Radiation Oncology research

Alfred Health Radiation Oncology is a major service with treatment facilities at The Alfred (ARO) and LaTrobe Regional Hospital, Gippsland (GRO).

About our research

Clinical research in a radiotherapy setting looks to improve patient treatments, care and outcomes.

We do this by conducting research on new treatments, new equipment and new ways of working.

Research can be both:

  • Retrospective - looking back at data we have collected in the past
  • Prospective - collecting data from today and into the future

Much of our research involves clinical trials - comparing new treatments with current treatments in a controlled and safe manner.

Find out more about Radiation Oncology clinical trials.

Current research projects

We are currently conducting the following research projects:

  • Review of patient outcomes after total body irradiation from two large centres with different practices
  • A biochemical definition of cure following brachytherapy for prostate cancer
  • Dosimetric verification and nanoparticle dose enhancement of synchrotron microbeams
  • Development of real time source tracking systems and dosimetric verification techniques for high dose rate brachytherapy
  • LDR Brachytherapy Calibration Inter-comparison
  • Long Term Stability of a HDR Brachytherapy Well Chamber
  • Metal Artefact Reduction Algorithm Analysis 
  • Dose-response models of urethral strictures for prostate patients treated with HDR brachytherapy boost
  • Predictive Modelling for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning and Dose Escalation in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer (Predict-PCa/RT Protocol)
  • Using deep learning with MRI scanning to improve diagnosis and management of brain tumours
  • Visualisation of the oesophagus on cone-beam computed tomography with oral contrast during radiotherapy to the chest
  • 3D printing in radiotherapy
  • Dosimetric impact of catheter displacement
  • Target coverage and organs-at-risk (OAR) doses of the left breast in female lung cancer patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) but not in deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH)
  • Exhale breath hold in liver
  • An investigation of parameters affecting grid size dependence in dose distributions

Our achievements

  • First centre in the world to have real time treatment verification imaging for high dose rate brachytherapy
  • First centre in Victoria to deliver stereotactic intracranial radiosurgery and radiotherapy treatment (ARO)
  • First centre in Asia-Pacific to receive the Novalis Certification of the stereotactic program. Received re-certification in 2020 (ARO)
  • First centre in Victoria to deliver permanent radioactive seed implants for prostate cancer (ARO) 
  • First Australian centre to employ electronic portal imaging (digital real-time imaging that replaced x-ray film) to verify treatment delivery (ARO)  
  • First Australian centre with AlignRT surface-guided imaging (ARO); with Gippsland Radiation Oncology the first regional centre to use AlignRT technology
  • First centre in Australia to enable skin mark-free set ups using SGRT (ARO/GRO)
  • Established 3D printing program for tissue equivalent accessories to aid in treatment
  • Second site in Victoria to implement Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (GRO)

Publications

Late, persistent, substantial treatment-related symptoms (LAPERS) following low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer

Ong, Wee Loon; Millar, Jeremy Laurence

(2023), Brachytherapy, 22(4), 524-30

DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2023.01.001

Variation in patient reported outcomes following radical prostatectomy: A bi-national registry-based study

O'Callaghan ME, Roberts MJ, Moretti KL, Frydenberg M, Gilbourd D, Mark S, Heathcote P, Millar J, Pcor-Anz, Papa N

(2023), UROLOGIC ONCOLOGY-SEMINARS AND ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONS, 41(2), 105.e-105.e18

DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2022.10.020

Response to comment to “Dosimetric correlates of toxicities and quality of life following two-fraction stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for prostate cancer”

Ong, Wee Loon; Zhang, Liying; Loblaw, Andrew

(2023), Radiotherapy and oncology, 189,

DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109918

View all publications for Radiation Oncology research
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