Intraoperative radiotherapy in breast conserving surgery.

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) of the breast is the administration of a single fraction of radiation to the tumor bed while shielding low risk and uninvolved tissues from the effects of radiation. The TARGIT A and ELIOT trials demonstrate efficacy of IORT when administered at the time of lumpectomy to post-menopausal women with low to intermediate grade, lymph node negative, invasive ductal carcinoma, consistent with international guidelines defining suitable candidates for accelerated partial breast radiotherapy.

Increasing minority patient participation in cancer clinical trials using oncology nurse navigation.

Background: Residential distance from an academic or cancer center is a significant barrier to minority patient participation in cancer research. Most cancer clinical trials (CTs) are only accessible at academic and cancer centers, yet most cancer patients receive treatment in their home communities where access to CTs may be limited. Oncology nurse navigation is an innovative approach for increasing minority CT participation by facilitating access to cancer CTs in communities where minority patients live.