Non-palliative radiotherapy in ab initio oligometastatic prostate cancer: an Italian national survey

Aims: The purpose of this survey was to investigate the current opinion among Italian radiation oncologists regarding the non-palliative radiotherapy in ab initio oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC) patients. Methods: A link to complete the survey was sent via e-mail to Italian radiation oncologists on February 2018. It was requested that only one physician per facility completed the survey, and that he/she was dedicated to PC management in his/her daily clinical practice. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions concerning the management of OMPC. Results: One hundred and eleven radiation oncologists filled in the questionnaire. The majority of them see ≤ 10 patients affected by OMPC in a year. More than 80% of respondents would perform radiotherapy (RT) to both the prostate and all metastases sites, but mostly up to 2–3 metastases; furthermore, > 80% of physicians would perform RT on both nodal and bone secondary lesions. Most respondents deem a choline- or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positron emission tomography (PET) mandatory before considering a patient affected by OMPC for non-palliative RT. The association of RT with androgen deprivation therapy for at least 12 months would be recommended by > 50% of respondents. In the follow-up phase, the majority would suggest a clinical examination and PSA every 3–6 months and a choline- or PSMA-PET only at biochemical progression. More than 90% of respondents confirmed to be interested in participating in a multicentre study regarding this subject. Conclusions: This survey investigated the current opinion of Italian radiation oncologists and confirmed their interest in OMPC management.