Does quality of radiation therapy predict outcomes of multicenter cooperative group trials? A literature review.

ABSTRACT: Central review of radiation therapy (RT) delivery within multicenter clinical trials was initiated in the early 1970s in the United States. Early quality assurance publications often focused on metrics related to process, logistics, and timing. Our objective was to review the available evidence supporting correlation of RT quality with clinical outcomes within cooperative group trials. A MEDLINE search was performed to identify multicenter studies that described central subjective assessment of RT protocol compliance (quality). Data abstracted included method of central review, definition of deviations, and clinical outcomes. Seventeen multicenter studies (1980-2012) were identified, plus one Patterns of Care Study. Disease sites were hematologic, head and neck, lung, breast, and pancreas.

SUBMITTER: Fairchild A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3749289 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature