Continued success of the rapid response radiotherapy program: a review of 2004-2008.
OBJECTIVE
To update the clinical activity of the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program (RRRP).


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of our clinic database from January 2004 until July 2008. The number of patients referred to the RRRP, relevant demographic data, diagnosis and treatment dispositions were recorded. Time interval between referral to consultation and consultation to simulation were also calculated.


RESULTS
During the study period, 3,267 patients were seen in the RRRP. Forty-five percent (1,494) of the patients were new to the clinic. Of the 3,267 patients seen, 1,548 (47.4%) were female and 1,719 (52.6%) were male. The median age was 69.2 years (range, 22-101 years). The most common primary sites were lung (34.2%), breast (21.2%) and prostate (17.0%). The majority of patients were referred for palliative treatment of bone metastases (52.4%) or treatment for brain metastases (20.7%). Of the patients referred, 2,311 (70.5%) patients received palliative radiotherapy. The median duration from referral to consultation was 4 days. The majority (82.3%) of patients were simulated and treated within the first 7 days following consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of patients referred to the RRRP from January 2004-July 2008 remains comparable to our previous report (1996-2003). The overall median interval from referral to consultation for the analysed time period was 4 days. Therefore, we are continuing to meet our goal of providing rapid access to palliative radiation treatment for symptomatic cancer patients. Further information relating to progression and advancements within the clinic aimed at improving our patients' quality of life are explored.
de Sa
Eric
E
Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.
Sinclair
Emily
E
Mitera
Gunita
G
Wong
Jennifer
J
Danjoux
Cyril
C
Hird
Amanda
A
Hadi
Stephanie
S
Barnes
Elizabeth
E
Tsao
May
M
Chow
Edward
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult