Evaluation of Toxicities in Patients Treated With Palliative Radiotherapy at Policlinico Sant Orsola of Bologna.

Malignant neoplasms are frequent in the general population, particularly in countries with a high development index. In Europe, the incidence of malignant tumours in 2018 was almost 570 cases/100,000 inhabitants, while mortality in the same year was over 260 cases/100,000 inhabitants. In Italy, more than 175,000 new cancers were diagnosed in 2018, while the prevalence of malignant neoplasms in our country is 1990 cases/100,000 inhabitants. The therapy of neoplastic pathology is in most cases multimodal, and the various treatments can be adjuvant or neoadjuvant depending on the neoplasm treated and the strategy adopted from time to time. In addition, radiotherapy can play a key role in advanced disease, either with curative intent or with palliative intent on symptoms. Radiotherapy is one of the most effective means of providing palliation of cancer symptoms. The location of the symptom is essential to define a correct treatment plan, as the therapeutic approach will be different if the symptom is caused by the locally advanced primary tumour or by metastases. The symptoms most commonly relieved with palliative radiotherapy are pain, bleeding and obstruction.

Bone metastases are the most frequent cause of cancer-related pain and over 70% of patients with bone metastases are symptomatic. One of the most important goals in the treatment of bone metastases is to alleviate suffering and maintain an ability to manage daily activities. Radiotherapy plays a key role in improving the quality of life of these patients. Dosages, fractionations and techniques vary depending on the type of neoplasm treated, fractionations and techniques vary depending on the type of neoplasm treated, its location and the type of symptom to be palliated, as do the possible acute and late toxicities in relation to the characteristics of the treatment and, of course, the anatomical region irradiated. Systematic collection of data on palliative radiation treatment in different malignancies may make it possible to assess outcomes in relation to dosages, fractionation and techniques adopted in combination with other therapies, with the characteristics of the disease (bioprofile, histotype, stage, etc.) and of the patient (age, gender, comorbidities, etc...) The aim of the study is to evaluate the outcome in palliative patients, particularly in terms of symptom resolution or alleviation, after radiation treatment of the different tumours analysed, in relation to treatment setting, dosages and techniques used both for new neoplasm diagnoses and for cases already diagnosed and treated at the Radiatherapy Department of Sant Orsola Hospital.

The study is observational, retrospective and prospective, single-centre, spontaneous.

The structured collection of data necessary for the evaluation of the objectives will cover the period of observation period from 01/01/2000 to 31/12/2027.

Inclusion criteria

• adult patients of either sex with a new or previous diagnosis of malignant neoplasm since 1st January 2000
• patients treated with paliative radiotherapy
• obtaining of informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• adult patients of either sex with a new or previous diagnosis of malignant neoplasm who choose not to undergo radiotherapy treatment
• patients enrolled in other studies
• pregnant or breastfeeding women