Radiation Oncology
Expert insights on radiation treatment planning, techniques, toxicity management, and multimodal cancer care.
Recent Discussions
What is the longest acceptable interval between hysterectomy and vaginal cuff brachytherapy for high/intermediate risk endometrial cancer in the age of COVID-19?
We usually start no later than 9 weeks post hysterectomy. It is based on this retrospective study.
How do you treat anal adenocarcinoma?
First of all you have to define what you are dealing with. Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal is a rare condition arising from anal glandular tissue. There is no IHC marker or definitive histologic finding that can differentiate it from rectal cancer with extension into the anal canal. The suggestive ...
Does the presence of perineural invasion in early-stage breast cancer post-lumpectomy affect the decision regarding partial breast vs whole breast radiation?
I have not used PNI as a risk factor to change local treatment options after BCS.
What is your preferred treatment for patients with painful gynecomastia on anti-androgen therapy for prostate cancer?
Gynecomastia can be a significant morbidity affecting the quality of life in patients on androgen deprivation therapy, especially in patients who receive bicalutamide as monotherapy or at higher doses such as 150 mg a day. In patients who are younger and/or who may spend time in public without their...
Are you incorporating TTFields into treatment protocols for locally advanced pancreatic cancer based on the PANOVA-3 study?
Most medical and radiation oncologists I have spoken to believe that TTFields offer benefit based on the PANOVA-3 trial and support routine use once it is FDA-approved. One of the outstanding questions relates to the use of definitive radiation therapy, which was not included in either arm, but is a...
What is your approach to uterine perforation during the time of brachytherapy implant for cervical cancer?
First off, I think uterine perforations occur a lot more frequently and easily than we previously accounted for. I learned how to perform brachytherapy using purely orthogonal X-rays, with dosing and dwell position times based on measured distances from the applicators, and all of the focus was plac...
Is there any role for ctDNA testing after surgery or SBRT for Stage IB NSCLC to determine the need for adjuvant chemotherapy?
This is another emerging use for ctDNA that has shown promising results in small studies. The TRACERx consortium in the UK looked at the evolution of early NSCLC over time in 100 patients who underwent resection. They performed multi-region sampling and whole-exome sequencing and created patient-spe...
How would you treat a locally advanced rectal squamous cell cancer with vaginal invasion?
If the anterior wall of the vagina is free (i.e., the 5 cm refers to the cephalo-caudad length of the tumor), and this proves to be a case of a high grade but potentially resectable (assuming adequate response to preoperative tx) T4 rectal cancer. I've treated cases with exactly this histology and p...
Are there scenarios that new visits/consults with patients can be done virtually amidst the COVID-19 outbreak?
Starting 3/16, we began offering lower-complexity / lower-risk patients the option of having a Tele-medicine consult vs re-scheduling to a later date. This offer has been extended broadly to all new consults at our facility when the provider indicates that s/he can extend comparable service virtuall...
When utilizing hypofractionated radiotherapy in the post mastectomy setting, are the nodal regions dose painted to a different dose or the same dose as the chest wall/reconstructed breast?
Our usual dose to the reconstructed breast/chest wall is 45 Gy in 18 fractions, requiring at least 95% of the PTV to receive 100% of the prescribed dose. The prescribed dose to internal mammary nodes (when treated) is the same, with a slightly lower acceptable dose (95% of the PTV receiving 95% of t...