Search

Introduction: This patterns of practice study was conducted on behalf of the RANZCR Breast Interest Group in order to document current radiotherapy practices for breast cancer in Australia and New Zealand. The survey identifies variations and highlights potential contentious aspects of radiotherapy management of breast cancer.Methods: A fifty-eight question survey was disseminated via the Survey Monkey digital platform to 388 Radiation Oncologists in Australia and New Zealand.Results: In total, 156 responses were received and collated. Areas of notable consensus among respondents included hypofractionation (77.3% of respondents would 'always' or 'sometimes' consider hypofractionation in the management of ductal carcinoma in-situ and 99.3% in early invasive breast cancer); margin status in early breast cancer (73.8% believe a clear inked margin is sufficient and does not require further surgery) and use of bolus in post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) (91.1% of participants use bolus in PMRT). Areas with a wider degree of variability amongst respondents included regional nodal irradiation and components of radiotherapy planning and delivery (examples include the technique used for delivery of boost and frequency of bolus application for PMRT).Conclusion: The results of these patterns of practice survey informs radiation oncologists in Australia and New Zealand of the current clinical practices being implemented by their peers. The survey identifies areas of consensus and contention, the latter of which may lead to a development of research trials and/or educational activities to address these areas of uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of radiation oncologists (RO) in Australia and New Zealand was undertaken to determine how they would plan and treat the supraclavicular fossa (SCF) in women with breast cancer. From the 259 surveys sent in February to March 2007 there were 168 responses (65%) and 124 of these were from RO who managed breast cancer. The study demonstrated a wide variation in placement of the SCF field and differences in the treatment prescription. With widespread availability of CT for simulation it would be worthwhile to explore the routine voluming of SCF lymph nodes (LN) to ensure the radiation field is accurately determined and targeted. This would also allow more individualized prescription parameters and overcome the variation in the ICRU dose point found in the present survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]