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Quality Practice
Volume 12 No 2 I March 2016 27
The increasing use of technology, such
as intensity modulated radiotherapy,
volumetric arc therapy and stereotactic
ablative body radiotherapy, has allowed
for highly conformal treatments. It has
also meant that improved accuracy in
the treatment room is needed. Image
guided radiotherapy (IGRT), the use of
imaging prior to or during treatment
delivery, is an important technology that
needs to be utilised with these highly
conformal treatments.
The Faculty of Radiation Oncology
(FRO) wrote a position paper on IGRT
in 2010. Since this original paper was
written, a number of publications have
been produced that look broadly into
the quality assurance issues that need
to be addressed for safe and effective
IGRT. This paper has therefore been
updated this year.
The current update was written jointly by
Faculty members in Australia and New
Zealand, and wider consultation was
made across the College for comment.
The final draft was approved by FRO
and the paper has been published on
the College website
advocacy/statements
The current paper reviews and updates
the evidence behind the use of IGRT. In
a process driven area, it is often difficult
to provide clinical evidence for the use
of IGRT as there are multiple variables
that can potentially impact on a patient’s
final outcome. Nevertheless, there
are a number of publications, some
of them originating from our region,
that support the use of IGRT and these
are outlined in the paper. Publications
supporting the use of IGRT are strongest
in urological, head and neck and lung
cancers and these are used as illustrative
examples. However, the evidence is
by no means limited to these tumour
sites. The paper also outlines some
of the international publications that
are important references for ensuring
good IGRT practices. Finally, a number
of key recommendations endorsed by
FRO are listed for the safe and effective
implementation and practice of IGRT in
the Australian and New Zealand context.
The paper is intended to be read by
all members of the FRO. In particular,
it is intended to be used as a starting
point when reviewing departmental
IGRT processes and it is also important
when considering the resources required
for the safe and effective delivery of
radiation therapy in the treatment room.
Dr Albert Tiong
Radiation Oncologist
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
IGRT Position
Paper Updated
MODERN IMAGING AND
RADIATION THERAPY:
APPROPRIATE, COLLABORATIVE AND TARGETED
67th ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING | GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA | 13 – 16 OCTOBER 2016
RANZCR 2016
If you have any questions about
the paper, please contact the
Faculty of Radiation Oncology
on