To determine whether myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) changes in lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) were detectable with late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (LGE CMR).

Twenty-one patients with lung cancer were evaluated pre-RT and at 2 and 6 months post-RT follow-up (FU) with MPS and LGE CMR. MPS changes in the left ventricle (LV) were analysed using the semi-quantitative summed rest score method (20 segments) and the Bull’s-eye-view technique. The LGE CMR studies were analysed for visual signs of myocardial damage (fibrosis), that is, focal LGE in the LV and cardiac function parameters.

MPS changes were detected in 7/20 patients at 2 months FU and in 8/13 patients at 6 months FU. Only one patient had a new irreversible defect judged to be caused by direct irradiation. MPS changes in two cases were deemed to be caused by attenuation. All new MPS defects were minor and no corresponding myocardial damage, or any functional changes, were evident on LGE CMR.

The extent of MPS changes at 6 months FU appeared less prominent than in previous reports. No visual signs or functional changes corresponding to myocardial damage were detected on LGE CMR. A risk for false-positive MPS changes caused by attenuation is evident.

Radiation-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV) is a common side effect of single fraction palliative radiotherapy. Patients experiencing RINV have significantly reduced quality of life and a prescription of prophylactic antiemetics, principally 5-HT3 antagonists, is recommended. There is a growing body of evidence relating to indications for this, but as yet there are no national guidelines.

A retrospective audit aimed to determine the extent to which patients at high and moderate emetogenic risk receiving single fraction radiotherapy were prescribed prophylactic emetic medication in line with the current evidence base.

A total of 60 patients were included in the audit; of these patients, 50 were consented for the risk of nausea and/or vomiting. Prophylactic antiemetics were only prescribed to 28 (46·7%) of all audited patients. Out of the 50 patients who provided informed consent, only 24 (48%) were prescribed an antiemetic prior to their treatment.

Antiemetic prescribing for single fraction patients at moderate to high emetogenic risk at a large regional centre is underutilised in relation to published evidence. Amended guidance and further audits are recommended to ensure that this patient group is best supported.

The impact of loco-regional treatment (LRT) with radiotherapy (RT) in patients presenting with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has not been widely studied. The aim of this study was to review the treatment outcomes of LRT including RT in patients with MBC.

Patients who presented with MBC were included in this retrospective study. Analysis was undertaken to determine the difference in local disease control, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with systemic treatment alone, surgery alone, surgery plus RT and RT alone with long-rank test. Multivariate analysis was done, using the cox regression for factors affecting PFS and OS.

From 2007 to 2014, data of 257 patients with MBC were collected. Totally, 185 patients received LRT and 72 did not. LRT was surgery plus RT, surgery only and RT only in 113, 47 and 25 patients, respectively. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and hormone therapy were received by 205 and 166 patients, respectively. Median follow-up was 36 months (6–120 months). PFS and OS at 3 years with and without LRT were 31% versus 6% (p < 0·001) and 41% versus 17% (p < 0·001), respectively. PFS at 3 years with surgery plus RT, RT alone and surgery was 40, 33 and 6%, respectively. OS at 3 years with surgery plus RT, RT alone and surgery was 50, 38 and 17%, respectively. Patients without LRT had worse PFS and OS, 6 and 17%, respectively. RT had significant impact on PFS and OS along with chemotherapy and hormone treatment.

In patients with MBC, improved local control, PFS and OS were achieved with loco-regional RT. Loco-regional RT along with chemotherapy and hormones were significant factors for PFS and OS irrespective of surgery.

Delineating the proximal urethra can be critical for radiotherapy planning but is challenging on computerised tomography (CT) imaging.

We trialed a novel non-invasive technique to allow visualisation of the proximal urethra using a rapid sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol to visualise the urinary flow in patients voiding during the simulation scan.

Of the seven patients enrolled, four were able to void during the MRI scan. For these four patients, direct visualisation of urinary flow through the proximal urethra was achieved. The average volume of the proximal urethra contoured on voiding MRI was significantly higher than the proximal urethra contoured on CT, 4·07 and 1·60 cc, respectively (p = 0·02). The proximal urethra location also differed; the Dice coefficient average was 0·28 (range 0–0·62).

In this small, proof-of-concept prospective clinical trial, the volume and location of the proximal urethra differed significantly when contoured on a voiding MRI scan compared to that determined by a conventional CT simulation. The shape of the proximal urethra on voiding MRI may be more anatomically correct compared to the proximal urethra shape determined with a semi-rigid catheter in place.

Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for spine metastases is associated with a risk of vertebral compression fracture (VCF). The aim of this study was to determine the rate of VCF at one UK institution and evaluate the use of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) to predict these.

A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent SABR for spinal metastases between 2014 and 2018 at one UK institution was performed. Basic demographic data were collected, and SINS prior to SABR was calculated. The primary outcome was VCF rate. Secondary outcomes included time to VCF and need for surgical intervention following VCF.

A total of 48 oligometastases were treated with a median follow-up of 20·5 months. A maximum of two vertebral bodies were treated. The median baseline SINS was calculated as 3. The median dose was 26 Gy in three fractions. Two patients were reported to have VCF and both were successfully conservatively managed.

SABR for spine oligometastases is being performed safely with low VCF rates which are comparable with those in international publications. This may be as a result of strict adherence to criteria for delivery of SABR with low pre-treatment SINS.

To compare the acute radiation-induced bowel and bladder toxicities of two hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) regimens in localised prostate cancer (PCa).

This trial consists of patients with histologically confirmed stage T1-T3aN0M0 PCa, a prostate-specific antigen concentration of 40 ng/mL or lower, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to 56 Gy in 16 fractions over 4 weeks (arm A) or 70·2 Gy in 26 fractions over 5 weeks (arm B). Acute bowel and bladder toxicities were assessed using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria.

Between June 2018 and December 2019, 40 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with 4-week (n = 20) and 5-week HFRT (n = 20). In the third month after completion of radiotherapy, the cumulative incidence of acute bowel and bladder toxicities of arms A and B was 20 versus 5% and 70 versus 85%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of grade 2 or worse bowel and bladder toxicities of the 5-week regimen was non-inferior to 4-week HFRT [bowel toxicity: 5% (arm A) versus 5% (arm B), bladder toxicity: 50% (arm A) versus 60% (arm B), p = 0·52).

The 5-week regimen of HFRT is non-inferior to 4-week HFRT in terms of acute bowel and bladder toxicities.

The patient experience of radiotherapy magnetic resonance (MR) simulation is unknown. This study aims to evaluate the patient experience of MR simulation in comparison to computed tomography (CT) simulation, identifying the quality of patient experience and pathway changes which could improve patient experience outcomes.

MR simulation was acquired for 46 anal and rectal cancer patients. Patient experience questionnaires were provided directly after MR simulation. Questionnaire responses were assessed after 33 patients (cohort one). Changes to the scanning pathway were identified and implemented. The impact of changes was assessed by cohort two (13 patients).

Response rates were 85% (cohort one) and 54% (cohort two). 75% of cohort one respondents found the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experience to be better or similar to their CT experience. Implemented changes included routine use of blankets, earplugs and headphones, music and feet-first positioning and further MRI protocol optimisation. All cohort two respondents found the MRI experience to be better or similar to the CT experience.

MR simulation can be a comfortable and positive experience that is comparable to that of standard radiotherapy CT simulation. Special attention is required due to the fundamental differences between CT and MRI scanning.

In radiation therapy, accurate dose distribution in target volume requires accurate treatment setup. The set-up errors are unwanted and inherent in the treatment process. By achieving these errors, a set-up margin (SM) of clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) can be determined. In the current study, systematic and random set-up errors that occurred during prostate cancer radiotherapy were measured by an electronic portal imaging device (EPID). The obtained values were used to propose the optimum CTV-to-PTV margin in prostate cancer radiotherapy.

A total of 21 patients with prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) participated in this study. A total of 280 portal images were acquired during 12 months. Gross, population systematic (Σ) and random (σ) errors were obtained based on the portal images in Anterior–Posterior (AP), Medio-Lateral (ML) and Superior–Inferior (SI) directions. The SM of CTV to PTV were then calculated and compared by using the formulas presented by the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) 62, Stroom and Heijmen and Van Herk et al.

The findings showed that the population systematic errors during prostate cancer radiotherapy in AP, ML and SI directions were 1·40, 1·95 and 1·94 mm, respectively. The population random errors in AP, ML and SI directions were 2·09, 1·85 and 2·29 mm, respectively. The SM of CTV to PTV calculated in accordance with the formula of ICRU 62 in AP, ML and SI directions were 2·51, 2·68 and 3·00 mm, respectively. And according to Stroom and Heijmen, formula were 4·23, 5·19 and 5·48 mm, respectively. And Van Herk et al. formula were 4·96, 6·17 and 6·45 mm, respectively.

The SM of CTV to PTV in all directions, based on the formulas of ICRU 62, Stroom and Heijmen and van Herk et al., were equal to 2·73, 4·98 and 5·86 mm, respectively; these values were obtained by averaging the margins in all directions.

The objective of radiotherapy immobilisation devices is to improve the reproducibility of patient positioning during treatment sessions. The inclusion of these devices in the treatment protocol may increase the skin dose. In practice, these devices are not systematically taken into account in the dose calculation.

In this study, the dosimetric effects of the carbon fibre couch iBEAM Evo Extension 415, with and without three different immobilisation devices (a Klarity Breastboard R610-2ECF, a Bionix Butterfly Board and CIVCO Vac-Lok vacuum bag), were calculated and evaluated on the dose calculation for conformal three-dimensional radiation therapy. The measurements were carried out by comparing the measured dose with the one calculated for three different algorithms, FFT convolution, fast superposition and superposition algorithms, which are implemented in Xio treatment planning system (TPS).

Dosimetric tolerance levels have been respected for specific dose calculations, which do not include the fibre couch with or without immobilisation devices. Errors of up to 8% in the dose calculation were obtained for the beams passing through the fibre couch and the breast board base support region.

According to the significant attenuation differences of the beam by the fibre couch and immobilisation devices, it was concluded that ignoring the device in the dose calculation can change patient’s skin and target doses. The fibre couch and immobilisation device should be included within external body contour to account for the TPS calculation algorithms dose attenuation.

The Pinnacle3 Auto-Planning (AP) package is an automated inverse planning tool employing a multi-sequence optimisation algorithm. The nature of the optimisation aims to improve the overall quality of radiotherapy plans but at the same time may produce higher modulation, increasing plan complexity and challenging linear accelerator delivery capability.

Thirty patients previously treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to the prostate with or without pelvic lymph node irradiation were replanned with locally developed AP techniques for step-and-shoot IMRT (AP-IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (AP-VMAT). Each case was also planned with VMAT using conventional inverse planning. The patient cohort was separated into two groups, those with a single primary target volume (PTV) and those with dual PTVs of differing prescription dose levels. Plan complexity was assessed using the modulation complexity score.

Plans produced with AP provided equivalent or better dose coverage to target volumes whilst effectively reducing organ at risk (OAR) doses. For IMRT plans, the use of AP resulted in a mean reduction in bladder V50Gy by 4·2 and 4·7 % (p ≤ 0·01) and V40Gy by 4·8 and 11·3 % (p < 0·01) in the single and dual dose level cohorts, respectively. For the rectum, V70Gy, V60Gy and V40Gy were all reduced in the dual dose level AP-VMAT plans by an average of 2·0, 2·7 and 7·3 % (p < 0·01), respectively. A small increase in plan complexity was observed only in dual dose level AP plans.

The automated nature of AP led to high quality treatment plans with improvement in OAR sparing and minimised the variation in achievable dose planning metrics when compared to the conventional inverse planning approach.

We reported the clinical and radiological outcome of an aggressive dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) after combined glue embolization and hypofractionated helical TomoTherapy (Hypo-HT).

Eleven patients whose radiological examinations are consistent with aggressive DAVF were treated with combined glue embolization and Hypo-HT 30–36 Gy in 5–6 fractions. The dosimetric analysis, clinical response and radiological imaging obliteration rate by magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography were investigated.

There were eight males and three females with a male and female ratio of 2·67. The mean age was 51·2 years old (range 37–69). Anatomical imaging sites of disease included transverse-sigmoid sinuses (n = 7), superior sagittal sinus (n = 3) and tentorium cerebelli (n = 1). The mean pitch and MF of treatment plans were 0·273 ± 0·032 and 1·70 ± 0·31, respectively. The average size of PTV were 15·39 ± 7·74 cc whereas the Reff,PTV was 1·50 ± 0·25 cm. The average Dmax and Dmin were 37·52 ± 3·34 and 31·77 ± 2·64 Gy, respectively. HI, CI and CI50 were 0·16 ± 0·06, 1·80 ± 0·56 and 7·85 ± 4·16, respectively. The Reff,Rx and Reff,50%Rx were 1·80 ± 0·24 and 2·90 ± 0·45 cm, respectively. The Reff between 50%Rx and 100%Rx was 1·10 ± 0·28 cm on average. With a mean follow up of 28·5 months (range 9–48), the complete recovery of symptoms was found in 72·7 % (eight patients) within 2–12 months after completion Hypo-HT. Partial recovery was reported in 18·2% (two patients). No clinical response was found in 9·1% (one patient). The total radiographic obliteration rate was 27·3% (three patients), subtotal obliteration was 27·3% (three patients) and partial obliteration was 45·4% (five patients).

Satisfactory clinical response of aggressive DAVF was found in all treated patients by combining glue embolization and Hypo-HT. All dosimetric parameters were acceptable. We still need an extended follow up time to assess further radiographic obliteration rate and late side effects of the treatment.

This study aims to compare the gating signals of patients with lung cancer recorded during the planning computed tomography scan with the ones recorded during treatment fractions. The results provide insights into how representative the respiratory signals from the planning scan are for radiation dose partitioning.

The amplitude and frequency of the respiratory signals of 29 patients with lung carcinoma were analysed and compared with the amplitude and frequency of those recorded during their planning scans. Moreover, a cross-correlation analysis was performed between the difference between the planning scan and fractions and features from the planning scan.

Two patients showed significantly different amplitude and frequency during treatment fractions compared to those from the planning scan. These patients showed low variances in frequency and amplitude during the different fractions. The difference between planning scan and fractions is correlated with the variances within the planning scan.

Respiratory signals can differ between the planning scan and the fractions. In this case, a new planning scan may be beneficial. The respiratory signals from the planning scan may be predictive of whether the planning scan will be representative and usable as a control measure during radiotherapy fractions.

The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise and summarise evidence surrounding the clinical use of fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for target volume delineation (TVD) in rectal cancer radiotherapy planning.

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus databases and other sources were systematically queried using keywords and relevant synonyms. Eligible full-text studies were assessed for methodological quality using the QUADAS-2 tool.

Eight of the 1448 studies identified met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that MRI significantly delineate larger tumour volumes (TVs) than FDG-PET/CT while diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) defined smaller gross tumour volumes (GTVs) compared to T2 weighted-Magnetic Resonance Image. CT-based GTVs were found to be larger compared to FDG-PET/CT. FDG-PET/CT also identified new lesions in 15–17% patients and TVs extending outside the routinely used clinical standard CT TV in 29–83% patients. Between observers, delineated volumes were similar and consistent between MRI sequences, whereas interobserver agreement was significantly improved with FDG-PET/CT than CT.

FDG-PET/CT and DW-MRI appear to delineate smaller rectal TVs and show improved interobserver variability. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the amount of attention in the research literature that has been paid to imaging for TVD in rectal cancer.

The complexity associated with the treatment planning and delivery of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans which employs continuous dynamic modulation of dose rate, field aperture and gantry speed necessitates diligent pre-treatment patient-specific quality assurance (QA). Numerous techniques for pre-treatment VMAT treatment plans QA are currently available with the aid of several different devices including the electronic portal imager (EPID). Although several studies have provided recommendations for gamma criteria for VMAT pre-treatment QA, there are no specifics for SRS/SRT VMAT QA. Thus, we conducted a study to evaluate intracranial SRS/SRT VMAT QA to determine clinical action levels for gamma criteria based on the institutional estimated means and standard deviations.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 118 EPID patient-specific pre-treatment QA dosimetric measurements of 47 brain SRS/SRT VMAT treatment plans using the integrated Varian solution (RapidArcTM planning, EPID and Portal dosimetry system) for planning, delivery and EPID QA analysis. We evaluated the maximum gamma (γmax), average gamma (γave) and percentage gamma passing rate (%GP) for different distance-to-agreement/dose difference (DTA/DD) criteria and low-dose thresholds.

The gamma index analysis shows that for patient-specific SRS/SRT VMAT QA with the portal dosimetry, the mean %GP is ≥98% for 2–3 mm/1–3% and Field+0%, +5% and +10% low-dose thresholds. When applying stricter spatial criteria of 1 mm, the mean %GP is >90% for DD of 2–3% and ≥88% for DD of 1%. The mean γmax ranges: 1·32 ± 1·33–2·63 ± 2·35 for 3 mm/1–3%, 1·57 ± 1·36–2·87 ± 2·29 for 2 mm/1–3% and 2·36 ± 1·83–3·58 ± 2·23 for 1 mm/1–3%. Similarly the mean γave ranges: 0·16 ± 0·06–0·19 ± 0·07 for 3 mm/1–3%, 0·21 ± 0·08–0·27 ± 0·10 for 2 mm/1–3% and 0·34 ± 0·14–0·49 ± 0·17 for 1 mm/1–3%. The mean γmax and mean γave increase with increased DTA and increased DD for all low-dose thresholds.

The establishment of gamma criteria local action levels for SRS/SRT VMAT pre-treatment QA based on institutional resources is imperative as a useful tool for standardising the evaluation of EPID-based patient-specific SRS/SRT VMAT QA. Our data suggest that for intracranial SRS/SRT VMAT QA measured with the EPID, a stricter gamma criterion of 1 mm/2% or 1 mm/3% with ≥90% %GP could be used while still maintaining an in-control QA process with no extra burden on resources and time constraints.

Little is known about how integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography (IPET-CT), both imaging tools and not methods of treatment, contributes to head and neck cancer patients’ outcomes. We analysed the clinical PET-CT findings and their correlation to the effects of applied contemporary disease management.

A retrospective analysis of 29 individuals who underwent treatment planning fusion of PET-CT for radiochemotherapy of locally advanced head and neck cancer between 2010 and 2016 was undertaken. Gross tumour volumes were categorised as small (≤36 cm3) or large (>36 cm3), and tumour responses to therapy were classified as complete or incomplete.

The overall rates of complete tumour response (CTR), 3-year crude survival and failure (all types included) were 80%, 41% and 55%, respectively. Comparative analysis of tumour volume subsets revealed no significant differences in the rates of CTR (p > 0.80), 3-year survival (p > 0.30) and locoregional recurrence (p > 0.70). CTR was associated with improved prognosis (p > 0.05) and fewer tumour relapses (p < 0.02).

Our findings, although not truly conclusive, appear in line with those in the literature. Smaller tumour volumes and CTRs shown on integrated PET-CT are likely to play important roles in the promotion of better prognosis, but further study with larger patient numbers and more data are needed.

Primary cardiac sarcoma (PCS) is a rare malignancy, and intimal cardiac sarcoma is the rarest. The prognosis is poor with mean survival of 3–12 months even with complete radical resection. There has been no randomised controlled trial or standard guidelines for management of cardiac sarcomas. Treatment is extrapolated from case reports and series.

A 59-year-old male diagnosed with primary intimal cardiac sarcoma underwent wide local excision with positive margins. Adjuvant radiotherapy to a total dose of 60 Gray (Gy) was given with good tolerance.

Intimal cardiac sarcoma is rare. The risk of local recurrence is high, and efforts must be made to elucidate the role and usefulness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in these tumours.

Vaginal cancer is a rare malignancy that poses a challenge to treat and cure, as surgical excision requires life-changing procedures because of the proximity and involvement of rectum, bladder and anus. We report in this case study the successful delivery of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for a patient with vaginal cancer after previous radiotherapy.

A 71-year-old white female who presented with dyspareunia and irritative urinary symptoms proven by biopsy was our candidate patient. Subsequent PET/CT revealed a hypermetabolic 3 cm lesion at the 12–1 o’clock position in the distal vagina involving the clitoris. The patient was initially treated with volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with simultaneous integrated boost technique to the involved nodes, and later upon recurrence treated with SABR using 30 Gy in six fractions.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a vaginal cylinder used to physically distance organs at risk from the treatment target and also as a localising device with image guidance for the delivery of SABR using an external beam.

An ever-growing number of patients with implantable cardiac rhythm devices are treated with radiation therapy for cancer and are therefore at risk of device failure. Several medical societies developed recommendations for the management of such patients.

We report the case of a 76-year-old patient with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator, treated with external radiotherapy for breast cancer, to test in practice the recommendations on the management of similar cases.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and responsible for about 10% of all cancer mortality in both Canadian and American men. Currently, serum PSA level is the most commonly used test for the detection of prostate cancer, though the levels can also be elevated in benign conditions, has limited specificity and has a high rate of overdiagnosis and treatment of indolent disease. Consequently, in recent years, several investigations have been conducted to identify novel cancer biomarkers capable of both effective screening and diagnosis, as well as assisting to shift the diagnostic and treatment paradigm of prostate cancer towards more patient-specific and targeted medicine. The goal of this narrative review paper is to describe eleven novel and promising tissue-based biomarkers for prostate cancer capable to account for individual patient variabilities and have the potential for risk assessment, early detection and diagnosis, identification of patients who will benefit from a particular treatment and monitoring patient response to treatment.

We searched several databases from August to December 2020 for relevant studies published in English between 2000 and 2020 and reporting on tissue-based biomarkers for screening and early diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of prostate cancer.

Emerging prostate cancer biomarkers have the potential to guide clinical decision-making since they have the potential to detect the disease early, measure the risk of developing the disease and the risk of progression, provide accurate information of patient response to a specific treatment and are capable of informing clinicians about the likely outcome of a cancer diagnosis independent of the treatment received. Therefore, the future holds promise for personalised and targeted medicine from prevention to diagnosis and treatment that considers the individual patient’s variabilities in the management of prostate cancer.

This critical review of the literature seeks to understand the psychological impact that treatment interventions may have on prostate cancer (PC) survivors.

A literature search was conducted using databases of peer-reviewed literature. The search terms used were devised using the building-blocks technique to divide the query into facets. The articles were manually assessed for relevance and appraised using the relevant Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Government guidelines and regulations were also used following a manual search on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website. This process resulted in a total of 12 sources being included in the critical review.

The key themes that arose from the review were masculinity, depression, anxiety and psychological implications related to sexual functioning. Psychological impact varies on an individual basis and is influenced by the quality of a patient’s experience during and after treatment in relation to sufficient information giving and support.

Open communication should be encouraged by healthcare professionals to assess patient mental wellbeing. The extent of psychological impact varies on an individual basis; however, there are predictive factors that can make an individual more at risk of being affected psychologically post-PC treatment.