TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2024 , Vol 39 , Num 1
A National Survey on the Current Status of Radiotherapy in Extensive Stage Small-cell Lung Cancer: Turkish Society of Radiation Oncology Thoracic Oncology Group Study
Esra KORKMAZ KIRAKLI1,Sevilay ERDEM1,Deniz YALMAN2,Mert SAYNAK3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Dr. Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Surgery Research and Training Hospital, Izmir-Türkiye
2Department of Radiation Oncology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir-Türkiye
3Department of Radiation Oncology, Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Edirne-Türkiye
DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2023.3877 OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the current status and use of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) and prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients who responded to chemotherapy (ChT) through a nationwide survey.

METHODS
An electronic survey was created. We invited all the Turkish Society of Radiation Oncology-registered radiation oncologists (ROs).

RESULTS
A total of 101 ROs participated. TRT was routinely recommended to patients who responded to ChT by 76% of ROs. The highest agreement for TRT indication (%94) was in the case of symptomatic residual disease. The most commonly used fractionation scheme was 30 Gy in 10 fractions. There was an increase in the use of 30 Gy in 10 fractions after the publication of the CREST trial. The implementation criteria for TRT were site and number of metastases for 65% and 42% of respondents, respectively. PCI was recommended by 89% routinely. The most commonly (93%) used fractionation scheme was 25 Gy in 10 fractions.

CONCLUSION
This survey highlights the absence of consensus on the eligibility criteria and dosage of TRT in ES-SCLC within the Turkish RO community. The highest agreement for the TRT indication was in patients with symptomatic intrathoracic residual disease. The CREST trial impacted TRT indications and fractionation. There was high consistency in practice in terms of PCI indication, dose, and fractionation. Keywords : Extensive stage small-cell lung cancer; radiotherapy; survey