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Workload • Radiation Oncology
Do you ever start patients on a Friday if non-emergent and you're not treating over the weekend?
Many centers seem to try to get at least 2 fractions in the week that patients begin treatment, is this something that is necessary to try to do? Many times patients end up receiving their last treatment on a Monday, and this scenario is not proactively avoided. Thoughts?
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
The data for reducing radiation treatment time/elapsed days are most obvious in the setting of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), where data have shown in H&N cancers, cervical cancers, and anal cancers that shorter treatment times are important for optimal local control. One study that I find intr...
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Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
I've often wondered about this same question. @Salma K. Jabbour's comments seem exceptionally valid. That said, when I'm faced with this situation, I personally have treated with a larger dose on the Friday and then continue with a more traditional dose per fraction the following week, r...
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Radiation Oncologist at Veterans Administration Hospital, Jackson,MS
There is a general belief that you should deliver ...
There is a general belief that you should deliver ...
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Community Practice
For palliation, I do exactly what @Christopher D. Jahraus does. 4 Gy on Friday, then 3 Gy on Monday for brain mets or lung obstruction or bleeding is typical. I think it makes sense. They are going to eventually get a 2 day break at some point, and it's, in my mind, arbritrary when it is. ...