Strengthening Clinical Application of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy (RCA)
Project title
Strengthening Clinical Application of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy (RCA)
Lead Country Coordinator
Dr. Wonil Jang (ROK)
Director, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital,
Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences(KIRAMS),
Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
Implementation period: 2022~2025
Objectives
To enhance cancer treatment in the RCA region through the application of hypofractionated radiotherapy.
REPORT OF THE LEAD COUNTRY COORDINATOR
Project Description/Abstract
This proposal addresses C.2.2 Priorities in Human Health of the Medium
Term Strategy (MTS) for 2018–2023 under the Regional Cooperative Agreement for
Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology
for Asia and the Pacific (RCA), which is to (1) strengthen cancer management
programs in Member States (MSs), including training of radiation oncologists,
medical physicists, and technologists; and (2) simplify and harmonize protocols
on diagnostic imaging and for treatment/palliation planning and radiotherapy
treatment. Non-communicable diseases, including cancer, are the main factors of
life shortening, and cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Asia
accounts for nearly half of the new cancer cases and more than half of cancer
deaths globally. However, there is a lack of infrastructure and human resources
in the region. This project aims to strengthen the application of
hypofractionated radiotherapy in the RCA region through a comprehensive
approach, including the clinical aspect and the medical physics aspect of the
whole treatment process. Hypofractionated radiotherapy is radiation treatment
in which the total dose of radiation is divided into large doses, and
treatments are given over a shorter period of time than conventional
radiotherapy. Therefore, it focuses on the efficient use of radiotherapy
resources (equipment and staff) and improved quality of life for patients by
reducing the overall treatment period. Hypofractionated radiotherapy can be
applied to currently used radiotherapy technologies such as three-dimensional
conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT),
and image guided radiotherapy (IGRT), which have been enhanced through past RCA
projects, and almost all types of cancer.
Participating countries and its main outcomes
Participating Countries:
21 Countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao P.D.R, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam)
Outcomes:
Comprehensive adaptation of hypofractionated radiotherapy from physics to clinic strengthened for efficient cancer treatment
1. Number of centers offering hypofractionated radiotherapy by 4Q 2025: 1,500 centers
2. Number of centres offering new hypofractionated radiotherapy programs by 4Q 2025: 300 centers
3. Number/percentage of medical staff to adopt hypofractionated radiotherapy by 4Q 2025: 12,000 staffs
4. Number/percentage of providing hypofractionated radiotherapy with proper QA/QC program by 4Q 2025: 400 centers
