Ernestas Janulionis

Second primary malignancies after radiotherapy including HDR 252Cf brachytherapy for cervical cancer

PURPOSE Second primary malignancies (SPMs) are among the most serious late adverse effects after radiotherapy experienced over time by the increasing population of cancer survivors worldwide. The study aim was to determine the rate and distribution of SPMs for neutron- and photon-emitting brachytherapy (BT) sources for patients treated for cervical cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS The cohort comprised 662 patients with invasive cervical cancer (Stages IIB and IIIB) and contributed 5,224 patient-years (PY) of observation. These patients were treated by radiotherapy during the 1989-1999 year period with cobalt-60 source ((60)Co) teletherapy. The first group of patients (N = 375; 3,154 PY) received high-dose-rate (HDR) californium-252 source ((252)Cf) BT, whereas the second group (N = 287; 2,070 PY) received HDR (60)Co BT. RESULTS Over a 25-year period, 35 SPMs were observed, amounting to 5.3% of all observed patients: in 16 (2.4%) heavily, 2 (0.3%) moderately, 14 (2.1%) lightly irradiated body sites, and 3 (0.5%) other sites. Of these, 21 cases (5.6%) were observed in the HDR (252)Cf BT group, whereas 14 cases (4.9%) were observed in the HDR (60)Co BT group. Exposures received during (60)Co teletherapy and HDR BT with either (252)Cf or (60)Co had statistically equivalent (p = 0.68) effects on SPM development. CONCLUSIONS Cure rates are improving, and therefore, there are more long-term survivors from cervical cancer. This study shows no significant difference in rates or distribution of SPMs in women treated with neutron BT compared with photon BT (p = 0.68). After reviewing related literature and our research results, it is evident that a detailed investigation of SPM frequency, localization, and dose to adjacent organs is a suitable topic for further research.

Californium versus cobalt brachytherapy combined with external-beam radiotherapy for IIB stage cervical cancer: long-term experience of a single institute.

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to observe and compare long-term curative effects and complications of FIGO stage IIB cervical cancer patients (n = 232) treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) californium (252Cf) neutron or cobalt (60Co) photon intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) combined with external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Material and methods The EBRT dose to the small pelvis was 50 Gy in both groups. The brachytherapy component of 252Cf or 60Co was added in the 3rd week of EBRT, 5 fractions were performed once per week resulting in a total ICBT dose of 40 Gy/Gyeq (point A). Results Overall survival (OS) at 5, 10 and 15 years was 63.6%, 50.4% and 38.8% in the 252Cf group and 62.2%, 50.5%, 39.9%, in the 60Co group, respectively (p = 0.74). The percentage of tumour recurrence was statistically significantly lower in the 252Cf group with 7.4% versus 17.1% in the 60Co group (p = 0.02). Second primary cancers have developed similarly 9.1% and 8.1% cases for 252Cf and 60Co groups, respectively. Conclusions Our long-term retrospective study comparing 252Cf and 60Co isotopes with brachytherapy in combined treatment of FIGO IIB stage cervix carcinoma patients shows, that overall survival in the both groups are similar. However, the recurrence of tumour was significantly lower in the 252Cf group. The incidence of second primary cancers was similar in both groups.

Cancer education in Lithuania

The aim of this article is to describe cancer education in Lithuania according to the data of 2013. In Lithuania, there are the following stages of education for physicians: basic education through integrated studies of medicine (six years), postgraduate education through residency studies (four to five years), and continuing professional development. In recent years, integrated studies of medicine have been the most popular specialty. Oncology is incorporated into the teaching courses in medicine programmes. In each university, an oncology course is mandatory during these studies. In Lithuania, there are two types of specialists related to oncology: medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. These oncologists complete multidisciplinary residency study programmes in the clinics. To receive a doctoral degree, specialists may join PhD programmes at any of the accredited universities. In recent years the number of dissertations in oncology has grown. Notably, oncology is chosen not only by students in the field of medicine. It also becomes the choice of those seeking a doctorate in the fields of nursing, public health, biochemistry, and physics. The professional development of oncologists is a lifelong commitment. In Lithuania, continuing specialist medical training is mandatory. This requirement is ensured with the process of licensing of medical practice. All Lithuanian study programmes are certificated by an independent public agency and are recognised by a number of other countries as well.

The changes of radiotherapy in Lithuania: infrastructure, utilization rate, and cost

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiation therapy (RT) productivity, capacity, and cost in Lithuania. Materials and methods. An electronic questionnaire was prepared and sent to the country’s RT centres. The data was collected for the years 2011–2014. The early data of the RT infrastructure was obtained from the QUARTS Project (2001). Results. In Lithuania the external beam RT was applied to 32.6% of new cancer cases (non-melanomatous skin cancer and benign conditions were excluded). In 2014, RT was more frequently applied for breast and prostate carcinomas, 23 and 20%, respectively. The country owned 11 units of linear accelerators (linacs) and this accounts for 3.7 linacs per one million population. 3D conformal RT is the standard approach in all four RT centres in Lithuania. IMRT practices were established in three centers and VMAT or stereotactic RT in two of them. 73% of linacs were capable of IGRT, while only 27% were equipped with CBCT. The average linac workload was 567 patients per year and showed a 10% decrease compared with the 2011 data. During a ten-year period, the average cost per patient for RT treatment increased 7.6 times – from EUR 129 to 974. The reimbursement system in Lithuania is not favourable for application of RT. Conclusions. During the recent thirteen years, RT services in Lithuania have dramatically improved, but we are still behind the average of European countries and benchmark rates. It is important to continue optimising the efficiency of RT services, and further evidence-based studies on RT infrastructure assessment and planning are needed.