The need for multidisciplinarity in specialist training to optimize future patient care

Harmonious interactions between radiation, medical, interventional and surgical oncologists, as well as other members of multidisciplinary teams, are essential for the optimization of patient care in oncology. This multidisciplinary approach is particularly important in the current landscape, in which standard-of-care approaches to cancer treatment are evolving towards highly targeted treatments, precise image guidance and personalized cancer therapy. Herein, we highlight the importance of multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity at all levels of clinical oncology training. Potential deficits in the current career development pathways and suggested strategies to broaden clinical training and research are presented, with specific emphasis on the merits of trainee involvement in functional multidisciplinary teams. Finally, the importance of training in multidisciplinary research is discussed, with the expectation that this awareness will yield the most fertile ground for future discoveries. Our key message is for cancer professionals to fulfil their duty in ensuring that trainees appreciate the importance of multidisciplinary research and practice

Long-term efficacy of fractionated radiotherapy for benign meningiomas

Purpose: To assess long term efficacy of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT) in the treatment of benign intracranial meningiomas. Materials and methods: Retrospective study of 222 patients with histologically confirmed (58%) and unverified presumed (42%) grade I intracranial meningioma treated with fSRT in a single institution to doses of 50-55 Gy in 30-33 fractions. Results: At a median follow-up of 43 months (range 3-144) the 5 and 10 years local control (LC) were 93% and 86%. Patients with tumors involving the optic nerve (42 patients) and patients with cavernous sinus/parasellar region meningiomas (78 patients) had 5 and 10 years LC of 100%. The 5 and 10 years survival probabilities were 93% and 84%. On multivariate analysis gender and tumor site were independent predictors of LC. Worsening of pre-existing cranial nerve deficit occurred in 8 (3.5%) and onset of new deficit in 1(0.5%) patient. Two patients with optic nerve sheath meningioma (1%) developed radiation retinopathy. There were no cases of radiation necrosis or second brain tumors. Conclusion: fSRT achieves excellent medium and long term tumor control with minimal morbidity particularly in patients with benign meningiomas involving the parasellar region and the optic nerves and questions the role of other treatment modalities for tumors at these locations. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Radiotherapy and Oncology 109 (2013) 330-33