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Article

The Changing Landscape of Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Canadian Practice Survey

1
Department of Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
2
Department of Radiation Oncology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, South India
3
Department of Radiation Oncology, Northeast Cancer Centre, Sudbury, ON, Canada
4
Department of Radiation Oncology, London Regional Cancer Program, London, ON, Canada
5
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nova Scotia Cancer Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Curr. Oncol. 2015, 22(5), 356-360; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.22.2562
Submission received: 2 July 2015 / Revised: 7 August 2015 / Accepted: 9 September 2015 / Published: 1 October 2015

Abstract

Background: We documented changes in practice from 2009 to 2012 for cervical cancer brachytherapy in Canada. Methods: Centres with gynecologic brachytherapy services were sent an e-mail questionnaire querying their 2012 practice. Responses are reported and compared with practice patterns identified in a similar survey for 2009. Results: The response rate was 77% (24 of 31 centres). Almost all use high-dose-rate brachytherapy (92%); low-dose-rate brachytherapy has been completely phased out. Most continue to move patients from the site of applicator insertion to the radiation treatment simulation suite (75%) or to a diagnostic imaging department (29%), or both. In 2012, the imaging modalities used for dose specification were computed tomography [ct (75%)], magnetic resonance imaging [mri (38%)], plain radiography (21%), and cone-beam ct (8%). The number of institutions using mri guidance has markedly increased during the period of interest (9 vs. 1). Most respondents (58% vs. 14%) prescribed using guidelines from the Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie and the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, but they also used point A as a reference. Commonly used high-dose radiation regimens included 30 Gy in 5 fractions and 24 Gy in 3 fractions. Conclusions: In Canada, image-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer continues to evolve. Although ct-based imaging remains the most commonly used modality, many centres have adopted mri for at least 1 brachytherapy treatment. More centres are using fewer fractions and a slightly lower biologically effective dose, but are still achieving EQD2 (2-Gy equivalent) doses of 80–90 Gy in combination with external-beam radiation therapy.
Keywords: Cervical cancer; brachytherapy; radiation oncology Cervical cancer; brachytherapy; radiation oncology

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MDPI and ACS Style

Phan, T.; Mula-Hussain, L.; Pavamani, S.; Pearce, A.; D’Souza, D.; Patil, N.G.; Traptow, L.; Doll, C.M. The Changing Landscape of Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Canadian Practice Survey. Curr. Oncol. 2015, 22, 356-360. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.22.2562

AMA Style

Phan T, Mula-Hussain L, Pavamani S, Pearce A, D’Souza D, Patil NG, Traptow L, Doll CM. The Changing Landscape of Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Canadian Practice Survey. Current Oncology. 2015; 22(5):356-360. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.22.2562

Chicago/Turabian Style

Phan, T., L. Mula-Hussain, S. Pavamani, A. Pearce, D. D’Souza, N.G. Patil, L. Traptow, and C.M. Doll. 2015. "The Changing Landscape of Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Canadian Practice Survey" Current Oncology 22, no. 5: 356-360. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.22.2562

APA Style

Phan, T., Mula-Hussain, L., Pavamani, S., Pearce, A., D’Souza, D., Patil, N. G., Traptow, L., & Doll, C. M. (2015). The Changing Landscape of Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Canadian Practice Survey. Current Oncology, 22(5), 356-360. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.22.2562

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