Session Item

Monday
May 09
08:00 - 08:40
Auditorium 15
Leadership is a journey, not a position
Steven Petit, The Netherlands
3070
Teaching lecture
Young
15:05 - 15:30
Brachytherapy toxicity: diagnosis, therapies and preventive strategies
SP-0036

Abstract

Brachytherapy toxicity: diagnosis, therapies and preventive strategies
Authors:

Maria Antonietta Blasi1, Luca Tagliaferri2, Maria Grazia Sammarco3, Andrea Scupola3, Monica Maria Pagliara3

1Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Sezione di Oftalmologia, Rome, Italy; 2Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Sezione di Radioterapia Oncologica, Rome, Italy; 3Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Sezione di Oftalmologia, Rome, Italy

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Abstract Text
Purpose: to illustrate diagnostic methods, therapies and preventive strategies for radiation-induced side effects, after brachytherapy. The benefits of saving the eye with brachytherapy may be reduced by visual function impairment, secondary to radiation-induced toxicity. Radiation retinopathy and maculopathy appear to be the most common complications, and remain devastating causes of visual morbidity. Methods: radiation injury to the posterior segment involves microangiopathy of the small retinal vessels secondary to endothelial cell loss and capillary closure. This vascular injury leads to predictable cascade of events that ultimately leads to macular edema (radiation maculopathy, and macular edema involving the fovea is a major source of visual morbidity in patients with radiation retinopathy), optic neuropathy, and neovascularization. Diagnostic tools for early detection and for monitoring treatment are used in the treated patients. Results: several effective therapy approaches for the prevention and treatment of this diseases are available and will be discuss. Treatments have been directed towards reduction of macular edema and neovascular events. Laser therapy had varying efficacies, but newer treatments with anti-VEGF therapies and steroid-based therapies may have remarkable results on retinal thickness and visual acuity. Conclusion: radiation-induced maculopathy predictive model could be a useful tool in order to identify the patients that could take more advantage from preventive strategies. 1.) U.O.C. Oncologia Oculare, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; 2.) Sezione di Oftalmologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy 3.) U.O.C. Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy;