A few of our favorite (new) things
Welcome to the December issue of ARO! This month we are pleased to share several exciting updates and launches as we round the corner to 2015. First, I am delighted to introduce four new members of ARO’s esteemed advisory board:
- Andrew Kennedy, MD, FACRO, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN, and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- Keith Hsiu Chin Lim, MBBS, FRANZCR, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
- Heath B. Mackley, MD, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
- Suresh Senan, MRCP, FRCR, PhD, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The advisory board plays a key part in critiquing review articles and case studies to ensure clinical interest, relevance and practical application. We are grateful for their time and expertise in tracking trends, securing contributors, and refining our efforts to produce high-quality, robust information. For titles and a complete list of the advisory board, please see p. 1.
We have several new initiatives in 2015. We will have a 2015 Article of the Year contest, which will give you the chance to win $500 (details on page 3). To provide timely updates in radiation oncology, vendor announcements, research developments, and related news and tips, ARO is also introducing a monthly e-newsletter in 2015. Finally, we are unveiling a new ARO website and rolling out a mobile app at the end of January. The website will incorporate a responsive design to facilitate use on various devices including tablets and smartphones. The app will be available for download on OS and Android devices.
Since facilitating information access continues to evolve in radiation oncology on a regular basis, this issue’s Technology Trends explores advances in treatment planning systems and discusses the need to balance automation with personalization.
Also in the issue, Drs. Yanagihara and Wang from Columbia University in New York present Diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain for glioblastoma: Implications for radiation oncology. This in-depth review article examines diffusion imaging in neuro-oncology, experimental applications in glioblastoma, ways to overcome limitations, and future directions. In addition, Proton therapy for radiation-induced parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma by Dr. Cooper and colleagues from Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, outlines how patients with heritable retinoblastoma face a heightened risk of developing secondary malignant neoplasms—a risk that’s significantly increased by radiotherapy. Read how proton therapy can reduce this risk and other effects of radiotherapy.
Lastly, enjoy the winning case report, Multi-lesion, left-sided, single isocenter radiosurgery treatment in a patient with a pacemaker, and runner-up, Diffuse chest wall calcifications after post mastectomy radiotherapy for breast cancer. Congratulations to our winners! We are thrilled to showcase these interesting cases, and encourage your submissions. Click here for contest details.
Thank you for your support in making 2014 another successful year of serving the radiation oncology community! We look forward to exciting changes ahead as we usher in 2015. Please enjoy the holiday season.
