Experiences of Women Receiving Multifraction High Dose-Rate Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Prospective Qualitative Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish cervical cancer patients’ expectations and experiences during high dose-rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy procedure, as part of a process to develop guidelines for quality patient-centered care. Methodology: A prospective, qualitative study with a descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Purposive sampling was carried out to recruit 31 women undergoing HDR brachytherapy for cervical cancer from June to August 2020 at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat. Semi-structured, one-to-one interviews guided by a theme list were conducted by a female radiation oncologist in Arabic before, during and after treatment. The following aspects were discussed: expectations, experiences in the waiting room, in the treatment room, and suggestions for improvement. Data was transcribed, translated and thematic analysis performed. Results: Most of the patients felt unprepared and did not have a clear understanding of brachytherapy. Brachytherapy was a difficult experience causing fear and anxiety throughout treatment. Most women dreaded the procedure, before receiving the first treatment and even after having had one. Pain was a major problem for the participants. Some women compared this pain to childbirth, a process they preferred to brachytherapy. Patients agreed that the preventative medication received was not efficient to relieve the pain. Despite these negative experiences, patients were left with a positive outlook. Dialogue with the healthcare professionals, support from their family and fellow patients, envisaged outcomes and desires to heal were used to cope, whilst faith and spirituality gave them strength to endure the procedure. Conclusion: Women undergoing uterovaginal brachytherapy for cervical cancer experience pain and emotional distress. Providing patients with adequate information, more sensitive support during the procedure and debriefing afterwards could lessen feelings of fear and anxiety. Our findings advocate for the revision of pain management protocols. Further studies should be carried out to define patient-centered recommendations and provide quality care to this group of women.

An Innovative Concept of High-Dose-Rate (HDR) Intracavitary Brachytherapy with an Intrauterine Inflatable Balloon for Endometrial Carcinoma

Purpose: Curative radiation therapy is an established treatment option for non-surgical patients with early-stage endometrial carcinoma. Dosimetric analyses were performed using a single tandem, double tandem, Heyman capsules, and an inflatable intrauterine balloon to assess the dose homogeneity and conformality in the definitive treatment of inoperable endometrial cancer. Methods and Materials: Patients’ informed-consent was obtained. Dosimetric analyses were performed using four different after-loading applicators to assess the dose homogeneity and conformality of isodose to the three-dimensional (3-D) shape of the target volume (uterus) based on CT data in four patients (n = 4). The single tandem and double tandems were standard Fletcher-type (Nucletron Corporation, Columbia, MD). Heyman capsules were the disposable after-loading type (Radiation Products Design, Inc., Albertville, MN). The inflatable balloon with a central bi-lumen catheter was the Mammo Site Radiation Therapy System (Proxima Therapeutics, Alpharetta, GA) that is currently used for local breast brachytherapy. Treatment planning and dosimetric analyses for all four techniques were done with HDR PLATO Brachytherapy (v14.2.3) Software (Nucletron Corporation). Results: The average dose gradient within the target (uterine wall) is highest with the tandem methods, followed by Heyman capsules. The intrauterine balloon method showed the least dose gradient across the uterine wall. The corresponding average homogeneity indices were 3.81, 3.83, 2.97, 2.50 for single tandem, double tandem, Heyman capsules, and intrauterine balloon respectively. Conclusions: The intra-uterine inflatable balloon appears to have the best overall dosimetric advantages for the treatment of the uterine wall. Furthermore, the potential ease of use, shorter time of applicator placement, and better patient comfort warrant further investigation and subsequent clinical implementation.

Dose-volume parameters and clinical outcome of CT-guided free-hand high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for cervical cancer

Currently, image-based 3-dimentional (3D) planning brachytherapy allows for a better assessment of gross tumor volume (GTV) and the definition and delineation of target volume in cervix cancer. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of our novel computed tomography (CT)-guided free-hand high-dose- rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDRISBT) technique for cervical cancer by evaluating the dosimetry and preliminary clinical outcome of this approach. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters were analyzed according to the Gynecological GEC-ESTRO Working Group recommendations for image-based 3D treatment in cervical cancer. Twenty cervical cancer patients who underwent CT-guided free-hand HDRISBT between March 2009 and June 2010 were studied. With a median of 5 (range, 4-7) implanted needles for each patient, the median dose of brachytherapy alone delivered to 90% of the target volume (D90 ) was 45 (range, 33-54) Gyα/β10 for high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) and 30 (range, 20-36) Gyα/β10 for intermediate-risk clinical target volume (IR-CTV). The percentage of the CTV covered by the prescribed dose (V100 ) of HR-CTV with brachytherapy alone was 81.9%-99.2% (median, 96.7%). With an additional dose of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), the median D90 was 94 (range, 83-104) Gyα/β10 for HR-CTV and 77 (range, 70 -87) Gyα/β10 for IR-CTV; the median dose delivered to 100% of the target volume (D100 ) was 75 (range, 66-84) Gyα/β10 for HR-CTV and 65 (range, 57-73) Gyα/β10 for IR-CTV. The minimum dose to the most irradiated 2 cc volume (D2cc ) was 73-96 (median, 83) Gyα/β3 for the bladder, 64-98 (median, 73) Gyα/β3 for the rectum, and 52-69 (median, 61) Gyα/β3 for the sigmoid colon. After a median follow-up of 15 months (range, 3 -24 months), two patients experienced local failure, and 1 showed internal iliac nodal metastasis. Despite the relatively small number of needles used, CT-guided HDRISBT for cervical cancer showed favorable DVH parameters and clinical outcome.

High-dose-rate intraluminal brachytherapy during preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancers

AIM:To determine the feasibility and safety of high dose rate intraluminal brachytherapy(HDR-ILBT) boost during preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancer.METHODS:Between 2008 and 2009,thirty-six patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(≥ T3 or N+),were treated initially with concurrent capecitabine(825 mg/m2 oral twice daily) and pelvic external beam radiotherapy(EBRT)(45 Gy in 25 fractions),then were randomized to group A;HDR-ILBT group(n = 17) to receive 5.5-7 Gy×2 to gross tumor volume(GTV) and group B;EBRT group(n = 19) to receive 5.4 Gy×3 fractions to GTV with EBRT.All patients underwent total mesorectal excision.RESULTS:Grade 3 acute toxicities were registered in 12 patients(70.6%) in group A and in 8(42.1%) in group B.Complete pathologic response of T stage(ypT0) in group A was registered in 10 patients(58.8%) and in group B,3 patients(15.8%) had ypT0(P < 0.0001).Sphincter preservation was reported in 6/9 patients(66.7%) in group A and in 5/10 patients(50%) in group B(P < 0.01).Overall radiological response was 68.15% and 66.04% in Group A and B,respectively.During a median follow up of 18 mo,late grade 1 and 2 sequelae were registered in 3 patients(17.6%) and 4 patients(21.1%) in the groups A and B,respectively.CONCLUSION:HDR-ILBT was found to be effective dose escalation technique in preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancers,with higher response rates,downstaging and with manageable acute toxicities.

First-line erlotinib and fixed dose-rate gemcitabine for advanced pancreatic cancer

AIM: To investigate activity, toxicity, and prognostic factors for survival of erlotinib and fixed dose-rate gemcitabine (FDR-Gem) in advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We designed a single-arm prospective, multicentre, open-label phase Ⅱ study to evaluate the combination of erlotinib (100 mg/d, orally) and weekly FDR-Gem (1000 mg/m 2 , infused at 10 mg/m 2 per minute) in a population of previously untreated patients with locally advanced, inoperable, or metastatic pancreatic cancer. Primary endpoint was the rate of progression-free survival at 6 mo (PFS-6); secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), response duration, tolerability, overall survival (OS), and clinical benefit. Treatment was not considered to be of further interest if the PFS-6 was < 20% (p0 = 20%), while a PFS-6 > 40% would be of considerable interest (p1 = 40%); with a 5% rejection error (α = 5%) and a power of 80%, 35 fully evaluable patients with metastatic disease were required to be enrolled in order to complete the study. Analysis of prognostic factors for survival was also carried out. RESULTS: From May 2007 to September 2009, 46 patients were enrolled (male/female: 25/21; median age: 64 years; median baseline carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9): 897 U/mL; locally advanced/metastatic disease: 5/41). PFS-6 and median PFS were 30.4% and 14 wk (95%CI: 10-19), respectively; 1-year and median OS were 20.2% and 26 wk (95%CI: 8-43). Five patients achieved an objective response (ORR: 10.9%, 95%CI: 1.9-19.9); disease control rate was 56.5% (95%CI: 42.2-70.8); clinical benefit rate was 43.5% (95%CI: 29.1-57.8). CA 19-9 serum levels were decreased by > 25% as compared to baseline in 14/23 evaluable patients (63.6%). Treatment was well-tolerated, with skin rash being the most powerful predictor of both longer PFS (P < 0.0001) and OS (P = 0.01) at multivariate analysis (median OS for patients with or without rash: 42 wk vs 15 wk, respectively, Log-rank P = 0.03). Additional predictors of better outcome were: CA 19-9 reduction, female sex (for PFS), and good performance status (for OS). CONCLUSION: Primary study endpoint was not met. However, skin rash strongly predicted erlotinib efficacy, suggesting that a pharmacodynamic-based strategy for patient selection deserves further investigation.

Activation and shutdown dose-rate analyses for the EAST NBI test facility

An analysis of the neutron activation and shutdown dose rates was performed for the EAST high-power deuterium neutral beam injector test facility(EAST NBITF) by using the multiparticle transport code FLUKA2011.2. Also, the neutron and neutron-induced gamma spectra of the facility's vacuum vessel were evaluated. The results identified the major radionuclides^(99) Mo,^(65)Ni,^(58) Co,^(56)Mn, and^(51) Cr for the vacuum vessel and the primary nuclide^(64) Cu for both the ion dump and the calorimeter.The simulated results indicated that, when the EAST NBITF operates within the design parameters of deuterium energy 80 ke V, current 50 A, and pulse 100 s, the neutron intensity will achieve 10^(11)n/s with no radiation safety problems after the EAST NBITF shuts down.

Dose-rate effects of low-dropout voltage regulator at various biases

A low-dropout voltage regulator,LM2941,was irradiated by ^(60)Coγ-rays at various dose rates and biases for investigating the total dose and dose rate effects.The radiation responses show that the key electrical parameters, including its output and dropout voltage,and the maximum output current,are sensitive to total dose and dose rates, and are significantly degraded at low dose rate and zero bias.The integrated circuits damage change with the dose rates and biases,and the dose-rate effects are relative to its electric field.

Processing of Landsat 8 Imagery and Ground Gamma-Ray Spectrometry for Geologic Mapping and Dose-Rate Assessment, Wadi Diit along the Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Maximum Likelihood (MLH) supervised classification of atmospherically corrected Landsat 8 imagery was applied successfully for delineating main geologic units with a good accuracy (about 90%) according to reliable ground truth areas, which reflected the ability of remote sensing data in mapping poorly-accessed and remote regions such as playa (Sabkha) environs, subdued topography and sand dunes. Ground gamma-ray spectrometric survey was to delineate radioactive anomalies within Quaternary sediments at Wadi Diit. The mean absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) and external hazard index (Hex) were found to be within the average worldwide ranges. Therefore, Wadi Diit environment is said to be radiological hazard safe except at the black-sand lens whose absorbed dose rate of 100.77 nGy/h exceeds the world average. So, the inhabitants will receive a relatively high radioactive dose generated mainly by monazite and zircon minerals from black-sand lens.

Continuous Low-dose-rate Irradiation of Iodine-125 Seeds Inhibiting Perineural Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer

Background：Perineural invasion （PNI） is a histopathological characteristic of pancreatic cancer （PanCa）.The aim of this study was to observe the treatment effect of continuous low-dose-rate （CLDR） irradiation to PNI and assess the PNI-related pain relief caused by iodine-125 （125I） seed implantation.Methods：The in vitro PNI model established by co-culture with dorsal root ganglion （DRG） and cancer cells was interfered under 2 and 4 Gy of 125I seeds CLDR irradiation.The orthotopic models of PNI were established,and 125I seeds were implanted in tumor.The PNI-related molecules were analyzed.In 30 patients with panCa,the pain relief was assessed using a visual analog scale （VAS）.Pain intensity was measured before and 1 week,2 weeks,and 1,3,and 6 months after 125I seed implantation.Results：The co-culture of DRG and PanCa cells could promote the growth of PanCa cells and DRG neurites.In co-culture groups,the increased number of DRG neurites and pancreatic cells in radiation group was significantly less.In orthotopic models,the PNI-positive rate in radiation and control group was 3/11 and 7/11;meanwhile,the degrees of PNI between radiation and control groups was significant difference （P 〈 0.05）.At week 2,the mean VAS pain score in patients decreased by 50% and significantly improved than the score at baseline （P 〈 0.05）.The pain scores were lower in all patients,and the pain-relieving effect was retained about 3 months.Conclusions：The CLDR irradiation could inhibit PNI of PanCa with the value of further study.The CLDR irradiation could do great favor in preventing local recurrence and alleviating pain.

Dose-rate dependence of optically stimulated luminescence signal

Optically stimulated luminescence （OSL） is the luminescence emitted from a semiconductor during its exposure to light. The OSL intensity is a function of the total dose absorbed by the sample. The dose-rate dependence of the OSL signal of the semiconductor CaS doped Ce and Sm was studied by numerical simulation and experiments. Based on a one-trap/one-center model, the whole OSL process was represented by a series of differential equations. The dose-rate properties of the materials were acquired theoretically by solving the equations. Good coherence was achieved between numerical simulation and experiments, both of which showed that the OSL signal was independent of dose rate. This result validates that when using OSL as a dosimetry technique, the dose-rate effect can be neglected.

Study of the effect of dose-rate on carbon ions induced chromosome damage to human lymphocytes

Dose-rate is one of the basic physical factors determining the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems. Generally, observations of biological systems have revealed

ELDRS and dose-rate dependence of vertical NPN transistor

The enhanced low-dose-rate sensitivity （ELDRS） and dose-rate dependence of vertical NPN transistors are investigated in this article. The results show that the vertical NPN transistors exhibit more degradation at low dose rate, and that this degradation is attributed to the increase on base current. The oxide trapped positive charge near the SiO2-Si interface and interface traps at the interface can contribute to the increase on base current and the two-stage hydrogen mechanism associated with space charge effect can well explain the experimental results.

Overall results and prospects of the cancer risk assessment in the Urals population affected by chronic low dose-rate exposure

The paper presents the key milestones and outcomes of 65-year studies of the carcinogenic consequences of accidental radiation exposure of the population of the Ural region.The radioactive contamination of the Techa River and the 1957 accident at the Mayak Production Association were the reasons of the long-term population exposure at a wide dose-range.The most important tasks of the study were the reconstruction of individual doses,follow-up of the solid cancer and leukemia incidence and mortality among cohort members.The research results have shown that chronic human exposure,in comparison to acute exposure,does not reduce the risk of developing malignant tumors and leukemias.The value of the dose-rate factor does not exceed"one".Thus,according to our data,the Publication 103 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection seemed to underestimate the radiation risk of malignant tumors and leukemias in case of low dose-rate exposure of the population by a factor of two.Prospects for further radio-epidemiological studies in the Urals are associated with the analysis of the cohort of Southern Urals Populations Exposed to Radiation,which includes about 63 thousand exposed people and makes it possible to assess the radiation risk of solid cancers of certain localizations,certain types of leukemia,and non-cancer effects.

Impact of doped boron concentration in emitter on high-and low-dose-rate damage in lateral PNP transistors

The characteristics of radiation damage under a high or low dose rate in lateral PNP transistors with a heavily or lightly doped emitter is investigated. Experimental results show that as the total dose increases, the base current of transistors would increase and the current gain decreases. Furthermore, more degradation has been found in lightly-doped PNP transistors, and an abnormal effect is observed in heavily doped transistors. The role of radiation defects, especially the double effects of oxide trapped charge, is discussed in heavily or lightly doped transistors. Finally, through comparison between the high- and low-dose-rate response of the collector current in heavily doped lateral PNP transistors, the abnormal effect can be attributed to the annealing of the oxide trapped charge. The response of the collector current, in heavily doped PNP transistors under high- and low-dose-rate irradiation is described in detail.

闪光放射治疗对比常规放射治疗在放射性肺损伤中的机制探索

放射治疗是治疗肺癌的重要手段,但容易造成肺部损伤并降低患者生活质量。闪光放射治疗(Flash-RT)因其极短的辐射时间和高剂量率备受关注,其在保证肿瘤治疗强度的同时,能够减少正常组织毒性反应。Flash-RT能否减少放射性肺损伤成为近年重点研究课题。本综述基于文献分析方法,通过检索国内外相关文献,系统评估Flash-RT与常规剂量率放射治疗对肺损伤的影响及其机制。通过综述Flash-RT与常规剂量率放射治疗对肺损伤的影响及其机制对比,为肺癌患者的治疗提供科学依据。Flash-RT与常规剂量率放射治疗相比,可以显著减少肺损伤并提高患者生活质量。未来仍需深入探索Flash-RT的机制,开发适用于不同肿瘤的Flash-RT装置和开展大规模临床研究。

闪光放射治疗(Flash-RT)技术的研究进展

经过多年发展,精准放射治疗技术已广泛应用,但现有技术仍受限于正常组织耐受剂量的限制,无法实现肿瘤治疗的最佳目标。闪光放射治疗(Flash-RT)是一种以超高剂量率射束(UHDR)进行照射的放射治疗技术,能够在显著降低正常组织辐射损伤的同时,最大限度地治疗肿瘤。但直到目前,Flash-RT的生物学机制、关键物理参数及触发机制等尚不明确,其原理及临床转化应用仍处于研究阶段。本综述通过归纳Flash-RT相关研究,阐明Flash-RT研究的技术进展及临床转化应用。

大功率花瓣加速器X射线闪光放射治疗设备设计研究

目的:研究设计一种用于超高剂量率的闪光放射治疗(Flash-RT)设备,用于超高剂量率Flash-RT的机制研究。方法:Flash-RT设备的设计基于大功率花瓣加速器技术路线,可实现Flash-RT对超高剂量率及多照射角度的需求。从设备总体设计、主要组件及特点、束流动力学设计、移动及初步实验平台搭建等方面开展相应设计与研究。结果:设计的Flash-RT设备剂量率在距离靶点0.8 m处可达到100 Gy/s,并且容易实现多角度的放射治疗方式。结论:基于大功率花瓣加速器技术路线设计的X射线设备,可实现超高剂量率的医用Flash-RT设备机制的研究。

基于血小板聚集率检测的阿司匹林剂量调整方案在儿童先心病抗栓治疗中是否更优

目的 以高危血栓风险先心病儿童为对象,针对阿司匹林治疗反应多样性及近远期血栓发生率仍较高的问题,评价基于血小板功能检测目标导向的阿司匹林个体化抗栓治疗方案的临床效果是否优于传统固定剂量的给药方案。方法 采用前瞻随机对照注册研究(ChiCTR2000036446)。纳入阜外医院小儿外科中心自2020年4月~2021年4月所有行先心病手术并且需要术后常规应用阿司匹林抗栓治疗的6岁内患儿。所有入组患儿随机分为阿司匹林固定剂量组3 mg/(kg·d)和剂量调控组。剂量调控组在3剂和6剂阿司匹林后分别行花生四烯酸诱导的血小板聚集率(PAG-AA)检测。对3剂后PAG-AA>20%者,阿司匹林加量至6 mg/(kg·d);6剂后PAG-AA仍>20%者,联用氯吡格雷0.2 mg/(kg·d)治疗。比较两组患者术后3月包括死亡在内的累计血栓事件发生率和出血事件发生率。结果 对比阿司匹林反应低下、血栓事件与出血不良事件,两组患者数据比较无统计学差异。在接受相同剂量的阿司匹林[3 mg/(kg·d),1次/d]连续3剂后,不同个体的PAG-AA存在较大差异。剂量调控组通过增加阿司匹林剂量,延长阿司匹林使用时间与联合用药,整体阿司匹林反应性得到了改善,但与固定剂量组比较无统计学差异。两组在术后3月接受随访期间以及最终复查时均无死亡病例发生,两组阿司匹林反应低下病例的血栓事件和出血事件发生率比较无明显差别。Spearman相关性检测显示阿司匹林低反应与血栓事件无明显的相关性。结论 与固定剂量阿司匹林抗栓治疗方案相比,基于血小板聚集率检测的阿司匹林剂量个体化抗栓治疗方案并不具有优越性,并不能显著降低先天性心脏病高危血栓风险患儿术后早期3月内血栓及出血事件发生率。血栓事件与阿司匹林反应低下无明显相关性。

踝关节骨折的低剂量螺旋CT影像检查效果

目的 探讨踝关节骨折的低剂量螺旋CT影像检查效果。方法 研究中60例踝关节骨折患者均在2020年1月—2023年7月随机抽选自我院;临床对所有踝关节骨折患者合理展开常规剂量螺旋CT扫描操作以及低剂量螺旋CT扫描操作,对两种方法的辐射剂量、诊断符合率、客观性图像质量指标以及图像清晰度分级展开比较。结果 与常规剂量CT诊断剂量长度乘积(DLP)以及CT容积剂量指数(CTDIvol)展开比较,低剂量CT测定结果均更低(均P <0.05);低剂量CT与常规剂量CT对于总诊断符合率、CT值、噪声值(SD)、图像信噪比(SNR)以及图像清晰度展开比较,结果均未呈现出统计学差异(P> 0.05)。结论 临床对踝关节骨折患者在实施CT诊断期间,发现低剂量CT以及常规剂量CT的诊断效果均较为明显,对于踝关节的损伤位置均可以明确诊断,但低剂量螺旋CT扫描运用,可将辐射剂量显著降低,所以安全性更高。

50~120kV脉冲X射线参考辐射场建立及剂量率测量

为满足国内医疗、安检等脉冲辐射场所对剂量监测仪表准确溯源的需求,基于栅控技术建立满足规范和标准要求的50~120 kV毫秒级脉冲X射线参考辐射场,其脉冲宽度在1~6 300 ms范围内可调。通过对该辐射场的管电压稳定性、剂量线性、重复性、脉冲波形等关键参数进行研究测试,建立脉冲X射线参考波形,并使用30 cm3的圆柱电离室开展脉冲剂量率测量研究。结果表明,管电压预设60 kV时,介入法、非介入法测量管电压的相对偏差均不超过±1.5%;可输出参考波形脉冲的最小脉冲宽度为20 ms,在1 m处95%均匀辐射野直径约为5.5 cm;且N系列、RQR系列辐射质条件下的剂量率范围可分别扩展至0.002~10 mGy/s和0.03~250 mGy/s,可用于防护仪表的量值溯源。