scholarly journals New horizons in radiotherapy for older people

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 605-612
Author(s):  
Anthea Cree ◽  
Anita O’Donovan ◽  
Shane O’Hanlon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Radiotherapy Regime

Abstract Radiotherapy is an effective, albeit underutilised, treatment for cancer in older adults, especially for those who are surgically inoperable or for whom chemotherapy poses too great a risk. It is estimated that approximately half of patients with cancer could benefit from radiotherapeutic management. This article synthesises the basics of how radiotherapy works, recent developments in the field and considers how this treatment modality may be adapted in an older patient population or may evolve in the future. Technological advances of relevance include Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), Volumetric Modulated Arc therapy (VMAT), Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR), proton therapy, MR guided radiotherapy, as well as better image guidance during irradiation in order to improve precision and accuracy. New approaches for better integration of geriatric medicine principles into the oncologic assessment and workup will also be considered, in order to provide more age attuned care. For more informed decision making, a baseline assessment of older radiotherapy patients should encompass some form of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. This can facilitate the optimal radiotherapy regime to be selected, to avoid overly toxic regimes in patients with frailty. The review discusses how these new initiatives and technologies have potential for effective oncologic management and can help to reduce the toxicity of treatment for older adults. It concludes by highlighting the need for more evidence in this patient population including better patient selection and support for treatment to enhance person-centred care.

A comprehensive evaluation of the quality and complexity of prostate IMRT and VMAT plans generated by an automated inverse planning tool

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Dean Wilkinson ◽  
Kelly Mackie ◽  
Dean Novy ◽  
Frances Beaven ◽  
Joanne McNamara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dose Level ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Inverse Planning ◽  
Dose Planning ◽  
Target Volumes ◽  
Lymph Node Irradiation

Abstract Introduction: The Pinnacle3 Auto-Planning (AP) package is an automated inverse planning tool employing a multi-sequence optimisation algorithm. The nature of the optimisation aims to improve the overall quality of radiotherapy plans but at the same time may produce higher modulation, increasing plan complexity and challenging linear accelerator delivery capability. Methods and materials: Thirty patients previously treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to the prostate with or without pelvic lymph node irradiation were replanned with locally developed AP techniques for step-and-shoot IMRT (AP-IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (AP-VMAT). Each case was also planned with VMAT using conventional inverse planning. The patient cohort was separated into two groups, those with a single primary target volume (PTV) and those with dual PTVs of differing prescription dose levels. Plan complexity was assessed using the modulation complexity score. Results: Plans produced with AP provided equivalent or better dose coverage to target volumes whilst effectively reducing organ at risk (OAR) doses. For IMRT plans, the use of AP resulted in a mean reduction in bladder V50Gy by 4·2 and 4·7 % (p ≤ 0·01) and V40Gy by 4·8 and 11·3 % (p < 0·01) in the single and dual dose level cohorts, respectively. For the rectum, V70Gy, V60Gy and V40Gy were all reduced in the dual dose level AP-VMAT plans by an average of 2·0, 2·7 and 7·3 % (p < 0·01), respectively. A small increase in plan complexity was observed only in dual dose level AP plans. Findings: The automated nature of AP led to high quality treatment plans with improvement in OAR sparing and minimised the variation in achievable dose planning metrics when compared to the conventional inverse planning approach.

scholarly journals Bedside Ultrasound Measures of Muscle Mass and Frailty Measures in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 269-269
Author(s):  
Kenneth Madden ◽  
Boris Feldman ◽  
Shane Arishenkoff ◽  
Graydon Meneilly
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Frailty Index ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Vancouver General Hospital ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Clinical Frailty Scale ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract The age-associated loss of muscle mass and strength in older adults is called sarcopenia, and it is associated with increased rates of falls, fractures, hospitalizations and death. Sarcopenia is one of the most common physical etiologies for increased frailty in older adults, and some recent work has suggested the use of Point-of care ultrasound (PoCUS) measures as a potential measure of muscle mass. The objective of this study was to examine the association of PoCUS measures of muscle thickness (MT) with measures of frailty in community-dwelling older adults. We recruited 150 older adults (age &gt;= 65; mean age 80.0±0.5 years, 66 women, 84 men) sequentially from 5 geriatric medicine clinics (Vancouver General Hospital). We measured lean muscle mass (LMM, by bioimpedance assay) and an ultrasonic measure of muscle quantity (MT, vastus medialis muscle thickness) in all subjects, as well as two outcome measures of frailty (FFI, Fried Frailty Index; RCFS, Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale). In our models, MT showed an inverse correlation with the FFI (Standardized β=-0.2320±0.107, p=0.032) but no significant correlation with the RCFS (Standardized β = -0.025±0.086, p=0.776). LMM showed no significant association with either FFI (Standardized β=-0.232±0.120, p=0.055) or RCFS (Standardized β = -0.043±0.119, p=0.719). Our findings indicate that PoCUS measures show potential as a way to screen for physical manifestations of frailty and might be superior to other bedside methods such as bioimpedance assay. However, PoCUS measures of muscle thickness will likely miss patients showing frailty in the much broader context captured by the RCFS.

scholarly journals How Is Geriatric Assessment Used in Clinical Practice for Older Adults With Cancer? A Survey of Cancer Providers by the American Society of Clinical Oncology

2020 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00442
Author(s):  
William Dale ◽  
Grant R. Williams ◽  
Amy R. MacKenzie ◽  
Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis ◽  
Ronald J. Maggiore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Geriatric Assessment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Geriatric Oncology ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
American Society

PURPOSE: For patients with cancer who are older than 65 years, the 2018 ASCO Guideline recommends geriatric assessment (GA) be performed. However, there are limited data on providers’ practices using GA. Therefore, ASCO’s Geriatric Oncology Task Force conducted a survey of providers to assess practice patterns and barriers to GA. METHODS: Cancer providers treating adult patients including those ≥ 65 years completed an online survey. Questions included those asking about awareness of ASCO’s Geriatric Oncology Guideline (2018), use of validated GA tools, and perceived barriers to using GA. Descriptive statistics and statistical comparisons between those aware of the Guideline and those who were not were conducted. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Participants (N = 1,277) responded between April 5 and June 5, 2019. Approximately half (53%) reported awareness of the Guideline. The most frequently used GA tools, among those aware of the Guideline and those who were not, assessed functional status (69% v 50%; P < .001) and falls (62% v 45%; P < .001). Remaining tools were used < 50% of the time, including tools assessing weight loss, comorbidities, cognition, life expectancy, chemotherapy toxicity, mood, and noncancer mortality risk. GA use was two to four times higher among those who are aware of the Guideline. The most frequent barriers for those who reported being Guideline aware were lack of resources, specifically time (81.7%) and staff (77.0%). In comparison, those who were unaware of the Guideline most often reported the following barriers: lack of knowledge or training (78.4%), lack of awareness about tools (75.2%), and uncertainty about use of tools (75.0%). CONCLUSION: Among providers caring for older adults, 52% were aware of the ASCO Guideline. Some domains were assessed frequently (eg, function, falls), whereas other domains were assessed rarely (eg, mood, cognition). Guideline awareness was associated with two to four times increased use of GA and differing perceived barriers. Interventions facilitating Guideline-consistent implementation will require various strategies to change behavior.

scholarly journals Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiotherapy for Early Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: Is It Better Than the Conventional Static Beam Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy?

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Vincent Wing Cheung Wu ◽  
Man In Pun ◽  
Cho Pan Lam ◽  
To Wing Mok ◽  
Wah Wai Mok
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Small Cell Lung ◽  
Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Intensity Modulated ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Arc Therapy

This study compared the performance of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques: single arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (SA-VMAT) and double arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (DA-VMAT) with the static beam conventional intensity modulated radiotherapy (C-IMRT) for non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Twelve stage I and II NSCLC patients were recruited and their planning CT with contoured planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) was used for planning. Using the same dose constraints and planning objectives, the C-IMRT, SA-VMAT, and DA-VMAT plans were optimized. C-IMRT consisted of 7 static beams, while SA-VMAT and DA-VMAT plans consisted of one and two full gantry rotations, respectively. No significant difference was found among the three techniques in target homogeneity and conformity. Mean lung dose in C-IMRT plan was significantly lower than that in DA-VMAT plan P=0.04. The ability of OAR sparing was similar among the three techniques, with no significant difference in V20, V10, or V5 of normal lungs, spinal cord, and heart. Less MUs were required in SA-VMAT and DA-VMAT. Besides, SA-VMAT required the shortest beam on time among the three techniques. In treatment of early stage NSCLC, no significant dosimetric superiority was shown by the VMAT techniques over C-IMRT and DA-VMAT over SA-VMAT.

scholarly journals Development of in-house fully residual deep convolutional neural network-based segmentation software for the male pelvic CT

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideaki Hirashima ◽  
Mitsuhiro Nakamura ◽  
Pascal Baillehache ◽  
Yusuke Fujimoto ◽  
Shota Nakagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Convolutional Neural Network ◽  
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Deep Convolutional Neural Network ◽  
Training Dataset ◽  
Dice Similarity Coefficient ◽  
Optimal Model ◽  
Pelvic Region ◽  
Segmentation Accuracy

Abstract Background This study aimed to (1) develop a fully residual deep convolutional neural network (CNN)-based segmentation software for computed tomography image segmentation of the male pelvic region and (2) demonstrate its efficiency in the male pelvic region. Methods A total of 470 prostate cancer patients who had undergone intensity-modulated radiotherapy or volumetric-modulated arc therapy were enrolled. Our model was based on FusionNet, a fully residual deep CNN developed to semantically segment biological images. To develop the CNN-based segmentation software, 450 patients were randomly selected and separated into the training, validation and testing groups (270, 90, and 90 patients, respectively). In Experiment 1, to determine the optimal model, we first assessed the segmentation accuracy according to the size of the training dataset (90, 180, and 270 patients). In Experiment 2, the effect of varying the number of training labels on segmentation accuracy was evaluated. After determining the optimal model, in Experiment 3, the developed software was used on the remaining 20 datasets to assess the segmentation accuracy. The volumetric dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the 95th-percentile Hausdorff distance (95%HD) were calculated to evaluate the segmentation accuracy for each organ in Experiment 3. Results In Experiment 1, the median DSC for the prostate were 0.61 for dataset 1 (90 patients), 0.86 for dataset 2 (180 patients), and 0.86 for dataset 3 (270 patients), respectively. The median DSCs for all the organs increased significantly when the number of training cases increased from 90 to 180 but did not improve upon further increase from 180 to 270. The number of labels applied during training had a little effect on the DSCs in Experiment 2. The optimal model was built by 270 patients and four organs. In Experiment 3, the median of the DSC and the 95%HD values were 0.82 and 3.23 mm for prostate; 0.71 and 3.82 mm for seminal vesicles; 0.89 and 2.65 mm for the rectum; 0.95 and 4.18 mm for the bladder, respectively. Conclusions We have developed a CNN-based segmentation software for the male pelvic region and demonstrated that the CNN-based segmentation software is efficient for the male pelvic region.

Determination of target volumes in radiotherapy and the implications of technological advances: a literature review

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51
Author(s):  
Bongile Mzenda ◽  
M.E. Hosseini-Ashrafi ◽  
A. Palmer ◽  
D.F. Hodgson ◽  
H. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Adaptive Radiotherapy ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Image Guided Radiotherapy ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Target Volumes ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Modelling Techniques

AbstractThis study assesses the influence of new techniques and technologies in radiotherapy on the derivation and applicability of the margins currently used for treatment planning. The validity of the continued use of the recommendations of International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) and other recommendations as a result of the additional information derived from these emerging techniques is also reviewed. The ICRU formulations still remain fundamental in the derivation of target volumes in radiotherapy; however, revisions to these have been recommended through various experimental and modelling techniques leading to the publication of various margin recipes. These recipes are used for margin definitions in new radiotherapy techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The use of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) techniques leads to the reduction in organ motion uncertainties and setup errors, allowing for the adjustment of margins and treatment plans as well as dose escalation. Clinical trials are still needed to validate most of the new techniques in radiotherapy, particularly in IGRT techniques leading to adaptive radiotherapy. It is recommended that well devised clinical trials should be conducted to investigate fully the efficacy of these new techniques, particularly in radiotherapy image guidance and adaptive radiotherapy. Such trials would validate any recommendations regarding the current clinical margins and impact on their continued clinical use.

scholarly journals Anticholinergic burden in older adult inpatients: patterns from admission to discharge and associations with hospital outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204209862110125
Author(s):  
Maria Herrero-Zazo ◽  
Rachel Berry ◽  
Emma Bines ◽  
Debi Bhattacharya ◽  
Phyo K. Myint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Anticholinergic Medications

Background: Anticholinergic medications are associated with adverse outcomes in older adults and should be prescribed cautiously. We describe the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) scores of older inpatients and associations with outcomes. Methods: We included all emergency, first admissions of adults ⩾65 years old admitted to one hospital over 4 years. Demographics, discharge specialty, dementia/history of cognitive concern, illness acuity and medications were retrieved from electronic records. ARS scores were calculated as the sum of anticholinergic potential for each medication (0 = limited/none; 1 = moderate; 2 = strong and 3 = very strong). We categorised patients based on admission ARS score [ARS = 0 (reference); ARS = 1; ARS = 2; ARS ⩾ 3] and change in ARS score from admission to discharge [admission and discharge ARS = 0 (reference); same; decreased; increased]. We described anticholinergic prescribing patterns by discharge specialty and explored multivariable associations between ARS score categories and mortality using logistic regression [odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs)]. Results: From 33,360 patients, 10,183 (31%) were prescribed an anticholinergic medication on admission. Mean admission ARS scores were: Cardiology and Stroke = 0.56; General Medicine = 0.78; Geriatric Medicine = 0.83; Other medicine = 0.81; Trauma and Orthopaedics = 0.66; Other Surgery = 0.65. Mean ARS did not increase from admission to discharge in any specialty but reductions varied significantly, from 4.6% (Other Surgery) to 27.7% (Geriatric Medicine) ( p < 0.001). The odds of both 30-day inpatient and 30-day post-discharge mortality increased with admission ARS = 1 (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.01–1.44 and OR = 1.44, 1.18–1.74) but not with ARS = 2 or ARS ⩾ 3. The odds of 30-day post-discharge mortality were higher in all ARS change categories, relative to no anticholinergic exposure (same: OR = 1.45, 1.21–1.74, decreased: OR = 1.27, 1.01–1.57, increased: OR = 2.48, 1.98–3.08). Conclusion: The inconsistent dose–response associations with mortality may be due to confounding and measurement error which may be addressed by a prospective trial. Definitive evidence for this prevalent modifiable risk factor is required to support clinician behaviour-change, thus reducing variation in anticholinergic deprescribing by inpatient speciality. Plain language summary We describe how commonly medicines which block the chemical acetylcholine are prescribed to older adults admitted to hospital as an emergency and explore links between these medicines and death during or soon after hospital admission Backgroud: Medicines which block the chemical acetylcholine are commonly prescribed to treat symptoms such as itch and difficulty sleeping or to treat medical conditions such as depression. However, some studies in older adults have found potential links between these medicines and confusion and falls. Therefore, doctors are recommended to prescribe these drugs cautiously in adults aged 65 years and over. Methods: In our paper we use data collected as part of routine medical care at one university hospital to describe how often these medicines are prescribed in a large sample of older adults admitted to hospital as an emergency. We look at the medicines patients are prescribed on admission to the hospital and also when they are later discharged. Results: We find that these medicines are frequently prescribed. We also find that, in general, patients are prescribed fewer of these potentially harmful medicines on hospital discharge compared with hospital admission. This suggests that clinicians are aware of advice to prescribe acetylcholine blocking medicines cautiously and they are more often stopped in hospital than started. However, we find a lot of variation in practice depending on which hospital specialty was caring for the patient during their inpatient stay. We also find potential links with these medicines and death during the admission or soon after hospital discharge, but these potential links are not always consistent. Conclusion: Further study is needed to fully understand links between medicines that block acetylcholine and late life health. This will be important to reduce variation in prescribing practices.

scholarly journals Recent advances in non-surgical management of cancer in the elderly

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1793
Author(s):  
Emily J. Guerard ◽  
Gil E. Harmon ◽  
Kieran D. Sahasrabudhe ◽  
Noelle K. LoConte
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Chemotherapy Agents

This article summarizes the seminal publications from mid-2016 through 2017 in the area of medical care for older adults with cancer. Areas addressed include chemotherapy tolerance and efficacy in the aged, geriatric fitness assessments, and advancements in palliative and supportive care. The practice-changing finding from this past year’s publications is that antipsychotics should not be used in the management of terminal delirium in older adults receiving palliative care. The other trials demonstrated an improved understanding of the utility of geriatric assessments in patients with cancer, developed the body of information about which chemotherapy agents are safe and effective in older adults (and which are not), and expanded our understanding of good palliative and supportive care.

scholarly journals Technological advances in cardiac pacing and defibrillation

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Issue 3) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Sok-Sithikun Bun ◽  
Fabien Squara ◽  
Didier Scarlatti ◽  
Guillaume Theodore ◽  
Decebal Gabriel Latcu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Femoral Vein ◽  
Cardiac Pacing ◽  
Half Century ◽  
His Bundle ◽  
His Bundle Pacing ◽  
Subcutaneous Defibrillator ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Recent Developments

Since more than a half century, cardiac pacing and defibrillation represent a field in constant evolution, and they have shown some great technological advances from its conception to its methods of insertion. In this review, the recent developments about the accesses for pacemakers and ICD will be described: the axillary and the femoral vein. The His bundle pacing and the advantages of the entirely subcutaneous defibrillator will also be presented.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document