International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2014
ReviewBeyond the standard curriculum: a review of available opportunities for medical students to prepare for a career in radiation oncology.
To review currently available opportunities for medical students to supplement their standard medical education to prepare for a career in radiation oncology. ⋯ To the authors' knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of available opportunities for medical students interested in radiation oncology. Early exposure to radiation oncology and additional educational training beyond the standard medical curriculum have the potential to create more successful radiation oncology applicants and practicing radiation oncologists while also promoting the growth of the field. We hope this review can serve as guide to radiation oncology applicants and mentors as well as encourage discussion regarding initiatives in radiation oncology opportunities for medical students.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2014
Multicenter StudyIs biological subtype prognostic of locoregional recurrence risk in women with pT1-2N0 breast cancer treated with mastectomy?
To examine locoregional and distant recurrence (LRR and DR) in women with pT1-2N0 breast cancer according to approximated subtype and clinicopathologic characteristics. ⋯ The 5-year risk of LRR in our pT1-2N0 cohort treated with mastectomy was generally low, with no significant differences observed between approximated subtypes. Among the subtypes, TNBC conferred the highest risk of DR and an elevated risk of LRR in the presence of positive or close margins. Our data suggest that although subtype alone cannot be used as the sole criterion to offer postmastectomy radiation therapy, it may reasonably be considered in conjunction with other clinicopathologic factors including tumor size, histology, and margin status. Larger cohorts and longer follow-up times are needed to define which women with node-negative disease have high postmastectomy LRR risks in contemporary practice.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2014
Interfraction displacement of primary tumor and involved lymph nodes relative to anatomic landmarks in image guided radiation therapy of locally advanced lung cancer.
To analyze primary tumor (PT) and lymph node (LN) position changes relative to each other and relative to anatomic landmarks during conventionally fractionated radiation therapy for patients with locally advanced lung cancer. ⋯ Carina-based setup results in a more reproducible PT and LN alignment than bony anatomy setup. Considering the independence of PT and LN displacement and the impact of volume regression on displacements over time, repeated CT imaging even with PT-based alignment is recommended in locally advanced disease.
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2014
Alpha/beta ratio for normal lung tissue as estimated from lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body and conventionally fractionated radiation therapy.
To estimate the α/β ratio for which the dose-dependent lung perfusion reductions for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT) are biologically equivalent. ⋯ An equal reduction of lung perfusion in lung cancer was observed in SBRT and CFRT if local doses were converted by the linear-quadratic model with an α/β ratio equal to 1.3 Gy (0.5-2.1 Gy).
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of different fractionation schedules toward a single fraction in high-dose-rate brachytherapy as monotherapy for low-risk prostate cancer using 3-dimensional radiobiological models.
The aim of the present study was the investigation of different fractionation schemes to estimate their clinical impact. For this purpose, widely applied radiobiological models and dosimetric measures were used to associate their results with clinical findings. ⋯ Among the fractionation schemes 1×20 Gy, 2×14 Gy, 3×11 Gy, and 4×9.5 Gy, the first scheme was more effective in terms of P+. After performance of a radiobiological optimization, it was shown that a single fraction of 19.2 to 19.7 Gy (average 19.5 Gy) should produce at least the same benefit as that given by the 4×9.5 Gy scheme, and it should reduce the expected total complication probability by approximately 40% to 55%.