Aims
The Victorian State Government has funded single highly specialized radiotherapy equipment for Victoria. So far these include the MR-Linear Accelerator (MR-linac) at Austin Health and the Gamma Knife™ at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter MacCallum). With the initial announcement there was agreement between the Victorian Department of Health and the four public radiotherapy providers that there should be a list of clinical indications for both technologies across Victoria.
Methods
A MR Linear Accelerator committee was formed with representatives from all four public radiotherapy providers in Victoria (Alfred Health, Austin Health, Barwon Health and Peter MacCallum). These providers represent ten geographical locations and 31 linear accelerators between them. As the evidence and literature for MR-linear accelerator is emerging, expert content opinion was used through a series of in person and virtual meetings.
Results
As part of the collaborative state-wide process, 17 clinical indications were determined to be more optimally treated on an MR-linac. The recommended indications are generally where MR guidance would provide improve soft tissue visualization compared to current standard of care using cone beam CT. This allows for treatment where previously there would have been limitations. These indications are available at the Victorian Department of Health website.
Conclusions
Collaboratively, it is feasible to create agreed clinical indications for a new state-wide MR-Linear Accelerator service.