Quality assurance in radiotherapy: analysis of the causes of not starting or early radiotherapy withdrawal

Identifier:  imarina:5128617

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5128617

Authors:  Arenas, Meritxell; Sabater, Sebastia; Gascon, Marina; Henriquez, Ivan; Jose Bueno, M; Rius, Angels; Rovirosa, Angels; Gomez, David; Lafuerza, Anna; Biete, Albert; Colomer, Jordi

Abstract:
Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the reasons for not starting or for early of radiotherapy at the Radiation Oncology Department. Methods: All radiotherapy treatments from March 2010 to February 2012 were included. Early withdrawals from treatment those that never started recorded. Clinical, demographic and dosimetric variables were also noted. Results: From a total of 3250 patients treated and reviewed, 121 (4%) did not start or complete the planned treatment. Of those, 63 (52%) did not receive any radiotherapy fraction and 58 (48%) did not complete the course, 74% were male and 26% were female. The mean age was 67 ± 13 years. The most common primary tumour was lung (28%), followed by rectum (16%). The aim of treatment was 62% radical and 38% palliative, 44% of patients had metastases; the most common metastatic site was bone, followed by brain. In 38% of cases (46 patients) radiotherapy was administered concomitantly with chemotherapy (10 cases (22%) were rectal cancers). Conclusions: The number of patients who did not complete their course of treatment is low, which shows good judgement in indications and patient selection. The most common reason for incomplete treatments was clinical progression. Rectal cancer treated with concomitant chemotherapy was the most frequent reason of the interruption of radiotherapy for toxicity. © Arenas et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.