1.A case study of the Philippines’ COVID-19 after action review
Elliot Brennan ; Charade B Mercado-Grande ; Rowena Capistrano ; Yui Sekitani ; Kathleen Ryan ; Landry Ndriko Mayigane
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2024;15(3):01-04
This Brief Report recounts the process undertaken to conduct the COVID-19 AAR in the Philippines and the subsequent Pandemic Preparedness, Response and Resilience Plan writing workshop that took place in June and July 2023, respectively. It suggests that other countries may find similar benefits in employing the methodology to reflect on their COVID-19 responses and devise strategies to institutionalize best practices and identify critical areas for improvement in order to be better prepared for future pandemics or health emergencies.
2.A dosimetric analysis of incidental radiation to the internal mammary nodes with a three-field chest wall technique.
Ryan Anthony F. AGAS ; Lester Bryan A. CO ; Maureen R. BOJADOR ; Mario B. SARMIENTO ; Luisa E. JACOMINA ; Kathleen H. BALDIVIA
Journal of Medicine University of Santo Tomas 2021;5(2):774-782
Objectives: The authors' aim was to conduct a dosimetric analysis of the incidental radiation dose to the internal mammary node (IMN) region using a three-field chest wall technique (TFCWT).
Methods: This retrospective study utilized 3D-conformal radiotherapy plans of 50 postmastectomy patients (25 left-sided and 25 rightsided). All plans used the TFCWT, composed of narrowed tangents matched medially to an AP electron field, and prescribed a total dose of 50 Gy in 28 fractions. The IMNs were not intentionally treated in all included plans.
Results: The mean dose to the IMN-planning target volume (IMN-PTV) was 45.1 Gy (26.4 - 55.6, SD 6.5). Minimum doses received by 95% and 90% of the IMN-PTV were 29.3 Gy (8 - 49, SD 10.0) and 34.0 Gy (10.0 - 52.0, SD 8.6), respectively. The percent volume of IMN-PTV receiving 100%, 95%, 90%, and 80% were 47.4% (3 - 94, SD 21.6), 55.6% (6 - 97, SD 22.4), 61.92% (7 - 98, SD 22.2), and 72.61% (18-100, SD 20.2), respectively. The average ipsilateral lung V20 Gy (with supraclavicular fields) was 25.0% (16 - 29, SD 3.4), and the average heart mean dose was 2.5 Gy (0.5 - 7.9, SD 1.58).
Conclusion: Although the results suggest increased IMN radiation doses with the TFCWT when compared historically to standard tangents, the incidental doses are comparatively less than that traditionally prescribed to the IMNs in high-risk patients. It is unknown whether this incidental IMN dose confers any clinical benefit.
Breast Neoplasms