Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32013920›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2020

The influence of radiotherapy techniques on the plan quality and on the risk of secondary tumors in patients with pituitary adenoma.

Marius Treutwein, Felix Steger, Rainer Loeschel, Oliver Koelbl, Barbara Dobler

Open access · goldAbstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.8field-weighted citation impact, top 16% of its field
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

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
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

5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Marius TreutweinDepartment for radiotherapy, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany. marius.treutwein@ukr.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6538-9980
Felix StegerDepartment for radiotherapy, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.
Rainer LoeschelFaculty of computer science and mathematics, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule, Regensburg, Germany.
Oliver KoelblDepartment for radiotherapy, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.
Barbara DoblerDepartment for radiotherapy, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.
OTH Regensburg · DEUniversity of Regensburg · DE

Funding

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz 83a-U8816.04-2013/4-18
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis planning study compares different radiotherapy techniques for patients with pituitary adenoma, including flatness filter free mode (FFF), concerning plan quality and secondary malignancies for potentially young patients. The flatness filter has been described as main source of photon scatter. MATERIAL AND

methodsEleven patients with pituitary adenoma were included. An Elekta Synergy™ linac was used in the treatment planning system Oncentra® and for the measurements. 3D plans, IMRT, and VMAT plans and non-coplanar varieties were considered. The plan quality was evaluated regarding homogeneity, conformity, delivery time and dose to the organs at risk. The secondary malignancy risk was calculated from dose volume data and from measured dose to the periphery using different models for carcinoma and sarcoma risk.

resultsThe homogeneity and conformity were nearly unchanged with and without flattening filter, neither was the delivery time found substantively different. VMAT plans were more homogenous, conformal and faster in delivery than IMRT plans. The secondary cancer risk was reduced with FFF both in the treated region and in the periphery. VMAT plans resulted in a higher secondary brain cancer risk than IMRT plans, but the risk for secondary peripheral cancer was reduced. Secondary sarcoma risk plays a minor role. No advantage was found for non-coplanar techniques. The FFF delivery times were not shortened due to additional monitor units needed and technical limitations. The risk for secondary brain cancer seems to depend on the irradiated volume. Secondary sarcoma risk is much smaller than carcinoma risk in accordance to the results of the atomic bomb survivors. The reduction of the peripheral dose and resulting secondary malignancy risk for FFF is statistically significant. However, it is negligible in comparison to the risk in the treated region.

conclusionTreatments with FFF can reduce secondary malignancy risk while retaining similar quality as with flattening filter and should be preferred. VMAT plans show the best plan quality combined with lowest peripheral secondary malignancy risk, but highest level of second brain cancer risk. Taking this into account VMAT FFF seems the most advantageous technique for the treatment of pituitary adenomas with the given equipment.

Indexed as

AdenomaAge FactorsFemaleHumansMaleNeoplasms, Second PrimaryPituitary NeoplasmsRadiotherapyRadiotherapy DosageRadiotherapy Planning, Computer-AssistedRisk FactorsFlattening filter freePituitary adenomaSecondary malignoma riskTreatment planning

Identifiers

PMID32013920
PMCPMC6998093
OpenAlexW3012660454

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.