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ArticleStrahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al]2026

Gender role in radiotherapy: psychosocial differences between males and females during cancer care : Single-centre report on adult and paediatric oncological patients.

L Dinapoli, N Dinapoli, E Marconi, S Chiesa, C Mazzarella, M Massaccesi, S Longo, F Marazzi, V Masiello, R Autorino and 14 more

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Article in Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al], 2026. 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. Gender disparities in historical context, workforce structure, and decision-making.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al] · 2026
    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

24 authors.

L DinapoliUOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8979-4630
N DinapoliUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2800-9723
E MarconiUOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. elisa.marconi@policlinicogemelli.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6722-8390
S ChiesaUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0168-3459
C MazzarellaUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3465-2264
M MassaccesiUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7740-747X
S LongoUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0383-6412
F MarazziUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0977-0143
V MasielloUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7589-7623
R AutorinoUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8061-6977
V De LucaUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9914-0075
L BoldriniUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5631-1575
G ChiloiroUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
S ManfridaUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4266-8255
A MastronuzziPediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
E MeldolesiUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
L SaniUOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9283-8051
V FrascinoUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2336-8767
F MiccichèCentro di Eccellenza Oncologia Radioterapica, Medica e Diagnostica per Immagini, Ospedale Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9666-3033
V ValentiniCentro di Eccellenza Oncologia Radioterapica, Medica e Diagnostica per Immagini, Ospedale Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4637-6487
L TagliaferriUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
G F CollocaUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6763-0793
D P R ChieffoUOS di Psicologia Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0130-6584
M A GambacortaUOC di Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento Diagnostica per Immagini e Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5455-8737

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeRecent studies indicate that gender plays a role in influencing the side effects and outcomes of radiotherapy (RT), thus highlighting the importance of gender-specific clinical approaches. However, there remains a knowledge gap regarding potential gender differences in the domain of psychosocial profiles during RT. This retrospective analysis examines the psychosocial impact of RT on a cohort of adult and paediatric patients in Italy who received psycho-oncological support during RT from January 2020 to April 2024.

methodsMedical charts of a total of 750 adult (418 females and 332 males) and 145 paediatric patients (78 male and 67 females) were reviewed. In our radiation oncology department, two psycho-oncological pathways are available for adults: 1) dedicated pathways for patients with head and neck, brain, or rectal and anal cancers, where psychological support is provided automatically; and 2) support for other patients upon request or clinical recommendation. For paediatric patients, psychoeducational/psychotherapeutic interventions tailored to the needs of patients/caregivers are initiated at the start of RT to ensure compliance and promote psychological wellbeing.

resultsFemale adult patients reported higher levels of distress, anxiety, and depression than males, with significant predictors including gender and previous psychological disturbances. Notably, patients undergoing RT with palliative or local-control intent exhibited increased anxiety and depression. In contrast, no significant gender differences in psychosocial distress were observed among paediatric patients. Both genders received consistent psychological support, and familial trauma and RT intent did not significantly affect their scores.

conclusionIn this retrospective analysis, gender is a crucial predictor of psychosocial outcomes in adults undergoing RT, with females experiencing higher distress levels. Prior mental health stability appears protective against anxiety and depression. In paediatric patients, interventions remain effective across genders. Early psychological assessments are essential for both groups to identify patients at risk and enhance coping strategies.

Indexed as

Gender RoleNeoplasmsRadiotherapyAdolescentAdultAgedAnxietyChildChild, PreschoolDepressionFemaleHumansItalyMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesCancerGenderPsycho-oncologyPsychosocial impactRadiotherapy

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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.