Augmented reality in brachytherapy: A narrative review.

Brachytherapy (BRT) plays a pivotal role in the treatment of tumors, offering precise radiation therapy directly to the affected area. However, this technique demands extensive training and skills development, posing challenges for widespread adoption and ensuring patient safety. This narrative review explored the utilization of augmented reality (AR) in BRT, seeking to summarize existing evidence, discuss key findings, limitations, and quality of research as well as outline future research directions. The review revealed promising findings regarding the integration of AR in BRT. Studies have suggested the feasibility and potential benefits of AR in education, training, intra-operative guidance, and treatment planning. However, the evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, with most studies in preliminary phases. Standardization, prospective clinical trials, patient-centered outcomes assessment, and cost-effectiveness analysis emerge as critical areas for future research. Augmented reality holds transformative potential for BRT by enhancing precision, safety, and training efficiency. To fully implement these benefits, the field requires standardized protocols, rigorous clinical trials, and in-depth patient-centered investigations. Policy-makers and healthcare providers should closely monitor developments in AR and consider its implementation in clinical practice, contingent and robust evidence, and cost-effectiveness analysis. The pro-active pursuit of evidence-based practices will contribute to optimizing patient care in BRT.

Sarcopenic Obesity in Cervical Carcinoma: A Strong and Independent Prognostic Factor beyond the Conventional Predictors (ESTHER Study-AFRAID Project).

Locally advanced cervical cancer represents a significant treatment challenge. Body composition parameters such as body mass index, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity, defined by sarcopenia and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, have been identified as potential prognostic factors, yet their overall impact remains underexplored. This study assessed the relationship between these anthropometric parameters alongside clinical prognostic factors on the prognosis of 173 cervical cancer patients. Survival outcomes in terms of local control (LC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan regression methods-Meier and Cox. Older age, lower hemoglobin levels, higher FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stages, and lower total radiation doses were significantly associated with worse outcomes. Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between BMI and the outcomes examined, revealing that normal-weight patients show higher survival rates, which was not confirmed by the multivariate analysis. Sarcopenia was not correlated with any of the outcomes considered, while sarcopenic obesity was identified as an independent negative predictor of DFS (HR: 5.289, 95% CI: 1.298-21.546, p = 0.020) and OS (HR: 2.645, 95% CI: 1.275-5.488, p = 0.009). This study highlights the potential of sarcopenic obesity as an independent predictor of clinical outcomes. These results support their inclusion in prognostic assessments and treatment planning for patients with advanced cervical cancer.

Decoding the Complexity of Systemic Inflammation Predictors in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer, with Hemoglobin as the Hidden Key (the ESTHER Study).

Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is treated with concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). Predictive models could improve the outcome through treatment personalization. Several factors influence prognosis in LACC, but the role of systemic inflammation indices (IIs) is unclear. This study aims to assess the correlation between IIs and prognosis in a large patient cohort considering several clinical data. We retrospectively analyzed pretreatment IIs (NLR, PLR, MLR, SII, LLR, COP-NLR, APRI, ALRI, SIRI, and ANRI) in 173 LACC patients. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were also considered. Univariate and multivariate Cox's regressions were conducted to assess associations between IIs and clinical factors with local control (LC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Univariate analysis showed significant correlations between age, HB levels, tumor stage, FIGO stage, and CRT dose with survival outcomes. Specific pretreatment IIs (NLR, PLR, APRI, ANRI, and COP-NLR) demonstrated associations only with LC. The multivariate analysis confirmed Hb levels, CRT dose, and age as significant predictors of OS, while no II was correlated with any clinical outcome. The study findings contradict some prior research on IIs in LACC, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments of potential confounding variables.

The role of training simulators in interventional radiation therapy (brachytherapy) training: A narrative review.

Simulators have revolutionized medical education and training across various disciplines, offering unique advantages in skill acquisition and performance improvement. In the context of interventional radiation therapy (IRT), simulators have emerged as valuable tools for training healthcare professionals in these complex procedures. This narrative review summarized the available evidence on the use of simulators in IRT training, highlighting their impact on proficiency, engagement, and self-confidence as well as their benefits for medical physicists and radiation therapists. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, resulting in inclusion of 10 papers published since 2009, with 5 of them published since 2020. Publications originated from centers in USA, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan, covering a range of IRT settings, including general, prostate, and cervical IRT. The review demonstrated that simulators provide a controlled and realistic environment for skill acquisition, allowing healthcare professionals to practice procedures, optimize image quality, and enhance technical proficiency. The use of simulators addressed the barriers associated with limited caseload and procedural complexity, ultimately contributing to improved education and IRT training. While cost considerations may exist, simulators offer long-term cost-effective solutions, balancing the potential benefits in improving educational outcomes and patient care. Overall, simulators play a crucial role in IRT training, enhancing the skills and competence of healthcare providers and improving access to quality IRT care worldwide. Future research should focus on evaluating the long-term impact of simulation-based training on clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, exploring different simulation models and training approaches, and addressing region-specific barriers to optimize the utilization of IRT.

Classical Prognostic Factors Predict Prognosis Better than Inflammatory Indices in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Results of a Comprehensive Observational Study including Tumor-, Patient-, and Treatment-Related Data (ESTHER Study).

Systemic inflammation indices were found to be correlated with therapeutic outcome in several cancers. This study retrospectively analyzes the predictive role of a broad range of systemic inflammatory markers in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) including patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related potential prognostic factors. All patients underwent definitive chemoradiation and pretreatment values of several inflammatory indices (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammation index (SII), leukocyte/lymphocyte ratio, combination of platelet count and NLR, aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index, aspartate aminotransferase/lymphocyte ratio index, systemic inflammatory response index, and aspartate transaminase/neutrophil ratio index) were calculated. Their correlation with local control (LC), distant metastasis-free (DMFS), disease-free (DFS), and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. One hundred and seventy-three patients were included. At multivariable analysis significant correlations were recorded among clinical outcomes and older age, advanced FIGO stage, lower hemoglobin levels, larger tumor size, and higher body mass index values. The multivariate analysis showed only the significant correlation between higher SII values and lower DMFS rates (p < 0.01). Our analysis showed no significant correlation between indices and DSF or OS. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of inflammation indices as candidates for inclusion in predictive models in this clinical setting.

TACE performed in patients with a single nodule of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) if they are not candidates for curative surgical or ablative therapy. The primary aim of the study was to assess the overall survival and clinical determinants of survival in patients with single HCC who underwent TACE. The secondary aims were tumor response, local and distant recurrence rates, time to recurrence and the impact of TACE on liver function. METHODS: The outcomes of 148 consecutive patients with single HCC who underwent TACE from January 2004 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Complete response (CR) was observed in 95/148 (64%) patients and a partial response (PR) in 39 (26%) patients. The recurrence rate was 27%, 42% and 65% at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The day after TACE, 56 (38%) patients had a Child-Pugh increase ≥ 1 and 93 (63%) had a MELD increase ≥ 1. Median survival was 36.0 months with 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of 85%, 50% and 26%, respectively. Bland portal thrombosis was not seen to have any impact at univariate survival analysis; however, a slight impairment of PS (PS-1) in small tumors had some, although minor, impact on prognosis. Factors associated with shorter survival at multivariate analysis were tumor >5 cm, absence of CR, ascites, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 14.5 ng/mL and a MELD increase ≥ 1. CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial chemoembolization is a valid treatment option in patients with single HCC not suitable for curative treatment. Bland PVT has no major impact on survival and a slight impairment of PS attributable to cirrhosis in patients within the Milan criteria should not preclude the use of TACE.

Hepatocellular carcinoma responding to superselective transarterial chemoembolization: an issue of nodule dimension?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the per-nodule efficacy of superselective transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006-2009, 271 cirrhotic patients with 635 nodules underwent a first superselective transarterial chemoembolization, repeated "on demand" after local recurrences (LR) or partial responses (PR). Complete response (CR), time to nodule progression (TTnP), and local recurrence rate (LRR), according to three size classes (≤ 2 cm, 2.1-5 cm, and>5 cm) were evaluated. RESULTS: After the first superselective transarterial chemoembolization, the CR was 64%, sustained over time in 77%, higher in small (68%) and intermediate-size (64%) nodules than in large nodules (25%; P<.001). The LRR was 23%:20% in small, 27% in intermediate, and 67% in large HCCs (P<.05). The median TTnP of large HCCs was 4 months versus 7-9 months for small and intermediate HCCs. The second superselective transarterial chemoembolization achieved a higher CR (63% in LR, 52% in PR) than the third superselective transarterial chemoembolization (32%). Median TTnP after the second superselective transarterial chemoembolization for LR and PR (8 months and 6 months) was longer than after the third superselective transarterial chemoembolization (3.5 months). Nodules ≤ 5 cm had a CR after the first superselective transarterial chemoembolization (66%) and the second superselective transarterial chemoembolization for LR (64%) or PR (55%) higher than after the third superselective transarterial chemoembolization (40%); nodules>5 cm had a CR of 25% after the first superselective transarterial chemoembolization, LR of 50% and PR of 25%, and after the second and third superselective transarterial chemoembolizations, PR of 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Effectiveness of superselective transarterial chemoembolization has a clear cutoff above and below 5-cm nodules, with better results in smaller nodules. In HCCs ≤ 5 cm, the efficacy of the first and second superselective transarterial chemoembolizations performed for LR was higher than the second superselective transarterial chemoembolization for PR and the third superselective transarterial chemoembolization. For HCCs>5 cm, retreatment of PR is of little value, and the third cycle is ineffective.