| 1. |
- Zackrisson, Björn, et al.
(författare)
-
Mature results from a Swedish comparison study of conventional versus accelerated radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - The ARTSCAN trial
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 117:1, s. 99-105
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purpose: This report contains the mature five-year data from the Swedish ARTSCAN trial including information on the influence of p16 positivity (p16+) for oropharyngeal cancers. Material and methods: Patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma without distant metastases of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx (except T1-2, NO glottic cancers) and hypopharynx were included. Patients were randomised between accelerated fractionation (AF) (1.1 Gy + 2 Gy per day, 5 days/week for 4.5 weeks, total dose 68 Gy) and conventional fractionation (CF) (2 Gy per day, 5 days/week for 7 weeks, total dose 68 Gy). Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated p16-expression was assessed retrospectively in tumour tissues from patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. Results: There was no significant difference in loco-regional control (LRC) between AF and CF (log-rank test p = 0.75). LRC at 5 years was 65.5% for AF and 64.9% for CF. Overall survival (OS) was similar in both arms (p = 0.99). The estimated cancer specific survival (CSS) at 5 years was 62.2% (AF) and 63.3% (CF) (p = 0.99). 206 specimens were analysed for p16 with 153 specimens (74%) identified as p16+. P16 status did not discriminate for response to AF vs. CF with regard to LRC, OS or CSS. Patients with p16+ tumours had a statistically significant better overall prognosis compared with p16 tumours. Conclusion: This update confirms the results of the 2-year report. We failed to identify a positive effect resulting from AF with regards to LRC, OS and CSS. The addition of information on the HPV-associated p16 overexpression did not explain this lack of effect.
|
|
| 2. |
- Zackrisson, Björn, et al.
(författare)
-
Two-year results from a Swedish study on conventional versus accelerated radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - The ARTSCAN study
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 100:1, s. 41-48
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purpose: Studies on accelerated fractionation (AF) in head and neck cancer have shown increased local control and survival compared with conventional fractionation (CF), while others have been non-conclusive. In 1998 a national Swedish group decided to perform a randomised controlled clinical study of AF. Materials and methods: Patients with verified squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx (except glottic T1-T2, N0) and hypopharynx were included. Patients with prior chemotherapy or surgery were excluded. Patients were randomised to either CF (2Gy/day, 5days/week for 7 weeks, total dose 68Gy) or to AF (1.1Gy+2.0Gy/day, 5days/week for 4.5weeks, total dose 68Gy). An extensive quality assurance protocol was followed throughout the study. The primary end point was loco-regional tumour control (LRC) at two years after treatment. RESULTS: The study was closed in 2006 when 750 patients had been randomised. Eighty-three percent of the patients had stages III-IV disease. Forty eight percent had oropharyngeal, 21% laryngeal, 17% hypopharyngeal and 14% oral cancers. There were no significant differences regarding overall survival (OS) or LRC between the two regimens. The OS at two years was 68% for AF and 67% for CF. The corresponding figures for LRC were 71% and 67%, respectively. There was a trend towards improved LRC for oral cancers treated (p=0.07) and for large tumours (T3-T4) (p=0.07) treated with AF. The AF group had significantly worse acute reactions, while there was no significant increase in late effects. Conclusion: Overall the AF regimen did not prove to be more efficacious than CF. However, the trend towards improved results in AF for oral cancers needs to be further investigated.
|
|
| 3. |
- Engvall, Gunn, et al.
(författare)
-
It Is Tough and Tiring but It Works - Children's Experiences of Undergoing Radiotherapy
- 2016
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Approximately 300 children ages 0 to 18 are diagnosed with cancer in Sweden every year, and 80 to 90 of them undergo radiotherapy treatment. The aim was to describe children's experiences of preparing for and undergoing radiotherapy, and furthermore to describe children's suggestions for improvement. Thirteen children between the ages of 5 and 15 with various cancer diagnoses were interviewed. Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The findings revealed five categories: positive and negative experiences with hospital stays and practical arrangements; age-appropriate information, communication, and guidance to various degrees; struggle with emotions; use of distraction and other suitable coping strategies; and children's suggestions for improvement during radiotherapy. An overarching theme emerged: "It is tough and tiring but it works". Some key areas were: explanatory visits, the need for information and communication, being afraid, discomfort and suffering, the need for media distraction, dealing with emotions, and the need for support. A systematic, family-centered preparation program could possible help families prepare and individualized distraction during radiotherapy could contribute to reducing distress. Further studies with interventions could clarify successful programs.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Nyqvist, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
-
Differences in health related quality of life in the randomised ARTSCAN study; accelerated vs. conventional radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. A five year follow up
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 118:2, s. 335-341
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purpose: Health related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed in the randomised, prospective ARTSCAN study comparing conventional radiotherapy (CF) with accelerated radiotherapy (AF) for head and neck cancer. Material and methods: 750 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (of any grade and stage) in the oral cavity, oro-, or hypopharynx or larynx (except T1-2, NO glottic carcinoma) without distant metastases were randomised to either conventional fractionation (2 Gy/day, 5 days/week in 49 days, total dose 68 Gy) or accelerated fractionation (1.1 + 2.0 Gy/day, 5 days/week in 35 days, total dose 68 Gy). HRQoL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35 and HADS at baseline, at end of radiotherapy (eRT) and at 3 and 6 months and 1, 2 and 5 years after start of treatment. Results: The AF group reported HRQoL was significantly lower at eRT and at 3 months for most symptoms, scales and functions. Few significant differences were noted between the groups at 6 months and 5 years. Scores related to functional oral intake never reached baseline. Conclusion: In comparison to CF, AF has a stronger adverse effect on HRQoL in the acute phase.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Toussaint, Laura, et al.
(författare)
-
Inter-observer variation in target delineation and dose trade-off for radiotherapy of paediatric ependymoma
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 61:2, s. 235-238
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Postoperative radiotherapy for intracranial paediatric ependymoma is challenging both for target definition and treatment planning [1]. Delineation of the tumour bed is difficult, as structures in prior contact with the tumour will shift back into their original positions after surgery. In infratentorial cases, the target is adjacent to the brainstem and upper spinal cord, therefore the relatively high prescription dose and sparing of surrounding organs at risk (OARs) need to be balanced. Through the radiotherapy working-group of the Nordic Organization of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (NOPHO) and in collaboration with the Westdeutsches Protonentherapizentrum Essen (WPE), a study was performed to quantify inter-centre variations in target delineation and treatment plans for these tumours.
|
|
| 8. |
- Wennerberg, Johan, et al.
(författare)
-
Results from a prospective, randomised study on (accelerated) preoperative versus (conventional) postoperative radiotherapy in treatment of patients with resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity : The ARTSCAN 2 study
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Radiotherapy and Oncology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-8140 .- 1879-0887. ; 166, s. 26-32
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purposeAn earlier prospective randomised multicentre study (ARTSCAN) in head and neck cancer patients that compared conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CF) with accelerated radiotherapy (AF) was inconclusive. In the subgroup of oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OCSCC) a large absolute, but not statistically significant, difference in local control was seen in favour of AF. This difference was more pronounced in resectable tumours. The finding raised the hypothesis that AF could be beneficial for OCSCC patients. In addition, the longstanding controversy on pre- or postoperative radiotherapy was addressed.Materials and methodsPatients with OCSCC, judged to withstand and likely benefit from combined therapy, were recruited. Subjects were randomised to either preoperative AF with 43 fractions given as a concomitant boost with two fractions/day to the tumour bearing volume to a total dose of 68 Gy in 4.5 weeks followed by surgery, or primary surgery with postoperative CF, total dose 60 or 66 Gy in 6–7 weeks. For patients whose tumours had high-risk features, 66 Gy and concomitant cisplatin was prescribed.Results250 patients were randomised. Median follow-up was 5 years for locoregional control (LRC) and 9 years for overall survival (OS). There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment arms regarding LRC and OS. LRC at five years was 73% (95% CI, 65–82) in preoperative AF and 78% (95% CI, 70–85) in postoperative CF.Toxicity was more pronounced in preoperative AF.ConclusionThis study does not support that AF prior to surgery improves outcome in oral cavity cancer compared with postoperative CF.
|
|
| 9. |
- Ångström-Brännström, Charlotte, et al.
(författare)
-
Children Undergoing Radiotherapy : Swedish Parents' Experiences and Suggestions for Improvement
- 2015
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public library science. - 1932-6203. ; 10:10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Approximately 300 children, from 0 to 18 years old, are diagnosed with cancer in Sweden every year. Of these children, 80-90 of them undergo radiotherapy treatment for their cancer. Although radiotherapy is an encounter with advanced technology, few studies have investigated the child's and the parent's view of the procedure. As part of an ongoing multi-center study aimed to improve patient preparation and the care environment in pediatric radiotherapy, this article reports the findings from interviews with parents at baseline. The aim of the present study was twofold: to describe parents' experience when their child undergoes radiotherapy treatment, and to report parents' suggestions for improvements during radiotherapy for their children. Sixteen mothers and sixteen fathers of children between 2-16 years old with various cancer diagnoses were interviewed. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings showed that cancer and treatment turns people's lives upside down, affecting the entire family. Further, the parents experience the child's suffering and must cope with intense feelings. Radiotherapy treatment includes preparation by skilled and empathetic staff. The parents gradually find that they can deal with the process; and lastly, parents have suggestions for improvements during the radiotherapy treatment. An overarching theme emerged: that despair gradually turns to a sense of security, with a sustained focus on and close interaction with the child. In conclusion, an extreme burden was experienced around the start of radiotherapy, though parents gradually coped with the process.
|
|
| 10. |
- Ångström-Brännström, Charlotte, et al.
(författare)
-
Parents’ experiences and responses to an intervention for psychological preparation of children and families during the child’s radiotherapy
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. - : Sage Publications. - 1043-4542 .- 1532-8457. ; 35:2, s. 132-148
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to evaluate parents’ experiences and responses to a systematic intervention for psychological preparation of children and families during the child’s radiotherapy (RT) treatment. In this case-control study at 3 pediatric RT centers, an intervention with a preparatory kit, including age-adjusted information on tablets, gift of a stuffed toy or a pair of headphones, a parent booklet, and toy models of the computed tomography and RT machines was implemented. For evaluation, a mixed methods data collection was conducted. A total of 113 parents of children undergoing RT were included—n = 59 in the baseline group and n = 54 in the intervention group. Health-related quality of life was rated low, but parents in the intervention group expressed less anxiety after the RT compared with the baseline group. They found information suitable for their young children, siblings, and friends were involved and the toy models were used for play. Parents expressed positive feelings due to close interaction with staff and each other within the family. The solutions developed within a human-centered design approach and shaped as a systematic family-centered strategy contributed to parents understanding and coping with the child’s RT.
|
|
