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Our recently developed prone crawl position (PCP) for radiotherapy of breast cancer patients with lymphatic involvement showed promising preliminary data and it is being optimized for clinical use. An important aspect in this process is making new, position specific delineation guidelines to ensure delineation (for treatment planning) is uniform across different centers. The existing ESTRO and PROCAB guidelines for supine position (SP) were adapted for PCP. Nine volunteers were MRI scanned in both SP and PCP. Lymph node regions were delineated in SP using the existing ESTRO and PROCAB guidelines and were then translated to PCP, based on the observed changes in reference structure position. Nine PCP patient CT scans were used to verify if the new reference structures were consistently identified and easily applicable on different patient CT scans. Based on these data, a team of specialists in anatomy, CT- and MRI radiology and radiation oncology postulated the final guidelines. By taking the ESTRO and PROCAB guidelines for SP into account and by using a relatively big number of datasets, these new PCP specific guidelines incorporate anatomical variability between patients. The guidelines are easily and consistently applicable, even for people with limited previous experience with delineations in PCP.

The severity of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) impacts patients' quality of life, increases the risk of anxiety and depression, lowers functional capacities, and may lead to poor compliance with cancer treatments. The aim of the current study was to assess, in a real-life setting, patient satisfaction with a fentanyl-pectin-nasal-spray (FPNS) for BTcP management in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients treated by radiotherapy. This non-interventional, prospective study was conducted in 92 adult H&N-cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and who started FPNS treatment for BTcP. Throughout the radiotherapy period, the patients completed self-diaries to assess their BTcP episodes, FPNS use, satisfaction on FPNS efficiency (primary outcome), tolerability and ease of use. Prior to FPNS treatment, 86% of the patients were experiencing ≤4 BTcP episodes/day. During the radiotherapy period, the BTcP episodes were treated with a median dose of 100µg of FPNS. Patients were \"satisfied/very-satisfied\" with the efficiency (73% of assessments), ease of use (87% of assessments) and tolerability (87% of assessments) of FPNS. In total, 27% of patients reported at least one adverse event related to FPNS and 4% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. None of the adverse events were serious. Patient quality of life was maintained throughout the radiotherapy period. This study showed, in a real-life setting, that a clear majority of H&N cancer patients treated with FPNS for BTcP throughout radiotherapy expressed satisfaction with this analgesic treatment.

Prostate cancer recurrence in patients previously treated with radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy is challenging. Re-irradiation could be an option, but data regarding efficacy and safety are lacking. We retrospectively evaluated salvage re-irradiation for local recurrence after prostatectomy and external beam radiation therapy. We collected data from 48 patients who underwent salvage reirradiation with stereotactic radiation therapy for local prostate cancer recurrence in the prostatic bed at four French centers. Fifteen patients (31%) were on androgen deprivation therapy during stereotactic radiotherapy. Biochemical response and relapse-free survival were analyzed, and post-treatment toxicities were assessed according to the Common Terminology of Adverse Events criteria. Five patients had grade 3 late bladder toxicity (cystitis), three had grade 3 late incontinence, and one had grade 3 late chronic pain. At three months, 83% of patients had a positive biochemical response. The median follow-up was 22 months. At the end of the follow-up, 21 patients (43%) had a biochemical relapse. The median time to biologic relapse was 27 months. The biochemical relapse rates at 1 and 2 years were 80% and 52%, respectively. In conclusion, salvage re-irradiation for recurrent prostate cancer in the prostate bed may generate significant toxicity rates, and a prospective study with appropriate patient selection is needed to evaluate its effectiveness.

This study’s purpose was to have residents evaluate Radiation Oncology (RO) theoretical teaching practices in France. An anonymous electronically cross-functional survey on theoretical teaching practices in the RO residents was conducted by (i) collecting data from residents in the medical faculties in France, (ii) comparing the data across practices when possible and (iii) suggesting means of improvement. A total of 103 out of 140 RO residents responded to the survey (73.5% response rate). National, inter-university, university and internships courses do not exist in 0% (0), 16.5% (17), 53.4% (55) and 40.8% (42) of residents, respectively. Residents need additional training due to the shortage of specialised postgraduate degree training (49.5% (51)), CV enhancement to obtain a post-internship position (49.5% (51)) or as part of a career plan (47.6% (49)). The topics covered in teaching to be improved were the following: basic concept 61.2% (63), advanced concept 61.2 (63) and discussion of frequent clinical cases 50.5% (52). The topics not covered in teaching to be improved were the following: the development of career (66.0% (68)), medical English (56.3% (58)), the organisation of RO speciality (49.5% (51)) and the hospital management of RO department (38.8% (40)). This is the first national assessment of theoretical teaching of RO residents in France.