Radiation therapy is recognised throughout the world as an essential modality in the treatment of many malignant diseases. A quality treatment process requires highly competent health care professionals and high-technology equipment. In the majority of countries in Africa there is a desperate need for equipment and skilled therapists and in many countries there is no access to radiation therapy to relieve the suffering of cancer patients. As a region, Africa can therefore be considered as ‘under resourced’ in terms of radiation oncology services. In this context both service and research are challenged by a lack of equipment, poor maintenance, inadequate funding, inconsistent consumable supplies, a scarcity of competent professionals to ensure optimal use of what is available and excessive workload. Africa therefore has many examples of the situation, where low-income countries generally have a poor research infrastructure. Radiation therapist (RTT) research in Africa has to develop where the barriers to research can in most instances be traced back to a lack of resources and any initiatives to overcome these barriers are frequently blocked by the limitations of a resource-poor environment. To locate the discussion on the research environment of RTTs in Africa, barriers to and benefits of research are integrated with brief information under the following headings: the macro environment, the RTT environment and the RTT research environment. The latter includes insights from interviews and discussions covering the following topics: research now, research priorities, research opportunities and strategies for future research.

Introduction: Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat spinal metastases. The aim of this study was to compare conventional dosimetry (posterior–anterior fields) with an optimized three-dimensional conformal plan (using oblique fields).

Material and Methods: Fifteen patients were selected, and split into three groups of five based on tumour localization: cervical, dorsal and lumbar. Reference planning comprised of two fields: anterior–posterior. The planning target volume (PTV) was covered with 90% of the prescribed doses, minimizing anterior field weight and not exceeding 120%. The alternative consisted of three fields: two oblique posterior fields with wedge and anterior field. The PTV was covered with 95% of the prescription dose, minimizing the anterior field weight with 107% of overdose as a limit. The patient received 8 Gy in one fraction; retreatment with an additional fraction was feasible, safe and effective if persistent or recurrent bone pain was present. Five fractions of 4 Gy were used for cervical cases. To consider the future patients toxicity we evaluated the mean dose, V90 and V70 parameters in each plan.

Results: Dosimetric parameters of organs at risk were not significantly different from one trial to another. The optimized plan followed ICRU criteria, reaching PTV coverage of 95–107% range of the prescription dose. In the conventional plan, high dose had to be accepted to obtain 90% of coverage in the target.

Conclusions: In contrast with the anterior–posterior configuration, oblique fields improve dose conformity and limit high dose all of the body except the spinal cord.

The unsatisfactory outcome of patients who receive intensive multimodality treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has motivated investigators to seek novel treatments to improve survival. Advances in molecular biology has led to the development of cancer gene therapy (CGT) and revived interest in viral vectors as a mechanism. SCCHN is an ideal model for CGT as disease remains locoregional and is amenable to injection of viruses. Adenovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV) are the most studied Oncolytic Viruses (OVs). Both viruses have been shown to select and replicate in tumour cells and demonstrate anti-tumour effect in laboratory studies and clinical trials. Toxicity from OVs is minor and manageable. Different adenoviral mutants have been investigated with mixed responses. One vector, H101, has now been licensed after showing significant tumour regression in conjunction with chemotherapy. HSV has a larger capacity to carry genetic material and with the addition of the granulocyte–macrophage colony–stimulating factor, has the potential to stimulate an immune response systemically and at the site of disease. OVs are limited by the distribution of virus beyond injection site and by pre-existing or rapidly established immune response. Phase III studies are required.

Background and purpose: Radiotherapy is used for the treatment of malignant tumours, and may be used as the primary therapy. It is also common to combine radiotherapy with surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or some combination of them. Even if the tumour is treated intensively, women diagnosed with breast cancer may develop a recurrence. Most recurrences may be in the form of distant metastases, development of multi-drug resistance phenotype or both together. This study demonstrated that some of the multi-drug resistant cancer cells may also become radioresistant.

Materials and Methods: Chemoresistance in paclitaxel (MCF-7/Pac), docetaxel (MCF-7/Doc), vincristine (MCF-7/Vinc), doxorubicin (MCF-7/Dox) and zoledronic acid (MCF-7/Zol) resistant MCF-7 cells were demonstrated by XTT assay. MDR1 gene expression was detected by real-time PCR in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Drug resistant and sensitive cells were exposed to γ-radiation and development of radioresistance was investigated.

Results: Results have indicated that paclitaxel, docetaxel, vincristine, doxorubicin and zoledronic acid–selected cells gained varying degrees of resistance to their selective drugs when compared with original MCF-7/S. MCF-7/Pac, MCF-7/Doc, MCF-7/Vinc and MCF-7/Dox cells have all acquired MDR1 expression. Among the resistant sub-lines, MCF-7/Pac and MCF-7/Doc cells were significantly cross-resistant to irradiation compared to the sensitive cells.

Conclusion: MCF-7/Pac and MCF-7/Doc cell lines were found radioresistant to γ-radiation. On the contrary, doxorubicin, vincristine and zoledronic acid resistant cancer cells were still sensitive to radiation.

This study assesses the influence of new techniques and technologies in radiotherapy on the derivation and applicability of the margins currently used for treatment planning. The validity of the continued use of the recommendations of International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) and other recommendations as a result of the additional information derived from these emerging techniques is also reviewed. The ICRU formulations still remain fundamental in the derivation of target volumes in radiotherapy; however, revisions to these have been recommended through various experimental and modelling techniques leading to the publication of various margin recipes. These recipes are used for margin definitions in new radiotherapy techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The use of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) techniques leads to the reduction in organ motion uncertainties and setup errors, allowing for the adjustment of margins and treatment plans as well as dose escalation. Clinical trials are still needed to validate most of the new techniques in radiotherapy, particularly in IGRT techniques leading to adaptive radiotherapy. It is recommended that well devised clinical trials should be conducted to investigate fully the efficacy of these new techniques, particularly in radiotherapy image guidance and adaptive radiotherapy. Such trials would validate any recommendations regarding the current clinical margins and impact on their continued clinical use.

This patient case-study represents the introduction of radiotherapy in the management of extra-cranial vascular malformations, a topic with virtually no supported literature before our case study. In those patients refractory to established therapies and facing the inevitability of mutilating amputation, radiotherapy may be a viable option to preserve the limb.

This article reflects on the influences on current radiotherapy practice and the key role that Therapeutic Radiographers have in the management of cancer care and the delivery of treatments. In particular the Cancer Reform Strategy is discussed which clearly highlights the many challenges related to cancer. Changes in societal and scientific understanding will demand that the most appropriate and evidence-based care is provided for patients, underscoring the need for evidence through research, to underpin every aspect of daily work if patient outcomes are to continue to improve. In October 2005, the Society and College of Radiographers published: ‘Research and the Radiography Profession—A Strategy and Five Year Plan’. This is an ambitious document, which sets out expectations for the appreciation and use of substantiated research involvement at all levels of practice. Sections of this document and the relevance to radiotherapy practice are discussed. Alongside this, the career progression model for radiography continued to be driven forward with support from the Department of Health. This model describing higher levels of practice for radiographers, at advanced and consultant levels, clearly identified research as a key requirement for the profession. The guidance document in 2006, from the Society and College of Radiographers ‘Positioning Therapeutic Radiographers within Cancer Services: Delivering Patient Centred Care’, further articulated these expert roles, in response to the changing drivers within cancer and across the radiotherapy pathway. In conclusion, research must become a fundamental component of everyday radiotherapy practice as it will verify professional standards of care and sustain the future of the profession. To contribute to the wider cancer agenda it is imperative that all therapeutic radiographers, from practitioner to consultant level, participate in and lead research.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to find out equivalency between two high-dose-rate (HDR) fractionation schemes, relevance to the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements report-38 (ICRU-38) reference volume with respect to point A dose and other ICRU reference points in two-dimensional (2D) planning.

Methods and Materials: Forty-nine patients having carcinoma of cervix of stages II–IIIB treated with external beam radiotherapy plus HDR brachytherapy (BT) were analysed. The external beam radiotherapy dose of 45 Gy/25 fractions delivered in 5 weeks followed by HDR BT delivered either in two fractions with 9.5 Gy per fraction (Group-1) or in three fractions with 7.5 Gy per fraction (Group-2) to point A. ICRU-38 recommendations were followed to determine reference volume with respect to Manchester dose point A, and biologically effective dose (BED) at different points.

Results: BED10 at bladder and rectum reference points were 17.11 ± 12.36 Gy and 13.92 ± 5.71 Gy in Group-1, and 15.69 ± 11.43 Gy and 16.24 ± 5.45 Gy in Group-2, respectively; and BED3 were 33.03 ± 29.67 Gy and 25.01 ± 12.35Gy in Group-1, and 27.00 ± 26.85 Gy and 27.44 ± 11.00 Gy in Group-2, respectively. The HDR BT reference volumes were 233.47 ± 27.30 cm3 and 227.83 ± 32.35 cm3 and corresponding CBED10 at point A with proliferation correction were 76.59 ± 2.31 Gy, and 76.41 ± 2.15 Gy for Group-1 and Group-2, respectively. The CBED10 and CBED3 at point B were 46.38 ± 2.26 Gy and 82.23 ± 0.72 Gy, respectively, for Group-1; and 45.03 ± 2.11 Gy and 82.89 ± 0.44 Gy, respectively, for Group-2.

Conclusion: No significant differences were found in the results of two HDR fractionation schemes. ICRU reference volume with respect to point A dose correlates with tumour control and is a good pre-treatment predictor in 2D planning. Neither ICRU bladder and rectum reference points nor trapezoid points showed correlation with complications. The trapezoid points did not also show any correlation with loco-regional control.

The assessment of mean lethal dose (Do) with organ weight in human organs yields a correlation coefficient of 0.94. Results indicate that as the organ weight increases, the Do decreases.

We present the case of 68-year-old white man who presented with lung cancer in Addisonian crisis due to a pituitary metastasis. He was successfully treated with radiotherapy which reversed his visual field deficits. Pituitary metastasis as the first manifestation of malignancy is rare but, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with endocrine disturbances and visual problems.

Psychosocial support is a cornerstone in the holistic care of cancer patients. The provision of information is a key tool in the psychosocial management of the cancer patient, and it is important that the therapy radiographer is cognizant of the patient's need for information.

This article reviews the importance of information to the psychosocial well-being of cancer patients in general, with specific emphasis on patients with prostate cancer. The information services at a large Canadian cancer facility are also reviewed to gain some insight into how the needs of patients with prostate cancer are addressed at the author's workplace.

Most patients with prostate cancer have an expressed need for considerable amounts of information at various stages of their cancer journey. The provision of information has a range of benefits to the prostate patient such as helping the patient deal with their diagnosis, assisting with the decision-making process and reducing anxiety.

Interpersonal sources of information such as face-to-face communication with the oncologist or radiation therapist are preferred by many patients, including patients with prostate cancer. Other sources that include the internet and written hospital material are also used with varying degrees of effectiveness to deliver information.

The provision of quality information in a timely and effective manner cannot be taken for granted. Access to appropriate information resources can be impeded because of poorly designed information material, inadequate communication, ineffective signposting, resource constraints and lack of knowledge/comprehension on the part of frontline health-care workers dealing with the patient. Radiation therapists are encouraged to be advocates for their patients’ information needs and to be involved in initiatives that will improve the quality, dissemination and efficacy of information.

In the UK, radiotherapy research is being conducted at national and international levels which include multi-centre clinical trials. Local initiatives and trials are also ongoing where work is being performed to develop techniques or protocols for new technologies and service development. Active participation within these studies is now leading to a culture change with radiographers (radiation therapists) becoming an integral part of the research process. There are currently 70 radiographers in the UK participating in research. This accounts for 2.5% of the UK profession. With the extension of role diversification, research radiographers are undertaking many new roles; however, there is still scope for further development. The therapists’ role in working within this research environment is to ensure improved standards of care focussed on evidence-based practice.

Lead cut-outs used to shape fields in kilovoltage radiotherapy can increase the surface dose on the patient. The physical processes leading to increased surface doses are summarised, and an empirical investigation of the efficacy of various coatings in reducing the skin dose generated by secondary electrons released in the lead during irradiation is presented, based on measurements using a thin window parallel plate ionisation chamber in 135 kVp and 225 kVp beams from a Pantak DXT-300 kilovoltage therapy unit. A new flexible coating for lead cut-outs has been formulated and tested. This coating, which is a combination of Copydex and emulsion paint, has been shown to be effective in reducing the skin dose generated by secondary electrons released in the lead during irradiation. The coating is easy to clean, and its inherent elasticity prevents cracking of the coating in clinical use. Its only disadvantage is that rough handling, or contact with sharp objects, can peel the coating at the point of contact.