Clinical evaluation of atlas-based auto-segmentation in breast and nodal radiotherapy.

Objectives: Accurate contouring of anatomical structures allows for high-precision radiotherapy planning, targeting the dose at treatment volumes and avoiding organs at risk. Manual contouring is time-consuming with significant user variability, whereas auto-segmentation (AS) has proven efficiency benefits but requires editing before treatment planning. This study investigated whether atlas-based AS (ABAS) accuracy improves with template atlas group size and character-specific atlas and test case selection.

Assessment of Upfront Selection Criteria to Prioritise Patients for Breath-hold Left-sided Breast Radiotherapy.

Aims: Deep inspiratory breath-hold (DIBH) techniques for left breast and chest wall radiotherapy can reduce cardiac dose. We investigated the use of 'upfront selection' criteria for DIBH based on tumour bed position and whether cardiac shielding was used.

Materials And Methods: Four methods of selecting patients for DIBH were assessed retrospectively in a cohort of left breast and chest wall treatments.

Patient support to reduce risk diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common cause of blindness in the western world resulting in damage to the blood vessels of the retina. This damage causes visual loss that can have a devastating effect on patients and their families, and is intensified by the loss of self-management abilities that may have physical and psychosocial implications. Nurses in both primary and secondary care settings need to understand the condition as they can play a vital role in reducing its incidence.

Patient attitudes towards undergoing additional breast biopsy for research.

Background: Acquisition of additional breast tissue has become integral to breast oncology research. This questionnaire study examines patient willingness to undergo research-dedicated breast biopsies either at time of diagnostic biopsy (T1) or after carcinoma diagnosis has been confirmed and eligibility for a specific study established (T2), and influencing factors thereof.

Methods: Prior to consultation, patients attending breast clinics were recruited to complete a questionnaire examining willingness to undergo an extra fine needle aspirate (FNA) and/or core needle biopsy (CNB) for research either at T1 or T2.