Australian survey on current practices for breast radiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Detailed, published surveys specific to Australian breast radiotherapy practice were last conducted in 2002. More recent international surveys specific to breast radiotherapy practice include a European survey conducted in 2008/2009 and a Spanish survey conducted in 2009. Radiotherapy techniques continue to evolve, and the utilisation of new techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), is increasing. This survey aimed to determine current breast radiotherapy practices across Australia.


METHODS
An online survey was completed by 50 of the 69 Australian radiation therapy treatment centres.


RESULTS
Supine tangential beam whole breast irradiation remains the standard of care for breast radiotherapy in Australia. A growing number of institutions are exploring prone positioning and IMRT utilisation. This survey demonstrated a wide variation in the benchmarks used to limit and report organ at risk doses, prescribed dose regimen, and post-mastectomy bolus practices. This survey also indicated, when compared with international literature, that there may be less interest in or uptake of external beam partial breast irradiation, prone positioning, simultaneous integrated boost and breath hold techniques. These are areas where further review and research may be warranted to ensure Australian patients are receiving the best care possible based on the best evidence available.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey provides insight into the current radiotherapy practice for breast cancer in Australia.
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.|Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Kylie L
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3203-1157
KL
Dundas
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.|Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Elise M
EM
Pogson
Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Vikneswary
V
Batumalai
Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Miriam M
MM
Boxer
Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Mei Ling
ML
Yap
Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Geoff P
GP
Delaney
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.|Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Peter
P
Metcalfe
Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.|Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|South Western Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Lois
L
Holloway
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D061089:Radiotherapy, Image-Guided / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
breast cancer; clinical practice; radiotherapy; survey