ESTRO 2022 - Abstract Book

S159

Abstract book

ESTRO 2022

effect pathways between symptoms and QoL are not always uni-directional, but occur in feedback loops; and random effects have to be taken into account, based on independent factors. In addition, certain symptoms are highly inter-correlated and often occur in clusters. The previous findings were not able to estimate the cumulative effects of multiple occurrences of persistent symptoms in individual patients. Other study groups have developed the concept of a “total toxicity burden” score, an aggregated summary measure [12,13,14]. This method combines the impact of different symptoms in a severity-weighted sum over the course of follow-up and constitutes an interesting new approach. In summary, PROs provide the most direct feedback reflecting the patients’ experience with disease and treatment and have been recognized as reliable endpoint within the EMBRACE studies in locally advanced cervical cancer. Complementary to the physician-assessed CTCAE morbidity, PROs have been successfully integrated into dose/volume effect relations and guided treatment recommendations regarding dose constraints. New methodologies and concepts, applied to solid prospective clinical data, will further integrate the patients´ perspective.

SP-0191 ePROs in palliative radiotherapy

E. Oldenburger 1

1 University Hospitals Leuven, Radiation Oncology, Leuven, Belgium

Abstract Text Palliative radiotherapy is applied to relieve suffering from cancer-related symptoms, lengthen life and to provide the best possible quality of life (QoL). Therefore, it is prescribed as to maximize effect while minimizing treatment burden by means of a limited number of radiation sessions. Due to its delayed effect, treatment-related symptoms or progression of persistent disease-related complaints usually occur when patients are already at home. Typically, this is either in between hospital-based consultations, with patients experiencing a barrier for contact, or while patients receive best supportive care by primary health care professionals, who may have limited knowledge of (palliative) radiotherapy. Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePROs) are well utilized in radiation oncology research, but they tend to be mostly used as a benchmarking tool. However, in palliative radiotherapy, they could also offer a minimally invasive follow-up solution for palliative patients: ePROs can be completed at home, uploaded into the patient’s medical file and reviewed by a health care professional. Important symptoms can even be flagged, to make them stand out. Additionally, reminders