What guides regional nodal irradiation in node positive breast cancer following upfront sentinel lymph node biopsy?

Background: This study aimed to evaluate decision-making patterns among international experts regarding breast cancer regional node irradiation (RNI), using an objective, consensus-driven approach.

Methods: Twenty-one international radiation oncology experts were invited to participate in a consensus-based evaluation of RNI recommendations. Participants provided responses to clinical scenarios involving early-stage breast (cN0) cancer with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNLB)-positive findings (pN1a) without completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

Implementing Remote Radiotherapy Planning to Increase Patient Flow at a Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Africa: Protocol for a Prospective Feasibility Study.

Background: Access to timely radiotherapy in resource-constrained environments, particularly low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), is hampered by infrastructure constraints, workforce shortages, and a rising cancer burden. Remote radiotherapy planning (treatment planning as a service [TPaaS]) has the potential to enhance workflow efficiency, reduce wait times, and expand access to treatment. However, its integration and feasibility in LMIC public health systems remain underexplored.

Establishing Requirements for Breast Centers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A South African Perspective.

Purpose: In South Africa, breast care lacks governance and standardization, necessitating urgent improvements in patient outcomes. Quality improvement initiatives are urgently needed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but requirements for breast centers in lower resource settings remain undefined and must be tailored to local environments. This consensus document outlines the role and requirements of breast centers in LMICs and presents a step-by-step implementation plan.

Synthesizing Efficiency Tools in Radiotherapy to Increase Patient Flow: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

The promise of novel technologies to increase access to radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is crucial, given that the cost of equipping new radiotherapy centres or upgrading existing machinery remains a major obstacle to expanding access to cancer treatment. The study aims to provide a thorough analysis overview of how technological advancement may revolutionize radiotherapy (RT) to improve level of care provided to cancer patients. A comprehensive literature review following some steps of systematic review (SLR) was performed using the Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, and Scopus databases.

Bladder cancer: a retrospective audit at a single radiation oncology unit of an academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background: Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common urological cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Bladder cancer is associated with a range of risk factors, with smoking being one of the most significant contributors. In addition to smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, particularly aromatic amines found in industries such as dye, rubber, leather, and textiles, also increases the risk of bladder cancer.