Dataset Information

Current status of brachytherapy in Korea: a national survey of radiation oncologists.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The aim of the present study was to acquire information on brachytherapy resources in Korea through a national survey of radiation oncologists.

Methods

Between October 2014 and January 2015, a questionnaire on the current status of brachytherapy was distributed to all 86 radiation oncology departments in Korea. The questionnaire was divided into sections querying general information on human resources, brachytherapy equipment, and suggestions for future directions of brachytherapy policy in Korea.

Results

The response rate of the survey was 88.3%. The average number of radiation oncologists per center was 2.3. At the time of survey, 28 centers (36.8%) provided brachytherapy to patients. Among the 28 brachytherapy centers, 15 (53.5%) were located in in the capital Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan areas. All brachytherapy centers had a high-dose rate system using (192)Ir (26 centers) or (60)Co (two centers). Among the 26 centers using (192)Ir sources, 11 treated fewer than 40 patients per year. In the two centers using (60)Co sources, the number of patients per year was 16 and 120, respectively. The most frequently cited difficulties in performing brachytherapy were cost related. A total of 21 centers had a plan to sustain the current brachytherapy system, and four centers noted plans to upgrade their brachytherapy system. Two centers stated that they were considering discontinuation of brachytherapy due to cost burdens of radioisotope source replacement.

Conclusion

The present study illustrated the current status of brachytherapy in Korea. Financial difficulties were the major barriers to the practice of brachytherapy.

SUBMITTER: Kim H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4864511 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Current status of brachytherapy in Korea: a national survey of radiation oncologists.

Kim Haeyoung H Kim Joo Young JY Kim Juree J Park Won W Kim Young Seok YS Kim Hak Jae HJ Kim Yong Bae YB

Journal of gynecologic oncology 20160203 4

<h4>Objective</h4>The aim of the present study was to acquire information on brachytherapy resources in Korea through a national survey of radiation oncologists.<h4>Methods</h4>Between October 2014 and January 2015, a questionnaire on the current status of brachytherapy was distributed to all 86 radiation oncology departments in Korea. The questionnaire was divided into sections querying general information on human resources, brachytherapy equipment, and suggestions for future directions of bra ...[more]

PMID: 27102244

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Project description:PurposePerspectives of radiation oncologists on oligometastatic disease was investigated using multi-layered survey.Materials and methodsOnline survey on the oligometastatic disease was distributed to the board-certified regular members of the Korean Society for Radiation Oncology. The questionnaire consisted of four domains: five questions on demographics; five on the definition of oligometastatic disease; four on the role of local therapy; and three on the oligometastatic disease classification, respectively.ResultsA total of 135 radiation oncologists participated in the survey. The median length of practice after board certification was 22.5 years (range, 1 to 44 years), and the vast majority (94.1%) answered affirmatively to the clinical experience in oligometastatic disease management. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents considered the number of involved organs as an independent factor in defining oligometastasis. Most frequently perceived upper limit on the numerical definition of oligometastasis was 5 (64.2%), followed by 3 (26.0%), respectively. Peritoneal and brain metastasis were nominated as the sites to be excluded from oligometastastic disease by 56.3% and 12.6% of the participants, respectively. Vast majority (82.1%) agreed on the role of local treatment in the management of oligometastatic disease. Majority (72%) of the participants acknowledged the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)-European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification of oligometastatic disease, however, only 43.3% answered that they applied this classification in their clinical practice. Underlying reasons against the clinical use were 'too complicated' (66.0%), followed by 'insufficient supporting evidence' (30.0%), respectively.ConclusionWhile most radiation oncologists supported the role of local therapy in oligometastatic disease, there were several inconsistencies in defining and categorizing oligometastatic disease. Continued education and training on oligometastatic disease would be also required to build consensus among participating caregivers.

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Dataset Information

Current status of brachytherapy in Korea: a national survey of radiation oncologists.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Current status of brachytherapy in Korea: a national survey of radiation oncologists.

Similar Datasets

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