Faculty Collaboration Database

American Brachytherapy Society: Brachytherapy treatment recommendations for locally advanced cervix cancer for low-income and middle-income countries. Brachytherapy 2017;16(1):85-94

Date

12/07/2016

Pubmed ID

27919654

DOI

10.1016/j.brachy.2016.10.007

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85007504961 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   48 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: Most cervix cancer cases occur in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC), and outcomes are suboptimal, even for early stage disease. Brachytherapy plays a central role in the treatment paradigm, improving both local control and overall survival. The American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) aims to provide guidelines for brachytherapy delivery in resource-limited settings.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: A panel of clinicians and physicists with expertise in brachytherapy administration in LMIC was convened. A survey was developed to identify practice patterns at the authors' institutions and was also extended to participants of the Cervix Cancer Research Network. The scientific literature was reviewed to identify consensus papers or review articles with a focus on treatment of locally advanced, unresected cervical cancer in LMIC.

RESULTS: Of the 40 participants invited to respond to the survey, 32 responded (response rate 80%). Participants were practicing in 14 different countries including both high-income (China, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States) and low-income or middle-income countries (Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). Recommendations for modifications to existing ABS guidelines were reviewed by the panel members and are highlighted in this article.

CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for treatment of locally advanced, unresectable cervical cancer in LMIC are presented. The guidelines comment on staging, external beam radiotherapy, use of concurrent chemotherapy, overall treatment duration, use of anesthesia, applicator choice and placement verification, brachytherapy treatment planning including dose and prescription point, recommended reporting and documentation, physics support, and follow-up.

Author List

Suneja G, Brown D, Chang A, Erickson B, Fidarova E, Grover S, Mahantshetty U, Nag S, Narayan K, Bvochora-Nsingo M, Viegas C, Viswanathan AN, Lin MY, Gaffney D

Author

Beth A. Erickson MD Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Brachytherapy
Developing Countries
Female
Health Resources
Humans
Radiation Oncology
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy Dosage
Societies, Medical
United States
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms