Patterns of care analysis for salivary gland cancer: a survey within the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) and recommendations for daily practice

von der Grün J, Roedel C, Semrau S, Balermpas P, Martin D, Fietkau R, Haderlein M (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Strahlentherapie und Onkologie Urban & Vogel

DOI: 10.1007/s00066-021-01833-x

Abstract

Background Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is rare and a heterogeneous type of cancer. Prospective randomized trials are lacking. No guideline focusing on standard procedures of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of SGC exists. Therefore, we surveyed the members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) to gain information about current therapeutic strategies of SGC. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was designed and made available on the online platform umfrageonline.com. The corresponding link was sent to all DEGRO members who provided their user data for contact purposes. Alternatively, a PDF printout version was sent. Frequency distributions of responses for each question were calculated. The data were also analyzed by type of institution. Results Sixty-seven responses were received, including answers from 21 university departments, 22 non-university institutions, and 24 radiation oncology practices. Six participants reported that their departments (practice: n = 5, non-university hospital: n = 1) did not treat SGC, and therefore the questionnaire was not completed. Concerning radiation techniques, target volume definition, and concomitant chemotherapy, treatment strategies varied greatly among the participants. Comparing university vs. non-university institutions, university hospitals treat significantly more patients with SGC per year and initiated more molecular pathological diagnostics. Conclusion SGC represents a major challenge for clinicians, as reflected by the inhomogeneous survey results regarding diagnostics, RT approaches, and systemic therapy. Future prospective, multicenter clinical trials are warranted to improve and homogenize treatment of SGC and to individualize treatment according to histologic subtypes and risk factors.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sabine Semrau Medizinische Fakultät Rainer Fietkau Lehrstuhl für Strahlentherapie Marlen Haderlein Department of Radiation Oncology

Involved external institutions

Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main DE Germany (DE) Universitätsspital Zürich (USZ) CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

von der Grün, J., Roedel, C., Semrau, S., Balermpas, P., Martin, D., Fietkau, R., & Haderlein, M. (2021). Patterns of care analysis for salivary gland cancer: a survey within the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) and recommendations for daily practice. Strahlentherapie und Onkologie. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-021-01833-x

MLA:

von der Grün, Jens, et al. "Patterns of care analysis for salivary gland cancer: a survey within the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) and recommendations for daily practice." Strahlentherapie und Onkologie (2021).

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