Minimal requirements in prostate cancer irradiation: A consensus document by the AIRO Lombardia cooperative group

Purpose: With the aim of establishing clinical and technical criteria to ho mogenize radiotherapy practice, a working group of AIRO-Lombardia (Associaz ione Italiana di Radioterapia Oncologica - Gruppo regionale della Lombardia ) has tried to define minimal requirements for radical and postoperative ir radiation in prostate cancer. The document has been structured in such a wa y as to be also of interest to the urological and medical oncology communit ies. Methods: The working group, composed of representatives of most of the regi onal radiotherapy departments in the Lombardy region, had monthly meetings during 1996 and 1997. The document on minimal requirements has been derived from the participants' combined experience and knowledge, from review of t he literature, and from a 1995 regional survey on current practice of prost ate irradiation. Results: Minimal requirements for radical and postoperative irradiation of prostate cancer have been defined with respect to treatment strategies, pre -treatment diagnostic evaluation and staging, treatment prescription, prepa ration and execution, and quality assurance procedures. Conclusion: Standards of reference for minimal requirements in prostate can cer irradiation adapted to the regional structures and resources have been defined.