Diagnosis and Radiotherapy in Oncology: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Imaging and Theranostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 5300

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Guest Editor
Department of Oncology, Faculty of General Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: external beam radiotherapy; brachytherapy; radiobiology; radiophysics; image-guided radiotherapy; stereotactic radiotherapy; radiosurgery
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Dear Colleagues, 

Mainly used as a local or locoregional treatment, radiotherapy is one of the main three pillars of cancer treatment, alongside surgery and systemic therapies. Thus, according to the current literature data, more than 50% of patients diagnosed with cancer will require radiotherapy treatments at least once at some stage of the evolution of the disease. Alone or in combination with other oncological therapies, radiotherapy accounts for 40% of cured cancer patients. The main objective guiding radiotherapy developments is still the delivery of a curative radiation dose to the target volume while minimizing the dose received by healthy tissues and organs. Throughout the last decade, radiotherapy technologies have been constantly and substantially improved by the addition of precision and accuracy in treatment delivery and quality assurance. Moreover, the use of protons and the increased interest in the potential use of other ions with the aim of reducing radiation toxicity are becoming more widespread. Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy is currently gaining a wider prescription field over surgery in the oligometastatic cancer phase. All these improvements in precision and tolerance have also broadened the radiotherapy prescription field for non-malignant diseases. Authors are encouraged to upload their original manuscripts dealing with experiences and research in the radiation oncology field for this Diagnostics Special Issue.

Dr. Mihai-Teodor Georgescu
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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11 pages, 2536 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Efficacy of Machine Performance Checks as an Alternative to Winston–Lutz Quality Assurance Testing in the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator with HyperArc
by Eun Kyu Kim, Sung Yeop Kim, Jae Won Park, Jaehyeon Park, Ji Woon Yea, Yoon Young Jo and Se An Oh
Diagnostics 2024, 14(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14040410 - 13 Feb 2024
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Abstract
HyperArc is a preferred technique for treating brain metastases, employing a single isocenter for multiple lesions. Geometrical isocentricity in the TrueBeam linear accelerator with HyperArc is crucial. We evaluated machine performance checks (MPCs) as an alternative to the Winston–Lutz (WL) test to verify [...] Read more.
HyperArc is a preferred technique for treating brain metastases, employing a single isocenter for multiple lesions. Geometrical isocentricity in the TrueBeam linear accelerator with HyperArc is crucial. We evaluated machine performance checks (MPCs) as an alternative to the Winston–Lutz (WL) test to verify the treatment isocenter. Between January and July 2023, we assessed 53 data points using MPC and Winston–Lutz tests. The isocenter size obtained from the MPC and its sum, including the rotation-induced couch shift, were compared with the maximum total delta value from the Winston–Lutz test. The maximum total delta was 0.68 ± 0.10 mm, while the isocenter size was 0.28 ± 0.02 mm. The sum of the isocenter size and rotation-induced couch shift measured by MPC was 0.61 ± 0.03 mm. During the Winston–Lutz test (without couch rotation), the maximum total delta value was 0.56 ± 0.13 mm. A t-test analysis revealed a significant difference in the isocenter size averages between the Winston–Lutz and MPC outcomes, whereas the Pearson’s correlation coefficient yielded no correlation. Our study highlights the necessity for separate MPC and Winston–Lutz tests for isocenter verification. Therefore, the Winston–Lutz test should precede stereotactic radiosurgery for isocenter verification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Radiotherapy in Oncology: 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 462 KiB  
Article
Neural and Onconeural Autoantibodies and Blood–Brain Barrier Disruption Markers in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for High-Grade Primary Brain Tumour
by Katarzyna Hojan, Krystyna Adamska, Agnieszka Lewandowska, Danuta Procyk, Ewa Leporowska, Krystyna Osztynowicz and Slawomir Michalak
Diagnostics 2024, 14(3), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14030307 - 31 Jan 2024
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Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) plays a key role in brain tumours but can negatively impact functional outcomes and quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyse anti-neural and onconeural autoantibodies and markers of blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption in patients with primary brain [...] Read more.
Radiotherapy (RT) plays a key role in brain tumours but can negatively impact functional outcomes and quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyse anti-neural and onconeural autoantibodies and markers of blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption in patients with primary brain cancer undergoing RT. Materials and methods. A prospective study was conducted on 45 patients with a brain tumour scheduled for intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Assessments were performed at baseline, post-RT, and at three months. We measured serum levels of BBB disruption biomarkers and anti-neural, onconeural, and organ-specific antibodies. Results. Antibodies against nucleosome antigens and neuronal surface antigens were detected in 85% and 3% of cases, respectively; anti-neural and onconeural antibodies were observed in 47% and 5.8%. In 44% patients, ≥2 antibody types were detected. No significant changes in BBB biomarkers were observed. Conclusion. The findings of this study show that a humoral immune response is common in patients undergoing RT for brain cancer. This response appears to be non-organ specific but rather directed against nucleosome antigens, but onconeural antibodies were uncommon, suggesting a low risk of a neurological paraneoplastic syndrome. Our data suggested that radiotherapy may not affect BBB integrity, but larger studies are needed to better characterise the pathophysiological effects of RT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Radiotherapy in Oncology: 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 463 KiB  
Systematic Review
Optimizing Palliative Pelvic Radiotherapy in Gynecological Cancers: A Systematic Review and Analysis
by Beatrice Anghel, Mihai-Teodor Georgescu, Crenguta Sorina Serboiu, Andreea Nicoleta Marinescu, Cătălin Aliuș, Dragoș-Eugen Georgescu, Bogdan Mocanu, Sabina Sucuri and Anca Daniela Stanescu
Diagnostics 2024, 14(5), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14050547 - 5 Mar 2024
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Abstract
Background: Palliative radiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing symptomatic gynecological cancers (GCs). This article aims to systematically review literature studies on palliative pelvic radiotherapy in cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. The primary focus is centered around evaluating symptom relief, quality [...] Read more.
Background: Palliative radiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing symptomatic gynecological cancers (GCs). This article aims to systematically review literature studies on palliative pelvic radiotherapy in cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. The primary focus is centered around evaluating symptom relief, quality of life (QOL), and toxicity in order to ascertain optimal radiotherapy regimens. Methodology: For this thorough review, we mainly relied on Medline to gather papers published until November 2023. Selected studies specifically detailed symptomatology and QOL responses in palliative pelvic radiotherapy used for GCs. Results: Thirty-one studies, mostly retrospective studies and those lacking standardized outcome measures, showed varied responses. Encouraging outcomes were noted in managing hemorrhage (55%) and pain control (70%). However, comprehensively assessing overall symptom response rates and toxicity remained challenging. Investigations into 10 Gy fractionation revealed benefits in addressing tumor-related bleeding and pain in female genital tract cancers. Conclusions: Palliative pelvic radiotherapy effectively manages symptomatic GCs. Nonetheless, unresolved dosing and fractionation considerations warrant further investigation. Embracing modern therapies alongside radiotherapy offers improved symptom control, emphasizing the importance of selecting suitable patients for successful GC palliation interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Radiotherapy in Oncology: 2nd Edition)
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