The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the prostate: A survey of clinical practices in Lombardy, Italy, by the Airo-Lombardia Cooperative Group

Aims and background: We report the results of a survey performed in 1994 by the AIRO-Lombardia Cooperative Group, on the clinical patterns of radiatio n treatment for prostatic carcinoma in Lombardy, Italy, involving all radio therapy centers serving an overall local population of about 8,800,000 peop le. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all 13 radiotherapy centers throug hout Lombardy, asking for demographic and treatment details concerning the local population of patients with a localized (T1-4, N0-1, M0) carcinoma of the prostate treated with radiotherapy; 12 centers responded, making the b asis for the present report, Results: Analysis of collected data showed tha t in Lombardy: a) approximately 400 patients per year are irradiated for a localized carcinoma of the prostate, accounting for less than 30% of the to tal expected number of patients with this disease presentation; b) a comple te staging (with PSA, transrectal ultrasonography, abdomino-pelvic CT or MR I scan and total-body bone scan) is performed in over 95% of patients befor e initiating radiotherapy; c) significant differences exist between radioth erapy centers as regards treatment planning and delivery. Conclusions: An u rgent need exists for implementing procedures aimed at standardizing radiot herapy procedures within Lombardy.