Gender Representation Among Academic US Radiation Oncology Department Chairs: Who are They?

Purpose: Women are underrepresented in academic radiation oncology (RO), particularly in leadership positions. In this study, we sought to better understand the characteristics of individuals who currently serve as academic RO chairpersons at institutions with an associated Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited RO residency training program. Methods and Materials: We created a database of academic RO chairpersons in the United States by using publicly available sources, including residency training program websites, hospital/institutional websites, Doximity, LinkedIn, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) website, the American College of Radiation Oncology website, and the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System National Provider Identifier Registry. We used the χ2 Goodness of Fit test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher exact test via R version 4.1.1 to evaluate for statistical significance among categorical variables, medians, and proportions, respectively. Results: We identified 85 of the 90 chairpersons (94.4%) currently serving at institutions with an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited RO residency training program, 5 of whom hold interim positions and were thus excluded from further analyses. Of the remaining 80 chairpersons, 9 (11.3%) are women, and 71 (88.8%) are men (P < .01). Seventy-six chairpersons (95.0%) are full professors, and 19 (23.8%) hold dual MD PhD degrees. Thirty-two chairpersons (40.0%) hold an official leadership role in a cancer center affiliated with their current institution (43.7% of men vs 11.1% of women; P = .08). Seventy-three chairpersons (91.3%) secured their current positions a median of 16 years (range, 6-33 years) after completing RO residency. Thirty-five chairpersons (43.8%) were promoted to chair from positions within their current institutions (40.8% of men vs 66.7% of women; P = .17). The majority of chairpersons are ASTRO Fellows (62.5%); notably fewer are ASTRO (5.0%) or American College of Radiation Oncology (2.5%) Gold Medalists. Eight RO residency programs trained more than half of current chairpersons. Conclusion: Significantly more men than women currently serve as RO chairpersons. Future interventions that promote the recruitment, retention, and promotion of talented women in academic RO should be considered.

Combining Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Despite significant advances in well-established treatment techniques, prognosis for advanced-stage HNSCC remains poor. Recent, accumulating evidence supports a role for immunotherapy in HNSCC treatment. Radiation therapy (RT), a standard treatment option for HNSCC, has immunomodulatory and immunostimulatory effects that may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. In several cancer types, combining RT and immunotherapy has been shown to improve tumor response rates, increase survival, and reduce toxicity compared to traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This review provides a timely overview of the current knowledge on the use of RT and immunotherapy for treating HNSCC. It highlights the potential advantages of combining these therapies, such as improved tumor response rates, increased survival, and reduced toxicity. The review also discusses the challenges that need to be addressed when redefining the standard of care in HNSCC, and proposes further research to optimize treatment combinations, minimize radiation-induced toxicity, and identify suitable patient populations for treatment.

Concurrent Administration of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Single Fraction Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Melanoma, and Renal Cell Carcinoma Brain Metastases.

PURPOSE: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are highly effective treatments for brain metastases, particularly when these therapies are administered concurrently. However, there are limited data reporting the risk of radiation necrosis (RN) in this setting. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with brain metastases from primary non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, or melanoma treated with SRS and ICI were considered. Time-to-event analyses were conducted for any grade RN and symptomatic RN (SRN) with death incorporated as a competing risk. As a secondary analysis, recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used for model development, and a loop of potential models was analyzed, with the highest-fidelity model selected. Brain V12 Gy thresholds identified on RPA were then incorporated into the competing risks analysis. Concurrent SRS and ICI administration. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-seven patients with 4182 brain metastases across 11 international institutions were analyzed. The median follow-up for all patients was 13.4 months. The median follow-up was 12.8 months and 14.1 months for the concurrent and nonconcurrent groups, respectively (P = .03). The median patient age was 66 years, and the median Karnofsky Performance Status was 90. In patients with any grade RN, 1- and 2-year rates were 6.4% and 9.9%, respectively. In patients with SRN, 1- and 2-year rates were 4.8% and 7.2%, respectively. On RPA, the highest-fidelity models consistently identified V12 Gy as the dominant variable predictive of RN. Three risk groups were identified by V12 Gy: (1) < 12 cm3; (2) 20 cm3 ≥ V12 Gy ≥ 12 cm3; (3) V12 Gy > 20 cm3. In patients with any grade RN, 1-year rates were 3.7% (V12 Gy < 12 cm3), 10.3% (20 cm3 ≥ V12 Gy ≥ 12 cm3), and 12.6% (V12 Gy > 20 cm3); the 2-year rates were 7.5% (V12 Gy < 12 cm3), 13.8% (20 cm3 ≥ V12 Gy ≥ 12 cm3), and 15.4% (V12 Gy > 20 cm3) (P < 0.001). In patients with any SRN, 1-year rates were 2.4% (V12 Gy < 12 cm3), 8.9% (20 cm3 ≥ V12 Gy ≥ 12 cm3), and 10.3% (V12 Gy > 20 cm3); the 2-year rates were 4.4% (V12 Gy < 12 cm3), 12.4% (20 cm3 ≥ V12 Gy ≥ 12 cm3), and 13.1% (V12 Gy > 20 cm3; P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in rates of any grade RN or SRN when accounting for therapy timing for all patients and by V12 risk group identified on RPA. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SRS and ICI results in a low risk of any grade RN and SRN. This risk is not increased with concurrent administration. Therefore, ICI can safely be administered within 4-weeks of SRS. Three risk groups based on V12 Gy were identified, which clinicians may consider to further reduce rates of RN.

Gender Differences in the Research Productivity of Radiation Oncology Resident Graduates in the United States: 2015 to 2019.

Purpose: It is well-documented that gender disparities exist in academic radiation oncology departments. The purpose of this study was to analyze gender differences in research productivity during residency among recent graduates of radiation oncology training programs in the United States (US). Methods and Materials: We used several publicly available sources to create a database of US radiation oncology residents who graduated between 2015 and 2019. We systematically collected gender information from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System National Provider Identifier Registry and Medicare claims registry. Postresidency employment information was collected using several publicly available sources. PubMed was queried to identify first-author publications of residents. A secondary analysis of metadata including impact factor, number of citations, modified Hirsch index (h index), and type of publication was performed. A multivariable linear regression was performed to evaluate the effect of gender on research productivity during residency. Results: There were 910 total graduates identified during this period and who were entered into this database, of whom all had available gender information. Female trainees comprised 29.0% (n = 264) of RO residents and had fewer first-author publications and citations, had lower mean modified h index, and were published in journals with lower impact factors. On multivariable linear regression analysis, female gender was independently associated with decreased total number of publications (P = .005), mean number of citations (P < .001), and modified h index (P = .001) when controlling for residency size and advanced (PhD or master's) degrees. Conclusions: In the US, female RO trainees had lower research productivity, which was not explained by advanced degrees or residency size. A significant gender gap in trainee research productivity persists, which has known implications in terms of academic achievement, promotions, and career trajectory. Future interventions to improve resident research productivity and mentorship are warranted.

The Rise of Open Access Journals in Radiation Oncology: Influence on Resident Research, 2015 to 2019.

Purpose: While a rising share of scientific research articles are being published in open access (OA) journals, their impact on resident research in radiation oncology is unknown. Thus, we sought to determine the number, content, and costs of first-author, PubMed-searchable articles radiation oncology residents in the United States (US) published in OA journals in recent years. Methods and Materials: We built a database of first-author, PubMed-searchable articles published by US radiation oncology residents who graduated between 2015 and 2019. We then classified each journal in which these articles appeared as either OA or non-OA and obtained the current article-processing charge (APC) for each publication that appeared in an OA journal. Results: The residents in this study published 2637 first-author, PubMed-searchable articles, 555 of which (21.0%) appeared in 138 OA journals. The number of publications in OA journals per resident increased from 0.47 for the class of 2015 to 0.79 for the class of 2019. Publications in OA journals garnered fewer citations than those in non-OA journals (8.9 vs 14.9, P < .01). Furthermore, 90.6% of OA journals levy an APC for original research reports (median, $1896), which is positively correlated with their 2019 impact factor (r = 0.63, P < .01). Aggregate APCs totaled $900,319.21 and appeared to increase over the study period. Conclusions: The number of first-author, PubMed-searchable articles published by graduating US radiation oncology residents in OA journals rose significantly between 2015 and 2019. To maximize the benefits of OA publishing in the future, US radiation oncology residents will need to ensure that they use vetted OA journals to publish their research findings and avoid predatory journals.

Imaging-defined necrosis after treatment with single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery and immune checkpoint inhibitors and its potential association with improved outcomes in patients with brain metastases: an international multicenter study of 697 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are commonly utilized in the management of brain metastases. Treatment-related imaging changes (TRICs) are a frequently observed clinical manifestation and are commonly classified as imaging-defined radiation necrosis. However, these findings are not well characterized and may predict a response to SRS and ICIs. The objective of this study was to investigate predictors of TRICs and their impact on patient survival. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted through the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation. Member institutions submitted de-identified clinical and dosimetric data for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) brain metastases that had been treated with SRS and ICIs. Data were collected from March 2020 to February 2021. Univariable and multivariable Cox and logistic regression analyses were performed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate overall survival (OS). The diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment was used to guide variable selection. TRICs were determined on the basis of MRI, PET/CT, or MR spectroscopy, and consensus by local clinical providers was required. RESULTS: The analysis included 697 patients with 4536 brain metastases across 11 international institutions in 4 countries. The median follow-up after SRS was 13.6 months. The median age was 66 years (IQR 58-73 years), 54.1% of patients were male, and 57.3%, 36.3%, and 6.4% of tumors were NSCLC, melanoma, and RCC, respectively. All patients had undergone single-fraction radiosurgery to a median margin dose of 20 Gy (IQR 18-20 Gy). TRICs were observed in 9.8% of patients. The median OS for all patients was 24.5 months. On univariable analysis, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS; HR 0.98, p < 0.001), TRICs (HR 0.67, p = 0.03), female sex (HR 0.67, p < 0.001), and prior resection (HR 0.60, p = 0.03) were associated with improved OS. On multivariable analysis, KPS (HR 0.98, p < 0.001) and TRICs (HR 0.66, p = 0.03) were associated with improved OS. A brain volume receiving ≥ 12 Gy of radiation (V12Gy) ≥ 10 cm3 (OR 2.78, p < 0.001), prior whole-brain radiation therapy (OR 3.46, p = 0.006), and RCC histology (OR 3.10, p = 0.01) were associated with an increased probability of developing TRICs. The median OS rates in patients with and without TRICs were 29.0 and 23.1 months, respectively (p = 0.03, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: TRICs following ICI and SRS were associated with a median OS benefit of approximately 6 months in this retrospective multicenter study. Further prospective study and additional stratification are needed to validate these findings and further elucidate the role and etiology of this common clinical scenario.

High Failure Rates in Young Nonsmoker Nondrinkers With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue.

OBJECTIVE(S): There has been a disproportionate increase in the incidence of young patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (SCCOT). The purpose of this study was to compare young patients to older patients with SCCOT without prior drinking or smoking history as this population is poorly characterized in the literature. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients presenting to our institution with SCCOT was performed. The clinical and pathologic characteristics, as well as, outcomes were compared between younger patients (age ≤45) and older patients (age >45). Outcome analysis was performed using Kaplan Meier method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were performed for age and stage. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (38 young, 44 old) were included in this study. Median follow-up was 29.4 months. When compared to the older cohort (age >45), the younger cohort (age ≤45) demonstrated lower rates of 5-year locoregional control (LC) (79.6% vs. 52.5%, p = 0.043) and distant metastasis-free survival (88.1% vs. 61.8%, p = 0.006). Both cohorts demonstrated similar overall survival rates (55.5% vs. 58.1%) and disease-specific survival (66.2% vs. 58.1%). Of patients experiencing locoregional failure with available radiation therapy plans and PET scans in younger cohorts (n = 7), 100% demonstrated in-field failures. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards demonstrated age was an independent predictor of DMFS (p = 0.004) and the advanced stage was a predictor of DSS (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Young, nondrinker, nonsmokers with SCCOT demonstrate high rates of locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, and in-field failures. Future studies are warranted to determine underlying mechanisms driving pathogenesis in this unique cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:1110-1121, 2023.

A Review of the Role of Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy in the Management of Primary Central Nervous System Tumors.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in the management of brain metastases. These therapies are commonly administered concurrently; as SRS may enhance anti-tumor immunity and responsiveness to ICIs. However, the use of ICIs with and without SRS in the management of primary brain tumors remains a controversial topic. Meningiomas are the most common nonmalignant and extra-parenchymal brain tumor, which often respond well to surgery and radiotherapy. However, higher grade meningiomas tend to be resistant to these treatments, and the use of chemotherapy and targeted agents in this setting have yielded disappointing results. Thus, there is heightened interest in the utilization of ICIs. Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary intraparenchymal brain tumor. It is associated with a grim prognosis with a median overall survival of approximately 20 months, despite optimal therapy. While SRS in the adjuvant setting, and ICI in the recurrent setting, have failed to demonstrate a survival benefit, SRS in the preoperative setting has the potential to enhance anti-tumor immunity and responsiveness to ICIs. Thus, these treatments represent an attractive option to add to the armamentarium of meningioma and glioblastoma management. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the evidence supporting the use of ICIs and SRS in each of these settings.

Concurrent Administration of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Stereotactic Radiosurgery Is Well-Tolerated in Patients With Melanoma Brain Metastases: An International Multicenter Study of 203 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma brain metastases are commonly treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, the toxicity of these 2 treatments is largely unknown when administered concurrently. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of radiation necrosis (RN) with concurrent and nonconcurrent SRS and ICIs. METHODS: The guidelines from the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist were used. Inverse probability of treatment weighting, univariable and multivariable logistic regression, and the Kaplan-Meier method was utilized. RESULTS: There were 203 patients with 1388 brain metastases across 11 international institutions in 4 countries with a median follow-up of 15.6 months. The rates of symptomatic RN were 9.4% and 8.2% in the concurrent and nonconcurrent groups, respectively ( P =.766). On multivariable logistic regression, V12 ≥ 10 cm 3 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.76; P =.006) and presence of BRAF mutation (OR: 2.20; P =.040) were associated with an increased risk of developing symptomatic RN; the use of concurrent over nonconcurrent therapy was not associated with an increased risk (OR: 1.06; P =.877). There were 20 grade 3 toxic events reported, and no grade 4 events reported. One patient experienced a grade 5 intracranial hemorrhage. The median overall survival was 36.1 and 19.8 months for the concurrent and nonconcurrent groups (log-rank P =.051), respectively. CONCLUSION: Concurrent administration of ICIs and SRS are not associated with an increased risk of RN. Tumors harboring BRAF mutation, or perhaps prior exposure to targeted agents, may increase this risk. Radiosurgical optimization to maintain V12 < 10 cm 3 is a potential strategy to reduce the risk of RN.

Trauma-Informed Radiation Therapy: Implementation and Evaluation of a Sensitive Practice Tool for Female Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: For childhood sexual abuse survivors, cancer care can be retraumatizing because of perceived similarities to the original sexual violence. The authors' group designed and implemented a sensitive practice tool (SPT) and evaluated the feasibility of the tool in female patients receiving breast radiation. METHODS: The SPT was offered as a "universal precaution" to patients with breast cancer as part of standard clinical care. Patients were given the SPT, which included an instructional video about radiotherapy and a survey about triggers and preferences. The survey results were provided to radiation therapists and used to personalize patients' care. A retrospective chart review and quality improvement survey of therapists were performed. RESULTS: Of 739 eligible patients, 493 (66.7%) completed the SPT from November 2013 to June 2019. Among respondents, 281 (57.0%) reported potential triggers, 395 (80.1%) reported distress management preferences, and 59 (12.0%) requested psychosocial referrals. Mean patient satisfaction was high, and a majority of patients were likely to recommend the SPT to other patients (85.3%). Among radiation therapists (n = 13), 100% reported that the SPT made it easier to customize or individualize patient care. Trauma disclosure was not significantly associated with increased frequency of trigger endorsement (P = .07) but was associated with increased endorsement of distress management preferences (P = .02) and psychosocial referral requests (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The reported experience with the SPT in the breast radiotherapy setting demonstrated that potential triggers and distress management preferences among patients are common and that patient satisfaction with the SPT is high, yielding clinically meaningful and actionable sensitive practice information.

The Cognitive Effects of Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases.

Brain metastases are the most common intracranial neoplasm and are seen in upwards of 10-30% of patients with cancer. For decades, whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) was the mainstay of treatment in these patients. While WBRT is associated with excellent rates of intracranial tumor control, studies have demonstrated a lack of survival benefit, and WBRT is associated with higher rates of cognitive deterioration and detrimental effects on quality of life. In recent years, strategies to mitigate this risk, such as the incorporation of memantine and hippocampal avoidance have been employed with improved results. Furthermore, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as an appealing treatment option over the last decade in the management of brain metastases and is associated with superior cognitive preservation and quality of life when compared to WBRT. This review article evaluates the pathogenesis and impact of cranial irradiation on cognition in patients with brain metastases, as well as current and future risk mitigation techniques.

Management of Older Adults with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

Thirty percent of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are at least 70 years of age. This number continues to rise as life expectancy continues to increase. Still, older adults with HNSCC remain underrepresented in clinical trials, resulting in ambiguity on optimal management. Older adults are a complex patient population, often requiring increased support due to issues relating to functional and performance status, medical comorbidities, and medication management. Furthermore, in older adults with HNSCC, many of these conditions are independently associated with increased toxicity and worse outcomes. Toxicity in the older adult remains difficult to predict and to understand, and as treatment decisions are based on treatment tolerability, it is essential to understand the toxicities and how to minimize them. Novel predictive scores are being developed specifically for older adults with HNSCC to understand toxicity and to assist in personalized treatment decisions. There are clinical trials presently underway that are investigating shortened radiation courses and novel, less toxic systemic treatments in this population. In the forthcoming sections, we provide a detailed overview of the clinical data, treatment paradigms, and considerations in this population. This review provides a comprehensive overview of existing clinical data and clinical considerations in the older adult head and neck cancer population. Additionally, we provide a detailed overview of pertinent current and ongoing clinical trials, as well as future areas for investigation.

Healthcare Disparities and Outcomes of Cancer Patients in a Community Setting from a COVID-19 Epicenter.

There have been numerous studies demonstrating how cancer patients are at an increased risk of mortality. Within New York City, our community hospital emerged as an epicenter of the first wave of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 and serves a unique population that is predominately uninsured, of a lower income, and racially/ethnically diverse. In this single institution retrospective study, the authors seek to investigate COVID-19 diagnosis, severity and mortality in patients with an active cancer diagnosis. Demographic, clinical characteristics, treatment, SARS-CoV-2 laboratory results, and outcomes were evaluated. In our community hospital during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, patients with active cancer diagnosis appear to be at increased risk for mortality (30%) and severe events (50%) due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population. A higher proportion of active cancer patients with Medicaid insurance, Hispanic ethnicity, other race, and male sex had complications and death from COVID-19 infection. The pandemic has highlighted the health inequities that exist in vulnerable patient populations and underserved communities such as ours.

Moving beyond Definitive Therapy: Increasing Physical Activity in Survivors of Cancers of the Head and Neck.

As chemotherapeutic, radiation, and surgical techniques have improved, there has been a dramatic improvement in survival in patients diagnosed with cancers of the head and neck. As a result, a heightened focus on survivorship by clinicians will increasingly prove necessary. In particular, medical care teams will have to pay special attention to mitigating the long-term sequelae of definitive cancer treatments, many of which act as barriers to exercise. This is unfortunate, as the benefits of exercise in patients with cancer have become increasingly recognized. In this review, we discuss the potential benefits of and barriers to exercise in survivors of cancers of the head and neck. We also review existing exercise guidelines and strategies by which clinicians can promote exercise in this unique patient population.

Radiation necrosis in renal cell carcinoma brain metastases treated with checkpoint inhibitors and radiosurgery: An international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) brain metastases are frequently treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). However, data reporting on the risk of developing radiation necrosis (RN) are limited. METHODS: RN rates were compared for concurrent therapy (ICI/SRS administration within 4 weeks of one another) and nonconcurrent therapy with the χ2 test. Univariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with developing RN. RESULTS: Fifty patients (23 concurrent and 27 nonconcurrent) with 395 brain metastases were analyzed. The median follow-up was 12.1 months; the median age was 65 years. The median margin dose was 20 Gy, and 4% underwent prior whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). The median treated tumor volume was 3.32 cm3 (range, 0.06-42.38 cm3 ); the median volume of normal brain tissue receiving a dose of 12 Gy or higher (V12 Gy) was 8.42 cm3 (range, 0.27-111.22 cm3 ). Any-grade RN occurred in 17.4% and 22.2% in the concurrent and nonconcurrent groups, respectively (P = .67). Symptomatic RN occurred in 4.3% and 14.8% in the concurrent and nonconcurrent groups, respectively (P = .23). Increased tumor volume during SRS (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.19; P = .04) was associated with developing RN, although V12 Gy (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.06; P = .06), concurrent therapy (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.17-2.30; P = .76), prior WBRT, and ICI agents were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic RN occurs in a minority of patients with RCC brain metastases treated with ICI/SRS. The majority of events were grade 1 to 3 and were managed medically. Concurrent ICI/SRS does not appear to increase this risk. Attempts to improve dose conformality (reduce V12) may be the most successful mitigation strategy in single-fraction SRS.

Trends in Diagnosis and Treatment of Metastatic Cancer in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Metastatic cancer has historically been considered fatal; however, there is a paucity of evidence characterizing the epidemiology of incidence, treatment, and outcomes in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incidence rates, annual percent change (APC), descriptive epidemiological statistics, and odds ratios for survival were calculated using registry data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and the National Cancer Database (NCDB), 1998 to 2015. RESULTS: There were a total of 1,055,860 patients with metastatic cancer. The most frequent primary cancers were lung (42.6%), colorectal (9.5%), and ovarian (5.5%). Metastatic lung and colorectal cancer incidence decreased, APC: -1.57 (P<0.001) and APC: -1.48 (P<0.001), respectively; metastatic pancreatic cancer incidence increased, APC: 0.62 (P=0.001). The use of local therapies decreased for almost all sites, and the use of systemic therapies increased across multiple sites: single-agent chemotherapy in kidney (2.54% increase/year), female breast (1.14% increase/year), and prostate cancer (1.08% increase/year); multiagent chemotherapy, most notably in pancreas (2.23% increase/year), uterus (1.81% increase/year), and colorectal cancer (1.54% increase/year). Increased utilization of immunotherapy was observed across the majority of sites, most notably in melanoma (2.14% increase/year). Patients diagnosed from 2006 to 2010 had 17.4% higher odds of surviving at least 60 months compared with 1998 to 2002. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, metastatic disease has been shown to have unique epidemiological patterns, and survival has improved. Continued research on metastatic disease is important in understanding and addressing the distinct health concerns of this population.

Modern radiation techniques in early stage breast cancer for the breast radiologist.

Partial breast irradiation (PBI) and ultra-hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (uWBI) are contemporary alternatives to conventional and standard hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (WBI), which shorten treatment from 3 to 6 weeks to 1-2 weeks for select patients. PBI and accelerated PBI (APBI) can be delivered with external beam radiation (3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)), intraoperative radiation (IORT), or brachytherapy. These new radiation techniques offer the advantage of convenience and lower cost, which ultimately improves access to care. Globally, the COVID 19 pandemic has accelerated APBI/PBI and ultra-hypofractionated regimens into routine practice for carefully selected patients. Recent long-term data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated these techniques are safe and effective in suitable patients demonstrating equivalent or improved local recurrence, acute/late toxicity, and cosmesis. PBI and APBI should be limited to low risk unifocal invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ with tumor size < 2 cm, clear margins (≥2 mm), ER+, and negative nodes. Based on the results from UK Fast-Forward and UK FAST ultra-hypofractionated breast radiation can be safely employed for early stage node negative patients, but is not yet considered an international standard of care. In this review, authors will appraise recent data for these shorter course radiation treatment regimens, as well as, considerations for breast radiologists including surveillance imaging and radiographic findings.

Incidence of Recurrence in Posterior Circulation Childhood Arterial Ischemic Stroke.

Importance: Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (CAIS) affects approximately 1.6 per 100 000 children per year, while stroke recurs in up to 20% of patients at 5 years. Factors determining the risk of recurrence are incompletely understood. Objective: To investigate the incidence of the recurrence of CAIS in the posterior and anterior circulations to determine if the risk differs between the 2 locations. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective analysis of CAIS was conducted among children enrolled in a single-center prospective consecutive cohort at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2015. Children with confirmed CAIS occurring between 29 days and 17.99 years were evaluated for inclusion. Patients were excluded if infarcts were located in both the anterior and posterior distributions or if CAIS occurred as a complication of intracranial surgery or brain tumor. Main Outcomes and Measures: Stroke recurrence. Results: The study population included 107 patients (75 boys [70.1%] and 32 girls [29.9%]; median age at AIS, 7.7 years [interquartile range, 3.1-13.6 years]). Sixty-one children had anterior circulation CAIS (ACAIS) and 46 had posterior circulation CAIS (PCAIS). Median follow-up was 20.9 months (interquartile range, 8.7-40.4 months). For ACAIS, recurrence-free survival was 100% at 1 month and 96% (95% CI, 85%-99%) at 1 and 3 years. For PCAIS, recurrence-free survival was 88% (95% CI, 75%-95%) at 1 month and 81% (95% CI, 66%-90%) at 1 and 3 years. The hazard ratio for recurrence after PCAIS compared with ACAIS was 6.4 (95% CI, 1.4-29.8; P = .02) in univariable analysis and 5.3 (95% CI, 1.1-26.4; P = .04) after adjusting for sex and cervical dissection. Conclusions and Relevance: We identified a subgroup of patients that comprise more than 80% of recurrences of CAIS. Three years after incident stroke, 19% of children with PCAIS had a recurrence compared with 4% of patients with ACAIS. Different mechanisms of stroke may account for this difference. Children with PCAIS may warrant increased monitoring. This study highlights the necessity for further research focused on recurrence prevention.