Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41621013›Full record

ArticleClinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico2026

Managing unplanned radiotherapy interruptions in Italy: results from an AIRO survey.

Francesco Deodato, Alba Fiorentino, Donato Pezzulla, Gabriella Macchia, Stefania Manfrida, Nicola Dinapoli, Mattia Falchetto Osti, Giuseppe Sanguineti, Alessio Giuseppe Morganti, Elvio Grazioso Russi

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

Francesco DeodatoRadiation Oncology Unit, Responsible Research Hospital, Campobasso, Italy. francesco.deodato@unicatt.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1276-5070
Alba FiorentinoRadiation Oncology Department, General Regional Hospital F. Miulli, Acquaviva Delle Fonti, Italy.
Donato PezzullaRadiation Oncology Unit, Responsible Research Hospital, Campobasso, Italy. donato.pezzulla@responsible.hospital.
Gabriella MacchiaRadiation Oncology Unit, Responsible Research Hospital, Campobasso, Italy.
Stefania ManfridaRadiation Oncology Unit Gemelli ART, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Nicola DinapoliRadiation Oncology Unit Gemelli ART, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Mattia Falchetto OstiRadiation Oncology Unit, Sapienza Università di Roma, AOU Sant'Andrea, Rome, Italy.
Giuseppe SanguinetiDepartment of Radiation Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Alessio Giuseppe MorgantiRadiation Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine - DIMES, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Elvio Grazioso RussiTeaching Hospital "S. Croce e Carle", Cuneo, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRadiation oncology (RO) is essential in cancer treatment. Unplanned interruptions reduce tumor control, yet no validated management guidelines exist. The Italian Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) conducted a national survey to assess the prevalence, causes, and management strategies for RT interruptions across Italy.

methodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and June 2022. A 34-question survey was emailed to directors of all Italian ROT centers, covering: (1) demographic and institutional characteristics; (2) radiobiological knowledge of ROT interruptions; (3) clinical management and compensation strategies.

resultsA total of 104 centers responded. Respondents had a median age of 57 years (range 34-74), and most worked in General Hospitals (64%). Centers had a median of 2 LINACs (range 1-6), with 16% operating only one LINAC. 96% of radiation oncologists (Ros) considered ROT interruptions a critical issue, particularly in curative (51%) and adjuvant (29%) settings. 42% defined an interruption of > 5 days as critical, and 63% believed treatment phase did not influence impact. 29% of ROs followed formal guidelines [e.g., Royal College of Radiographers (RCR)]. The main causes of interruptions were LINAC breakdowns (22%), toxicity (22%), and patient compliance issues (22%). 24% of ROs followed codified procedures for managing interruptions; 84% regularly monitored treatment breaks. Dose recovery strategies: 28% always compensated, 59% occasionally compensated, primarily by increasing total dose (48%) or working on Saturdays (20%).

conclusionThis study reveals variability in ROT interruption management, stressing the need for AIRO guidelines, collaboration, and modern radiobiological integration.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsPractice Patterns, Physicians'Radiation OncologyTreatment InterruptionAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansItalyMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesLINAC breakdownsNational surveyRadiation therapy interruptionsTreatment compensation strategies

Identifiers

PMID41621013
PMCPMC13282210

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.