Adapting to the Future: Introducing the Radiation Oncology Alliance Adaptive Radiotherapy Working Group

Area of Science:

• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Physics
• Radiotherapy Technology

Background:

• Online Adaptive Radiation Therapy (oART) is evolving globally.
• Current oART implementation in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) lacks standardized guidelines.
• The Radiation Oncology Alliance (ROA) recognizes this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current status of oART in ANZ.
• To identify the necessity for developing best practice guidelines for oART in ANZ.
• To inform future standardization efforts in the region.

Main Methods:

• A working party was established under the ROA, comprising representatives from key professional organizations.
• Membership included the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM), and Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT).
• The working party focused on evaluating the existing landscape of oART.

Main Results:

• The current state of oART in ANZ has been detailed.
• A significant need for region-specific best practice guidelines has been identified.
• The findings underscore the importance of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear requirement for the development and implementation of best practice guidelines for oART in ANZ.
• Standardization will enhance the quality and consistency of adaptive radiotherapy.
• The ROA working party's initiative is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.