Radiosurgery for multiple brain metastases using volumetric modulated arc therapy: a single institutional series.

Background: Patients with brain metastases (BM) live longer due to improved diagnosis and oncologic treatments. The association of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) with brain radiosurgery (SRS) allows complex dose distributions and faster treatment delivery to multiple lesions. Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of SRS for brain metastasis using VMAT. The primary endpoints were local disease-free survival (LDFS) and overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes were intracranial disease-free survival (IDFS) and meningeal disease-free survival (MDFS). Results: The average number of treated lesions was 5.79 (range: 2-20) per treatment in a total of 113 patients. The mean prescribed dose was 18 Gy (range: 12-24 Gy). The median LDFS was 46 months. The LDFS in 6, 12, and 24 months was for 86%, 79%, and 63%, respectively. Moreover, brain progression occurred in 50 patients. The median overall survival was 47 months. The OS in 75%, 69%, and 61% patients was 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. IDFS was 6 and 24 months in 35% and 14% patients, respectively. The mean MDFS was 62 months; it was 6 and 24 months for 87% and 83% of patients. Acute severe toxicity was relatively rare. During follow-up, the rates of radionecrosis and neurocognitive impairment were low (10%). Conclusion: The use of VMAT-SRS for multiple BM was feasible, effective, and associated with low treatment-related toxicity rates. Thus, treatment with VMAT is a safe technique to plan to achieve local control without toxicity.

Frameless Image-Guided Radiosurgery for Multiple Brain Metastasis Using VMAT: A Review and an Institutional Experience.

We undertook a structured review of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using linear particle accelerator (linac) equipment, focusing on volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technology, and frameless image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), for the treatment of brain metastases. We analyzed the role of linac SRS and its clinical applications, exploring stereotactic localization. Historically, there was a shift from fixed frames to frameless approaches, moving toward less invasive treatments. Thus, we reviewed the concepts of VMAT for multiple-target applications, comparing its dosimetric and technical features to those of other available techniques. We evaluated relevant technical issues and discussed the planning parameters that have gained worldwide acceptance to date. Thus, we reviewed the current literature on the clinical aspects of SRS, especially its main indications and how the advantages of VMAT may achieve clinical benefits in such scenarios. Finally, we reported our institutional results on IGRT-VMAT for SRS treatments for patients with multiple brain metastases.

Avaliação das visitas domiciliárias por estudantes e pelas famílias: uma visão de quem as realiza e de quem as recebe / Evaluation of home visits by students and families: a perspective of the visitors and the visited

A Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (Famema) é reconhecida por favorecer o ensino baseado na prática e centrado no estudante. Os estudantes são inseridos em Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF), onde interagem com a comunidade no desenvolvimento de ações - reflexões - ações, por meio da realização de visitas domiciliárias durante os dois primeiros anos dos cursos de Enfermagem e Medicina. Tais visitas são consideradas ferramentas para a compreensão e o cuidado em necessidades de saúde da família. Dessa maneira, elas têm por objetivo englobar os aspectos sociais, psicológicos e econômicos do indivíduo. Objetivo: Esta pesquisa avalia comparativamente a opinião dos estudantes e das famílias que realizaram e receberam visitas domiciliárias. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e quantitativo que informa a opinião das famílias e dos estudantes a respeito das visitas domiciliárias. Conclusões: As famílias e os estudantes consideram importante a valorização e o aprimoramento da prática, visando à construção humanizada do processo saúde-doença, incentivando, desde o princípio, a formação acadêmica e o vínculo integral entre profissional da saúde e paciente.

The Marilia Medical School (Famema) is known for promoting practice-based and student-centred teaching. Students are placed in different Family Health Units (USF), where they can interact with the community in the development of action - reflection - action by performing home visits during the first two years of the Nursing and Medicine courses. Home visits are considered tools for understanding and caring for family health needs and as such embrace the social, psychological and economic aspects of the individual. Objective: This research investigated and compared the opinions of the student visitors and families who received home visits. Methods: This descriptive and quantitative research informs the opinions of the families and students about the visits. Conclusions: The families and students think it is important to continue investing in and improving this practice, aiming toward a humanized construction of the health-disease process and encouraging stronger ties between the health professional and patient since the start of medical academic education.