Sorting lung tumor volumes from 4D-MRI data using an automatic tumor-based signal reduces stitching artifacts.

Purpose: To investigate whether a novel signal derived from tumor motion allows more precise sorting of 4D-magnetic resonance (4D-MR) image data than do signals based on normal anatomy, reducing levels of stitching artifacts within sorted lung tumor volumes.

Methods: (4D-MRI) scans were collected for 10 lung cancer patients using a 2D T2-weighted single-shot turbo spin echo sequence, obtaining 25 repeat frames per image slice. For each slice, a tumor-motion signal was generated using the first principal component of movement in the tumor neighborhood (TumorPC1).

IPEM topical report: guidance for the clinical implementation of online treatment monitoring solutions for IMRT/VMAT.

This report provides guidance for the implementation of online treatment monitoring (OTM) solutions in radiotherapy (RT), with a focus on modulated treatments. Support is provided covering the implementation process, from identification of an OTM solution to local implementation strategy. Guidance has been developed by a RT special interest group (RTSIG) working party (WP) on behalf of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM).

Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab for Early HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Real World Experience.

Background: Randomized studies of neoadjuvant (NA) trastuzumab and pertuzumab combined with chemotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancers (BC) have reported pathological complete response (pCR) rates of 39 to 61%. This study aimed to determine the real-world efficacy and toxicity of NA trastuzumab and pertuzumab combined with chemotherapy in a UK tertiary referral cancer centre.

Methods: HER2-positive early BC patients given neoadjuvant chemotherapy with trastuzumab and pertuzumab between October 2016 and February 2018 at our tertiary referral cancer centre were identified via pharmacy records.

IPEM topical report: results of a 2020 UK survey on the use of online treatment monitoring solutions for IMRT/VMAT.

Numerous commercial technologies for online treatment monitoring (OTM) in radiotherapy (RT) are currently available including electronic portal imaging device (EPID)dosimetry (IVD), transmission detectors and log files analysis. Despite this, in the UK there exists limited guidance on how to implement and commission a system for clinical use or information about the resources required to set up and maintain a service. A Radiotherapy Special Interest Group working party, established by Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine was formed with a view to reassess the current practice for OTM in the UK and an aim to develop consensus guidelines for the implementation of a system.

Do patients have an obligation to participate in student teaching?

Context: Patients may participate in teaching in many ways, in different settings and with different degrees of expert supervision. The majority of patients are generally very willing to participate in teaching. At times, however, patients may decline to see students because they are too sick, wish to maintain their privacy, prefer to have more expert care, or simply wish to have no involvement with students.