Consensus and recommendations on vaginal-cuff Brachytherapy of the Spanish Brachytherapy Groups of SEOR and SEFM

Abstract

Purpose/objective(s) On October 5, 2018, a meeting of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR) Brachytherapy Group was held, in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Medical Physics (SEFM), with the aim of preparing a consensus document on postoperative vaginal-cuff brachytherapy (VCBT). Materials/methods A survey including 42 questions was sent to Spanish Radiation Oncology Centres before the meeting. The survey items included: experience in VCBT, technique indications, previous patient preparation, applicator type, implant procedure, computerized tomography (CT) simulation, definition of target volumes and organs at risk (OAR), dose prescription, fractionation, treatment planning, dosimetric parameters and constraints to OAR. Thirty-three centres answered the survey. Statistical analysis of the survey considered that there was consensus when there was ≥ 85% of agreement related to a survey item, otherwise an item with < 85% of agreement would be discussed during the meeting to reach consensus. Results The results of the survey are reported here. The mean number of patients treated per centre in 2017 was 52 ± 41 (range 7–175), and the mean number of procedures per centre was 175 ± 150 (range 24–701).There was consensus on: the indications, applicator type, the OAR to be considered, the prescription point, standardisation and dosimetric quality parameters. There was no consensus on: patient preparation for the implant, the need for performing CT simulation and the frequency, the length of the vagina to be treated, if CTV should be delimited, the definition of the clinical target volume, fractionation, overall EQD2, active source length, separation between dwelling stepping source positions, if considering the uniformity/maximum values for dwelling stepping sources, the optimization mode, and the limiting doses to the OAR. After presenting the results of the survey, the consensus meeting discussion focused on the issues for which there was no consensus. Conclusion A consensus document on postoperative VCBT of the Spanish Brachytherapy Groups of SEOR—SEFM was elaborated.