The Impact of COVID-19 on Radiotherapy Services in Scotland, UK: A Population-based Study.

AIMS: The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer radiotherapy services is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the resultant contingency plans on radiotherapy cancer services in Scotland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detailed data of radiotherapy activity at our centre were collected from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2021. Differences in mean weekly radiotherapy courses, dose and fractionation patterns and treatment intent were compared with corresponding pre-pandemic months for all treatment sites. Qualitative data were collected for a subgroup of radical radiotherapy patients. RESULTS: Total radiotherapy courses decreased from 6968 to 6240 (-10%) compared with the previous year, prior to the pandemic. Average weekly radiotherapy courses delivered were 134 (standard deviation ±13), decreasing by 10% to 120 (standard deviation 15) (Welch's t-test, P < 0.001). The greatest decrease in new start treatment courses was observed from May to August 2020 (-7.7%, -24.0%, -16.7% and -18.7%) compared with the corresponding months in 2019. A significant reduction was seen for female patients <70 years (-16%) compared with females >70 years (-8%) or their male counterparts (-7% and -6%, respectively). By diagnosis, the largest reductions between pre- and post-pandemic levels were for anal (-26%), breast (-18%) and prostate (-14%) cancer. Contrarily, a significant increase was found for bladder (28%) and oesophageal (11%) cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Over the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, radiotherapy activity significantly decreased compared with the 12 months prior. Due to issued guidance, the use of hypofractionated regimens increased, contributing to the reduction in treatments for some tumour sites. An increase in other tumour sites can probably be attributed to the reduction or cancellation of surgical interventions. These results will inform our understanding of the indirect consequences of the pandemic on radiotherapy services.

Initial Results from the Royal College of Radiologists' UK National Audit of Anal Cancer Radiotherapy 2015.

AIMS: UK guidance was recently developed for the treatment of anal cancer using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). We audited the current use of radiotherapy in UK cancer centres for the treatment of anal cancer against such guidance. We describe the acute toxicity of IMRT in comparison with patient population in the audit treated with two-phase conformal radiotherapy and the previous published data from two-phase conformal radiotherapy, in the UK ACT2 trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Royal College of Radiologists' prospective national audit of patients treated with radiotherapy in UK cancer centres was carried out over a 6 month period between February and July 2015. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-two cases were received from 40/56 cancer centres (71%). In total, 231 (95%) underwent full dose radiotherapy with prophylactic nodal irradiation. Of these, 180 (78%) received IMRT or equivalent, 52 (22%) two-phase conformal (ACT2) technique. The number of interruptions in radiotherapy treatment in the ACT2 trial was 15%. Interruptions were noted in 7% (95% confidence interval 0-14%) of courses receiving two-phase conformal and 4% (95% confidence interval 1-7%) of those receiving IMRT. The percentage of patients completing the planned radiotherapy dose, irrelevant of gaps, was 90% (95% confidence interval 82-98%) and 96% (95% confidence interval 93-99%), in two-phase conformal and IMRT respectively. The toxicity reported in the ACT2 trial, in patients receiving two-phase conformal in the audit and in patients receiving IMRT in the audit was: any toxic effect 71%, 54%, 48%, non-haematological 62%, 49%, 40% and haematological 26%, 13%, 18%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT implementation for anal cancer is well underway in the UK with most patients receiving IMRT delivery, although its usage is not yet universal. This audit confirms that IMRT results in reduced acute toxicity and minimised treatment interruptions in comparison with previous two-phase conformal techniques.

Association of cigarette smoking with drug use and risk taking behaviour in Irish teenagers.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking has been shown to act as a 'gateway' to cannabis use and further risk taking behaviours. This study aims to (1) establish the prevalence of cigarette smoking and cannabis use in Irish teenagers, (2) to quantify the strength and significance of the association of cigarette smoking and cannabis use and other high risk behaviours and (3) examine whether the above associations are independent of the extent of social networking. METHODS: Adolescent students across five urban, non-fee paying schools completed an abridged European schools survey project on alcohol and other drugs (ESPAD) questionnaire. RESULTS: 370/417 (88.7%) students completed the questionnaire. 228 (61.6%) were female, 349 (94.3%) were aged 15-16 years. 48.4% of those surveyed had smoked tobacco at some stage in their lifetime, 18.1% in the last 30 days. 15.1% have used cannabis with 5.7% using it in the last 30 days. 29.6% of cigarette smokers have used cannabis in comparison to 1.6% of non-smokers. On multivariate analysis lifetime cigarette smoking status was independently associated with hard drug use, adjusted OR=6.0, p<0.01; soft drug use, adjusted OR=4.6, p<0.01 and high risk sex practises, adjusted OR=10.6, p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking prevalence remains high in Irish teenagers and is significantly associated with drug use and other risk taking behaviours. Specific teenage smoking cessation strategies need to be developed targeting these combined high risk health behaviours.

Systemic irradiation in multiple myeloma: a report on nineteen cases.

Nineteen patients with relapsed or resistant multiple myeloma were treated with sequential half-body irradiation (12) and half-body irradiation only (seven). This treatment proved acceptable to the majority of patients and required one night's stay in hospital. Gastro-intestinal toxicity was transient and self limiting. Haematological toxicity was acceptable and recovery was complete in all but two of the 19 patients following half-body irradiation. However, only six of the 12 patients who subsequently had the remaining half irradiated completely recovered. Blood transfusions were required to correct anaemia in six patients, a platelet transfusion was given to one and a further patient required both platelet and blood transfusions. We observed no serious haematological complications. Six of the 13 patients who received upper half-body irradiation of probable chest infection, while one patient of the six who received lower half-body irradiation died of this complication. Some of the seven deaths may have been due to radiation pneumonitis. Two patients developed brain secondaries, which is a very rare occurrence in this disease. This may indicate a change in the natural history of myeloma produced by this new treatment. Subjective improvement was observed in 17 patients and relief of pain usually occurred within the first 24 h. Objective responses were noted in six patients. The median survival for all patients was 6 months with five patients alive 11-28 months at the time of this report. This treatment compares favourably to second line chemotherapy. It is perhaps more economical and better tolerated by patients. Further assessment in a larger number of patients with either untreated or relapsed disease is warranted.