Thromboprophylaxis in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with chemoradiation and brachytherapy.

Objective: To determine the incidence of clinical and subclinical venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with high-dose thromboprophylaxis during definitive chemoradiation and brachytherapy.

Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken from August 2021 to December 2023 in patients with primary LACC treated with definitive chemoradiation in two Dutch tertiary hospitals. Patients received high-dose thromboprophylaxis during chemoradiation and brachytherapy.

Cost-effectiveness of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention for women treated with radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer in a randomized trial.

Purpose: To compare the cost-effectiveness of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention with standard care in women treated with external beam radiotherapy, with or without brachytherapy, for gynaecological cancers.

Methods: Eligible women were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 112) or standard care (n = 117). Primary endpoint was sexual functioning at 12-months post-radiotherapy, assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Using a modified Delphi procedure to select a PRO-CTCAE-based subset for patient-reported symptomatic toxicity monitoring in rectal cancer patients.

Purpose: Standardized patient-reported outcomes (PRO) monitoring during and after rectal cancer treatment provides insight into treatment-related toxicities patients experience and improves health-related quality-of-life as well as overall survival. We aimed to select a subset of the PRO version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) for standardized monitoring of treatment-related symptomatic toxicities in rectal cancer.

Methods: We used a mixed methods approach including a literature review, and semi-structured interviews with health care providers (HCPs) involved in rectal cancer care and rectal cancer patients.

Efficacy of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention for women with gynaecological cancers receiving radiotherapy: results of a randomised trial.

Background: The multicentre randomised SPARC trial evaluated the efficacy of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention on sexual functioning, distress, dilator use, and vaginal symptoms after radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers.

Methods: Eligible women were randomised to the rehabilitation intervention or care-as-usual. Four intervention sessions were scheduled over 12 months, with concurrent validated questionnaires and clinical assessments.

Post-operative complications following dose adaptation of intra-operative electron beam radiation therapy in locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer.

Purpose: The benefit of intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) or locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) lie in its ability to provide high-dose of radiation to limited at-risk volume, thereby eliminating microscopic disease and decreasing toxicity. A comparative study between high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, named intra-operative brachytherapy (IOBT), and intra-operative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) was performed showing favorable LRFS after IOBT, possibly due to a higher surface dose that is inherent in IOBT technique. The IOERT technique in Catharina Hospital Eindhoven was adapted to increase the surface dose, aiming to improve local control.