Publications by authors named "Sara Alcorn"
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) assessments arguably provide the most accurate description of the patient experience, as they are directly derived from the patient without the filter of a provider. Utilizing instruments to assess PROs in radiation oncology enables a provider to measure pretreatment, on-treatment, and posttreatment symptoms. In the clinic, PROs are supplemental to physician-derived ratings that help create a complete clinical picture of a patient at a given time point to inform shared decision-making.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Barrier films or dressings were reported to be effective in preventing radiation dermatitis (RD) in breast cancer patients, but their comparative efficacy is unknown.
Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL Registry of Clinical Trials from inception to October 20, 2023. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing barrier films or dressings to the standard of care (SOC) or other interventions were included.
Purpose: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for palliative external beam radiation therapy (RT) in symptomatic bone metastases.
Methods: The ASTRO convened a task force to address 5 key questions regarding palliative RT in symptomatic bone metastases. Based on a systematic review by the Agency for Health Research and Quality, recommendations using predefined consensus-building methodology were established; evidence quality and recommendation strength were also assessed.
Article Synopsis
- The review focuses on improving pain management and quality of life for patients with advanced cancer, particularly through advancements in radiotherapy for bone metastases.
- It highlights the importance of different treatment approaches, differentiating between conventional palliative radiotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy, which may provide longer-lasting pain relief and improved survival.
- The need for further research is emphasized to determine the best dosing, patient selection, and treatment methods for various radiotherapy techniques as they continue to advance.
Recurrent Breast Cancer With Contralateral Axillary Metastasis Treated With Curative Intent.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys
November 2023
Article Synopsis
- * Three randomized controlled trials involving 642 patients were analyzed, revealing that while overall pain response did not significantly differ between the two methods, SBRT showed a marked improvement in complete pain response after both 3 and 6 months.
- * SBRT was found to have similar adverse events compared to cEBRT, but it resulted in significantly less radiation dermatitis; the research suggests SBRT may be a safer and more effective option for certain patients, prompting the need for further research.
Article Synopsis
- A study investigated the effects of a simplified multidisciplinary clinic (s-MDC) on treatment patterns and perceptions of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) and hormone therapy (HT) for older adults (≥65 years) with stage I, ER-positive breast cancer after surgery.
- A total of 127 patients were analyzed: 33 from the s-MDC and 94 from traditional consultations, with assessments done through validated questionnaires for decision-making preferences and patient experiences.
- The findings showed no significant difference in RT and HT usage between the two groups, although patients in the s-MDC had smaller tumors and higher comorbidity indices, indicating differences in their healthcare profiles.
Article Synopsis
- - The study assessed pre-treatment peer review for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) cases, aimed at improving patient outcomes while balancing physician workload and avoiding treatment delays.
- - Between March 2020 and August 2021, a quality checklist was used for 252 SBRT patients, leading to an increase in pre-treatment review completion rates from 19% to 79%, significantly enhancing compliance.
- - The implementation of a structured workflow resulted in higher early review rates, demonstrating a successful model for thorough pre-treatment assessment in thoracic SBRT, ensuring better treatment planning without compromising efficiency.
Article Synopsis
- Estimation of patient prognosis is essential for making informed decisions in the palliative care of metastatic disease, with various statistical models available for survival prediction.
- This review highlights several proven survival prediction models specifically for patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy to non-brain sites, considering factors like model type and performance.
- The discussion also touches on the underuse of these models, the importance of decision support tools, and the necessity of including patient preferences in the decision-making process for radiation therapy in metastatic cases.
Article Synopsis
- * Analysis revealed that counties with higher numbers of radiation oncologists and services were mostly urban and had more Black non-Hispanic residents, while areas with higher cancer incidence and death rates tended to be non-metropolitan and also had a significant Black population.
- * The research concluded that lower access to radiation therapy correlates with higher death rates for both cancer types, highlighting the need for better resource allocation in underserved communities.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the effectiveness and benefits of modern proton therapy in comparison to traditional photon therapy for treating soft tissue sarcomas in adults before surgery, showing that proton therapy is feasible and can provide better dosimetric outcomes.
- Researchers analyzed data from 11 patients to compare treatment plans and found that proton therapy resulted in lower mean radiation doses to critical surrounding organs while still adequately targeting the cancerous tissue.
- The results indicate that proton therapy offers significant advantages such as improved dose distribution and reduced exposure to healthy tissues compared to conventional photon radiation therapy.
Article Synopsis
- The Society for Palliative Radiation Oncology (SPRO) aims to improve palliative radiation therapy through research, education, collaboration, and patient advocacy.
- Their 9th Annual Meeting took place on October 23, 2022, alongside the American Society for Radiation Oncology's 64th Annual Meeting, focusing on achievements and future goals.
- Dr. Dirk Rades delivered the keynote address on stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT); the meeting also featured the announcement of award recipients and new officers.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the risk of malignant transformation in giant cell tumors (GCTs) of bone treated with two different radiation therapy methods: orthovoltage and megavoltage.
- A literature review included 22 studies, revealing a significantly higher incidence of malignant transformation (14%) in patients treated with orthovoltage compared to only 1.8% in those treated with megavoltage.
- The findings suggest that megavoltage radiation therapy is not only associated with lower malignancy risks but also has a reduced rate of local recurrence compared to orthovoltage therapy.
Purpose: The Bone Metastases Ensemble Trees for Survival Decision Support Platform (BMETS-DSP) provides patient-specific survival predictions and evidence-based recommendations to guide multidisciplinary management for symptomatic bone metastases. We assessed the clinical utility of the BMETS-DSP through a pilot prepost design in a simulated clinical environment.
Methods: Ten Radiation Oncology physicians reviewed 55 patient cases at two time points: without and then with the use of BMETS-DSP.
Toxicity and Timing of Breast Radiation Therapy With Overlapping Systemic Therapies.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys
November 2022
Article Synopsis
- - Breast cancer treatment often involves choices that depend on individual patient values and preferences, as there isn't always a clear best option! - Patients may struggle to make informed decisions due to the complexity and number of treatment choices, which can lead to lower decision quality! - In radiation oncology, the push for advanced treatments can complicate informed consent and decision-making, revealing both challenges and opportunities for improving patient communication!
Article Synopsis
- Current guidelines for treating bone metastases with palliative radiotherapy lack clarity in selecting the right treatment based on individual patient factors, prompting a need for decision support tools.
- The Bone Metastases Ensemble Trees for Survival-Decision Support Platform (BMETS-DSP) was developed to provide evidence-based, personalized treatment options for palliative radiotherapy regimens.
- Utilizing a theoretical framework with stakeholder input, the BMETS-DSP collects specific patient data and offers tailored recommendations, while also meeting international decision aid quality standards.
Article Synopsis
- * Only a small percentage of medical trainees report disabilities, and there are no existing models for creating inclusive programs specifically for Deaf trainees.
- * The authors describe the development of an ASL-inclusive residency program at Johns Hopkins University, which involved a collaborative 5-step transition process to successfully integrate a Deaf resident into the radiation oncology program, serving as a model for other medical specialties.