Robyn Cheuk

Impact of Hemoglobin Levels Before and During Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy on the Response of Treatment in Patients with Cervical Carcinoma Preliminary Results

In patients undergoing radiation for cervical carcinoma, there is evidence that anemia is associated with an impaired outcome. For patients undergoing chemoradiation, there are no data available. The objective of this retrospective study was to examine the impact of anemia before and during chemoradiation in patients with cervical carcinoma.

Natural oil-based emulsion containing allantoin versus aqueous cream for managing radiation-induced skin reactions in patients with cancer: A Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of a natural oil-based emulsion containing allantoin versus aqueous cream for preventing and managing radiation-induced skin reactions. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 174 patients were randomized and participated in the study. Patients received either cream 1 (the natural oil-based emulsion containing allantoin) or cream 2 (aqueous cream). Skin toxicity, pain, itching, and skin-related quality of life scores were collected for up to 4 weeks after radiation treatment. RESULTS Patients who received cream 1 had a significantly lower average level of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events at week 3 (P<.05) but had statistically higher average levels of skin toxicity at weeks 7, 8, and 9 (all P<.001). Similar results were observed when skin toxicity was analyzed by grades. With regards to pain, patients in the cream 2 group had a significantly higher average level of worst pain (P<.05) and itching (P=.046) compared with the cream 1 group at week 3; however, these differences were not observed at other weeks. In addition, there was a strong trend for cream 2 to reduce the incidence of grade 2 or more skin toxicity in comparison with cream 1 (P=.056). Overall, more participants in the cream 1 group were required to use another topical treatment at weeks 8 (P=.049) and 9 (P=.01). CONCLUSION The natural oil-based emulsion containing allantoin seems to have similar effects for managing skin toxicity compared with aqueous cream up to week 5; however, it becomes significantly less effective at later weeks into the radiation treatment and beyond treatment completion (week 6 and beyond). There were no major differences in pain, itching, and skin-related quality of life. In light of these results, clinicians and patients can base their decision on costs and preferences. Overall, aqueous cream seems to be a more preferred option.

Tubular breast carcinoma: An argument against treatment de‐escalation

Purpose: To evaluate the role of adjuvant radiotherapy in management of patients with tubular carcinoma of the breast.

A unique approach to high-dose-rate vaginal mold brachytherapy of gynecologic malignancies

PURPOSE Patients with cervical and vaginal cancer sometimes have a less straightforward approach for choice of brachytherapy treatment owing to the tumors location and clinical presentation. The staff at Royal Brisbane & Womens Hospital in Queensland, Australia, is trying to solve this problem by the use of an old technique in a new approach called vaginal molds. With a patient-specific vaginal mold, the appearance of the applicator and the dose distribution can be customized to provide an optimal treatment for each patient. METHODS AND MATERIALS The technique used at the Royal Brisbane & Womens Hospital uses a flexible two-part putty, moulded to the shape of the vagina, in which standard catheters (flexible implant tubes) are incorporated, in a pattern designed to permit a dose distribution more conformal to the target volume. RESULTS The presented technique is efficient and improves the accuracy of a homogeneous target cover and sparing of organs at risk for vaginal mold brachytherapy treatments at our institution. CONCLUSION This technique offers a customizable option when traditional cylindrical- or dome-type applicators cannot be used, or provide inadequate dose coverage. Molds to match the patient anatomy can be created quickly, while allowing flexibility in positioning of catheters to achieve the desired dose distribution.

A double-blind randomised controlled trial of a natural oil-based emulsion (Moogoo Udder Cream®) containing allantoin versus aqueous cream for managing radiation-induced skin reactions in patients with cancer

BackgroundRadiation-induced skin reaction (RISR) is one of the most common and distressing side effects of radiotherapy in patients with cancer. It is featured with swelling, redness, itching, pain, breaks in skin, discomfort, and a burning sensation. There is a lack of convincing evidence supporting any single practice in the prevention or management of RISR.Methods/DesignsThis double-blinded randomised controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of a natural oil-based emulsion containing allantoin (as known as Moogoo Udder Cream®) versus aqueous cream in reducing RISR, improving pain, itching and quality of life in this patient group. One group will receive Moogoo Udder Cream®. Another group will receive aqueous cream. Outcome measures will be collected using patient self-administered questionnaire, interviewer administered questionnaire and clinician assessment at commencement of radiotherapy, weekly during radiotherapy, and four weeks after the completion of radiotherapy.DiscussionDespite advances of radiologic advances and supportive care, RISR are still not well managed. There is a lack of efficacious interventions in managing RISR. While anecdotal evidence suggests that Moogoo Udder Cream® may be effective in managing RISR, research is needed to substantiate this claim. This paper presents the design of a double blind randomised controlled trial that will evaluate the effects of Moogoo Udder Cream® versus aqueous cream for managing in RISR in patients with cancer.Trial registrationACTRN 12612000568819

Dosimetric effect of external beam planning preceding combined high-dose-rate brachytherapy of the prostate

PURPOSE The sequencing of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and a high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRB) boost is often interchangeable in clinical practice. When given before EBRT, HDRB could induce volume alterations in the prostate, which may have significant implications for EBRT dosimetry. We aimed to assess the influence of HDRB on prostate volume and, hence, prostate dosing via subsequent EBRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS Fifteen men had both pre- and post-HDRB CT performed followed by EBRT. After deidentification, the clinical target volume (CTV) was defined on each CT by a single-blinded observer. Volumes were compared for the pre- and post-HDRB scans in each patient. Radiotherapy planning was performed using the prebrachytherapy volumes aiming for the planning target volume (PTV) to be covered by 43.7Gy. After soft-tissue coregistration, this plan was also applied to the postbrachytherapy volumes. RESULTS Median volume increase was 35.4% for the CTV after HDRB. No patient experienced a decrease in CTV volume (range, 0-79% volume increase; p-value<0.001). Median volume increase was 26.1% for the PTVs, with no volume decrease observed (range, 8-56%; p<0.001). PTV proportion achieving dose target (V43.7Gy) decreased by median of 7% (range, 0-21.5%; p=0.004). The minimum dose to the PTV (D(100)%) decreased by a median of 6Gy (range, 0.5-16Gy; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Insertion of HDRB catheters exerts substantial acute volumetric distortion on the prostate. EBRT planning performed on the basis of pre-HDRB imaging only inherently risks underdosing tumor. Planning adjustments based on repeat CT, or dedicated post-HDBT planning, is warranted for men managed with HDRB before EBRT.

Comparison of CT-based volumetric dosimetry with traditional prescription points in the treatment of cervical cancer with PDR brachytherapy.

The traditional use of two‐dimensional geometric prescription points in intracavitary brachytherapy planning for locally advanced cervical cancer is increasingly being replaced by three‐dimensional (3D) planning. This study aimed to directly compare the two planning methods to validate that CT planning provides superior dosimetry for both tumour and organs at risk (OARs) in our department.