Radiation oncologists are increasingly using shorter fractionated radiotherapy schedules for patients with multiple myeloma-related bone disease, a Melbourne study shows.

The analysis of a statewide Victorian patient database shows that 2-5 fractions is the most frequently prescribed course of radiation therapy (RT), the investigators say.

However, the use of single fraction RT remains low, with large variations in practice between public and private institutions that may be inconsistent with clinical guidance, they say.

“This is an important pattern-of-practice study … as it provides us with a baseline benchmark of the contemporary practice pattern for [multiple myeloma] to be measured against … for future quality improvement initiatives to reduce unwarranted variations in practice,” the Alfred Health and Monash University-led team reported.