Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025
Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies
Published on: February 6, 2019
Impact of Hypofractionated Radiation Protocols on Reducing Travel Burden and Improving Patient Satisfaction: When
Zaheeda Mulla1, Hiba Taha1, Wsam A Ghandourh2
1Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Purpose:
Despite rising cancer incidence and mortality in Saudi Arabia, access to radiotherapy (RT) services is limited in some regions. This study aimed to examine the travel burdens of RT patients and assess the benefits of hypofractionated RT (HFRT).
Methods:
This multicenter retrospective study included patients with breast cancer (BC) and prostate cancer (PC) treated with HFRT (26 Gy/5 fractions for BC and 60 Gy/20 fractions for PC) between 2020 and 2024. Patient data were collected from electronic records, and an online questionnaire assessed experiences and financial burdens. Google Maps determined the shortest driving distance from patients' residences to our RT center. Descriptive statistics compared accommodation, transportation costs, and time expenditure for shorter versus longer RT courses.
Results:
A survey of 153 out of 187 patients (average age 57 years for BC, 70 years for PC) revealed significant travel burdens. Notably, 43% traveled from outside Jeddah, averaging 415 km, compared with 17.9 km for those within Jeddah. HFRT offered substantial transportation cost-savings, estimated at $101 in US dollars (USD) for patients with BC (an additional $133 (USD) for those outside Jeddah) and $213 (USD) for patients with PC (an additional $320 (USD) for those outside Jeddah). Median accommodation cost-savings were $733 (USD) for BC and $1,600 (USD) for PC. Median time-savings were 9.25 hours for BC and 30 hours for PC. All patients were satisfied with the treatment duration, with 42% preferring the shorter hospital stay and 8% citing financial reasons.
Conclusion:
Patients with cancer in Saudi Arabia travel significant distances for RT. HFRT using shorter RT courses reduces patient-related costs, enhances satisfaction, and may improve access by addressing logistical challenges.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...