Publications by authors named "Macomber M"

Preoperative imaging of rectal carcinoma involves accurate assessment of the primary tumor as well as distant metastatic disease. Preoperative imaging of nonrectal colon cancer is most beneficial in identifying distant metastases, regardless of primary T or N stage. Surgical treatment remains the definitive treatment for colon cancer, while organ-sparing approach may be considered in some rectal cancer patients based on imaging obtained before and after neoadjuvant treatment.

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Purpose: Our purpose was to compare dosimetric parameters and late gastrointestinal outcomes between patients treated with proton beam therapy (PBT) for localized prostate cancer with rectal balloon immobilization versus a hydrogel rectal spacer.

Methods And Materials: Patients with localized, clinical stage T1-4 prostate adenocarcinoma were treated at a single institution using conventionally fractionated, dose-escalated PBT from 2013 to 2018. Patient-reported gastrointestinal toxicity was prospectively collected, and the incidence of rectal bleeding was retrospectively reviewed from patient records.

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  • This study investigates how radiomic features from MRI can predict overall survival in patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS).
  • It analyzes two groups of patients, extracting 30 radiomic features from MR images and comparing the effectiveness of clinical-only, radiomics-only, and combined clinical and radiomics models.
  • Findings indicate that combining radiomic features with clinical data improves the ability to predict patient survival, suggesting that this approach could enhance personalized treatment strategies for STS.
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  • A survey of 114 radiation oncologists across 29 countries found that 63% recommend complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) to treat common radiation therapy toxicities like skin issues and fatigue.
  • Many patients reportedly turn to the Internet and friends for information about CAMs, with clinicians observing a significant usage among their patients (29.4%).
  • Despite the positive outlook, the survey reveals that less than two-thirds of patients actually use CAMs, highlighting a gap between clinician recommendations and patient adoption.
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Purpose: We characterized both physician- and patient-reported rates of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity in patients treated with proton beam therapy (PBT) at our institution for prostate adenocarcinoma and identified factors associated with toxicity.

Methods And Materials: We treated 192 patients with PBT between July 2013 and July 2016. Included patients had ≥1 year of follow-up.

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Background: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a treatment modality that is frequently used as salvage therapy for small nodular recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGG). Due to the infiltrative nature of HGG, it is unclear if this highly focused technique provides a durable local control benefit.

Objective: To determine how demographic or clinical factors influence the pattern of failure following SRS for recurrent high-grade gliomas.

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Machine learning for image segmentation could provide expedited clinic workflow and better standardization of contour delineation. We evaluated a new model using deep decision forests of image features in order to contour pelvic anatomy on treatment planning CTs. 193 CT scans from one UK and two US institutions for patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer from 2012-2016 were anonymized.

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  • Racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer mortality are increasing, yet genomic studies often overlook diverse populations, highlighting a gap in research.
  • The study analyzed 194 breast cancer patients from Nigeria alongside 1,037 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), revealing that Nigerian tumors have distinct genomic features indicating more aggressive cancer biology.
  • Key findings include higher rates of specific mutations in Nigerian patients and the identification of novel genes linked to breast cancer, potentially paving the way for tailored treatments for underrepresented groups.
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  • The study analyzes clinical toxicity and patient-reported outcomes in prostate cancer patients treated with proton beam therapy (PBT), focusing on the largest cohort using pencil beam scanning PBT.
  • A total of 192 patients were followed for over a year, revealing low-grade 3 toxicity in 5 patients and no severe toxicity; quality of life showed stable urinary function but slight decline in sexual health.
  • Younger age was linked to less sexual toxicity, while bowel issues mainly involved transient rectal bleeding, particularly in those on anticoagulation therapy.
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Purpose Studies have shown that radiation dose to the heart may be associated with worse outcomes in patients receiving chemoradiation for lung cancer. As esophageal cancer radiation treatment can result in relatively high cardiac doses, we evaluated a single-institution database of patients treated for esophageal cancer for heart dose and outcomes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 59 patients with stage IIA-IIIB esophageal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation to 50.

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Purpose: We propose a novel compensator-based IMRT system designed to provide a simple, reliable, and cost-effective adjunct technology, with the goal of expanding global access to advanced radiotherapy techniques. The system would employ easily reusable tungsten bead compensators that operate independent of a gantry (e.g.

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We describe the first reported use of neutron radiation therapy for successful palliation of treatment refractory Merkel cell carcinoma. The patient was a 78-year-old man with Merkel cell carcinoma involving the scalp and bilateral cervical lymph nodes. The extensive coalescing scalp lesions were locally destructive, painful, and highly detrimental to his overall quality of life, and he had previously progressed through 3 courses of conventional x-ray-based radiation therapy and multiple immunotherapy regimens.

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Objective: In preterm infants, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is widely used for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. However, the strategies for successfully weaning infants off NCPAP are still not well defined and there remains considerable variation between the methods. The objective of this study is to determine whether gradual weaning of NCPAP pressure is more successful than sudden weaning off NCPAP to room air.

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Herpes zoster, a viral disease that is characterized by a painful and blistering eruption in the skin, represents reactivation of latent varicella zoster (chickenpox) virus infection. In high-risk groups such as elderly or immunocompromised patients, the incidence of zoster can be as high as 50%. Radiation oncologists are likely to see zoster because cancer, and cancer therapy, can adversely affect immune function.

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Objectives: Throughout the United States numerous models of local programs, including student-run clinics, exist to address the issue of access to care. The role of these clinics in serving the local community and contributing to medical education has been documented only in limited detail, however. The purpose of this article is to describe the clinic models, patient demographics, and services provided by four student-run clinics in New Orleans.

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Superabsorbent polyacrylate (SAP) is an important industrial chemical manufactured primarily as sodium polyacrylate but occasionally as potassium salt. It has many applications owing to its intrinsic physical property of very high water absorption, which can be more than 100 times it own weight. SAP is commonly used in disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products and is known by a number of synonyms-sodium polyacrylate, superabsorbent polyacrylate (SAP), polyacrylate absorbent (PA), and superabsorbent material (SAM).

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