Fonteyne V1, Rammant E2, Ost P2, Lievens Y2, De Troyer B3, Rottey S4, De Meerleer G5, De Maeseneer D4, De Ridder D6, Decaestecker K7.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30190222
There is a gap between optimal and actual use of radiotherapy (RT) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We investigated the opinions of radiation-oncologists, urologists, and medical oncologists on use of RT in different cases. Barriers and facilitators for applying guidelines were examined.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
A web-based survey was developed at Ghent University Hospital and conducted from November 18, 2016 to July 17, 2017. The place of primary, adjuvant, and palliative RT was evaluated. Additional questions assessed the use of guidelines, barriers, and facilitators.
RESULTS:
In total, 126 physicians (57 radiation oncologists, 41 urologists, and 28 medical oncologists) completed the survey. Significant differences in use of RT in the primary and adjuvant setting were observed between radiation oncologists and urologists. Younger age and presence of hydronephrosis are perceived as contraindications for RT in the primary setting. In the adjuvant setting, RT was mainly considered in case of positive surgical margins. All radiation oncologists and 96% of medical oncologists considered palliative RT for patients with painful bone metastases, whereas 21% of urologists did not (P
CONCLUSION:
There is controversy regarding the place of RT in MIBC, with a clear variation between professionals. Barriers and facilitators to use RT should be addressed, seeing the gap in RT utilization and predicted increase in patients requiring RT for MIBC.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Awareness; Radiation; Survey; Underusage; Urothelial carcinoma
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