Dissertation
Feasibility of targeted radiotherapy dose escalation in neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00935
Abstract
Treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is progressing to one of watchful waiting in patients with complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in order to avoid the significant long-term quality of life impacts following surgery with colostomy formation. Dose escalated radiotherapy may improve locoregional disease control, including rates of pathological and clinical complete response (pCR and cCR); however, conformal and targeted techniques are required to achieve this while minimising treatment-related toxicity.
Functional imaging techniques such as diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) can identify areas of tumour hypercellularity which may indicate radioresistance and affect treatment response. The utility of functional imaging modalities such as DWI in defining a biologically relevant target for therapy has not been investigated in LARC and could be complementary if integrated into dose escalation treatment planning. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate the feasibility of incorporating pre-treatment DWI into dose-escalated radiation therapy for rectal and other pelvic malignancies.
Details
- Title
- Feasibility of targeted radiotherapy dose escalation in neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging
- Authors
- Nathan Hearn - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, External
- Contributors
- Zack Shan (Principal Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteRebecca Donkin (Co-Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Cancer Research ClusterJim Lagopoulos (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson Institute
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00935
- Grant note
- This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service SERTF-Wishlist 2021 Collaborative Research Grant Scheme.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991136705702621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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