Describe characteristics and outcomes of three patients treated with pelvic radiation therapy after kidney transplant. The incidence of pelvic cancers in kidney transplant (KT) recipients is rising. Currently it is the leading cause of death. Moreover, treatment is challenging because anatomical variants, comorbidities, and associated treatments, which raises the concern of using radiotherapy (RT). RT has been discouraged due to the increased risk of urethral/ureteral stricture and KT dysfunction. We reviewed the electronic health records and digital planning system of patients treated with pelvic RT between December 2013 and December 2018 to identify patients with previous KT. We describe three successful cases of KT patients in which modern techniques allowed full standard RT for pelvic malignances (2 prostate and 1 vaginal cancer) with or without elective pelvic nodal RT, without allograft toxicity at short and long follow-up (up to 60 months). When needed, RT modern techniques remain a valid option with excellent oncologic results and acceptable toxicity. Physicians should give special considerations to accomplish all OAR dose constraints in the patient's specific setting. Recent publications recommend KT mean dose <4 Gy, but graft proximity to CTV makes this unfeasible. We present 2 cases where dose constraint was not achieved, and to a short follow-up of 20 months renal toxicity has not been documented. We recommend the lowest possible mean dose to the KT, but never compromising the CTV coverage, since morbimortality from recurrent or progressive cancer disease outweighs the risk of graft injury.
Around 50% of cancer patients will require radiotherapy (RT) and 10–15% of these patients could be eligible for proton beam radiotherapy (PBT). Dosimetric advantages are undeniable, mainly in pediatric and reirradiation scenarios. Though, PBT facilities are scarce worldwide and the IAEA has reported 116 functional particle facilities, of which 98 are PBT, virtually absent in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The Latin America and Caribbean region represent a unique opportunity for a PBT center, as there are currently no functional facilities and current RT needs are significant. The challenges can be summarized as high initial investment and maintenance, geographic coverage, required baseline technology and certification, over-optimistic workload, unclear rates and reimbursement, unmet business plan and revenue expectations, and lack of trained human resources. Investment costs for a PBT facility are estimated to be at around 140 million euros; therefore, this seems unsuitable for LMIC. Mexico’s geographical advantage, GDP, baseline technologies and high demand for RT makes it an ideal candidate. Nevertheless, a PBT center would account for a third of Mexico’s annual health expenditure for 2020. Enormous efforts must be made by both the private sector and governmental authorities to provide funding.