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Advanced radiation therapies for meningioma

Maclean, JD; (2016) Advanced radiation therapies for meningioma. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London). Green open access

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Abstract

Radiotherapy has been used to treat meningiomas for decades, both in the primary setting when resection is not possible and as an adjunct to surgery in recurrent/ high grade disease. Newer radiotherapy planning and delivery techniques aim to optimise tumour control and minimise long-term toxicities. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the feasibility and potential for the use of advanced radiation planning and delivery techniques to treat meningiomas. In a prospective observational study of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in fifty patients I demonstrated that IMRT is feasible and provided excellent dosimetric parameters. Medium term meningioma control rates were >90% in benign disease. Objective measures of toxicity were low. Visual symptoms improved in 38.5% of patients. In a pilot study of ten patients I showed that simultaneous 68Ga DOTATATE PET/MRI can be utilised in meningioma radiotherapy planning. Baseline levels of interobserver variability in target volume definition between three Observers using CT/MRI alone were very high (mean target volume conformity levels of 0.31-0.34). Levels of agreement improved only 4-5% with the addition of PET and there was negligible difference in contouring between standard PET(CT) and simultaneous PET(MRI). In a planning study of ten meningiomas I did not find a notable advantage for proton therapy (non-intensity modulated) over IMRT. The high quality of the IMRT plans left little room for improvement and range uncertainty restricted exploitation of proton dose deposition characteristics. In my review of the first six patients treated with the radionuclide 177Lutetium DOTATATE for advanced progressive meningioma, tumour growth rates were found to slow, but there was generally disease progression during treatment. In conclusion, advanced radiation techniques for meningioma treatment are feasible and can confer clinical benefit. However, advances in technology do not necessarily translate into therapeutic gains. Careful prospective evaluation is required to ensure their optimal use.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Title: Advanced radiation therapies for meningioma
Event: UCL (University College London)
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Cancer Institute
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1507967
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