Radiation Oncology
Expert insights on radiation treatment planning, techniques, toxicity management, and multimodal cancer care.
Recent Discussions
When is post-op radiation not necessary for completely resected ipsilateral neck node recurrence in a previously UNirradiated neck?
I think that in the case you described, a metachronous recurrence of nodal disease should be managed similarly to that of nodal disease presenting at the time of the primary disease. Thus in the scenario presented, the same recommendations for dissected N1 disease apply. Historically, dissected N1 d...
How do you manage early stage tonsil SCC treated by simple tonsillectomy alone?
A simple tonsillectomy is not an oncologically curative surgical procedure. It is analogous to an excision biopsy. Historically, definitive RT was the logical next step for a cN0-1 neck in the setting of an early stage primary & with excellent results (Garden et al from MDACC, & others). A good outc...
Following transanal excision with positive margins for for T1 or T2 rectal cancer, is it more appropriate to proceed with APR or attempt sphincter preservation with RT/Chemo?
The issue of sphincter conservation for low stage, low lying rectal cancers has been a topic of interest for a long time.Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer to the question. The CALGB ran a Phase II trial a couple of decades ago that addressed the general issue of whether local excision plus...
When treating a high risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma post-operatively to the tumor bed, do you include the entire pre-op tumor in your PTV or do you include only the scar with margin?
Generally, the preoperative tumor. It depends on the type and extent of resection and reconstruction.
What imaging workup should be completed in patients with a detectable PSA following prostatectomy?
The imaging work-up of recurrent prostate cancer is a topic of considerable interest. Our approach at UCLA has been to recommend, at the very least, a multiparametric MRI to evaluate for locoregional recurrence, and we regularly recommend a technetium bone scan as well. That being stated, we have be...
How do you define involved field radiotherapy for lung cancer?
Although, there is no consensus definition for “involved field” for the mediastinal nodes, my practice is to target mediastinal lymph nodes with involved field radiotherapy using the following algorithm: We start by contouring the lymph node GTV using a PET/CT with IV contrast. All FDG-avid and/or s...
When should SBRT be offered to oligometastatic bone disease in a patient with prostate cancer?
Recently a multi-institutional analysis set standards for use in prospective assessment of SBRT for use in men with > 1 bone metastasis and up to 3 (data shown below). The Rx was well tolerated and local control was significantly improved if a BED > 100 Gy was utilized. At this time this approach re...
Do you consider APBI a reasonable alternative to mastectomy for women with early stage breast cancer and collagen vascular diseases?
As to the appropriateness of using APBI via a balloon catheter system for patients with CVD, data are limited to just small case series and individual case reports (e.g., Brachytherapy 10:121-127,2011; Brachytherapy 10:486-490,2011). Further, most patients reported in these series have been classifi...
Is it safe to treat patients who have thermal burn scars in the field?
I have had similar experience for breast cancer. No significant toxicity. However, I have seen some patients with skin cancers arising in burn scars and the literature tells you to beware these - higher doses required.
For 5 fraction lung SBRT, is 11 Gy per fraction superior to 10 Gy per fraction?
I will make this brief. Until the results of the prospective dose escalation study RTOG 0813, I would not make any definitive statements on the appropriateness of dose escalation in the setting of lung SBRT. This not only has to do with establishing whether there truly is a dose response phenomenon ...