S2682
RTT - Patient experience and quality of life
ESTRO 2026
Radical radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) is a demanding and challenging experience for patients1, 2. Preliminary data from HNC patients (n=11) trialling a demonstrator version of an upright radiotherapy system showed that 91% would have preferred an upright position. This study sought to examine HNC patients perspectives of conventional (supine) radiotherapy and how upright radiotherapy may enhance their experience. Material/Methods: Following Ethics Committee approval, three online focus groups were conducted with UK volunteers who had received radical radiotherapy for HNC (n=13). Two members of the research team facilitated discussion on experiences of supine radiotherapy (including pre- treatment preparation, mask fitting and treatment experience) and perspectives of being treated in an upright position (following videos demonstrating upright radiotherapy concepts). Each focus group lasted between 1.5 and 2 hours. Discussions were digitally recorded and transcribed. After initial thematic analysis3 a further survey was distributed to other HNC patients who had received radiotherapy for HNC (n=13)4 to validate findings. Results: Five key themes relating to experience of supine radiotherapy emerged:Pinned and powerless. Participants described being clamped down provoking anxiety/panic. Many depicted the procedure as “torture” with loss of agency and distress related to immobilisation, creating a sense of situational powerlessness.Airway and swallowing matters. Participants linked lying flat and tight masks with swallowing/breathing difficulty and fear of choking.Knowing what to expect. Most participants felt unprepared for the demanding experience of HNC radiotherapy and that more robust preparation was required.Precision anxiety. Difficulty lying flat/tolerating full immobilisation led to a fear that distress could compromise stillness and thus precision.Compassion counts. Experience was directly related to personalised, empathetic communication with a focus on their voice being heard.Overwhelmingly participants were positive about the potential for being treated in an upright position. They described how this would lessen swallowing/breathing difficulties, be more comfortable, and facilitate interaction with radiographers. Open mask and/or alternatives to fully enclosed masks were universally recognised as important.
. Review and recording of vaginal toxicity using a recognised toxicity score and the management of stenosis and established referral pathways were also lacking. A validated questionnaire was used in 10% to assess sexual morbidity and function after
radiotherapy. Conclusion:
The advice on the long-term use of vaginal dilators varies widely across UK radiotherapy departments. Although international guidelines establish standards for vaginal dilation practice ¹ , critical gaps persist in three key areas: patient education, clinical support, and standardised protocols for frequency and duration following pelvic radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer. Addressing these deficiencies requires significant investment and support to ensure standardisation in practice. References: 1. Miles, T. (Chair) et al. (2012) International Guidelines on Vaginal Dilation after Pelvic Radiotherapy. International Clinical Guideline Group. Oxford: Owen Mumford Ltd2. Suvaal, I., Hummel, SB., Mens, JW.M.et al. A sexual rehabilitation intervention for women with gynaecological cancer receiving radiotherapy (SPARC study): design of a multicentre randomized controlled trial. Keywords: Dilator, Gynae, Guidelines Head and neck cancer patients’ experience of radiotherapy. Can upright radiotherapy provide a solution? Robert M Appleyard 1 , Tracy Underwood 2 , Gordon Sands 2 , Davide Redaelli 2 , Catherine Holborn 1 1 College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom. 2 Research Department, Leo Cancer Care, Crawley, United Kingdom Proffered Paper 4285
Purpose/Objective:
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