalo keresztmetszeti kepalkoto modalitasok alkalmazasa soran kiemelt szerepe van a pacienseket erő sugardozis mennyisegenek. A betegeket erő sugarterheles csokkentesere fokuszalva fontos felmerni a kulonboző doziscsokkentő technikak adta lehetősegeket a sugarvedelem optimalis megvalositasa celjabol a kepminőseg minel magasabb szinten tartasa mellett. Modszer: Kutatasunk soran az intezetunkben hasznalt iterativ keprekonstrukciot (SAFIRE) es a szűrt visszavetiteses rekonstrukciot (FBP) alkalmazo CT-berendezesek sugarterheleset es kepminőseget hasonlitottuk ossze. Vizsgalatunkban prospektiv modon 2017. februar–aprilis intervallumban 105 beteg kepanyagaval dolgoztunk. A CT-vizsgalatok soran a beteget erő effektiv dozis kerult meghatarozasra a dozis-hossz szorzat (DLP) es a doziskonverzios egyutthato szorzatakent. A kepminőseg ertekelesehez manualis terulet kijeloles (ROI-) alapu adatfelvetelt kovetően jel-zaj aranyt (SNR) szamoltunk. A statisztikai elemzest egymintas t-probaval es Wilcoxon-teszttel vegeztuk el. Eredmenyek: Az effektiv dozis iterativ rekonstrukciot alkalmazva szignifikansan alacsonyabb (p<0,001) volt nativ es kontrasztanyagos hasi, illetve kontrasztanyagos mellkasi CT-vizsgalat eseten, tovabba a betegeket ert osszes effektiv dozis tekinteteben is. A felvetelek zajtartalma nativ es kontrasztanyagos hasi CT-vizsgalat soran szignifikansan alacsonyabb (p<0,001) ertekeket mutatott az iterativ rekonstrukcioval keszult kepek eseten. A kontrasztanyagos mellkasi CT-vizsgalatok soran szignifikans elteres nem mutatkozott a ketfele eljarassal keszult kepek zajtartalma kozott (p>0,05). Kovetkeztetes: Az ismetelt CT-vizsgalaton atesett betegek koreben szignifikans doziscsokkentes valt lehetőve az iterativ keprekonstrukcio alkalmazasaval, a kepminőseg megtartasa mellett. A kepek zajtartalma egy regio vizsgalatanal sem volt szignifikansan magasabb az iterativ rekonstrukcio alkalmazasakor a szűrt visszavetiteses rekonstrukciohoz kepest, igy felmerul a tovabbi doziscsokkentes lehetősege optimalis kepminőseg megőrzese mellett. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(35): 1387–1394. | Abstract: Introduction and aim: In case of imaging modalities using ionizing radiation, radiation exposure of the patients is a vital issue. It is important to survey the various dose-reducing techniques to achieve optimal radiation protection while keeping image quality on an optimal level. Method: We reprocessed 105 patients’ data prospectively between February and April 2017. The determination of the radiation dose was based on the effective dose, calculated by multiplying the dose-length product (DLP) and dose-conversation coefficient. In case of image quality we used signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on manual segmentation of region of interest (ROI). For statistical analysis, one sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used. Results: Using iterative reconstruction, the effective dose was significantly lower (p<0.001) in both native and contrast-enhanced abdominal, contrast-enhanced chest CT scans and in the case of the total effective dose. At native and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans, the noise content of the images showed significantly lower (p<0.001) values for iterative reconstruction images. At contrast-enhanced chest CT scans there was no significant difference between the noise content of the images (p>0.05). Conclusion: Using iterative reconstruction, it was possible to achieve significant dose reduction. Since the noise content of the images was not significantly higher using the iterative reconstruction compared to the filtered back projection, further dose reduction can be achievable while preserving the optimal quality of the images. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(35): 1387–1394.
397 Objectives: PET/MR imaging provides unique opportunity to acquire morphological, functional and metabolic data simultaneously, allowing different biological characteristics visualization of oncologic disorders with one examination. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is a highly emerging advanced MR technique in cancer diagnostics. L-3,4-Dihydroxy-6-[18F]phenylalanine (F-DOPA) PET tracer was initially used for Parkinson imaging, however its neuro-oncologic application is also evolving in the recent years. The aim of our survey was to evaluate F-DOPA uptake and DWI MR parameters in different brain tumors using PET/MR. Methods: 39 F-DOPA PET/MR examinations, performed between September 2017 and November 2018 were retrospectively assessed. Imaging included UTE, T1W, T2W, FLAIR, DWI (b0, b1000) MR sequences and simultaneous PET acquisition, initiated 10 minutes after intravenous injection of 2 MBq/kg F-DOPA tracer. From the DWI MR images ADC maps were generated automatically. A total of 46 lesions were analysed /26 high grade glioma (HGG), 15 low-grade glioma (LGG) and 5 metastatic disorder/. Within the HGG group, a subgroup of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) disorders was also generated, containing 21 lesions. PET SUVmax and SULpeak, MR DWImax(b1000) and ADCmin parameters were calculated for each lesion using ROI analysis and correlated with World Health Organization (WHO) tumor grade. Association of measured lesional PET and MR parameters were also assessed. Statistics included ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc test and correlation analysis. Results: HGG disorders represented with higher SUVmax, SULpeak and DWImax and lower ADCmin values than low grade gliomas (mean SUVmax: 4.18 vs 2.36, p=0.0001; mean SULpeak: 2.61 vs 1.53, p=0.0005; mean DWImax: 481 vs 228, p
Abstract: Introduction and aim: In case of imaging modalities using ionizing radiation, radiation exposure of the patients is a vital issue. It is important to survey the various dose-reducing techniques to achieve optimal radiation protection while keeping image quality on an optimal level. Method: We reprocessed 105 patients’ data prospectively between February and April 2017. The determination of the radiation dose was based on the effective dose, calculated by multiplying the dose-length product (DLP) and dose-conversation coefficient. In case of image quality we used signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on manual segmentation of region of interest (ROI). For statistical analysis, one sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used. Results: Using iterative reconstruction, the effective dose was significantly lower (p<0.001) in both native and contrast-enhanced abdominal, contrast-enhanced chest CT scans and in the case of the total effective dose. At native and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans, the noise content of the images showed significantly lower (p<0.001) values for iterative reconstruction images. At contrast-enhanced chest CT scans there was no significant difference between the noise content of the images (p>0.05). Conclusion: Using iterative reconstruction, it was possible to achieve significant dose reduction. Since the noise content of the images was not significantly higher using the iterative reconstruction compared to the filtered back projection, further dose reduction can be achievable while preserving the optimal quality of the images. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(35): 1387–1394.
Introduction and aim: The aim of our study was to investigate changes in clinical staging N (lymph node) and M (distant metastasis) in patients who receive PET/CT-based 3D radiotherapy within complex oncological treatment, and compare to conventional cross-sectional imaging staging technique. We also investigated the presence of PET/ CT-detected second tumors and the effect of PET/CT on therapeutic decisions. Method: From the 1st of January 2015 to the 30th of November 2016, 192 patients (n = 192) were treated with PET/CT-based radiation (109 head, 44 lung, 28 rectum and 11 cervical localization) in the Oncoradiology Institute of the Health Center of the University of Kaposvár. All patients received conventional cross-sectional and PET/CT imaging in accordance with the valid investigation protocol. The average time interval between the two cross-sec-tional investigations was 5.2 weeks. Clinical N and M staging was performed on the basis of the classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC). Results: By analyzing the clinical stages N and M separately, based on the results of the PET/CT studies, the N stage was changed in 77 cases and the M stage changed in 31 cases. Overall, the PET/CT study resulted in higher clinical stages in 68 (35.4%) patients and lower clinical stages in 14 (7.3%) patients. The treatment plan was changed in 9% of the patients (n = 18) (definitive versus palliative treatment) and the extension of radiotherapy treatment target volume (PTV) was indicated in 20% of the patients (n = 39) due to the change in clinical lymph node status. PET/CT also detected secondary tumors in 15 (8%) patients. Conclusion: Based on our results, the addition of PET/CT to conventional cross-sectional staging imaging permits a more accurate clinical classification of N and M stages and significantly influences therapeutic decisions. PET/CT imaging also provides a great help in detecting occult second tumors. The results of our Institute harmonize with the international data available in the literature.
Abstract: Hungary’s first and still only multimodality PET/MR device is operating in the Health Center of Kaposvár University. The aim of our review article is to present the current Hungarian PET/MR imaging application opportunities, our available initial experiences with this novel multimodality imaging technique in malignant and non-malignant diseases and further potential targeted clinical fields of use are also addressed. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(34): 1375–1384.
Hungary's first and still only multimodality PET/MR device is operating in the Health Center of Kaposvar University. The aim of our review article is to present the current Hungarian PET/MR imaging application opportunities, our available initial experiences with this novel multimodality imaging technique in malignant and non-malignant diseases and further potential targeted clinical fields of use are also addressed.
Background and purposeGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary anomaly of central nervous system. The GBM infiltrates the nearly sturctures from the initial tumor and its metastatic attribution is well known. The aim of our single-centered retrospective study was to introduce the importance of postoperative medical imaging confirmation of total tumor resection for patient with GBM combined concomitant and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy on a 10 year long patient follow up.MethodsFrom January 2006 to April 2015 we registered 59 patients with newly diagnosed GBM at the University of Kaposvár Health Center Institute of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology. The histological diagnosis was confirmed by a proficient neuropathologist (World Health Organisation WHO; grade IV astrocytoma). According to histological status if the ECOG performance status of patients allowed it the mutidisciplinary oncoteam recommended adjuvant chemoradiotherapy all features strictly by Stupp protocol. (60 Gy dose on the gross tumor volume and 2-3 cm margin for the clinical target volume with parallel 75 mg/m2 TMZ. Four weeks after monotherapial phase patients had to recieve 6 cycles of TMZ first cycle with 150 mg/m2 up to 200 mg/m2). The irradiation was carried out by a conformal three dimensional planning system.Results59 patients with the median age of 63 (range 17-84) year. Our sample counted 34 male patients and 25 woman patients. 14 patients underwent gross total tumor resection while, 39 patients underwent partial resection and the rest from our sample 6 patients passed through biopsy. Statistical analysis showed a lengthier survival among males than females, with a median survival of 13 months for males and females, the OS of 26.209 for males, meanwhile 15.625 for females. However, the difference is not considerable (log-rank p=0.203). Our study found that the estimated survival of patients at least 50 years old is significantly shorter at a median survival of 12 months (log rank p=0.027) than that of patients below 50 years of age at a median survival of 23 months. The longest estimated median survival was calculated with patients of ECOG '0' condition (16 months). However, no significant difference was found in the estimated survival of patients of different ECOG conditions (log-rank p=0.146). Based on the extent of surgery, complete resection resulted in the longest average survival of 36.4 months, followed by 21.5 months among patients with biopsy, and 15.8 months among patients with partial resection. Different surgical procedures, however, did not result in significant differences in survival (log-rank p=0.059). The overal survival of patients who had complete resection confirmed by MRI compared with the overal survival of patients with residual tumor confirmed by MRI as well we can estimate that there is significant difference between these two groups (p=0,004).ConclusionDespite complex and intense treatment, recurrence is inevitable and causes relatively rapid death. In our analysis complete resection, as defined from the neurosurgeon's report and postoperative MRI, resulted in an independently significant improvement in OS. Our results are the evidences that the treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme in Hungary is at least on the same level as any other developed European countries.
Abstract: Introduction: Image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy is essential for oncology treatment of head-and-neck cancer patients. Aim: MV-kV and CBCT modalities were compared in case of IGRT treatment for head-and-neck cancer patients. Setup error, setup margin (SM), imaging and evaluation times and imaging doses were analyzed. Method: Eight patients’ elective treatment was evaluated, 66 orthogonal MV-kV images and 66 CBCT series were acquired. Setup error measurement was based on bony manual image registration in three translational directions. Normality test and F-test were performed followed by the comparison with independent-samples T-test (p<0,05). The necessary target volume setup margin was calculated based on Van Herk’s equation. Imaging time and setup error determination time were measured. Imaging doses were estimated based on the literature. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between setup errors determined by MV-kV and CBCT (VRT: 0.5 mm, SD = 1.9 vs. 0.4 mm, SD = 2.1, p = 0.371; LNG: 0.2 mm, SD = 2.2 vs. –0.1 mm, SD = 2.2, p = 0.188; LAT: 0.2 mm, SD = 2.2 vs. 0.3 mm, SD = 2.1, p = 0.41). SM values were: VRT: 2.7 mm vs. 2.5 mm; LNG: 2.1 mm vs. 1.3 mm; LAT: 2.2 mm vs. 2.3 mm. Mean imaging time was 0.65 min (MV-kV) vs. 2.29 min (CBCT). Mean setup error determination time was 2.41 min for both modalities. Estimated imaging doses were 6.88 mGy (MV-kV) vs. 17.2 mGy (CBCT) per fraction. Conclusion: The bony anatomy derived image registration based translational setup error determination results in similar values either by MV-kV or by CBCT. Using 3 mm setup margin in all the directions might be adequate. Imaging time is less by MV-kV, significant difference in imaging doses did not appear. Using CBCT is generally suggested. MV-kV might be an alternative in case of need for shortened imaging time. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(29): 1193–1200.
INTRODUCTION:Image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy is essential for oncology treatment of head-and-neck cancer patients.AIM:MV-kV and CBCT modalities were compared in case of IGRT treatment for head-and-neck cancer patients. Setup error, setup margin (SM), imaging and evaluation times and imaging doses were analyzed.METHOD:Eight patients' elective treatment was evaluated, 66 orthogonal MV-kV images and 66 CBCT series were acquired. Setup error measurement was based on bony manual image registration in three translational directions. Normality test and F-test were performed followed by the comparison with independent-samples T-test (p<0,05). The necessary target volume setup margin was calculated based on Van Herk's equation. Imaging time and setup error determination time were measured. Imaging doses were estimated based on the literature.RESULTS:No statistically significant difference was found between setup errors determined by MV-kV and CBCT (VRT: 0.5 mm, SD = 1.9 vs. 0.4 mm, SD = 2.1, p = 0.371; LNG: 0.2 mm, SD = 2.2 vs. -0.1 mm, SD = 2.2, p = 0.188; LAT: 0.2 mm, SD = 2.2 vs. 0.3 mm, SD = 2.1, p = 0.41). SM values were: VRT: 2.7 mm vs. 2.5 mm; LNG: 2.1 mm vs. 1.3 mm; LAT: 2.2 mm vs. 2.3 mm. Mean imaging time was 0.65 min (MV-kV) vs. 2.29 min (CBCT). Mean setup error determination time was 2.41 min for both modalities. Estimated imaging doses were 6.88 mGy (MV-kV) vs. 17.2 mGy (CBCT) per fraction.CONCLUSION:The bony anatomy derived image registration based translational setup error determination results in similar values either by MV-kV or by CBCT. Using 3 mm setup margin in all the directions might be adequate. Imaging time is less by MV-kV, significant difference in imaging doses did not appear. Using CBCT is generally suggested. MV-kV might be an alternative in case of need for shortened imaging time. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(29): 1193-1200.
The publication of the GEC-ESTRO recommendations one decade ago was a significant step forward for reaching international consensus on adaptive target definition and dose reporting in image guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) in locally advanced cervical cancer. Since then, IGABT has been spreading, particularly in Europe, North America and Asia, and the guidelines have proved their broad acceptance and applicability in clinical practice. However, a unified approach to volume contouring and reporting does not imply a unified administration of treatment, and currently both external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and IGABT are delivered using a large variety of techniques and prescription/fractionation schedules.With IGABT, local control is excellent in limited and well-responding tumours. The major challenges are currently loco-regional control in advanced tumours, treatment-related morbidity, and distant metastatic disease. Emerging evidence from the RetroEMBRACE and EMBRACE I studies has demonstrated that clinical outcome is related to dose prescription and technique. The next logical step is to demonstrate excellent clinical outcome with the most advanced EBRT and brachytherapy techniques based on an evidence-based prospective dose and volume prescription protocol.The EMBRACE II study is an interventional and observational multicentre study which aims to benchmark a high level of local, nodal and systemic control while limiting morbidity, using state of the art treatment including an advanced target volume selection and contouring protocol for EBRT and brachytherapy, a multi-parametric brachytherapy dose prescription protocol (clinical validation of dose constraints), and use of advanced EBRT (IMRT and IGRT) and brachytherapy (IC/IS) techniques (clinical validation). The study also incorporates translational research including imaging and tissue biomarkers.
ESTRO 37 S424 presented G5 toxicity (fistula) Urinary frequency G≥1 fluctuated. 5-year overall survival ConclusionIn this retrospective study, OS and SDS at 5 years were 44% and 63% respectively, showing that comorbidities were the first cause of death in this cohort.Severe to life-threatening morbidity was limited in this analysis.RT is a safe and curative option for inoperable patients with endometrial cancer in terms of disease control and toxicity.Nevertheless, surgery is the first option and medically inoperable patients should be re-evaluated in specialized high-risk surgical patients units.