4th Year Radiotherapy

Question 1

4R’s

Answer 1

repair
repopulation
re-assortment
re-oxygenation

Question 2

early side effects

Answer 2

tiredness
skin reaction (erythema/desquamation)
mucositis (dental check before therapy)
N&V
diarrhoea
dysphagia
cystitis

Question 3

late side effects

Answer 3

spinal cord myelopathy
brachial plexopathy
pneumonitis
benign strictures
fistulae
erectile dysfunction
panhypopituitarism
secondary cancers
skin fibrosis
infertility

Question 4

methods of delivery

Answer 4

external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)
stereotactic radiotherapy
brachytherapy
radioisotope therapy

Question 5

what does brachytherapy procedure need?

Answer 5

GA

invasive

Question 6

what is radioisotope therapy?

Answer 6

tumour-seeking radionuclides to target specific tissues

Question 7

what is the unit used to prescribe radiotherapy?

Answer 7

grays

Question 8

how many grays is a joule?

Answer 8

1Gy = 1joule/kg

Question 9

how many joules are deposited per kg?

Answer 9

1

Question 10

what is hypofractionation?

Answer 10

> 2Gy per fraction

Question 11

what is hyperfractionation?

Answer 11

<1.8Gy per fraction

Question 12

standard radiotherapy dosing

Answer 12

18Gy x 3 fractions

Question 13

conservative radiotherapy dosing

Answer 13

12Gy x 5 fractions or 11Gy x 5 fractions

Question 14

very conservative radiotherapy dosing

Answer 14

5-6Gy x 8-10 fractions

Question 15

how to assess a patient’s level of fitness?

Answer 15

performance status

Question 16

performance status 0-1

Answer 16

fit for radical treatment

Question 17

performance status 0-2

Answer 17

fit for chemotherapy (palliative or radical)

Question 18

scoring system used for performance status

Answer 18

ECOG/ WHO PS

Question 19

score of 0

Answer 19

fully active

no restrictions on activities

Question 20

score of 1

Answer 20

unable to do strenuous activities but able to carry out light housework and sedentary activities

Question 21

score of 2

Answer 21

able to walk and manage self-care, but unable to work

out of bed >50% waking hours

Question 22

score of 3

Answer 22

confined to bed or chair >50% waking hours

capable of limited self-cares

Question 23

score of 4

Answer 23

completely disabled
totally confined to bed or chair
unable to do any self care

Question 24

score of 5

Answer 24

death

Question 25

other performance status scales

Answer 25

Karnofsky scale

zubrod scale