Title
Overview of brachytherapy resources in Latin America: A patterns-of-care survey
Date Issued
01 September 2011
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Guedea F.
Ventura M.
Londres B.
Poitevin A.
Ospino R.
Cordova A.
Camacho R.
Britton R.
Sempere P.
Delgado R.L.
Bulnes R.
Ventura N.C.
Limbergen E.V.
Haie-Meder C.
Kovacs G.
Publisher(s)
Elsevier Inc
Abstract
Purpose: Relatively little is known about available resources and patterns of practice for brachytherapy (BT) in Latin America. To rectify this situation, we performed a patterns-of-care survey whose aim was to assess the human and material resources available for BT in Latin America and document current clinical practices. Methods and Materials: A total of 392 radiotherapy (RT) centers located in 17 Latin American countries were asked to complete an online survey that included detailed questions about BT practices, facilities, and staffing. The study was coordinated through central offices located in Spain and Peru. National coordinators were appointed to manage the survey in each individual country. Results: Overall, 77 of the 392 institutions (20%) completed the questionnaire. Of the 14 countries with at least one response, the participation rate was 35% (77 of 223 RT centers). The average number of patients (RT. +. BT) per center was 917. The mean number of BT patients per center increased by 46% (from 105 to 153 patients) from 2002 to 2007. Gynecologic localizations (endometrium, cervix, and vagina) accounted for 95% of treatments, and the uterine cervix was the most common tumor site (75% of all treatments). Conclusions: In Latin America, BT is most commonly used to treat gynecologic tumors, particularly of the cervix. Relatively few interventions were performed for breast and prostate. This was the first study of its kind in this region and should be repeated periodically. © 2011 American Brachytherapy Society.
Start page
363
End page
368
Volume
10
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Oncología
Radiología, Medicina nuclear, Imágenes médicas
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-80052323855
PubMed ID
Source
Brachytherapy
ISSN of the container
1538-4721
Sponsor(s)
Funding/disclaimer: This study was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS: PI070889 , 2007–2010). Additional funding was received from unrestricted educational grants from Oncura , Varian , and Nucletron . Logistical and organizational support was provided by the Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie-European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (GEC-ESTRO) .
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus