Innovative radiation treatment in cancer: IGRT/IMRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy /IntensityModulated Radiation Therapy)
Ballini L, Cipriani F, Guidi G, Giovannini T, Minozzi S, Negro A, Pertile P, Pirini G, Stivanello E, Trisolini R
Record ID 32014001376
English
Authors' objectives:
The main objectives of this report were:
- evaluate potential clinical benefits of Image Guided Radiotherapy with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy;
- identify in which clinical indications this technology appears to be particularly promising;
- map a future programme of evaluation suitable to provide robust clinical results.
Authors' recommendations:
Image Guided Radiotherapy represents a real breakthrough in radiation treatment for its capacity to delineate the tumour contours, correct for patient positioning and delivery of irradiation beam before and during treatment. The tangible potential benefits of modern IGRT/IMRT are therefore;
- greater precision in irradiating tumour sites with consequential reduction in unwanted irradiation of neighbouring healthy tissues;
- lower incidence of side-effects associated with traditional radiation therapy;
- possibility to use higher dosage with presumed higher efficacy;
- extension of therapeutic use to a larger number of tumours, even as an alternative to surgery.
Despite this convincing theoretical rationale, robust research evidence in support of its promising clinical benefits is still lacking. For the use of IGRT/IMRT in the 5 tumours selected by the panel - lung, head & neck, prostate, brain and pancreatic cancer – there is sufficient evidence on technical performance, some but not yet conclusive information on safety, very scarce information on clinical effectiveness and none on cost effectiveness. Research gaps and research needs to reduce uncertainty on clinical effectiveness of IGRT/IMRT have been identified and the structured process for the prioritisation of research topics, undertaken by the panel, produced a list of research questions, ranked according to priority.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2010
URL for published report:
http://assr.regione.emilia-romagna.it/it/servizi/pubblicazioni/dossier/doss199
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Italy
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Radiation
- Neoplasms
- Radiotherapy, Image-Guided
- Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
Contact
Organisation Name:
Agenzia Sanitaria e Sociale Regionale (Regional Agency for Health and Social Care)
Contact Address:
Viale Aldo Moro 21, 40127 Bologna, Italia tel. +39 051 5277177 fax +39 051 5277049
Contact Name:
Ballini_Lu@regione.emilia-romagna.it
Contact Email:
Ballini_Lu@regione.emilia-romagna.it
Copyright:
Agenzia sanitaria e sociale regionale, Regione Emilia-Romagna
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.