Publications by authors named "Melissa O' Neil"

Purpose: This phase 1 study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of SABR therapy delivery to all sites of polymetastatic disease (>10 metastases).

Methods And Materials: A 3 + 3 study design was used with 5 dose levels from 6 Gy (6 Gy × 1) to 30 Gy (6 Gy weekly × 5). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as any grade 4 or 5 toxicity or more than 3 grade 3 toxicities within 6 weeks of treatment.

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Introduction: Peer review (PR) of palliative-intent radiation plans is an important but understudied component of quality assurance. This retrospective review aims to improve our understanding of palliative PR by examining the characteristics of reviewed plans and peer feedback along with the associated time burden of two different types of PR processes.

Methods: This single-institution, quality assurance project assessed palliative PR between 2018 and 2020.

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Article Synopsis
  • Using diagnostic computed tomography (dCT) scans instead of traditional CT simulation (CTsim) scans can streamline operations in cancer treatment and lessen the burden on patients.
  • The DART trial compared dCT-based planning to CTsim-based planning in patients needing palliative radiation therapy, focusing on metrics like time spent at the clinic and the effectiveness of the treatment plans.
  • Results showed that dCT significantly reduced the time patients spent at the cancer center and was rated more positively for time burden, with both methods delivering effective and acceptable treatment plans.
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Background: Palliative radiotherapy (PRT) is an effective treatment for managing symptoms of advanced cancer. At least half of all radiation treatments are delivered with palliative intent, aimed at relieving symptoms, such as pain or shortness of breath. Symptomatic patients must receive PRT quickly, therefore expeditious treatment planning is essential.

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Purpose: To evaluate the cumulative incidence of fracture and local failure and associated risk factors after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for long bone metastases.

Methods And Materials: Data from 111 patients with 114 metastases in the femur, humerus, and tibia treated with SBRT in 7 international centers between October 2011 and February 2021 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed using a competing risk regression model.

Results: The median follow-up was 21 months (range, 6-91 months).

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Background: As new treatments and technologies have been introduced in radiation oncology, the clinical roles of radiation therapists (RTs) have expanded. However, there are few formal learning opportunities for RTs. An online, anatomy, radiology and contouring bootcamp (ARC Bootcamp) originally designed for medical residents was identified as a prospective educational tool for RTs.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study looked at how much tumors move during radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients and whether a 5 mm safety margin is enough to make sure the radiation hits the right spot.!* -
  • Researchers used special markers and imaging to track tumor movements in 61 patients, finding that most of the time, the movement was less than 5 mm, but some patients did move more than that.!* -
  • The conclusion was that a 5 mm margin is okay for how tumors move up and down or forward and back, but for side-to-side movement, they might need a larger margin or better ways to keep patients still during treatment.!*
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Purpose: With multiple phase 2 trials supporting the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in oligo-metastatic disease, we evaluated practices that could inform effective implementation of an oligo-metastasis SBRT program.

Methods And Materials: Using a context-focused realist methodology, an advisory committee of interprofessional clinicians met over a series of semistructured teleconference meetings to identify challenges in implementing an oligo-metastasis SBRT program. Consideration was given to 2 models of care: a subspecialist anatomic expertise model versus a single-practitioner "quarterback" model.

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Introduction Patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy to the breast often experience radiation dermatitis ranging from mild erythema to moist desquamation. In post-lumpectomy patients, the axilla and inframammary fold are at an increased risk for friction dermatitis. Dermatitis can impact patients' quality-of-life and may require treatment break/cessation.

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