Radiation Oncology Opinions and Practice on Cardiotoxicity in Lung Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study by the International Cardio-oncology Society.

AIMS

Symptomatic radiation cardiotoxicity affects up to 30% patients with lung cancer and several heart substructure doses are associated with reduced overall survival. A greater focus on minimising cardiotoxicity is now possible due to advancements in radiotherapy technology and the new discipline of cardio-oncology, but uptake of emerging data has not been ascertained. A global cross-sectional analysis of Radiation Oncologists who treat lung cancer was therefore conducted by the International Cardio-Oncology Society in order to establish the impact of recently published literature and guidelines on practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A bespoke questionnaire was designed following an extensive review of the literature and from recurring relevant themes presented at Radiation Oncology and Cardio-Oncology research meetings. Six question domains were retained following consensus discussions among the investigators, comprising 55 multiple choice stems: guidelines, cardiovascular assessment, cardiology investigations, radiotherapy planning strategies, primary prevention prescribing and local cardio-oncology service access. An invitation was sent to all Radiation Oncologists registered with ICOS and to Radiation Oncology colleagues of the investigators.

RESULTS

In total 118 participants were recruited and 92% were consultant physicians. The ICOS 2021 expert consensus statement was rated as the most useful position paper, followed by the joint ESC-ESTRO 2022 guideline. The majority (80%) of participants indicated that a detailed cardiovascular history was advisable. Although 69% of respondents deemed the availability of cardiac substructure auto-segmentation to be very/quite important, it was implemented by only a few, with the most common being the left anterior descending coronary artery V15. A distinct cardio-oncology service was available to 39% participants, while the remainder utilised general cardiology services.

CONCLUSION

The uptake of recent guidelines on cardiovascular optimisation is good, but access to cardiology investigations and consultations, and auto-segmentation, represent barriers to modifying radiotherapy practices in lung cancer to reduce the risk of radiation cardiotoxicity.