Can brachytherapy be properly considered in the clinical practice? Trilogy project: The vision of the AIRO (Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology) Interventional Radiotherapy study group

Abstract

Purpose: Brachytherapy (BT, interventional radiotherapy - IRT) is a kind of radiation therapy, in which the radioactive source is placed nearby or even inside the cancer itself. Even though this kind of radiation therapy appears effective and valuable, BT has been facing a slow but progressive decline over the past decades in Europe, particularly in Italy. Aims of this study were to identify the practical and theoretical reasons why BT is facing a slow decline in Italy, and to define a vision of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) and a strategy about this emerged issues.

Material and methods: A programmatic path divided into three steps like a trilogy was launched by AIRO Interventional Radiotherapy study group. The study group performed an initial data collection to highlight both the clinical and the educational topics and problems through specific surveys. After having analyzed the results of the surveys and shared a vision about the emerged issues, a specific strategy was adopted.

Results: Four relevant domains were identified and for each ones, a strategy has been discussed and defined. This manuscript shows in detail the individual actions defined (accomplished or in progress).

Conclusions: The AIRO vision implies that specific strategic interventions must be carried out in the field of national guidelines, education, research, and communication with patients and colleagues of other specialties in an interdisciplinary setting.

Keywords: brachytherapy; interventional radiotherapy.

Fig. 1

Trilogy strategy of the AIRO Interventional Radiotherapy study group

Fig. 2

Reasons for not using available brachytherapy equipment. Modified from reference [6]