Feasibility study of fiducial markers in oesophageal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study to assess the benefit of using fiducial markers for patients receiving radiotherapy for cancer of the oesophagus.
IRAS ID
141513
Contact name
V E MacLaren
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Research summary
Currently, patients of suitable fitness with non-metastatic oesophageal cancer are treated with surgery, radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.
If treated with radio or chemoradiotherapy,a CT is performed and is the dataset used for planning radiotherapy. Information from the endoscopic ultrasound(EUS), performed during routine staging, is used to help localise the tumour, as tumours of the oesophagus are poorly visualised on CT. This information is subjective and dependant on the clinician performing the procedure. The tumour is described in relation to common anatomical landmarks.
Interpretion of this information can lead to overcompensation when attempting to cover the tumour with a radiation field, to avoid a "miss".
It is thought that using fiducial markers called Visicoils placed in or adjacent to the tumour's top and bottom extent at the time of EUS, will lead to better definition of the tumour in the planning process and hence, improvement in local tumour control, and reduction in radiotherapy dose to normal tissue.
These markers have been shown to be safe and stable over a period of time in a previous study.(Fernandez D, et al.) Stability of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fiducial marker placement for oesophageal cancer target delineation and image guided radiation therapy. (Pract Rad Oncol. 2013;3:32-39)REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
14/WS/1087
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion