ESTRO 2023 - Abstract Book

S429

Sunday 14 May 2023

ESTRO 2023

Abstract Text Patients with head and neck or skin (NHS) cancers face multiple physical and psychosocial challenges triggered by cosmetic or functional deficit. Many skin cancers are diagnosed in the head and neck region and hence are regarded as cosmetic and functional sensitive. The symptoms that patients with HNS cancers experience are related to cancer itself and / or their anticancer treatment. In HNS cancers among available treatment options brachytherapy (BT) has been proven to offer favourable cosmesis and functional outcomes in addition to excellent cure rates. All professionals caring for patients with HNS cancer should assess supportive care needs. In BT ideally such assessment should be done at the initial consultation and subsequently reviewed at planning, during treatment and at follow-up. In such way the supportive care can be initiated promptly, including the involvement from specialist supportive care professionals, if required. The talk will cover the role of supportive care in the management of patients with HNS cancers with particular emphasis on BT. It will also discuss toxicity assessment in BT for HNS cancers and the role of quality of life (QoL) and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in this group of patients. There is a lack of BT specific toxicity assessment scale(s) that can serve as the gold standard. Given the additional function preservation benefit with BT over surgery and in some cases over external bean radiotherapy, there is a need for such BT orientated scales. SP-0545 Patient-centric approach among psychological aspects, humane relationships and technologies L. Dinapoli 1 1 Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, UOS Psicologia Clinica , ROME, Italy Abstract Text The diagnosis of gynecological cancer (cervix and endometrium cancer) and the subsequent treatments such as interventional radiotherapy (IRT, also called brachytherapy) may result in emotional anxiety and distress, which may have an impact on the clinical outcome. High levels of anxiety prior to starting RT are reported in about 10- 20% of patients. At the time of simulation and IRT delivery, anxiety is commonly expressed as a result of immobilization techniques, of isolation in a room, altogether associated with their own problems and fear of cancer. In this scenario, multidisciplinary and multiprofessional approaches are necessary to ensure that patients will be adequately informed about treatment but also to obtain their inner serenity. For this reason, recently, several studies have focused on gynecologic cancer survivors and the information needs of this population. Particularly, in our department we examined the needs of patients affected by gynecological cancer focusing on physician–patient communication and treatment approach, as well as on the need for information concerning therapy effectiveness, side effects, toxicities and consequences. Aim of my presentation is to describe our patient-centered approach in IRT, based on psychological evidence-based interventions, integrating technologies and human relationship. Abstract Text The rapid evolution of Radiotherapy (RT) technology has enabled the delivery of complex RT techniques, making it vital that Radiation Therapists (RTTs) continuously advance their practice; stay informed of developments, and most importantly, ensure that new techniques are implemented safely and accurately to the benefit of patients. Research plays an essential role in informing evidence-based practice. Therefore, the involvement of RTTs in research is of major interest to help make face of the innovations and cope with the constant new standards of care and practice. However, identifying the current extent of RTTs research participation and translating science to clinical practice remains challenging mainly because of the lack of studies addressing this topic. RTTs’ research participation may be vast and vary from RTT led research projects to their contribution in different studies or research participation in the various stages of a RT treatment. This session will highlight some concentre examples of RTTs translating science to clinical practice, as well as some key enablers and barriers of RTTs research participation. Abstract Text Many clinical trials are typically performed in large radiation oncology departments. Investigators from both your own hospital and other hospitals can initiate these trials. Every clinical trial is different and including a patient into a clinical trial can be quite labour intensive. Starting with the administrative work for the inclusion, but also the follow up assessments of patients according to the study protocol, takes much time. In our department, this used to be the responsibility of the radiation oncologist treating the patient. As this increased their workload, it resulted in fewer inclusions than desired by the department and missing data due to non-standard follow up. Depending on the trial, extra imaging, questionnaires or follow-up appointments with the radiation oncologist can be required. If this deviates from the standard care, it could easily be overlooked and forgotten. A support system can be created to support the radiation oncologists in all the work required for a clinical trial and to aid in patient compliance. There are multiple options for a support system, for example research nurses, nurse practitioners and radiation technologists (RTTs). RTTs already have extensive knowledge of the processes regarding the treatment of the patients and see patients on a daily basis. RTTs can then also be a contact person for further questions patients may have concerning the trial. Therefore, in our department a study support group was set up consisting of RTTs. By starting the study support group, the department aimed to increase the inclusions in clinical trials, patient compliance and to structure the follow up of patients included in a clinical trial. SP-0547 Connecting the patient into the clinical trial: the role of an RTT N. Losekoot 1 1 The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Radiation oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Symposium: The role of radiation therapists in translating science to clinical practice SP-0546 From innovation to action: RTT role in translating research into the clinic F. Rodrigues Sousa 1 1 Institut Jules Bordet, Radiation Oncology, Brussels, Belgium