Neuro‐oncology practices in <scp>A</scp>ustralia: A Cooperative Group for Neuro‐Oncology patterns of care study

AbstractAimsTo provide data on the patterns of care in neuro‐oncology practices at Australian cancer centres over the previous 12‐month period.MethodsA 5‐page questionnaire was sent to Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro‐Oncology members at 28 Australia cancer centres. The questions included access to neuro‐oncology services; treatment protocols and patterns of supportive care.ResultsProvision of neuro‐oncology services was consistent in metropolitan cancer centres. Treatment protocols are virtually identical for patients with an initial diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), with the main variation being for older or less fit patients. Most patients (70%) received chemotherapy at recurrence, most commonly modified schedule temozolomide, with half of the cancer centers offering bevacizumab. For anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), most clinicians offer radiotherapy alone but 30% would use radiotherapy with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide. Half of clinicians continued to use prophylactic anticonvulsants; 25% do not prescribe prophylactic antibiotics during chemoradiotherapy and half would continue anti‐coagulation therapy indefinitely for thromboembolism.ConclusionThis is the first