Role of Brachytherapy in the post-operative management of endometrial cancer: decision-making analysis among European experts“

Project

Role of Brachytherapy in the post-operative management of endometrial cancer: decision-making analysis among European experts“

Automatically Closed · 2021 until 2021

Glatzer Markus

Type

Clinical Studies

Range

Multicentric, KSSG as main centre

Units

Department of Radiation Oncology

Status

Automatically Closed

Start Date

2021

End Date

2021

Financing

KSSG

Study Design

Decision criteria for the treatment of brachytherapy from experts of radiation oncology departments in Europe will be obtained, and decision trees will be deduced. The experts will be selected by the European Society for Radiatiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO, GEC-ESTRO Brachytherapy Group). Each expert will be asked the following question: "Please describe for which patients with resected endometrial cancer you would recommend brachytherapy? If you use brachytherapy please describe your dose and technique (e.g. prescription depth, image-based or not, dose restrictions for OARs). Please describe any criteria used in your decision-making." No specific clinical scenarios, examples or decision criteria will be proposed in order to avoid influencing responses. Decision parameters will be identified and a list of unified decision criteria will be determined. The final decision trees are analysed with a methodology based on diagnostic nodes, which allows for an automated cross-comparison of decision trees. Data collection (decision trees) of the different centres is carried out by bilateral contact of the coordinator and the participating hospitals. The most common parameters for decision making will be determined, and areas of discordance will be identified. For this project no patient data or preclinical data need to be collected.

Brief description/objective

To better understand decision-making processes for postoperative brachytherapy in endometrial cancer we want to initiate a project using an approach developed in our institution (objective consensus methodology) among European experts for this indication. The aim of the project is to capture the various decision criteria and evaluate consensus and dissent. Radiation oncology experts across Europe will provide input and collaborate on this analysis. A better understanding of the decision-making processes is helpful to identify problems in the implementation of guidelines, and identified decision criteria should be considered in future recommendations. This approach may contribute to a standardization of this poorly standardized indication and may contribute to a reduction of under- and over-treatments. This project will strengthen the cooperation among European experts in the field of gynaecological brachytherapy/radiation-oncology, and will position our center optimally for further projects in this field.