To identify consensus on patient prioritisation for rectal hydrogel spacer use during radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer in the UK.
Delphi study consisting of two rounds of online questionnaires, two virtual advisory board meetings and a final online questionnaire.
Radical radiation therapy for localised and locally advanced prostate cancer in the UK.
Six leading clinical oncologists and one urologist from across the UK.
Rectal hydrogel spacer.
None reported.
The panel reached consensus on the importance of minimising toxicity for treatments with curative intent and that even low-grade toxicity-related adverse events can significantly impact quality of life. There was agreement that despite meeting rectal dose constraints, too many patients experience rectal toxicity and that rectal hydrogel spacers in eligible patients significantly reduces toxicity-related adverse events. However, as a consequence of funding limitations, patients need to be prioritised for spacer use. A higher benefit of spacers can be expected in patients on anticoagulation and in patients with diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, but consensus could not be reached regarding patient groups expected to benefit less. While radiation therapy regimen is not a main factor determining prioritisation, higher benefit is expected in ultrahypofractionated regimens.
There is a strong and general agreement that all patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical radiation therapy have the potential to benefit from hydrogel spacers. Currently, not all patients who could potentially benefit can access hydrogel spacers, and access is unequal. Implementation of the consensus recommendations would likely help prioritise and equalise access to rectal spacers for patients in the UK.
BMJ open. 2022 Jul 20*** epublish ***
Heather Ann Payne, Suneil Jain, Clive Peedell, Albert Edwards, James Andrew Thomas, Prantik Das, Amanda Hansson Hedblom, Emily Woodward, Rhodri Saunders, Amit Bahl
Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK., School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK., Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK., Kent Oncology Centre, Kent, UK., Department of Urology, Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, UK., Department of Oncology, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK., Coreva Scientific GmbH und Co KG, Königswinter, Germany., Health Economics, Boston Scientific AG, Solothurn, Switzerland., Coreva Scientific GmbH und Co KG, Königswinter, Germany ., Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK.
PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35858729