Quality indicators in neuro-oncology: Review of the literature and development of a new quality indicator set for glioma care through a two-round Delphi survey.

Background: Quality Indicators (QIs) are important tools to assess the quality and variability of oncological care. However, their application in neuro-oncology is limited so far. The objective of this study was to develop a set of QIs for glioma, covering process and outcome indicators.

Survival impact of incidental subventricular zone irradiation in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.

Background And Purpose: The subventricular zone (SVZ) is an important niche for neural stem cells but probably also for brain tumor propagating cells, including the glioblastoma stem cell. The SVZ may become a target for radiation therapy in glioblastoma patients. However, reports studying the effect of irradiation of the SVZ on glioblastoma patient survival show conflicting results.

Breathing adapted radiation therapy in comparison with prone position to reduce the doses to the heart, left anterior descending coronary artery, and contralateral breast in whole breast radiation therapy.

Purpose: To compare 3 different treatment positions in whole breast radiation therapy in terms of target volume coverage and doses to the organs at risk (OAR).

Methods And Materials: Thirty-four breast cancer (BC) patients (17 right-sided and 17 left-sided) were included in this dosimetric planning study. They all underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan in standard supine position in free-breathing (FB), supine position with gating in deep inspiratory breath hold (DIBH)(G), and prone position (P).

Local relapse after breast-conserving therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ: a European single-center experience and external validation of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center DCIS nomogram.

Purpose: Adjuvant treatments after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for ductal carcinoma in situ to prevent local relapse are considered standard of care. However, patient selection to prevent increased morbidity without proven survival benefit remains a challenge. To predict the risk of ipsilateral breast tumor relapse (IBTR) after BCS, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) developed a nomogram.

Subclinical cardiotoxicity detected by strain rate imaging up to 14 months after breast radiation therapy.

Purpose: Strain rate imaging (SRI) is a new echocardiographic modality that enables accurate measurement of regional myocardial function. We investigated the role of SRI and troponin I (TnI) in the detection of subclinical radiation therapy (RT)-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients.

Methods And Materials: This study prospectively included 75 women (51 left-sided and 24 right-sided) receiving adjuvant RT to the breast/chest wall and regional lymph nodes.