The results on crystal growth of selected heavy rare-earth based oxides for fast scintillators obtained in two laboratories since 1994 have been reviewed. For many application fields and, in particular, for radionuclide medical imaging applications, there is a strong need for better scintillators in respect to the light yield, decay time and the stopping power. Many promising scintillators have been developed during the last decade, while the list of possible compounds is still very large. Materials described in the paper are heavy Lu-compounds doped with Ce³⁺ and Pr³⁺ ions – LuAlO₃, (Lu,Y)AlO₃, Lu₄AI₂O₉ and LaLuO₃. The application of various growth processes is described, i.e.  vertical Bridgman, Czochralski, laser heated pedestal growth and solidification in crucibles. Characterization of grown crystals is given and the problems existing in improvement of performances are discussed.