Optimizing volumetric modulated arc therapy prostate planning using an automated Fine-Tuning process through dynamic adjustment of optimization parameters.

In radiotherapy treatment planning, optimization is essential for achieving the most favorable plan by adjusting optimization criteria. This study introduced an innovative approach to automatically fine-tune optimization parameters for volumetric modulated arc therapy prostate planning, ensuring all constraints were met. A knowledge-based planning model was invoked, and the fine-tuning process was applied through an in-house developed script.

Cancer therapy-related vaginal toxicity: its prevalence and assessment methods-a systematic review.

Purpose: In 2020, almost 9 million women were diagnosed with cancer worldwide. Despite advancements in cancer treatment strategies, patients still suffer from acute and long-term side effects. This systematic review aims to evaluate the most frequently reported adverse effects in the genitourinary system and compare them across cancer types, treatment modalities, and evaluation methods.

A novel, multi-active emollient for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a novel, multi-active emollient in preventing and managing acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in breast cancer patients undergoing moderate hypofractionated (HF) radiotherapy (RT) compared to standard of care.

Methodsa: A monocentric, open-label, randomized clinical trial (RCT) with breast cancer patients receiving moderate HF (dose: 40.05-55.

A long-term follow-up of early breast cancer patients treated with photobiomodulation during conventional fractionation radiotherapy in the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis.

Objectives: The evidence demonstrating the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for preventing and managing acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is growing steadily. The question that arises from many clinicians is, if PBM is safe for oncologic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-free survival (CFS), and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients treated with PBM for ARD.

Nonoperative versus operative approach according to the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer: A prospective cohort study.

Purpose: To report on organ preservation following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in a prospective cohort of locally advanced rectal cancer patients.

Methods And Materials: Fifty-two patients received CRT. MRI and F-FDG-PET/CT were performed prior to CRT.

The Effectiveness of a Novel Skin Barrier Protectant in the Management of Acute Radiation Dermatitis: A Case Series.

Objective: Acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is a frequent adverse effect in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy (RT). The aim of this case series is to evaluate the effect of a novel skin barrier protectant in patients with ARD.

Methods: The skin barrier protectant was used in four patients with different cancer types undergoing RT at two clinical sites.

Vaginal mucositis in patients with gynaecological cancer undergoing (chemo-)radiotherapy: a retrospective analysis.

The objective of this retrospective analysis was to determine the incidence and extent of vaginal mucositis (VM) in women with gynaecological cancer undergoing external (chemo)radiation therapy (CRT). A retrospective analysis was set up to collect data on the incidence and severity of VM in women treated with external pelvic RT for gynaecological cancer at the Jessa Hospital, Hasselt and ZOL, Genk, BE between January 2017 and June 2018. At the start and end of their external (C)RT, they rated the frequency and intensity of five common symptoms of VM.

Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients undergoing hypofractioned whole-breast irradiation (LABRA trial).

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy in breast cancer patients post-lumpectomy undergoing hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation (HF-WBI) for the prevention and management of acute radiodermatitis (ARD).

Materials And Methods: A randomized, multicentric clinical trial (LABRA trial, NCT03924011) was set up at the Limburg Oncology Center, including the Jessa Hospital (Hasselt, BE) and Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (Genk, BE). A total of 71 breast cancer patients planned to undergo HF-WBI were randomized to one of the two study arms: the control group (n = 32) or the PBM group (n = 39).

Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients (DERMISHEAD trial).

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Materials And Methods: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 46 HNC patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy was set up (DERMISHEAD trial). Patients were randomised to receive PBM or placebo treatments from the first day of RT (2×/week) alongside the institutional skincare.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Novel Skin Barrier Protectant in a Patient with Acute Radiodermatitis of the Vulva: A Case Report.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a novel skin barrier protectant in a patient treated with radiotherapy for vulvar cancer.

Methods: This case report was conducted in a radiotherapy department with two women undergoing radiotherapy for vulvar carcinoma. A novel skin barrier protectant was evaluated in one patient; the other underwent the institutional standard skin care protocol.

Letter to the Editor concerning the article "Application of red light phototherapy in the treatment of radioactive dermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer".

The aim of this Letter to the Editor was to report some methodological shortcomings in the recently published article "Application of red light phototherapy in the treatment of radioactive dermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer" by Zhang et al. There are some issues regarding the incomplete photobiomodulation (PBM) parameters, the chosen outcome measures, and some missing reference articles. In conclusion, the results of this study should be interpreted with caution and further research is necessary.

Biophysical skin measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy in the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate objectively the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) by using biophysical skin measurements.

Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 120 breast cancer patients who underwent an identical radiotherapy (RT) regimen post-lumpectomy was performed (TRANSDERMIS trial). Patients were randomized to receive PBM (808 nm CW/905 nm pulsed, 168 mW/cm, spot size 19.

PET imaging in adaptive radiotherapy of gastrointestinal tumors.

Introduction: Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the multimodality treatment of several gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. Positron-emission tomography (PET) has an established role in the diagnosis, response assessment and (re-)staging of these tumors. Nevertheless, the value of PET in adaptive radiotherapy remains unclear.

Infrastructure and distributed learning methodology for privacy-preserving multi-centric rapid learning health care: euroCAT.

Machine learning applications for personalized medicine are highly dependent on access to sufficient data. For personalized radiation oncology, datasets representing the variation in the entire cancer patient population need to be acquired and used to learn prediction models. Ethical and legal boundaries to ensure data privacy hamper collaboration between research institutes.

Prevention of acute radiodermatitis by photobiomodulation: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in breast cancer patients (TRANSDERMIS trial).

Objective: Acute radiodermatitis (RD) is a distressing and painful skin reaction that occurs in 95% of the patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the prevention of acute RD in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing RT.

Methods: This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial including 120 BC patients that underwent an identical RT regimen post-lumpectomy.

Development and validation of an MRI-based model to predict response to chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Background And Purpose: To safely implement organ preserving treatment strategies for patients with rectal cancer, well-considered selection of patients with favourable response is needed. In this study, we develop and validate an MRI-based response predicting model.

Methods: A multivariate model using T2-volumetric and DWI parameters before and 6 weeks after chemoradiation (CRT) was developed using a cohort of 85 rectal cancer patients and validated in an external cohort of 55 patients that underwent preoperative CRT.

The utilization of formal and informal home care by older patients with cancer: a Belgian cohort study with two control groups.

Background: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the utilization of formal and informal home care among older patients with cancer (OCP) and to compare this with middle-aged patients with cancer (MCP) and older patients without cancer (ONC). Additionally, we examined predictors of transitions towards formal care one year after a cancer diagnosis.

Methods: OCP and MCP had to be recruited within three months after a cancer diagnosis and have an estimated life expectancy over six months.

Moderate dose escalation with volumetric modulated arc therapy improves outcome in rectal cancer.

Background: Locally advanced rectal cancer is frequently treated with a long course of preoperative chemoradiotherapy. We investigated the effect of moderate dose escalation with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) up to 50 Gy in 25 fractions compared to 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) to 45 Gy in 25 fractions in rectal cancer patients. Dose-volume parameters, acute toxicity, and complete response rates were compared.

Efficacy of a hydroactive colloid gel versus historical controls for the prevention of radiotherapy-induced moist desquamation in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: Radiotherapy-induced moist desquamation (RIMD) is a complication that can affect patients' quality of life and jeopardize radiotherapy outcomes. The curative use of a hydroactive colloid gel has previously been shown effective in the management of RIMD in breast cancer patients. This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of this same gel but in the prevention of RIMD.

Qualitative research on the Belgian Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES): An evaluation of the content validity and feasibility.

Rationale, Aims, And Objectives: The systematic assessment of cancer patients well-being and care needs is internationally recommended to optimize comprehensive cancer care. The Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES) is a psychometrically robust quality of life and needs assessment tool of US origin, developed in the early 1990s. This article describes Belgian patients' view on the content validity and feasibility of the CARES for use in current cancer care.