Experience of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for radically treatable lung cancer in a District General Hospital

Title: Experience of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for radically treatable lung cancer in a District General Hospital
Author(s): H Kerr, H McCormick, O Ni Griannna, P McShane, M Kelly, C King, R Sharkey, M McCloskey
Institution: Altnagelvin Hospital, Western Health and Social Care Trust
Poster: Click to view poster
Category: Lung Cancer/CF/ILD/Surgery
Abstract: Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) was introduced as a treatment for radically treatable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) in Northern Ireland in 2017. The treatment is given in the regional Cancer centre in Belfast (NICC), 70 miles from this District General Hospital (DGH). The aim of this study was to assess patient outcomes and experience since the service was introduced.
All patients who attended the oncology unit from 2017 to 2019 at this DGH were assessed. The number of patients diagnosed with lung cancer, numbers treated radically with surgical resection and numbers of those treated with SABR were recorded. Demographic profile and outcome of those treated with SABR was recorded and compared with those who had surgical resection. Patient experience was audited by a Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Over the three year period, 115 patients had surgery for potentially curative NSCLC. Fourteen patients underwent SABR in NICC. Mean age for patients who had surgery was 67.1 (range 40-84) Mean age of patients who had SABR was 82 (range 60-86). Outcome over the 3 year period was similar in both groups. Patient tolerance of SABR was good, follow up arrangements post SABR were difficult because patients had to travel large distances for outpatient clinics.
SABR has been well tolerated in this DGH since introduced regionally. Patient tolerance has been good but difficulties remain as regards follow up post treatment.