Biomaterial Database

Implementation of radiation therapist cylinder insertion for vaginal vault brachytherapy. 2019

Dean B Paterson, and Shelley M Pearson, and Carol A Johnson

Radiation Treatment Department, Blood and Cancer Centre, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.

Vaginal vault brachytherapy is a common treatment for endometrial cancer. Historically, applicator insertion has been the domain of a radiation oncologist (RO). This commentary outlines a project to improve efficiency and workforce utilisation by introducing a competency framework and training module allowing entitled radiation therapists to perform single-channel cylinder applicator insertions and treatment delivery under RO supervision for fraction one and without supervision for subsequent fractions. The rationale, relevant regulations, implementation process and barriers are explored.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001918	Brachytherapy	A collective term for interstitial, intracavity, and surface radiotherapy. It uses small sealed or partly-sealed sources that may be placed on or near the body surface or within a natural body cavity or implanted directly into the tissues.	Curietherapy,Implant Radiotherapy,Plaque Therapy, Radioisotope,Radioisotope Brachytherapy,Radiotherapy, Interstitial,Radiotherapy, Intracavity,Radiotherapy, Surface,Brachytherapy, Radioisotope,Interstitial Radiotherapy,Intracavity Radiotherapy,Radioisotope Plaque Therapy,Radiotherapy, Implant,Surface Radiotherapy,Therapy, Radioisotope Plaque
D002983	Clinical Competence	The capability to perform acceptably those duties directly related to patient care.	Clinical Skills,Competence, Clinical,Clinical Competency,Clinical Skill,Competency, Clinical,Skill, Clinical,Skills, Clinical,Clinical Competencies,Competencies, Clinical
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014621	Vagina	The genital canal in the female, extending from the UTERUS to the VULVA. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Vaginas
D016889	Endometrial Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of ENDOMETRIUM, the mucous lining of the UTERUS. These neoplasms can be benign or malignant. Their classification and grading are based on the various cell types and the percent of undifferentiated cells.	Cancer of Endometrium,Endometrial Cancer,Endometrial Carcinoma,Cancer of the Endometrium,Carcinoma of Endometrium,Endometrium Cancer,Neoplasms, Endometrial,Cancer, Endometrial,Cancer, Endometrium,Cancers, Endometrial,Cancers, Endometrium,Carcinoma, Endometrial,Carcinomas, Endometrial,Endometrial Cancers,Endometrial Carcinomas,Endometrial Neoplasm,Endometrium Cancers,Endometrium Carcinoma,Endometrium Carcinomas,Neoplasm, Endometrial