Development and implementation of a 3d-HDR brachytherapy program for cervical cancer in a sub-Saharan African centre.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria where, the gap between need for, and access to, radiation therapy including brachytherapy is significant. This report documents the implementation of the first three-dimensional high-dose-rate (3D-HDR) brachytherapy service for cervical cancer in Nigeria.

Purpose: This report details the steps taken to implement the 3D-HDR brachytherapy program, the challenges faced, and the adaptive strategies employed to overcome them.

Advanced-technique radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a low resource setting: a review of treatment-related quality of life.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare but significant public health concern, especially in Africa, with a rising global incidence. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of presentation, treatment outcomes and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of NPC patients at a tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methodology: A retrospective review of all nasopharyngeal cancer patients ( = 125) treated at a tertiary centre in Lagos, Nigeria, from May 2019 to 2022 was done.

COVID-19-Related Treatment Cancellations and Oncology Patients' Psychological Health in Nigeria.

To explore the association between COVID-19-related cancer treatment cancellations and the psychological health of cancer patients in Nigeria. We analyzed data collected from 15 outpatient cancer clinics, comprising 1,097 patients between April to July 2020. Study outcome was ten psychological impacts, including feeling down, stressed, and unable to access treatment due to COVID-19 (used as continuous and categorical variable (0-3,4-7,8+ events).

Increasing pediatric radiation oncology capacity in sub-saharan Africa using technology: a pilot of a pediatric radiation oncology virtual training course.

Background: The shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in pediatric oncology and the limited access to training programs remain significant challenges in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. The the Pediatric Radiation Oncology (Virtual) Course, 'PedROC' project aims to contribute to improving pediatric cancer outcomes in Nigeria by increasing the capacity of radiation oncology professionals. To address the gap in access to pediatric radiation oncology professional development, the PedROC project was created, harnessing technology to improve radiation oncology training via a curriculum delivered through web-conferencing.

Feasibility and Safety of Implementing Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) for Pediatric Craniospinal Irradiation in a Low-Middle-Income Region: The Nigerian Experience.

Purpose: Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a relatively new treatment technique in sub-Saharan Africa. Although craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in the pediatric population has been practiced in Nigeria for many years, the use of VMAT to deliver this treatment is previously undocumented. We reviewed the first set of patients to undergo CSI at a cancer center in Nigeria, detailing the treatment technique, the progress experienced, dose statistics achieved, treatment toxicities, and cancer outcomes to date.

Challenges and opportunities for implementing hypofractionated radiotherapy in Africa: lessons from the HypoAfrica clinical trial.

Unlabelled: The rising cancer incidence and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) warrants an increased focus on adopting or developing approaches that can significantly increase access to treatment in the region. One such approach recommended by the recent Lancet Oncology Commission for sub-Saharan Africa is hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT), which can substantially increase access to radiotherapy by reducing the overall duration of time (in days) each person spends being treated. Here we highlight challenges in adopting such an approach identified during the implementation of the HypoAfrica clinical trial.

A Dosimetric Comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy in Patients Treated with Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy.

Objective: Radiotherapy continues to play an important role in the management of breast cancer. This study compared the dosimetric differences between the techniques of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in breast cancer patients who had radiotherapy after mastectomy.

Materials And Methods: Forty post-mastectomy patients (19 right-sided breast and 21 left-sided breast) treated with the IMRT technique using 7-9 fields who were re-planned with VMAT using 2 coplanar arc on the Varian Vital beam linear accelerator between January, 2020 and August, 2021 were included in this study.

Chest X-rays of newborns in a medical facility: variation between the entrance skin dose measurements using the indirect and direct methods for clinical dose audit.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the mean and 75th percentile entrance skin dose (ESD) from anteroposterior (AP) chest X-rays using machine parameters (indirect method). Also, a comparison was made between the ESD and already determined thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements (ESD) from a previous study from the same patients' data. In addition, the results were compared to similar articles, where the direct and indirect methods were used in estimating ESD to newborns.

Evaluation of Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Techniques for Left Breast Post-Mastectomy Patients: Our Experience in Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority-Lagos University Teaching Hospital Cancer Center, South-West Nigeria.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the dosimetric properties of treatment plans obtained from three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques (IMRT) plans for left chest wall breast cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 20 patients with left-sided chest wall radiotherapy were randomly selected with the dose prescriptions: 42 Gy and 45 Gy in 15 and 18 fractions, respectively. Treatment plans were obtained using 3D-CRT and IMRT for each patient.