Predictors of Early Hospice or Death in Patients With Inoperable Lung Cancer Treated With Curative Intent.

Introduction: Treatment for inoperable stage II to III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involves chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). However, some patients transition to hospice or die early during their treatment course. We present a model to prognosticate early poor outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with curative-intent CRT.

Cannabis Use in Patients Seen in an Academic Radiation Oncology Department.

Purpose: Cannabis use rates are increasing in the United States. Patients with cancer use cannabis for many reasons, even without high-quality supporting data. This study sought to characterize cannabis use among patients seen in radiation oncology in a state that has legalized adult nonmedical use cannabis and to identify key cannabis-related educational topics.

Efficacy and toxicity with radiation field designs and concurrent temozolomide for CNS lymphoma.

Background: There is no consensus on the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma refractory to first-line methotrexate-based chemotherapy. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is sometimes used but may result in unacceptable neurocognitive dysfunction. We examined the efficacy and toxicities of WBRT with or without concurrent temozolomide in CNS lymphoma treatment.

Mediators of Racial Disparities in Heart Dose Among Whole Breast Radiotherapy Patients.

Background: Racial disparities in survival of patients with cancer motivate research to quantify treatment disparities and evaluate multilevel determinants. Previous research has not evaluated cardiac radiation dose in large cohorts of breast cancer patients by race nor examined potential causes or implications of dose disparities.

Methods: We used a statewide consortium database to consecutively sample 8750 women who received whole breast radiotherapy between 2012 and 2018.

Racial Differences in Treatments and Toxicity in Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Thoracic Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Historical racial disparities in lung cancer surgery rates resulted in lower survival in Black patients. Our objective was to examine racial differences in thoracic radiation treatments and toxicities in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Methods And Materials: A large institutional review board-approved statewide patient-level database of patients with stage II-III non-small-cell lung cancer who received definitive thoracic radiation from March 2012 to November 2019 was analyzed to assess associations between race and other variables.

A qualitative investigation of resilience and well-being among medical physics residents.

Purpose: Medical physics residents (MPRs) will define and shape the future of physics in medicine. We sought to better understand the residency experience, as related to resilience and well-being, through the lens of current MPRs and medical physicists (MPs) working with residents.

Methods And Materials: From February-May 2019, we conducted 32, 1-h, confidential, semi-structured interviews with MPs either currently enrolled in an accredited residency (n = 16) or currently employed by a department with an accredited residency (n = 16).

The impact of climate change on the prevalence of mental illness symptoms.

Background: The repercussions of climate change threaten the population with an increased prevalence of extreme climate events. We explored the impact of climate change induced sea level rise (SLR) and tropical cyclone (TC) exposure on mental illness symptom prevalence.

Methods: Using three datasets, TC exposure scores were calculated for each subject to determine how exposure affects posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and major depressive disorder (MDD) symptom prevalence.

Why an Increasing Number of Unmatched Residency Positions in Radiation Oncology? A Survey of Fourth-Year Medical Students.

Purpose: The number of US fourth-year medical students applying to radiation oncology has decreased during the past few years. We conducted a survey of fourth-year medical students to examine factors that may be influencing the decision to pursue radiation oncology.

Methods And Materials: An anonymous online survey was sent to medical students at 9 participating US medical schools.

Predictors of Pneumonitis After Conventionally Fractionated Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Lung Cancer.

Purpose: Multiple factors influence the risk of developing pneumonitis after radiation therapy (RT) for lung cancer, but few resources exist to guide clinicians in predicting risk in an individual patient treated with modern techniques. We analyzed toxicity data from a state-wide consortium to develop an integrated pneumonitis risk model.

Methods And Materials: All patients (N = 1302) received conventionally fractionated RT for stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer between April 2012 and July 2019.

Gender Differences in Work-Life Integration Among Medical Physicists.

Purpose: To generate an understanding of the primary concerns facing medical physicists regarding integration of a demanding technical career with their personal lives.

Methods And Materials: In 2019, we recruited 32 medical physics residents, faculty, and staff via emails to US medical physics residency program directors to participate in a 1-hour, semistructured interview that elicited their thoughts on several topics, including work-life integration. Standard techniques of qualitative thematic analysis were used to generate the research findings.

The Radiation Oncology Education Collaborative Study Group 2020 Spring Symposium: Is Virtual the New Reality?

Purpose: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Radiation Oncology Education Collaborative Study Group (ROECSG) hosted its annual international symposium using a virtual format in May 2020. This report details the experience of hosting a virtual meeting and presents attendee feedback on the platform.

Methods And Materials: The ROECSG symposium was hosted virtually on May 15, 2020.

Radiation-Induced Insufficiency Fractures After Pelvic Irradiation for Gynecologic Malignancies: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To identify and define the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment approaches to pelvic insufficiency fractures (PIFs) that develop as a consequence of pelvic radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature review (PubMed and Embase indexed from January 1, 1980, to May 1, 2020) of studies describing PIFs that result from radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies. A random-effects model weighted by the inverse variance was used to calculate the pooled crude incidence, actuarial incidence, and proportion of symptomatic PIFs, and to evaluate the relationship between PIF incidence and various risk factors.

The Role of Facility Variation on Racial Disparities in Use of Hypofractionated Whole Breast Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Hypofractionated radiation therapy is a less burdensome and less costly approach that is efficacious for most patients with early-stage breast cancer. Concerns about racial disparities in adoption of medical advances motivate investigation of the use of hypofractionated radiation in diverse populations. The goal of our study was to determine whether hypofractionated whole breast radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery was being similarly used across racial groups in the state of Michigan.

Novel Imaging in Detection of Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to highlight the limitations of current standard-of-care prostate cancer (PCa) imaging and discuss novel clinical imaging in advanced disease.

Recent Findings: PCa staging through imaging is important for proper selections in clinical treatment. Traditional imaging techniques for metastatic disease (i.