Patient positioning and treatment instructions used during radiation therapy of the prostate: results of an Australian and New Zealand survey

National standards for patient positioning and treatment instructions for radiation therapy of prostate cancer are non‐existent. To maximise daily reproducibility of the patient's position, immobilisation and stabilisation devices are often used. To minimise prostate motion, patients may be given instructions to regulate rectal and bladder volumes. However, the use of these patient positioning devices and the provision of patient treatment instructions vary between radiation therapy centres. In May 2003 a survey was sent to all radiation therapy chiefs throughout Australia and New Zealand requesting information regarding the treatment of prostate cancer patients. This comprehensive review of current practices clearly demonstrates differences between centres on the use of patient instructions to regulate rectal and bladder contents, however, stabilisation and immobilisation methods proved to be more consistent. The results will be discussed in light of the current international literature regarding patient positioning and patient treatment instructions used during radiation therapy of the prostate. This review has identified limited areas of consensus, and highlighted the need to develop common protocols and benchmarking of standards in order to improve treatment delivery.