Impact of suboptimal tandem implantation on local control and complications in intracavitary brachytherapy for cervix cancer

PURPOSECorrect tandem implantation for cervix cancer intracavitary brachytherapy may be challenging. We investigated whether suboptimal implantation can be related to patient and disease characteristics and may result in subsequent underutilization of brachytherapy in cervical cancer.METHODS AND MATERIALSConsecutive cervix cancer patients referred for intracavitary brachytherapy after external beam radiation therapy performed in several general hospitals from 2013 to 2017 were included.ResultsIn 172 patients having 301 procedures, 95 implantations were suboptimal (15% inadequate tandem insertions, 10% subserosal insertion, and 6% uterine perforation on postimplant CT scan). Risk factors were age, myometrium invasion, and uterine retroversion. Median followup was 21 months. Three-year local control and survival rates were 72% and 85%, respectively. Forty-seven patients (27%) failed to receive brachytherapy. Failure to perform brachytherapy was associated with poorer local control (OR = 0.34 [0.17–0.67], p = 0.001). By contrast, suboptimal implantation did not increase local failure or toxicity rates in patients undergoing brachytherapy. No peritoneal carcinomatosis occurred after uterine perforation in our cohort.CONCLUSIONSSuboptimal implantation was frequent. In the absence of image guidance during implantation, conversion to other treatment modalities (including external beam radiation therapy) due to insertion difficulties resulted in worse local control. With optimization, however, suboptimal brachytherapy implantation did not result in suboptimal dose coverage or poorer local control. Failure to perform a brachytherapy boost correlates with increased local failure risk in patients with cervix cancer, whereas tandem malposition does not. Real-time intraoperative ultrasound guidance may be useful to reduce uterine perforation rates and thus increase brachytherapy use.     

Contemporary image-guided cervical cancer brachytherapy: Consensus imaging recommendations from the Society of Abdominal Radiology and the American Brachytherapy Society

PURPOSETo present recommendations for the use of imaging for evaluation and procedural guidance of brachytherapy for cervical cancer patients.METHODSAn expert panel comprised of members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology Uterine and Ovarian Cancer Disease Focused Panel and the American Brachytherapy Society jointly assessed the existing literature and provide data-driven guidance on imaging protocol development, interpretation, and reporting.RESULTSImage-guidance during applicator implantation reduces rates of uterine perforation by the tandem. Postimplant images may be acquired with radiography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT or MRI are preferred due to a decrease in severe complications. Pre-brachytherapy T2-weighted MRI may be used as a reference for contouring the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) when CT is used for treatment planning. Reference CT and MRI protocols are provided for reference.CONCLUSIONSImage-guided brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer is essential for optimal patient management. Various imaging modalities, including orthogonal radiographs, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, remain integral to the successful execution of image-guided brachytherapy.     

A Medicare cost analysis of MRI- versus CT-based high-dose-rate brachytherapy of the cervix: Can MRI-based planning be less costly?

PurposeWhile some institutions deliver multiple fractions per implant for MRI-based planning, it is common for only one fraction to be delivered per implant with CT-based cervical brachytherapy. The purpose of this study was to compare physician costs, hospital costs, and overall costs for cervical cancer patients treated with either CT-based or MRI-based high-dose-rate (HDR) cervical brachytherapy to determine if MRI-based brachytherapy as described can be financially feasible.Methods and MaterialsWe identified 40 consecutive patients treated with curative intent cervical brachytherapy. Twenty patients underwent CT-based HDR brachytherapy with five fractions delivered in five implants on nonconsecutive days in an outpatient setting with the first implant placed with a Smit sleeve under general anesthesia. Twenty patients received MRI-based HDR brachytherapy with four fractions delivered in two implants, each with MRI-based planning, performed 1–2 weeks apart with an overnight hospital admission for each implant. We used Medicare reimbursements to assess physician costs, hospital costs, and overall cost.ResultsThe median cost of MRI-based brachytherapy was $14,248.75 (interquartile range [IQR]: $13,421.32–$15,539.74), making it less costly than CT-based brachytherapy with conscious sedation (i.e., $18,278.85; IQR: $17,323.13–$19,863.03, p < 0.0001) and CT-based brachytherapy with deep sedation induced by an anesthesiologist (i.e., $27,673.44; IQR: $26,935.14–$29,511.16, p < 0.0001). CT-based brachytherapy with conscious sedation was more costly than CT-based brachytherapy with deep sedation (p < 0.001).ConclusionsMRI-based brachytherapy using the described treatment course was less costly than both methods of CT-based brachytherapy. Cost does not need to be a barrier for MRI-based cervical brachytherapy, especially when delivering multiple fractions with the same application.     

Effects of sex,age, size and location of perforation on the sensitivity of erect chest X-ray for gastroduodenal perforation

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the erect chest X-ray for diagnosing subdiaphragmatic free air. Furthermore, we examined the effects of different parameters, including sex, age, size of perforation, and the location of perforation on the sensitivity of the erect CXR.MethodsThis study included all patients with perforated peptic ulcer (107 cases) referred to the Shahid Rajaei hospital of Tonekabon from April 2015 to August 2020. The perforated peptic ulcer was confirmed by laparotomy, and the erect chest X-ray was performed as a preoperative procedure. The collected checklist was analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics V22.0 software.ResultsAchieved results showed total sensitivity of 86% for the erect chest X-ray. The sensitivity of the erect CXR was calculated, 88.5% and 82.6% at males and females, respectively. However, the sensitivity for different age groups was about 86%. The larger perforations resulted in higher sensitivity. Furthermore, the erect chest X-ray sensitivity for duodenal perforations (92.5%) was significantly greater than the gastric perforations (75%).ConclusionBased on this study, the erect chest X-ray could be utilized as a preoperative procedure with total sensitivity of 86% for gastroduodenal perforations. Patients' age and sex have no significant impact on the sensitivity (P-value > 0.05). However, the size and location of perforation significantly influenced the sensitivity (P-value < 0.05). The results demonstrated that larger perforations and duodenal perforations lead to the higher erect CXR sensitivity.Implications for practiceThe erect chest X-ray is used as a routine procedure to detect subdiaphragmatic free air in gastroduodenal perforations. The effects of different factors such as age, sex, size of perforation, and the location of perforation on the sensitivity of the erect chest X-ray are discussed for the first time in this study.     

Percutaneous Access of the Modified Hutson Loop for Retrograde Cholangiography,Endoscopy, and Biliary Interventions

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to present the institutional experience of performing endoscopy, cholangiography, and biliary interventions through the modified Hutson loop by interventional radiology.Materials and MethodsA total of 61 of 64 modified Hutson loop access procedures were successful. This single-center retrospective study included 61 successful procedures of biliary interventions using existing modified Hutson loops (surgically affixed subcutaneous jejunal limb adjacent to biliary anastomosis or anastomoses) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in 21 patients. Seventeen of 21 patients (81%) had undergone liver transplantation. Indications included biliary strictures (n = 18) and biliary leaks (n = 3). The clinical success and complications were evaluated.ResultsThere were 3 of 26 modified Hutson loop retrograde biliary intervention failures (12%) before introduction of endoscopy and no failures (0 of 38 [0%]) subsequently (P = .06). Endoscopy or cholangioscopy was performed in 19 procedures by interventional radiologists. Retrograde biliary interventions included diagnostic cholangiography (n = 26), cholangioplasty (n = 25), stent placement (n = 29), stent retrieval (n = 25), and biliary drainage catheter placement (n = 5). No procedure-related mortality occurred. There was 1 major complication (duodenal perforation) (1.6%) and 12 minor complications (19%). In the 9 patients undergoing therapeutic interventions for biliary strictures, there was a significant decrease in median alkaline phosphatase (288.5 to 174.5 U/L; P = .03). There was a trend toward decrease in median bilirubin levels (1.7 to 1 mg/dL; P = .06) at 1 month post-intervention.ConclusionsThe modified Hutson loop provided interventional radiologists a safe and effective alternative access to manage biliary complications in patients with biliary-enteric anastomoses. Introduction of the endoscope in interventional radiology has improved the success rate of these procedures.     

Accelerated partial breast irradiation with perioperative multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy—A feasibility study

PurposeTo assess the feasibility of high-dose-rate perioperative multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy to deliver accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in selected patients with early breast cancer.Methods and MaterialsPerioperative multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy for APBI has been used at our department since 2012 for patients with low-risk breast cancer. Interstitial catheters were inserted perioperatively via hollow needles immediately following tumorectomy with sentinel node biopsy. APBI started on Day 6 after surgery. The prescribed dose was 34 Gy (10 fractions of 3.4 Gy bid). Hormonal therapy was prescribed in all cases.ResultsBetween June 2012 and December 2017, 125 patients were scheduled for APBI. Of these, APBI was not performed in 12 patients (9.6%) due to adverse prognostic factors identified on the definitive biopsy. We observed wound dehiscence in 2/113 cases (1.8%), inflammatory complications requiring antibiotics in 7/113 cases (6.2%), transient Grade I radiodermatitis in 6/113 patients (4.4%), and seroma which resolved spontaneously in 3/113 patients (2.7%). With median followup of 39 months (range 3.3–75.3) no relapses were observed. No late complications in Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Grade 3 or higher were documented. Cosmetic outcome in patients with followup > 2 years was excellent or good in 92%.ConclusionOur preliminary results show that the perioperative multicatheter interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy for APBI in selected patients with early breast cancer is feasible. This treatment schedule reduces treatment duration, spares the patients of repeated anesthesia, and enables precise application of the afterloading tubes under direct visual control.     

Radiation Dose in the Uterine Perforation by Tandem in 3-Dimensional Cervical Cancer Brachytherapy

Cervical cancer patients may sometimes experience different types of uterine perforation by a tandem during brachytherapy. The purpose of this study was to address possibly different management strategies regarding different tandem positions from a dosimetry aspect by evaluating radiation doses delivered to organs-at-risk (OAR) in order to help medical professionals handle different types of uterine perforation. Images and dosimetry data in cervical cancer brachytherapy with uterine perforation were reviewed. Uterine perforation was classified into anterior and posterior perforation according to their tandem positions. Radiation doses received by OAR, including D_2cc and D_1cc of the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid colon, were statistically compared with nonperforation. The doses of high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) of cervical tumor and bilateral point A were also compared in order to assure that the plans had not compromised the treatment efficacy. A total of 21 applications were assessed, including 5 with anterior perforation, 4 with posterior perforation, and 12 without perforation. In anterior perforation, the bladder was the only organ that received a significantly increased dose about 30% at D_2cc and D_1cc. However, in posterior perforation, multiple OAR received significantly excessive doses: approximately 30% for the bladder, 37% for the rectum, and 100% for the sigmoid colon. The OAR dose assessment was based on a statistically equivalent cervical tumor dose. Different management strategies are possible for anterior vs posterior perforation during brachytherapy due to different detrimental extents on OAR dosimetry. The bladder warrants more attention in anterior perforation, without compromising target coverage in treatment planning. On the other hand, repositioning may be considered in posterior perforation due to relatively massive OAR detriments. This concept is a new one and is given for the first time.     

Evaluation of Technical Success,Efficacy, and Safety of Portomesenteric Venous Intervention following Nontransplant Hepatobiliary or Pancreatic Surgery

PurposeTo evaluate technical success, efficacy and safety of portomesenteric venous (PMV) intervention for PMV stenosis or occlusion following nontransplant hepatobiliary or pancreatic (HPB) surgery.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review identified 42 patients (mean age 60 y) with PMV stenosis (n = 33; 79%) or occlusion (n = 9; 21%) who underwent attempted PMV intervention following HPB surgery between June 1, 2011, and April 1, 2018. Main outcomes were technical success, primary patency rates, and complications. Technical success was compared by venous pathology and primary PMV patency based on anticoagulation status after the procedure using Fisher exact test. Rates of primary patency by stent group were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method.ResultsTechnical success was 91% (n = 38/42) and significantly higher in patients with stenosis (n = 33/33; 100%) vs occlusion (n = 5/9; 56%) (P = .001). Primary presenting symptom resolved in 28 (87%) patients, including 6 (100%) patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. At mean imaging follow-up of 8.6 months ± 8.8, primary stent patency was 76%. There was no significant difference in primary stent patency based on anticoagulation status after the procedure (P = .48). There were 2 (4.8%) periprocedural complications.ConclusionsPortomesenteric venoplasty and stent placement following nontransplant HPB surgery is safe with a high rate of technical success if performed before chronic occlusion.     

Changes of CD68, CD163, and PD-L1 tumor expression during high-dose-rate and pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer

PurposeWe hypothesized that radiation doses delivered with high-dose-rate (HDR) and pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy in patients with cervical cancer could trigger immune stimulation by modulating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The objective was to determine CD68, CD163, and PD-L1 expression in biopsies from patients with cervical cancer and to compare the effects of HDR vs. PDR brachytherapy on the expression of these proteins.Methods and MaterialsNineteen consecutive women (mean age, 55.9 years) with histologically proven cervical cancer scheduled for brachytherapy after standard external beam irradiation therapy combined with platinum-based chemotherapy were included in a prospective study. Core tissue biopsies were obtained before radiochemotherapy (biopsy #1), after completion of radiochemotherapy and before brachytherapy (biopsy #2), and 2 weeks after completion of brachytherapy (biopsy #3). HDR or PDR brachytherapy was delivered according to availability of equipment. CD68, CD163, and PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression was estimated using a quantitative method. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between gene expression and time of biopsy for each brachytherapy technique.ResultsIn relation to CD68 and CD163, statistically significant relationships between gene expression and biopsy tissue samples were not found in any of the brachytherapy techniques, although there was trend toward downexpression of CD68 and CD163 in biopsies #2 and #3 in the HDR brachytherapy cohort only. There was a significant increase in PD-L1 expression in biopsy #3 also in the HDR cohort as compared with the PDR cohort.ConclusionsDecreased CD68 and CD163 expression did not reach statistical significance, but this trend may have clinical translational potential. Overexpression of PD-L1 in tissue biopsies taken at 14 days in the HDR brachytherapy cohort may tentatively suggest that this time period would be an adequate interval for blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.     

Dose distribution of brachytherapy for locally advanced (stage IIB) cervical cancer

PurposeThe aim of the study was to compare the dose distributions of combined intracavitary and interstitial (IC/IS) brachytherapy with 3-catheter IC brachytherapy in treating locally advanced (stage IIB) cervical cancer.Methods and MaterialsIn total, 46 patients were included, each with stage IIB cervical cancer, local lesion sizes ≥5 cm, and tumors that had not regressed after 45 Gy/25 F external intensity-modulated radiotherapy. To identify the dosimetric advantage of delivering a local boost to high-risk (HR)-cervix in IC/IS, patients were divided into two groups: IC/IS and IC/IS + HR-cervix. The differences in dosimetric parameters were compared between the two groups. Comparisons were then made between the parameters of the four planning methods: IC (Point A), IC (three dimensional [3D]), IC/IS, and IC/IS + HR-cervix.ResultsIn patients with IC/IS implants, the relative uterine tandem dwell time was significantly extended in the IC/IS + HR-cervix group, and the V150 and V200 volumes of HR-cervix were increased (all p < 0.001), whereas the D90 and D100 values of the IC/IS + HR-cervix group were lower than those in the IC/IS group. In pairwise comparisons, HR-cervix V150 and V200 values were lowest in the IC/IS group, followed by the IC (3D), IC/IS + HR-cervix, and IC (Point A) groups. All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05), with the exception of IC/IS vs. IC (3D).ConclusionsWhen treating locally advanced cervical cancer (stage IIB, local residual volume ≥5 cm after external radiotherapy), the IC/IS + HR-cervix optimization method can meet the HR clinical target volume D90 dose requirement, normal tissue dose limits, and can escalate doses to local areas of the cervix.     

Tumor control and cosmetic outcome of weekly iridium-192 high-dose-rate brachytherapy for nonmelanoma skin cancers in the elderly

PurposeRadiotherapy with high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is used to treat nonmelanoma skin cancers. We retrospectively analyzed a hypofractionated regimen to assess its safety and efficacy in elderly patients ≥70 years.Methods and MaterialsForty-eight patients with 67 lesions treated since 2016 with catheter-based iridium-192 HDR brachytherapy using a custom mold or three-dimensional–printed applicator met inclusion criteria. Treatment was 36 Gy in six weekly fractions. Local and locoregional control were assessed with Kaplan–Meier curves. Acute and late toxicity were graded as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5. Cosmesis was defined as “excellent” (indistinguishable from untreated skin), “good” (minimal changes), or “poor” (extensive changes). Univariate analyses were performed.ResultsMedian age was 85.7 years, and 21 were female. Durable local control occurred in 63 lesions (94.0%), giving estimated local control of 100% at 6 months, 95.1% at 1 year, and 88.8% at 2 years. No factors were predictive of local control on univariate analysis. All experienced acute toxicity that ultimately resolved: 28.4% Grade 2 and 4.5% Grade 3. Larger treatment volume receiving ≥36 Gy was associated with increased Grade ≥2 acute toxicity. Patients experienced late Grade 2 and late Grade 4 toxicity after 6.5% treatments each. Younger age was associated with increased Grade ≥2 late toxicity. “Good” or better cosmesis occurred in 93.2%, and “poor” cosmesis was associated with lower extremities and larger lesions.ConclusionsHypofractionated HDR brachytherapy using 36 Gy in six weekly fractions is associated with satisfactory locoregional control and cosmesis with minimal risk of severe acute or late toxicities.     

Efficacy and the toxicity of the interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy in the management of recurrent keloids: 5-year outcomes

PurposeRecurring keloids are a clinical challenge. Interdisciplinary treatments are required in most cases. Owing to the wide variety of concepts, the optimal treatment regime remains unclear. Our clinic established a protocol of perioperative interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy with three fractions of 6 Gy and achieved an excellent 2-year local control rate of 94% (In search of the optimal treatment of keloids: Report of a series and a review of the literature). This report is an update on our long-term results of prospective study. Twenty-nine patients were included with a median followup of 5 years.Methods and MaterialsFrom 2009 to 2015, 29 patients with 37 recurrent keloids were treated with perioperative interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy; 3 patients had been previously treated with adjuvant external beam radiotherapy and presented with recurrences in the pretreated area. Brachytherapy was given in three fractions with a single dose of 6 Gy in 5-mm tissue depth and covered the scar in total length. Followup visits were scheduled at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and annually thereafter. Therapeutic outcome was assessed in terms of recurrence, acute and late complications, and cosmetic results.ResultsNo procedure-related complications occurred. Improvement of keloid-related symptoms was noticed in all patients after treatment. After a median followup of 49.7 months (range: 7.9–91.9 months), three keloid recurrences and two hypertrophied scars were observed.ConclusionsOur results suggest that brachytherapy may be advantageous in the management of high-risk keloids, even after failure of external beam radiotherapy and other treatment procedures. Our three-fraction treatment schedule reduces the treatment period to 2 days and is therefore convenient for the patients.     

Thermal Ablation,Embolization, and Selective Internal Radiation Therapy Combined with Checkpoint Inhibitor Cancer Immunotherapy: Safety Analysis

PurposeTo describe interventional oncology therapies combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy targeting the programmed death 1 pathway in patients with different neoplasms.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent tumor-directed thermal ablation, embolization, or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) between January 1, 2011, and May 1, 2019, and received anti–programmed death 1/PD-L1 agents ≤ 90 days before or ≤ 30 days after the interventional procedure. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and procedural complications ≤ 90 days after the procedure were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The study included 65 eligible patients (49% female; age 63 years ± 11.1). The most common tumors were metastatic melanoma (n = 28) and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (n = 12). Patients underwent 78 procedures (12 patients underwent > 1 procedure), most frequently SIRT (35.9%) and cryoablation (28.2%). The most common target organs were liver (46.2%), bone (24.4%), and lung (9.0%). Most patients received ICI monotherapy with pembrolizumab (n = 30), nivolumab (n = 22), and atezolizumab (n = 6); 7 patients received ipilimumab and nivolumab.ResultsSeven (10.8%) patients experienced an irAE (71.4% grade 1–2), mostly affecting the skin. Median time to irAE was 33 days (interquartile range, 19–38 days). Five irAEs occurred in patients with melanoma, and no irAEs occurred in patients with NSCLC. Management required corticosteroids (n = 3) and immunotherapy discontinuation (n = 1); all irAEs resolved to grade ≤ 1. There were 4 intraprocedural and 32 postprocedural complications (77.8% grade < 3). No grade 5 irAEs and/or procedural complications occurred.ConclusionsNo unmanageable or unanticipated toxicities occurred within 90 days after interventional oncology therapies combined with ICIs.     

The American Brachytherapy Society prostate brachytherapy LDR/HDR simulation workshops: Hands-on,step-by-step training in the process of quality assurance

PurposeEducation and training on prostate brachytherapy for radiation oncology and medical physics residents in the United States is inadequate, resulting in fewer competent radiation oncology personnel to perform implants, and is a factor in the subsequent decline of an important, potentially curative cancer treatment modality for patients with cancer. The American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) leadership has recognized the need to establish a sustainable medical simulation low-dose-rate (LDR) and high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy workshop program that includes physician–physicist teams to rapidly translate knowledge to establish high-quality brachytherapy programs.MethodsThe ABS, in partnership with industry and academia, has held three radiation oncology team–based LDR/HDR workshops composed of physician–physicist teams in Chicago in 2017, in Houston in 2018, and in Denver in 2019. The predefined key metric of success is the number of attendees who returned to their respective institutions and were actively performing brachytherapy within 6 months of the prostate brachytherapy workshop.ResultsOf the 111 physician/physicist teams participating in the Chicago, Houston, and Denver prostate brachytherapy workshops, 87 (78%) were actively performing prostate brachytherapy (51 [59%] HDR and 65 [75%] LDR).ConclusionsThe ABS prostate brachytherapy LDR/HDR simulation workshop has provided a successful education and training structure for medical simulation of the critical procedural steps in quality assurance to shorten the learning curve for delivering consistently high-quality brachytherapy implants for patients with prostate cancer. An ABS initiative, intended to bend the negative slope of the brachytherapy curve, is currently underway to train 300 new competent brachytherapy teams over the next 10 years.     

Volume-based pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy boosting concurrent chemoradiation as a definitive treatment modality in cervical cancer

PurposeTo report the treatment outcomes and treatment-induced adverse events (AEs) of concomitant chemoradiotherapy boosted with pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy using volume-based two-dimensional planning in patients with cervical cancer.Patients and MethodsAfter obtaining the institutional review board approval, patients with FIGO Stages IB to IIIB cervical cancer, treated from January 2006 to December 2008 consecutively, were included. Volume-based planning was used and entailed defining an envelope around the tumor on a two-dimensional image and prescribing the dose to this envelope and reporting the dose of the isodose of 60 Gy. Patients and tumor characteristics, dosimetric parameters, AEs and treatment outcomes, local control rate, distant metastases rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival are reported.ResultsThe study included 95 patients; the median age is 50 years. The median tumor size is 50 cc (range, 25–78 cc). Median brachytherapy dose delivered to the envelope is 20 Gy (range, 15–35 Gy), and median volume encompassed by 60 Gy isodose curve is 137 cc (range, 26–365 cc). The 3-year overall survival, progression-free survival, local control rate, and distant metastases rate were 83.8%, 72.4%, 84.8%, and 15.4%, respectively. Gastrointestinal and genitourinary Grade 3 and 4 acute AEs were reported in 11.6% and 3.3% and chronic Grade 3 and 4 AEs were reported in 3.2% and 4.2% of all patients, respectively.ConclusionsChemoradiotherapy followed by pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy boost is effective and tolerable treatment modality for locally confined cervical cancer.     

Understanding the underutilization of cervical brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer

PurposeTo understand the reasons behind current low utilization of brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer in the United States.Methods and MaterialsA 17-item survey was e-mailed to the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) listserv of active members in 2018. Responses of attending physicians in the United States were included in the analysis.ResultsAmong a total of 135 respondents, 81 completed the survey. Eighty-four percent agree/strongly agree that cervical brachytherapy is underutilized, and 46.9% disagree/strongly disagree that residents are receiving adequate training for brachytherapy; 75.3% agree/strongly agree that inadequate maintenance of brachytherapy skills is a major obstacle to brachytherapy use; and 71.6% agree/strongly agree that increased time requirement constitutes a major obstacle. Over 97% will recommend brachytherapy for most patients with cervical cancer if given access/time; 72.8% always perform their own brachytherapy, whereas 29.6% reported some type of barrier exists in performing brachytherapy themselves, with time required to perform brachytherapy (9.9%) being a leading factor. A quarter (24.7%) routinely refer to other radiation oncologists for brachytherapy. Even among ABS members, 37.0% reported that they would perform an intensity-modulated radiation therapy or stereotactic body radiation therapy boost in specific scenarios in potentially curable patients. The most common scenario is inability to place a uterine tandem (56.7%).ConclusionsThe underutilization of brachytherapy in cervical cancer is widely recognized by ABS members with inadequate training during residency and inadequate maintenance of skills being possible major contributing factors. Even among ABS members, there are identifiable barriers. Continued advocacy and future initiatives in enhancing access to brachytherapy training and efficiency are needed.     

Multimaterial three-dimensional printing in brachytherapy: Prototyping teaching tools for interstitial and intracavitary procedures in cervical cancers

PurposeAs the utilization of brachytherapy procedures continues to decline in clinics, a need for accessible training tools is required to help bridge the gap between resident comfort in brachytherapy training and clinical practice. To improve the quality of intracavitary and interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy education, a multimaterial, modular, three-dimensionally printed pelvic phantom prototype simulating normal and cervical pathological conditions has been developed.Methods and MaterialsPatient anatomy was derived from pelvic CT and MRI scans from 50 representative patients diagnosed with localized cervical cancer. Dimensions measured from patients’ uterine body and uterine canal sizes were used to construct a variety of uteri based off of the averages and standard deviations of the subjects in our study. Soft-tissue anatomy was three-dimensionally printed using Agilus blends (shore 30 and 70) and modular components using Vero (shore 85).ResultsThe kit consists of four uteri, a standard bladder, a standard rectum, two embedded gross tumor volumes, and four clip-on gross tumor volume attachments. The three anteverted uteri in the kit are based on the smallest, the average, and the largest dimensions from our patient set, whereas the retroverted uterus assumes average dimensions.ConclusionsThis educational high-dose-rate gynecological pelvic phantom is an accessible and cost-effective way to improve radiation oncology resident training in intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy cases. Implementation of this phantom in resident education will allow for more thorough and comprehensive physician training through its ability to transform the patient scenario. It is expected that this tool will help improve confidence and efficiency when performing brachytherapy procedures in patients.