Developing an educational "hub": impact of a distance-learning curriculum in a multinational cohort.

PURPOSE: To address a gap in radiation oncology education in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we sought to evaluate the effectiveness and generalizability of a refined curriculum on intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) offered to existing radiation therapy (RT) clinics across Africa and Latin America (LATAM) at no cost. METHODS: A curriculum was created based on prior needs assessments and adapted for participating medical physicists, radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, and trainees in LMICs. English-speaking and Spanish-speaking teams of volunteer educators delivered 27 hour-long sessions 1-2 times weekly for 4 months using video conferencing to African and LATAM cohorts, respectively. Pre- and post-course multiple-choice examinations were administered to LATAM participants, and pre- and post-course self-confidence (1-5 Likert-scale) and open-ended feedback were collected from all participants. RESULTS: Twenty-five centers across Africa (13) and LATAM (12) participated, yielding a total of 332 enrolled participants (128 African, 204 LATAM). Sessions were delivered with a mean of 44 (22.5) and 85 (25.4) participants in the African and LATAM programs, respectively. Paired pre and post-course data demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) improvement in knowledge from 47.9 to 89.6% and self-confidence across four domains including foundations (+ 1.1), commissioning (+ 1.3), contouring (+ 1.7), and treatment planning (+ 1.0). Attendance was a significant predictor of change in self-confidence in "high attendance" participants only, suggesting a threshold effect. Qualitative data demonstrates that participants look forward to applying their knowledge in the clinical setting. CONCLUSION: A specialized radiation oncology curriculum adapted for LMIC audiences was effective for both African and LATAM participants. Participant feedback suggests that the refined IMRT course empowered clinics with knowledge and confidence to help train others. This feasible "Hub and Spokes" approach in which a distance-learning course establishes a hub to be leveraged by spokes (learners) may be generalizable to others aiming to reduce global health care disparities through training efforts.

Design and standard utilization of safety devices for the radiation treatment management of heavy patients.

PURPOSE: Increasing number of heavy cancer patients has created challenges in diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology. Practical weight limits of the equipment can become an obstacle both for imaging and treatment of these patients. Most magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) tables' static load capacities are between 450 and 500 pounds, and linear accelerator tables can support similar weights depending on the type of the table and manufacturer. One recurring issue we encountered was failure of the treatment couch's longitudinal drive belt due to heavy patients' sudden movement. In several cases, snapping of the longitudinal drive belt occurred when the patient's weight was under 300 lbs (below the rated weight limit). Additionally, we observed vertical deflection of the couch when extended/cantilevered with heavy patients. The purpose of this work was to implement immobilization methods and safety devices for radiation treatment management of heavy patients in order to increase patient/provider safety, prevent treatment couch damage, and reduce treatment disruptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created three safety devices for treatment management of heavy patients. Wooden brace and Scissor jack were used to lock the couch longitudinal axis (while the couch longitudinal drive was floated) during the setup of a heavy patient and absorb the mechanical impulse applied to the couch longitudinal drive belt. Wooden brace was built in house and positioned in between the wall and treatment couch to lock the longitudinal axis. Commercially available 10 in × 10 in scissor jack lift with adjustable height 3 ½ in - 13 in was modified to increase effectiveness and safety. An additional stand was created with adjustable height and rolling rubber wheels to support the couch when extended/cantilevered with heavy patients. RESULTS: Using these devices prevented the longitudinal belt from breaking and improved the patient/therapist safety at eight treatment sites within our network. No farther couch belt failures were observed since devices were introduced for clinical use. All three devices can be used and removed without any modifications done to the treatment couch.

Image guided radiation therapy for bladder cancer: assessment of bladder motion using implanted fiducial markers.

PURPOSE: To determine bladder wall position variability during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for bladder cancer with intravesical fiducial markers using 2-dimensional (2D) and volumetric (3D) imaging registration. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty T2-4aN0-1 bladder cancer patients underwent definitive EBRT with concurrent chemotherapy between May 2001 and January 2012, and had intravesical fiducial marker placement before simulation. Computed tomographic (CT)-based treatment planning was used for an initial phase to deliver 45 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the bladder and pelvic lymphatics followed by a boost to the involved bladder wall for an additional 21.6 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction). Orthogonal kilovoltage radiograph images (34-37 images/patient) were obtained daily, registered with digitally reconstructed radiographs from the planning scan. Translational corrections were made daily. A kilovoltage cone-beam CT (kVCBCT) was acquired weekly and its registration with the planning scan was compared with that day's 2D registration results. RESULTS: Of 739 treatments, 6% resulted in ≥15 mm displacement in 1 or more directions and 26% resulted in ≥10 mm displacement in 1 or more directions. Based on 2D registrations, the average millimeter difference between bony registration and fiducial marker registration (BR-FMR) in the right-left (RL) (R+), anterior-posterior (AP) (A+), and superior-inferior (SI) (I+) directions were: 0.5 ± 1.0 (range, -2.0 to +3.8), 1.7 ± 4.4 (range, -8.1 to +13.5) and -3.7 ± 5.8 (range, -16.8 to +8.3), respectively. For kVCBCT registrations, the average mm difference in the RL, AP, and SI directions were 0.3 ± 2.1 (range, -2.4 to +5.1), 3.1 ± 5.9 (range, -2.9 to +13.3) and -4.8 ± 8.0 (range, -16.4 to +9.5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using intravesical fiducial markers, the largest difference in bladder motion based BR-FMR differences was in the superior-inferior direction. Because fiducial markers are target surrogates, setup using bony anatomy alone can lead to target displacements up to 13.5 mm anteriorly and 16.8 mm superiorly. This confirms a 1.5-1.7 cm minimum in planning target margins. These findings suggest a significant advantage in using intravesical fiducial markers to determine daily translational corrections.

Comparison of end normal inspiration and expiration for gated intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gated delivery of radiation during part of the respiration cycle may improve the treatment of lung cancer with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In terms of the respiration phase for gated treatment, normal end-expiration (EE) is more stable but normal end-inspiration (EI) increases lung volume. We compare the relative merit of using EI and EE in gated IMRT for sparing normal lung tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients received EI and EE respiration-triggered CT scans in the treatment position. An IMRT plan for a prescription dose of 70 Gy was generated for each patient and at each respiration phase. The optimization constraints included target dose uniformity, less than 35% of the total lung receiving 20 Gy or more and maximum cord dose