Predictors of Acute Hematologic Toxicity in Women Receiving Extended-Field Chemoradiation for Cervical Cancer: Do Known Pelvic Radiation Bone Marrow Constraints Apply?

Purpose: Patients with cervical cancer who are at high risk for para-aortic lymphatic involvement may receive extended-field chemoradiation (EF-CRT), with inclusion of the para-aortic region. Increased radiation to bone marrow (BM) may heighten hematologic toxicity (HT) and affect timely delivery of chemoradiation. Factors associated with HT in this setting have not been well studied.

Opioid Use in Patients With Cervical Cancer at Two Urban Medical Centers.

Purpose: Patients with cervical cancer are at high risk for opioid use. This study aimed to characterize opioid prescribing patterns at 2 urban hospitals.

Methods And Materials: Data from patients with cervical cancer treated with curative intent from 2011 to 2018 were retrospectively collected.

Local Control and Use of External Beam Parametrial Boost in the Era of Image-Guided Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer.

Objective: Historically, external beam parametrial boost (EBPB) has been used in locally advanced cervical cancers to supplement radiation dose. However, it has become controversial in the era of image-guided brachytherapy. Modern 3D imaging and brachytherapy techniques have improved delineation and coverage of tumor.

Readability of Patient Education Materials From High-Impact Medical Journals: A 20-Year Analysis.

Comprehensive patient education is necessary for shared decision-making. While patient-provider conversations primarily drive patient education, patients also use published materials to enhance their understanding. In this investigation, we evaluated the readability of 2585 patient education materials published in high-impact medical journals from 1998 to 2018 and compared our findings to readability recommendations from national groups.

The use of complementary and integrative therapies as adjunct interventions during radiotherapy: a systematic review.

Purpose: Literature supporting the efficacy of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) alongside radiotherapy is fragmented with varying outcomes and levels of evidence. This review summarizes the available evidence on CIM used with radiotherapy in order to inform clinicians.

Methods: A systematic literature review identified studies on the use of CIM during radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy and immunotherapy converge on elimination of tumor-promoting erythroid progenitor cells through adaptive immunity.

Tumor-induced CD45Ter119CD71 erythroid progenitor cells, termed "Ter cells," promote tumor progression by secreting artemin (ARTN), a neurotrophic peptide that activates REarranged during Transfection (RET) signaling. We demonstrate that both local tumor ionizing radiation (IR) and anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) treatment decreased tumor-induced Ter cell abundance in the mouse spleen and ARTN secretion outside the irradiation field in an interferon- and CD8 T cell-dependent manner. Recombinant erythropoietin promoted resistance to radiotherapy or anti-PD-L1 therapies by restoring Ter cell numbers and serum ARTN concentration.

Physician review of image registration and normal structure delineation.

Introduction: Image registration and delineation of organs at risk (OARs) are key components of three-dimensional conformal (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment planning. This study hypothesized that image registration and OAR delineation are often performed by medical physicists and/or dosimetrists and are not routinely reviewed by treating physicians.

Methods: An anonymous, internet-based survey of medical physicists and dosimetrists was distributed via the MEDPHYS and MEDDOS listserv groups.

Communicating the External Beam Radiation Experience (CEBRE): Perceived Benefits of a Graphic Narrative Patient Education Tool.

Purpose: Current radiation oncology patient education materials exceed national readability recommendations. A graphic narrative educational tool, the Communicating the External Beam Radiation Experience (CEBRE) discussion guide, was developed to facilitate patient-provider communication. A pilot study evaluated perceived benefits of CEBRE for patients and physicians.

Assessment of Use, Specificity, and Readability of Written Clinical Informed Consent Forms for Patients With Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Importance: Appropriate informed consent processes are crucial to preservation of patient autonomy and shared decision making. Although half of patients with cancer receive radiotherapy, it is unknown whether current consent practices are comprehensible for patients.

Objective: To characterize use, specificity, and readability of clinical informed consent forms for radiotherapy, hypothesizing that forms would be higher than the recommended sixth- to eighth-grade readability level.

The value of augmented preparative regimens combined with an autologous bone marrow transplant for the management of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin disease: a Southwest Oncology Group phase II trial.

Several single-institution pilot studies have suggested that augmented preparative regimens, including those containing total body irradiation combined with an autologous bone marrow transplantation, are superior to standard regimens for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin disease. On the basis of these data, we undertook, in the cooperative group setting, a phase II trial of augmented preparative regimens for patients experiencing treatment failure with conventional chemotherapy. Eighty-one patients with either sensitive or refractory (induction failures or chemoresistant) relapse received etoposide (60 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg), and either total body irradiation (12 Gy) or, if previously irradiated, carmustine (15 mg/kg), followed by an autologous bone marrow transplantation.