In this episode of the Oncology Brothers podcast, we delved into the world of localized treatment options for gastrointestinal malignancies. Hosts Drs. Rahul and Rohit Gosain were joined by experts in the field, including Drs. Nina Sanford, Jeff Ryckman, and Harris Chengazi, who provided insights from the perspectives of radiation oncology and interventional radiology.
The discussion covered the basics of radiation oncology terminology, such as SRS, SBRT, and proton therapy, highlighting the advancements in treatment modalities over the past decade. Dr. Sanford emphasized the evolution of radiation therapy for liver cancer, particularly HCC, due to technological advancements like SRS and SBRT.
Dr. Ryckman discussed the considerations for liver-directed therapy in patients with HCC, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and patient-specific treatment decisions. He highlighted the role of SBRT for larger tumors with macrovascular invasion and the need for collaboration between radiation oncologists and interventional radiologists.
Dr. Chengazi provided insights into the interventional radiology toolkit, discussing various techniques like percutaneous ablation, chemoembolization, and radioembolization for liver tumors. He emphasized the complexity of treatment decisions based on tumor characteristics and patient factors.
The hosts concluded by stressing the significance of a multidisciplinary approach in cancer care, where collaboration between medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and interventional radiologists is crucial for optimal patient outcomes. The episode underscored the importance of understanding and utilizing the available local treatment modalities to provide personalized care for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.
