Virtual Library

Start Your Search

J.D. Ruben



Author of

  • +

    P2.01 - Poster Session/ Treatment of Advanced Diseases – NSCLC (ID 207)

    • Event: WCLC 2015
    • Type: Poster
    • Track: Treatment of Advanced Diseases - NSCLC
    • Presentations: 1
    • +

      P2.01-043 - Lung Cancer Radiotherapy - Current Patterns of Practice in Australia and New Zealand (ID 801)

      09:30 - 17:00  |  Author(s): J.D. Ruben

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      The RANZCR Faculty of Radiation Oncology Lung Interest Cooperative (FROLIC) surveyed patterns of lung cancer radiotherapy practice in Australasia for both non-small cell (NSCLC)and small cell lung (SCLC) cancer to evaluate current patterns of care and define gaps in optimal care requiring improvement.

      Methods:
      Radiation Oncologists were surveyed at all 62 departments in Australasia using a web-based survey targeting those treating lung cancer. Questions covered current radiotherapy practice as well as measures of quality

      Results:
      Of 62 responses received, 57 did treat lung cancer and were eligible for analysis. All Australian states and New Zealand were represented. Sixty-two percent of respondents worked at metropolitan centres, 58% were subspecialists in lung cancer and 60% participate in lung cancer trials. Ninety-four percent discuss lung cancer patients at a tumour board, 74% peer review contours for conventional fractionation and 50% for SABR. Fifty percent used a department protocol for contouring and/or prescription, 39%, an external protocol and 11% had no protocol. For radical conventional radiotherapy, 58% use 4DCT to assess tumour motion, 44% utilise breath hold or respiratory gating, 44% use PET Fusion, 35%, free-breathing CT and 23% PET-CT simulation. In palliative settings, free-breathing CT was most common (81%). For conventional treatment, 98% use 3DCRT, 34% IMRT and 18% VMAT. Image verification was primarily with cone beam CT (86%), KV imaging (72%) and MV imaging (30%). The commonest dose fractionation regime in NSCLC was 60Gy in 30 fractions used in 95% of node-positive and 82% of node-negative disease. 66Gy in 33 fractions and 50-55Gy in 20 had been used by 32% and 30%of respondents respectively. 30Gy/10 fractions was the most frequent palliative regime that had been used (by 76%), followed by 36Gy/12 (72%) . For limited stage SCLC, the majority (61%) treated with 45-50.4Gy in 25-28 fractions while 45Gy/30 twice daily had been used by 48%. In extensive stage SCLC, consolidation chest radiotherapy was used by 63% in complete response, 48% for partial response and 24% would not treat. 46% of departments provided SABR but only half treated central tumours. For peripheral tumours, 80% used 54Gy in 3 fractions and if close to chest wall, 70% used 48Gy in 4 fractions. In fit patients with synchronous solitary brain metastasis and controlled extra-thoracic disease, 37% of respondents would treat both chest and brain definitively, 43% would do so only if chest disease was equivalent to Stage I/II, and 9% would never treat radically. If three brain metastases were present, just 46% would treat definitively. In the setting of an isolated systemic metastasis only, 35% would treat definitively while 61% do not offer definitive treatment in the setting of systemic oligo-metastases.

      Conclusion:
      A significant proportion of radiation oncologists did not have access to 4DCT for simulation. The majority used 3D image verification and consistently prescribed evidence-based doses. Although protocols were widely used, a significant number did not participate in peer review of contours. The treatment of synchronous oligo-metastatic disease was variable, likely due to a lack of high quality evidence and should be an area of future research.

      Only Active Members that have purchased this event or have registered via an access code will be able to view this content. To view this presentation, please login or select "Add to Cart" and proceed to checkout.