Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30779517›Full record

ArticleAnnals of global health2018

Implementation of High Dose-rate Brachytherapy for Cervix Cancer in a Low-income Country.

Sommer R Nurkic, Ana Isabel Ocampo, Mario Josè Pinell Gadea, Julie Greenwalt, Mario Jose Vicente, Anielka Lucia Velasquez, Lisbeth Concepcion Lopez Peralta, Franck Soto Herrera, Osmara Calero Romero, Francisco Lopez Tenorio and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of global health, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Sommer R NurkicDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, US.
Ana Isabel OcampoEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Mario Josè Pinell GadeaEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Julie GreenwaltDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, US.
Mario Jose VicenteEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Anielka Lucia VelasquezEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Lisbeth Concepcion Lopez PeraltaEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Franck Soto HerreraEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Osmara Calero RomeroEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Francisco Lopez TenorioEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Harving Lorente ZamoraEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Luis Matamoros MunguiaEl Centro Nacional de Radioterapia, NI.
Anamaria YeungDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, US.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe purpose of this study is to detail the implementation of HDR brachytherapy at the only radiotherapy center in Nicaragua.

methodsPatients are treated with external-beam radiotherapy to 46-50Gy at 2Gy/fraction to the pelvis. A gynecologic examination is performed weekly. Once the cervical os is visualized, brachytherapy is initiated. HDR is delivered in four fractions of 7Gy twice weekly. HDR occurs in two phases: preparation and delivery. Treatment preparation occurs in the procedure room, which includes anesthization, cervical dilation, and brachytherapy applicator placement using fixed-geometry tandem and ring with a rectal blade. The applicator is immobilized and the patient transferred to a stretcher and transported to the treatment delivery room. HDR is performed with the patient on the stretcher to minimize motion. AP and lateral films are taken using portable equipment. Physics staff digitize Point A, rectal point, and bladder point. A standard plan is loaded and approved prescribing 7Gy to Point A. If dose to the rectal or bladder points exceeds the constraint, the applicator is adjusted or vaginal packing is added and films repeated.

resultsNearly 10 years after implementing the HDR program, the center is treating 11-15 women with HDR brachytherapy for cervix cancer daily. Because the procedure is carried out over two separate rooms, patients can be staggered and more treated daily. The rooms turn over every 45 minutes.

conclusionsHDR brachytherapy for cervix cancer has been successfully established in Nicaragua. Significant challenges remain, and there is a role for developed countries to collaborate.

Indexed as

AdultBrachytherapyDeveloping CountriesDose-Response Relationship, RadiationFemaleHumansNicaraguaPovertyUterine Cervical Neoplasms

Identifiers

PMID30779517
PMCPMC6748169

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.