Vol. 45 (1): 23-31, January – February, 2019

doi: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2018.0208

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Kiri A. Sandler 1, Shearwood McClelland III 2,3, Catherine Degnin 4, Yiyi Chen 4, Timur Mitin 3
1 Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 3 Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA; 4 Biostatistics Shared Resource, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR, USA

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To ascertain the opinions of North American genitourinary (GU) experts regarding inclusion of technologies such as prostate – specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and C – 11 choline positron emission tomography (PET) into routine practice.

Materials and Methods: A survey was distributed to North American GU experts. Ques­tions pertained to the role of PSMA and C – 11 PET in PCa management. Participants were categorized as “supporters” or “opponents” of incorporation of novel imaging techniques. Opinions were correlated with practice patterns.

Results: Response rate was 54% and we analyzed 42 radiation oncologist respondents. 17 participants (40%) have been in practice for > 20 years and 38 (90%) practice at an academic center. 24 (57%) were supporters of PSMA and 29 (69%) were supporters of C – 11. Supporters were more likely to treat pelvic nodes (88% vs. 56%, p < 01) and trended to be more likely to treat patients with moderate or extreme hypofractionation (58% vs. 28%, p = 065). Supporters trended to be more likely to offer brachytherapy boost (55% vs. 23%, p = 09), favor initial observation and early salvage over adjuvant radiation (77% vs. 55%, p = 09), and to consider themselves expert brachytherapists (69% vs. 39%, p = 09).

Conclusions: There is a polarization among GU radiation oncology experts regarding novel imaging techniques. A correlation emerged between support of novel imaging and adoption of treatment approaches that are clinically superior or less expensive. Pre – existing biases among GU experts on national treatment – decision panels and leaders of cooperative group studies may affect the design of future studies and influence the adoption of these technologies in clinical practice.

Keywords: Prostatic Neoplasms; Positron- Emission Tomography; Radiotherapy

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