Accuracy of Dose Calibrators for Ga PET Imaging: Unexpected Findings in a Multicenter Clinical Pretrial Assessment.

We report the discovery of a systematic miscalibration during the work-up process for site validation of a multicenter clinical PET imaging trial using Ga, which manifested as a consistent and reproducible underestimation in the quantitative accuracy (assessed by SUV) of a range of PET systems from different manufacturers at several different facilities around Australia. Sites were asked to follow a strict preparation protocol to create a radioactive phantom with Ga to be imaged using a standard clinical protocol before commencing imaging in the trial. All sites had routinely used Ga for clinical PET imaging for many years.

Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group: Development of the Assessment of New Radiation Oncology Technology and Treatments (ANROTAT) Framework.

Introduction: The study aim was to develop a generic framework to derive the parameters to populate health-economic models for the rapid evaluation of new techniques and technologies in radiation oncology.

Methods: A draft framework was developed through horizon scanning for relevant technologies, literature review to identify framework models, and a workshop program with radiation oncology professionals, biostatisticians, health economists and consumers to establish the Framework's structure. It was tested using four clinical protocols, comparing intensity modulated with 3D conformal therapy (post-prostatectomy, anal canal and nasopharynx) and image-guided radiation therapy techniques with off-line review of portal imaging (in the intact prostate).

Delayed rectal and urinary symptomatology in patients treated for prostate cancer by radiotherapy with or without short term neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation.

Background And Purpose: To identify contributing factors to delayed rectal and urinary symptoms in a randomised trial comparing different durations of maximal androgen deprivation (MAD), given prior to radiotherapy, for locally advanced prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Between 1996 and 2000, 818 patients with stages T2b,c, 3 and 4 prostate cancer were entered into a trial comparing 0, 3 and 6 months of MAD prior to and during radiotherapy. Their delayed normal tissue effects were recorded by their treating doctors using standardised scales and by the patients using a self-assessment questionnaire regularly.

Short-term androgen deprivation and radiotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer: results from the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group 96.01 randomised controlled trial.

Background: Androgen deprivation is an established treatment regimen for disseminated prostate cancer; however, its role in patients with localised cancer is less clear. We did a large randomised controlled trial to determine whether 3 months or 6 months of androgen deprivation given before and during radiotherapy improves outcomes for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer.

Methods: 818 men with locally advanced prostate cancer were randomly assigned to: no androgen deprivation (ie, radiotherapy alone: 66 Gy in 33 fractions of 2 Gy per day over 6.

Acceptability of short term neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer.

Purpose: To determine the acceptability of short term neo-adjuvant maximal androgen deprivation (MAD) to patients treated with external beam radiation for locally advanced prostate cancer.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2000, 818 patients with locally advanced, but non-metastatic, prostate cancer were entered into a randomised clinical trial (TROG 96.01), which compared radiation treatment alone with the same radiation treatment and 3 or 6 months neo-adjuvant MAD with goserelin and flutamide.