Survey of research attitudes of RTTs working in Scotland: A Scottish radiographer research forum collaboration.

Purpose: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is associated with improved treatment outcomes and survival in cancer patients. Engagement from therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists (RTTs) in research, has been identified as a challenge. The aim of this survey was to gain an understanding of RTT attitudes to research in Scotland.

The in-silico feasibility of dose escalated, hypofractionated radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Background And Purpose: Short course radiotherapy (SCRT) has a low biological prescription dose. Rectal cancer has a dose response relationship and moderate α/β ratio (∼5). We hypothesise hypofractionated dose escalation has radiobiological advantages.

Feasibility of DW-MRI analysis of salivary glands during head and neck radiotherapy.

Introduction: With no effective treatment for xerostomia, there remains an unmet need to reduce radiation induced toxicity. Measuring physiological changes during RT in salivary glands using DW-MRI may predict which patients are most at risk of severe toxicity. This study evaluated the feasibility of measuring apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the major salivary glands and describes the observed changes in volume and ADC during RT.

Durvalumab (MEDI 4736) in combination with extended neoadjuvant regimens in rectal cancer: a study protocol of a randomised phase II trial (PRIME-RT).

Background: Advances in multi-modality treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) have resulted in low local recurrence rates, but around 30% of patients will still die from distant metastatic disease. In parallel, there is increasing recognition that with radiotherapy and systemic treatment, some patients achieve a complete response and may avoid surgical resection, including in many cases, the need for a permanent stoma. Extended neoadjuvant regimes have emerged to address these concerns.

Dosimetric impact of organ at risk daily variation during prostate stereotactic ablative radiotherapy.

Objective: Prostate stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) delivers large doses using a fast dose rate. This amplifies the effect geometric uncertainties have on normal tissue dose. The aim of this study was to determine whether the treatment dose-volume histogram (DVH) agrees with the planned dose to organs at risk (OAR).

Safety and feasibility of prostate stereotactic ablative radiotherapy using multimodality imaging and flattening filter free.

Objective: To investigate feasibility and safety of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy in the management of prostate cancer while employing MR/CT fusion for delineation, fiducial marker seeds for positioning and Varian RapidArc with flattening filter free (FFF) delivery.

Methods: 41 patients were treated for low-intermediate risk prostate cancer with initial prostate-specific antigen of ≤20 ng ml, Gleason score 6-7. Patients had MR/CT fusion for delineation of prostate ±seminal vesicles.