A questionnaire-based survey on 3D image-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer in Japan: advances and obstacles.
The purpose of this study is to survey the current patterns of practice, and barriers to implementation, of 3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) for cervical cancer in Japan. A 30-item questionnaire was sent to 171 Japanese facilities where high-dose-rate brachytherapy devices were available in 2012. In total, 135 responses were returned for analysis. Fifty-one facilities had acquired some sort of 3D imaging modality with applicator insertion, and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used in 51 and 3 of the facilities, respectively. For actual treatment planning, X-ray films, CT and MRI were used in 113, 20 and 2 facilities, respectively. Among 43 facilities where X-ray films and CT or MRI were acquired with an applicator, 29 still used X-ray films for actual treatment planning, mainly because of limited time and/or staffing. In a follow-up survey 2.5 years later, respondents included 38 facilities that originally used X-ray films alone but had indicated plans to adopt 3D-IGBT. Of these, 21 had indeed adopted CT imaging with applicator insertion. In conclusion, 3D-IGBT (mainly CT) was implemented in 22 facilities (16%) and will be installed in 72 (53%) facilities in the future. Limited time and staffing were major impediments.
Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
Tatsuya
T
Ohno
Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of the Ryukyus, 207 Uehara, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, 903-0215, Japan b983255@med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp.
Takafumi
T
Toita
Department of Radiation Oncology, Hyogo Cancer Center, 13-70 Kitaoji-cho, Akashi, Hyogo, 673-8558, Japan.
Kayoko
K
Tsujino
Department of Radiation Oncology, Tottori University Hospital, Nishi-cho, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8504, Japan.
Nobue
N
Uchida
Tokyo Bay Advanced Imaging and Radiation Oncology Clinic MAKUHARI, 1-17 Toyosuna, Mihama-ku, Chiba, 261-0024, Japan.
Kazuo
K
Hatano
Division of Radiation Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi-cho, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan.
Tetsuo
T
Nishimura
Department of Radiology, Koshigaya Municipal Hospital, 10-47-1 Higashikoshigaya, Koshigaya, Saitama 343-8577, Japan.
Satoshi
S
Ishikura
D001315:Australia; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
3D planning; cervical cancer; high-dose-rate brachytherapy; image-guided brachytherapy; questionnaire-based survey