Jung Ae Lee1,2, Nam Kwon Lee1, Won Sup Yoon1, Dae Sik Yang2, Chul Yong Kim1, Se Ryun Lee3, Hwa Jeong Seong3. 1. Departments of Radiation Oncology, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Guro Hospital, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Internal Medicine, Ansan Hospital, College of Medicine, Korea University, Ansan, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
AIM: Our study analyzed the frequency and causes of treatment interruption among patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: A total of 1637 RT courses in 1500 patients were reviewed from September 2009 to October 2013. A continuous break over 7 days or a discontinuous break over 14 days was regarded as a temporary break and RT under 80% of planned treatment was regarded as incomplete. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twenty courses (13.4%) with treatment interruption were identified. Half of the patients received RT with a definitive aim, and the other half for palliative care. Completion after temporary break, near completion and incompletion were noticed in 12.3%, 21.3%, and 66.4% of cases, respectively. Among patients with a definite aim, thorax (19.2%) and abdomen (16.3%) had a higher interruption rate. For brain and bone with a palliative aim, the frequency of interruption was about 16%. Old age and worse performance negatively affected interruption. The most common cause of treatment interruption was cancer progression including death (30%) and the next was treatment-related side effects (23.1%). CONCLUSION: About 13% of RT cases were interrupted. Two third of patients received less than 80% of the planned RT. To improve RT completion rate, multidirectional efforts are needed.
AIM: Our study analyzed the frequency and causes of treatment interruption among patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: A total of 1637 RT courses in 1500 patients were reviewed from September 2009 to October 2013. A continuous break over 7 days or a discontinuous break over 14 days was regarded as a temporary break and RT under 80% of planned treatment was regarded as incomplete. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twenty courses (13.4%) with treatment interruption were identified. Half of the patients received RT with a definitive aim, and the other half for palliative care. Completion after temporary break, near completion and incompletion were noticed in 12.3%, 21.3%, and 66.4% of cases, respectively. Among patients with a definite aim, thorax (19.2%) and abdomen (16.3%) had a higher interruption rate. For brain and bone with a palliative aim, the frequency of interruption was about 16%. Old age and worse performance negatively affected interruption. The most common cause of treatment interruption was cancer progression including death (30%) and the next was treatment-related side effects (23.1%). CONCLUSION: About 13% of RT cases were interrupted. Two third of patients received less than 80% of the planned RT. To improve RT completion rate, multidirectional efforts are needed.
Authors: Chai Hong Rim; Won Sup Yoon; Jung Ae Lee; Dae Sik Yang; Nam Kwon Lee; Young Je Park; Chul Yong Kim Journal: Strahlenther Onkol Date: 2018-05-24 Impact factor: 3.621