Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques for Mediastinal Lymphomas: Results from an Italian Survey

Abstract

Background: Multiple methods have been implemented to limit the impact of radiotherapy on patients affected by mediastinal lymphoma, including breathing control techniques, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), although the actual diffusion of such techniques is unclear. No surveys have been published to date evaluating the techniques adopted at different centers. Methods: A survey with a dedicated questionnaire was submitted to 195 Italian radiotherapy centers, assessing items regarding the characteristics of the center and clinical practice in the treatment of mediastinal lymphomas. Results: A total of 43 centers (22%) responded, the majority of which were university hospitals (37.2%) or cancer care centers (27.9%). In 95.4% of the centers, IMRT was used in the clinical practice, and the most frequently employed techniques were VMAT (48.8% of centers) and non-rotational IMRT (31.7%). Comparison of multiple plans was performed by 66.7% of the responding centers. Dose constraints for organs at risk were consistently prescribed. IGRT techniques were adopted by 93% of the centers, while breathing control or gating techniques were routinely used by only 25.6% of the centers. A necessity to standardize OAR constraints and define guidelines was perceived by almost all participants. Conclusions: Modern radiotherapy techniques are widely used in the Italian centers, although with heterogeneous characteristics.