Medical Oncology
Physician insights on cancer treatment protocols, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and clinical trial updates.
Recent Discussions
How do you follow patients with Bronchus Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma treated with 2 Gy x 2 fractions?
For patients with localized MALT lymphoma of the lung, in a distribution amenable to definitive RT, I would typically treat with 24 Gy in 2 Gy fractions. The risk of in-field progression with this dose is expected to be very low. Given the rarity of the presentation, I have only treated a handful of...
For oligometastatic NSCLC that would be otherwise considered stage 3, would you consider consolidative immunotherapy with durvalumab after definitive treatment for both the primary and oligometastatic site?
This is an excellent question and timely in light of the greater numbers of patients being referred for "definitive treatment" of limited metastatic NSCLC. I fully agree with @Dr. First Last that there are multiple reasons/justification to offer these patients IO after their "definitive therapy," in...
Do you routinely check echocardiograms on all patients who are starting TDM1?
I get an echocardiogram before starting T-DM1 in the adjuvant setting. In the metastatic setting, I follow a risk-based approach depending on comorbidity, prior treatment, and time of the most recent echo.
Would you ever hold off consolidation durvalumab in NSCLC stage III after chemoradiation if KRAS G12C mutation positive given recent concerns for toxicity with IO + sotorasib?
Depends on the PD-L1 status/co-mutations: If PD-L1 0% or with STK11 co-mutation, will not administer durvalumab.
How do you approach patients with very low risk stage IIIA cutaneous melanoma for adjuvant immunotherapy?
Although it may seem that Stage 3A is a higher stage than Stage 2B and 2C, it must be kept in mind that according to AJCC 8 criteria, 2B and 2C melanomas are thicker (with to without ulceration), and a 3A melanoma is by definition a thinner melanoma. A thin melanoma (<2mm) is called a 3A melanoma be...
How do you monitor risk of erythrocytosis from testosterone use for female to male transgender patients?
I utilize the Endocrine Society's guidelines for identifying secondary erythrocytosis secondary to gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) (PMID 28945902). For initial monitoring, at baseline and then every 3 month hematocrit for the first year and 1-2 times yearly thereafter is typically implemente...
How do you monitor risk of erythrocytosis from testosterone use for female to male transgender patients?
I utilize the Endocrine Society's guidelines for identifying secondary erythrocytosis secondary to gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) (PMID 28945902). For initial monitoring, at baseline and then every 3 month hematocrit for the first year and 1-2 times yearly thereafter is typically implemente...
How would you treat a patient presenting with de novo metastatic prostate cancer and baseline low testosterone?
By definition, progressive disease despite castrate levels of testosterone is CRPC. This is a very rare situation in the de novo setting, and more likely one may encounter a patient with only slightly low testosterone, which would not be considered CRPC. Patients with de novo metastatic prostate can...
Do you routinely offer consolidation RT to sites of previous bulky disease in stage III and IV Hodgkin's lymphoma who have a complete metabolic response on restaging PET/CT following 6 cycles of ABVD?
Update - 1/5/24Three important studies have been published in the last few years which shed light on the role of RT in advanced HL in the setting of a negative interim (and post-chemotherapy) PET-CT.The RATHL trial included 1,119 patients with IIB-IV (or IIA with either bulky disease or at least 3 s...
How do you manage acute keratoconjunctivitis following total skin electron therapy (TSET)?
Institutions approach total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) somewhat differently. I generally try to utilize external eye shields as much as possible. If a patient doesn't have active disease involving the eyelids or peri-orbital skin, this obviates the need for internal eye shields which reduces...