Abstract | AIMS: Image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) is the new gold standard for cervix cancer brachytherapy. In 2009, the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) published a guidance document to facilitate the implementation of IGBT for cervix cancer in the UK. This paper reports the progress since the publication of the RCR document. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to 45 UK centres known to offer brachytherapy for cervix cancer in 2011. Replies were received from 43 (96%) centres. Details collected included brachytherapy machine, imaging technique for brachytherapy planning, applicator design and total dose to point A from external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. The results were compared with the 2008 survey reported in the RCR document. RESULTS: The number of centres offering computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based IGBT for cervix cancer has increased to 32 (71%) in 2011 compared with 12 (26%) in 2008. Although the most common applicator design in 2011 remains the tandem-ovoid applicator (71%), more respondents are using the tandem-ring applicator (29% versus 9% in 2008). Only seven (16%) centres are routinely prescribing < 70Gy(10) to point A in 2011 compared with 10 (22%) in 2008. CONCLUSION: Considerable progress with implementing IGBT for cervix cancer has been made in the UK since the publication of the RCR guidance document.
|
Authors | L T Tan |
Journal | Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain))
(Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol))
Vol. 23
Issue 10
Pg. 681-4
(Dec 2011)
ISSN: 1433-2981 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21843928
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
|
Copyright | Copyright © 2011 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Topics |
- Brachytherapy
(methods, statistics & numerical data)
- Female
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(methods)
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
(methods)
- United Kingdom
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
(diagnostic imaging, pathology, radiotherapy)
|