ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5594

RTT - Patient care, preparation, immobilisation and IGRT verification protocols

ESTRO 2024

Material/Methods:

A web-based survey on Qualtrics was circulated to the Radiation Therapy Service Managers (RTSMs) in Ireland. The survey was built based on a previous design 1 and designed to be completed by a Radiation Therapist (RTT) appropriately trained in breath-hold techniques. Data was collected over five weeks between May and June 2023. Results were compiled in Qualtrics and exported to Microsoft Excel for analysis.

Results:

Nine out of fourteen radiotherapy departments, who utilise DIBH in the treatment of left-sided breast cancer, completed the survey, (response rate=64%). From the survey, RTTs perceive themselves to be responsible for the majority of machine quality control testing, on-going training and clinical use of the breath-hold technology in departments. Responses indicate that DIBH practices for patients with left-sided breast cancer at CT simulation and patient education are similar across departments. Six centres (67%) provide written education material regarding DIBH technique to patients, two centres (22%) provide visual information to patients, while one centre (11%) does not provide any educational material. No centre requires patients to follow a breathing exercise programme prior to attending for a planning CT. However, dose constraints used in radiotherapy treatment planning for organs at risk (OAR) were found to vary. On treatment verification protocols varied; two centres used CBCT (22%), two centres used MV/kV images (22%), two centres used MV/MV images and two centres used a combination of modalities (22%).

Conclusion:

Breath-hold technologies and practices used in Radiation Oncology departments in Ireland do vary from centre to centre in relation to information provided, dose volume constraints and image guided verification (IGRT). Further survey and consensus from departments utilising the DIBH technique and other RMM techniques is required to create established best practice guidelines for the ever-growing field of RMM.

Keywords: breast cancer, radiation therapist, breath-hold

References:

1. Barry, A. (2020), Respiratory Motion Management in Radiotherapy National Survey 1 Responses (with focus on DIBH for Left Breast Cancer Patients), Internal IAPM report, Unpublished. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.11271.78243

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