Treatment of cervical cancer: overcoming challenges in access to brachytherapy

References

• Arbyn M, Weiderpass E, Bruni L, et al. Estimates of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in 2018: a worldwide analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2020;8(2):e191–e203.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209–249.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chino J, Annunziata CM, Beriwal S, et al. Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer: executive Summary of an ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2020;10(4):220–234.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gill BS, Lin JF, Krivak TC, et al. National Cancer data base analysis of radiation therapy consolidation modality for cervical cancer: the impact of new technological advancements. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014;90(5):1083–1090.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Adegoke O, Kulasingam S, Virnig B. Cervical Cancer trends in the United States: a 35-Year Population-Based Analysis. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2012;21(10):1031–1037.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Charra-Brunaud C, Harter V, Delannes M, et al. Impact of 3D image-based PDR brachytherapy on outcome of patients treated for cervix carcinoma in France: results of the French STIC prospective study. Radiother Oncol. 2012;103(3):305–313.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lindegaard JC, Fokdal LU, Nielsen SK, et al. MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer from a Nordic perspective. Acta Oncol. 2013;52(7):1510–1519.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sturdza A, Pötter R, Fokdal LU, et al. Image guided brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: improved pelvic control and survival in RetroEMBRACE, a multicenter cohort study. Radiother Oncol. 2016;120(3):428–433.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Suneja G, Brown D, Chang A, et al. American brachytherapy society: brachytherapy treatment recommendations for locally advanced cervix cancer for low-income and middle-income countries. Brachytherapy. 2017;16(1):85–94.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• LaVigne AW, Triedman SA, Randall TC, et al. Cervical cancer in low and middle income countries: addressing barriers to radiotherapy delivery. Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2017;22:16–20.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ma TM, Harkenrider MM, Yashar CM, et al. Understanding the underutilization of cervical brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Brachytherapy. 2019;18(3):361–369.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Grover S, Xu MJ, Yeager A, et al. A systematic review of radiotherapy capacity in low- and middle-income Countries. Front Oncol. [Internet]. 2015 cited 2021 Aug 11;4. Available from].
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Petereit DG, Frank SJ, Viswanathan AN, et al. Brachytherapy: where has it gone? J Clin Oncol. 2015;33(9):980–982.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Thaker NG, Meghani R, Wilson C, et al. Impact of the radiation oncology alternative payment model on brachytherapy reimbursement. Brachytherapy. 2021;S1538-4721(21): 00099–4.
   Google Scholar
• Gaudet M, Jaswal J, Keyes M. Current state of brachytherapy teaching in Canada: a national survey of radiation oncologists, residents, and fellows. Brachytherapy. 2015;14(2):197–201.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Han K, Milosevic M, Fyles A, et al. Trends in the utilization of brachytherapy in cervical cancer in the United States. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2013;87(1):111–119.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Boyce-Fappiano D, Nguyen KA, Gjyshi O, et al. Socioeconomic and racial determinants of brachytherapy utilization for cervical cancer: concerns for widening disparities. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021;OP2100291.
   Google Scholar
• Grover S, Longo J, Einck J, et al. The unique issues with brachytherapy in low- and middle-income Countries. Semin Radiat Oncol. 2017;27(2):136–142.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Grigsby PW, Portelance L, Williamson JF. High dose ratio (HDR) cervical ring applicator to control bleeding from cervical carcinoma. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2002;12(1):18–21.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zubizarreta EH, Fidarova E, Healy B, et al. Need for radiotherapy in low and middle income countries – the silent crisis continues. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2015;27(2):107–114.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Status of Radiation Therapy Equipment [Internet]. IAEA directory of radiotherapy centres. cited 2021 Nov 1]. Available from 2021 Nov 1: https://public.tableau.com/views/DIRAC-Map03-StatusofRadiationTherapyEquipment/DIRACEquipmentOverview?%3Adisplay_count%3Dy%26publish%3Dyes%26%3Atoolbar%3Dn%26%3Aorigin%3Dviz_share_link&:size=1040,1&:embed=y&:showVizHome=n&:jsdebug=y&:bootstrapWhenNotified=y&:apiID=host0.
   Google Scholar
• Guedea F, Ventura M, Londres B, et al. Overview of brachytherapy resources in Latin America: a patterns-of-care survey. Brachytherapy. 2011;10(5):363–368.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cancer Tomorrow [Internet]. cited 2021 Nov 1]. Available from 2021 Nov 1: https://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow/home.
   Google Scholar
• Abdel-Wahab M, Gondhowiardjo SS, Rosa AA, et al. Global radiotherapy: current status and future directions—white paper. JCO Global Oncology. 2021;827–842.
   Google Scholar
• Chopra S, Shukla R, Budukh A, et al. External radiation and brachytherapy resource deficit for cervical cancer in india: call to action for treatment of all. J Glob Oncol. 2019;5(JGO.18.00250):1–5.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Small W, Bacon MA, Bajaj A, et al. Cervical cancer: a global health crisis. Cancer. 2017;123(13):2404–2412.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Suneja G, Brown D, Chang A, et al. American brachytherapy society: brachytherapy treatment recommendations for locally advanced cervix cancer for low-income and middle-income countries. Brachytherapy. 2016;16(1):85–94.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chuang LT, Temin S, Camacho R, et al. Management and care of women with invasive cervical cancer: american society of clinical oncology resource-stratified clinical practice guideline. J Glob Oncol. 2016;2(5):311–340.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Code of practice for brachytherapy physics: Report of the AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group No, Nath R, Anderson LL, Meli JA, et al. 56. Med Phys. 1997;24(10):1557–1598.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Pötter R, Tanderup K, Kirisits C, et al. The EMBRACE II study: the outcome and prospect of two decades of evolution within the GEC-ESTRO GYN working group and the EMBRACE studies. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol. 2018;9:48–60.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Fokdal L, Sturdza A, Mazeron R, et al. Image guided adaptive brachytherapy with combined intracavitary and interstitial technique improves the therapeutic ratio in locally advanced cervical cancer: analysis from the retroEMBRACE study. Radiother Oncol. 2016;120(3):434–440.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mahantshetty U, Krishnatry R, Hande V, et al. Magnetic resonance image guided adaptive brachytherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: an experience from a tertiary cancer center in a low and middle income countries setting. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2017;99(3):608–617.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gill BS, Kim H, Houser CJ, et al. MRI-guided high–dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy for treatment of cervical cancer: the university of pittsburgh experience. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2015;91(3):540–547.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• IBS-GEC ESTRO-ABS recommendations for CT based contouring in image guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer - PubMed [Internet]. cited 2021 Jun 29]. Available from 2021 Jun 29: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34019918/.
   Google Scholar
• Hatcher JB, Oladeru O, Chang B, et al. Impact of high-dose-rate brachytherapy training via telehealth in low- and middle-income countries. JCO Glob Oncol. 2020;6:GO.20.00302.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Petereit DG. Increasing global access to brachytherapy: the ABS 300 in 10 initiative and ongoing international efforts. Brachytherapy. 2022;21(1):1–3.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Image-guided adaptive brachy for gynecology. BrachyAcademy. 26thedition. cited 2021 Oct 28]. Vienna, Austria. Available from 2021 Oct 28;Internet https://www.brachyacademy.com/events/image-guided-adaptive-brachy-for-gynecology-26th-edition/
   Google Scholar
• Croke J, Fyles A, Barbera L, et al. Radiation therapy quality-of-care indicators for locally advanced cervical cancer: a consensus guideline. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2016;6(5):315–323.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rama A. American Medical Association, Policy Research Perspectives: Payment and Delivery in 2020: Fee-for-Service Revenue Remains Stable While Participation Shifts in Accountable Care Organizations During the Pandemic. 2020;23. Policy Research Perspectives.
   Google Scholar
• Schad M, Kowalchuk R, Beriwal S, et al. How might financial pressures have impacted brachytherapy? A proposed narrative to explain the declines in cervical and prostate brachytherapy utilization. Brachytherapy. 2019;18(6):780–786.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bauer-Nilsen K, Hill C, Trifiletti DM, et al. Evaluation of delivery costs for external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer using time-driven activity-based costing. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2018;100(1):88–94.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Medicare Program; Specialty Care Models To Improve Quality of Care and Reduce Expenditures [Internet]. Federal Register. 2020 cited 2022 Feb 2]. Available from 2022 Feb 2: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/29/2020-20907/medicare-program-specialty-care-models-to-improve-quality-of-care-and-reduce-expenditures.
   Google Scholar
• document-server.pdf [Internet]. cited 2021 Oct 17]. Available from 2021 Oct 17: https://www.americanbrachytherapy.org/ABS/document-server/?cfp=ABS/assets/File/public/resources/ABS-RO-Model-Comment-Letter-09162019.pdf.
   Google Scholar
• Schad MD, Patel AK, Glaser SM, et al. Declining brachytherapy utilization for cervical cancer patients - have we reversed the trend? Gynecol Oncol. 2020;156(3):583–590.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• CMS Releases Final Rule to the Radiation Oncology Model [Internet]. cited 2021 Nov 6]. Available from 2021 Nov 6: https://www.accc-cancer.org/detail-pages/blurb-discussion-detail/cms-releases-the-radiation-oncology-model-final-rule.
   Google Scholar
• Brady LW, Micaily B, Miyamoto CT, et al. Innovations in Brachytherapy in Gynecologic Oncology. Cancer. 1995;76:2143–2151.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tan LT, Tanderup K, Hoskin P, et al. Image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for Cervix Cancer — a story of successful collaboration within the GEC-ESTRO GYN network and the EMBRACE studies. Clin Oncol. 2018;30(7):397–399.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• GEC-ESTRO Gynaecology [Internet]. cited 2022 Feb 6]. Available from 2022 Feb 6: https://www.estro.org/About/ESTRO-Organisation-Structure/Committees/GEC-ESTRO-Committee/GEC-ESTRO-Gynaecology.
   Google Scholar
• Guedea F, Venselaar J, Hoskin P, et al. Patterns of care for brachytherapy in Europe: updated results. Radiother Oncol. 2010;97(3):514–520.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• van Dyk S, Byram D, Bernshaw D. Brachytherapy for cancer of the cervix: an Australian and New Zealand survey of current treatment techniques. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol. 2008;52(6):588–597.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rose J, McLaughlin P-Y, Falkson CB. Brachytherapy practice across Canada: a survey of workforce and barriers. Brachytherapy. 2013;12(6):615–621.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Shahid N, Craig T, Westerland M, et al. Moving toward uniform and evidence-based practice of radiotherapy for management of cervical cancer in Ontario, Canada. Brachytherapy. 2018;17(4):660–666.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Robin TP, Amini A, Schefter TE, et al. Disparities in standard of care treatment and associated survival decrement in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2016;143(2):319–325.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Alimena S, Yang DD, Melamed A, et al. Racial disparities in brachytherapy administration and survival in women with locally advanced cervical cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2019;154(3):595–601.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bruce SF, Joshi TV, Chervoneva I, et al. Disparities among cervical cancer patients receiving brachytherapy. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;134(3):559–569.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mayadev J, Klapheke A, Yashar C, et al. Underutilization of brachytherapy and disparities in survival for patients with cervical cancer in California. Gynecol Oncol. 2018;150(1):73–78.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Spees LP, Wheeler SB, Varia M, et al. Evaluating the urban-rural paradox: the complicated relationship between distance and the receipt of guideline-concordant care among cervical cancer patients. Gynecol Oncol. 2019;152(1):112–118.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Showalter TN, Camacho F, Cantrell LA, et al. Determinants of Quality care and mortality for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer in Virginia. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(8):e2913.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cohen J, Harper A, Nichols EM, et al. Barriers to timely completion of radiation therapy in patients with cervical cancer in an urban tertiary care center. Cureus. 2017;9(9):e1681.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schad MD, Moore J, Camacho F, et al. Predictors of quality of care and survival in a three-state cohort of locally advanced cervical cancer patients and development of a predictive model to identify women at risk of incomplete treatment. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(33):e16874.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Freeman HP. Patient navigation: a community based strategy to reduce cancer disparities. J Urban Health. 2006;83(2):139–141.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Compton JJ, Gaspar LE, Shrieve DC, et al. Resident-reported brachytherapy experience in ACGME-accredited radiation oncology training programs. Brachytherapy. 2013;12(6):622–627.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Marcrom SR, Kahn JM, Colbert LE, et al. Brachytherapy training survey of radiation oncology residents. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2019;103(3):557–560.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Fumagalli I, Faivre J-C, Thureau S, et al. Brachytherapy training: a survey of French radiation oncology residents. Cancer Radiother. 2014;18(1):28–34.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Milestones [Internet]. cited 2022 Feb 6]. Available from 2022 Feb 6: https://acgme.org/specialties/radiation-oncology/milestones/.
   Google Scholar
• Morton G, Taggar A, Keyes M, et al. Brachytherapy education and certification—A Canadian approach. Brachytherapy. 2020;19(6):857–860.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Donnelly ED, Sachdev S, Zhang H, et al. Development of a gynecologic brachytherapy curriculum and simulation modules to improve radiation oncology trainees’ skills and confidence. Brachytherapy. 2020;19(6):732–737.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Erickson B, Crook J, Vicini F, et al. The ABS brachytherapy schools. Brachytherapy. 2020;19(6):820–826.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Franco I, Petereit DG, Mourtada F, et al. Increasing brachytherapy mentorship and representation through #NextGenBrachy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021;111(1):e15.
   Google Scholar
• Yap ML, Zubizarreta E, Bray F, et al. global access to radiotherapy services: have we made progress during the past decade? JGO. 2016;2(4):207–215.
   Google Scholar
• Lievens Y, Gospodarowicz M, Grover S, et al. Global impact of radiotherapy in oncology: saving one million lives by 2035. Radiother Oncol. 2017;125(2):175–177.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Atun R, Jaffray DA, Barton MB, et al. Expanding global access to radiotherapy. Lancet Oncol. 2015;16(10):1153–1186.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Grant SR, Walker GV, Koshy M, et al. Impact of insurance status on radiation treatment modality selection among potential candidates for prostate, breast, or gynecologic brachytherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2015;93(5):968–975.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Alimena S, Yang DD, Melamed A, et al. Racial disparities in brachytherapy administration and survival in women with locally advanced cervical cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2019;154:595–601.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wright JD, Huang Y, Ananth CV, et al. Influence of treatment center and hospital volume on survival for locally advanced cervical cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2015;139(3):506–512.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chofor N, Bopda P, Bücker R, et al. Mobilising stakeholders to improve access to state-of-the-art radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries. Ecancermedicalscience. 2021;15:1227.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brisson M, Kim JJ, Canfell K, et al. Impact of HPV vaccination and cervical screening on cervical cancer elimination: a comparative modelling analysis in 78 low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Lancet. 2020;395(10224):575–590.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ginsburg O, Basu P, Kapambwe S, et al. Eliminating cervical cancer in the COVID-19 era. Nat Cancer. 2021;2(2):133–134.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar