Kimberley Nguyen1,2, Penny Mackenzie3, Angela Allen4, Marcus Dreosti5, Marita Morgia6, Yvonne Zissiadis7, Gilian Lamoury6, Apsara Windsor1,8. 1. Central Coast Cancer Centre, Gosford Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia. 2. South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia. 3. St George Hospital Cancer Care, St George Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia. 4. Waikato Regional Cancer Centre, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. 5. Genesis Cancer Care: Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 6. Northern Sydney Cancer Centre Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia. 7. Genesis Cancer Care: Wembley Radiotherapy Centre, Wembley, Western Australia, Australia. 8. University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Thomas Hehr; René Baumann; Wilfried Budach; Marciana-Nona Duma; Jürgen Dunst; Petra Feyer; Rainer Fietkau; Wulf Haase; Wolfgang Harms; David Krug; Marc D Piroth; Felix Sedlmayer; Rainer Souchon; Frederick Wenz; Rolf Sauer Journal: Strahlenther Onkol Date: 2019-08-26 Impact factor: 3.621
Authors: Hae Jin Park; Do Hoon Oh; Kyung Hwan Shin; Jin Ho Kim; Doo Ho Choi; Won Park; Chang-Ok Suh; Yong Bae Kim; Seung Do Ahn; Su Ssan Kim Journal: J Breast Cancer Date: 2018-09-12 Impact factor: 3.588