Executive summary of the American Radium Society appropriate use criteria for brain metastases in epidermal growth factor receptor mutated-mutated and ALK-fusion non-small cell lung cancer.

The American Radium Society (ARS) Central Nervous System (CNS) committee reviewed literature on epidermal growth factor receptor mutated (EGFRm) and ALK-fusion (ALK+) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for the treatment of brain metastases (BrMs) from non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) to generate appropriate use guidelines addressing use of TKIs in conjunction with or in lieu of radiotherapy (RT). The panel developed three key questions to guide systematic review: can radiotherapy be deferred in patients receiving EGFR or ALK TKIs at (1) diagnosis or (2) recurrence? Should TKI be administered concurrently with RT (3)? Two literature searches were performed (May 2019 and December 2023). The panel developed 8 model cases and voted on treatment options using a 9-point scale, with 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 corresponding to usually not appropriate, may be appropriate, and usually appropriate (respectively), per the UCLA/RAND Appropriateness Method.

Prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid tumor cell count in leptomeningeal disease from solid tumors.

Purpose: Treatment decisions for leptomeningeal disease (LMD) rely on patient risk stratification, since clinicians lack objective prognostic tools. The introduction of rare cell capture technology for identification of cerebrospinal fluid tumor cells (CSF-TCs), such as CNSide assay, improved the sensitivity of LMD diagnosis, but prognostic value is unknown. This study assesses the prognostic value of CSF-TC density in patients with LMD from solid tumors.

Emergent radiotherapy for brain and leptomeningeal metastases: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: As novel systemic therapies allow patients to live longer with cancer, the risk of developing central nervous system (CNS) metastases increases and providers will more frequently encounter emergent presentation of brain metastases (BM) and leptomeningeal metastases (LM). Management of these metastases requires appropriate work-up and well-coordinated multidisciplinary care. We set out to perform a review of emergent radiotherapy (RT) for CNS metastases, specifically focusing on BM and LM.

Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program Integration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: An Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee Inaugural Program Director Survey.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate United States (US) radiation oncology (RO) program directors' (PDs) attitudes and practices regarding racial/ethnic diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to better understand potential effects on underrepresented in medicine (UIM) residents in RO.

Methods And Materials: A 28-item survey was developed using the validated Ethnic Harassment Experiences Scale and the Daily Life Experiences subscale, as well as input from DEI leaders in RO. The survey was institutional review board-approved and administered to RO PDs.

Radiation Oncology Resident Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: An Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee Inaugural Resident Survey.

Purpose: In this study, radiation oncology residents were surveyed on perceptions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their residency training programs.

Methods And Materials: A 23-item survey was developed by the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee resident members and faculty advisors. The survey was divided into 4 sections: institutional culture, support and resources, interview and recruitment, and experiences of bias.

Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma Treated with Microsurgical Resection: Retrospective Cohort Analysis of a Single-Center Experience.

Objective: To provide benchmarks for further studies of solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) of the central nervous system (CNS), we investigated the association of baseline demographic, clinico-pathologic, and treatment factors with outcomes in those treated at our center.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cohort analysis of patients treated for SFT/HPC at the University of Washington 1990-2020. Kaplan-Meier and univariable Cox analyses assessed relationships between baseline variables and local or global CNS recurrence, extraneural recurrence, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Radiation Therapy for IDH-Mutant Grade 2 and Grade 3 Diffuse Glioma: An ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline.

Purpose: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for adults with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant grade 2 and grade 3 diffuse glioma, as classified in the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumours. It includes indications for radiation therapy (RT), advanced RT techniques, and clinical management of adverse effects.

Methods: The American Society for Radiation Oncology convened a multidisciplinary task force to address 4 key questions focused on the RT management of patients with IDH-mutant grade 2 and grade 3 diffuse glioma.

An interdisciplinary consensus on the management of brain metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Brain metastases are a challenging manifestation of renal cell carcinoma. We have a limited understanding of brain metastasis tumor and immune biology, drivers of resistance to systemic treatment, and their overall poor prognosis. Current data support a multimodal treatment strategy with radiation treatment and/or surgery.

Systemic Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Patients With EGFR Mutated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Leptomeningeal Disease.

Introduction: Leptomeningeal (LM) disease occurs in 9% to 10% of EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. The natural history and optimal systemic treatment strategies for this disease are not well-characterized, particularly in the era of osimertinib.

Materials And Methods: We identified 54 patients with EGFR mutated NSCLC and LM disease diagnosed between January 3, 2000 to March 31, 2020 and treated at an academic oncology practice in Seattle, Washington.

Disparities in Access to Radiation Therapy by Race and Ethnicity in the United States With Focus on American Indian/Alaska Native People.

Objectives: Striking disparities in access to radiation therapy (RT) exist, especially among racial and ethnic-minority patients. We analyzed census block group data to evaluate differences in travel distance to RT as a function of race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and rurality.

Methods: The Directory of Radiotherapy Centers provided the addresses of facilities containing linear accelerators for RT.

Executive summary of American Radium Society's appropriate use criteria for the postoperative management of lower grade gliomas.

Postoperative management of lower grade gliomas (grade 2 and 3) is heterogeneous. The American Radium Society's brain malignancies panel systematically reviewed and evaluated the literature to develop consensus guidelines addressing timing of postoperative therapy, monotherapy versus combined modality therapy, type of chemotherapy used with radiotherapy, and radiotherapy dose. Thirty-six studies were included.

The Advantage of Proton Therapy in Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis and Hippocampus Avoidance for Children with Medulloblastoma.

Purpose: Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) improves clinical outcomes at the cost of long-term neuroendocrine and cognitive sequelae. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) and hippocampus avoidance (HPA-HA) with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) can potentially reduce this morbidity compared with standard x-ray CSI.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 10 patients with medulloblastoma (mean, 7 years; range, 4-14 years).

Disparities in Access to Radiation Therapy Facilities Among American Indians/Alaska Natives and Hispanics in Washington State.

Purpose: Racial and ethnic minorities in the state of Washington experience higher cancer mortality relative to whites. We sought to characterize differences in travel distance to radiation therapy (RT) facilities in Washington by race and ethnicity with a special focus on non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaska Natives as a contributor to limited access and cancer disparities.

Methods And Materials: Geocoded mortality data from Washington Department of Health (2011-2018) were used to identify decedents with mortality related to all-causes, all cancers, and cancers likely requiring access to RT.

Radiation-induced brain injury in patients with meningioma treated with proton or photon therapy.

Introduction: Radiation therapy is often used to treat meningioma with adverse features or when unresectable. Proton therapy has advantages over photon therapy in reducing integral dose to the brain. This study compared the incidence of radiological and clinical adverse events after photon versus proton therapy in the treatment of meningioma.

Distinct imaging patterns of pseudoprogression in glioma patients following proton versus photon radiation therapy.

Purpose: Criteria by the Radiologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) group outline the diagnosis of pseudoprogression (Ps) after photon therapy for gliomas based on timing and location. We noted that patients receiving proton therapy manifested radiographic changes that appear different than Ps after photon therapy, which could be interpreted as tumor progression. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed MR imaging after proton or photon radiation for gliomas.

The Impact of COVID-19 on US Radiation Oncology Residents.

The purpose of our study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical responsibilities, training, and wellness of US radiation oncology residents. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was sent to all 91 radiation oncology residency programs in the USA. The survey included questions related to demographics, changes in clinical duties and training, job prospects, and wellness indicators.

Simulation-based learning for enhanced gynecologic brachytherapy training among radiation oncology residents.

Purpose: Brachytherapy is an irreplaceable component of gynecologic cancer treatment. Resident training has declined, and procedural exposure is variable. We evaluated whether simulation-based gynecologic brachytherapy training among radiation oncology residents could improve knowledge, confidence, and interest.