Science in focus: bioinformatics part 1 – lost in translation

No abstract available

The impact of COVID-19 on radiotherapy services in Scotland, UK: a population-based study

Aims: The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer radiotherapy services is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the resultant contingency plans on radiotherapy cancer services in Scotland. Materials and methods: Detailed data of radiotherapy activity at our centre were collected from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2021. Differences in mean weekly radiotherapy courses, dose and fractionation patterns and treatment intent were compared with corresponding pre-pandemic months for all treatment sites. Qualitative data were collected for a subgroup of radical radiotherapy patients. Results: Total radiotherapy courses decreased from 6968 to 6240 (–10%) compared with the previous year, prior to the pandemic. Average weekly radiotherapy courses delivered were 134 (standard deviation ±13), decreasing by 10% to 120 ([AQ1]standard deviation 15) (Welch’s t-test, P < 0.001). The greatest decrease in new start treatment courses was observed from May to August 2020 (–7.7%, –24.0%, –16.7% and –18.7%) compared with the corresponding months in 2019. A significant reduction was seen for female patients <70 years (–16%) compared with females >70 years (–8%) or their male counterparts (–7% and –6%, respectively). By diagnosis, the largest reductions between pre- and post-pandemic levels were for anal (–26%), breast (–18%) and prostate (–14%) cancer. Contrarily, a significant increase was found for bladder (28%) and oesophageal (11%) cancers. Conclusions: Over the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, radiotherapy activity significantly decreased compared with the 12 months prior. Due to issued guidance, the use of hypofractionated regimens increased, contributing to the reduction in treatments for some tumour sites. An increase in other tumour sites can probably be attributed to the reduction or cancellation of surgical interventions. These results will inform our understanding of the indirect consequences of the pandemic on radiotherapy services

Initial Results from the Royal College of Radiologists' UK National Audit of Anal Cancer Radiotherapy 2015

Aims: UK guidance was recently developed for the treatment of anal cancer using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). We audited the current use of radiotherapy in UK cancer centres for the treatment of anal cancer against such guidance. We describe the acute toxicity of IMRT in comparison with patient population in the audit treated with two-phase conformal radiotherapy and the previous published data from two-phase conformal radiotherapy, in the UK ACT2 trial. Materials and methods: A Royal College of Radiologists' prospective national audit of patients treated with radiotherapy in UK cancer centres was carried out over a 6 month period between February and July 2015. Results: Two hundred and forty-two cases were received from 40/56 cancer centres (71%). In total, 231 (95%) underwent full dose radiotherapy with prophylactic nodal irradiation. Of these, 180 (78%) received IMRT or equivalent, 52 (22%) two-phase conformal (ACT2) technique. The number of interruptions in radiotherapy treatment in the ACT2 trial was 15%. Interruptions were noted in 7% (95% confidence interval 0–14%) of courses receiving two-phase conformal and 4% (95% confidence interval 1–7%) of those receiving IMRT. The percentage of patients completing the planned radiotherapy dose, irrelevant of gaps, was 90% (95% confidence interval 82–98%) and 96% (95% confidence interval 93–99%), in two-phase conformal and IMRT respectively. The toxicity reported in the ACT2 trial, in patients receiving two-phase conformal in the audit and in patients receiving IMRT in the audit was: any toxic effect 71%, 54%, 48%, non-haematological 62%, 49%, 40% and haematological 26%, 13%, 18%, respectively. Conclusions: IMRT implementation for anal cancer is well underway in the UK with most patients receiving IMRT delivery, although its usage is not yet universal. This audit confirms that IMRT results in reduced acute toxicity and minimised treatment interruptions in comparison with previous two-phase conformal techniques

Integrating novel cancer therapies with radiation - illuminating the tunnel

No abstract available