The Role of Radiation Oncologist in Palliative Care Conferences in Cancer Hospital

Sometimes palliative radiotherapy (pRT) is not always used appropriately. In our institution, radiation oncologists started to participate the palliative care conferences from September 2021. Between September 2021 and August 2022, 26 (7.6%) of 341 patients presented at this conference were considered candidates for pRT. Finally, 11 patients (3.2%) underwent pRT (ulcerative breast cancer, 2; metastatic spinal cord compression, 1; re-irradiation, 6; peritoneal dissemination, 1; multiple liver metastases, 1). The participation of radiation oncologists at the palliative care conference is thought to facilitate the treatment option of palliative radiotherapy.

The work-relatedness at a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a radiation oncologist

BACKGROUND: Clinicians who perform radiation therapy (RT) are exposed to radiation, which may negatively affect their health. The present study reports a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a healthcare provider who was exposed to radiation at work; we also present a literature review of this topic. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old patient, who had been a radiation oncologist and had been exposed to radiation while performing brachytherapy 10 years ago, complained of chest pain and was suspected of having leukemia based on the results of a blood test in an outpatient clinic. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and subsequently underwent chemotherapy. However, the case died during treatment. Through epidemiological investigation, it was found that the case's cumulative exposure dose based on personal exposure and spatial dose measured during the work period was in the range of 6.08–12.15 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the following considerations, acute lymphoblastic leukemia was highly correlated with the level of radiation to which the case was exposed while performing brachytherapy on patients with cancer. Firstly, the latent period of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the case closely matched the latency time reported in previous published studies (5–10 years). In addition, numerous studies have reported significantly higher relative risks of cancer among clinicians who perform RT compared with the general population. The case was also atypically exposed to radiation through his hands, despite wearing protective equipment. Lastly, the case's coworkers were also found to have been exposed to high levels of radiation. Investigation into the influence of radiation exposure through atypical routes during RT on the health of clinicians is recommended.

Current Status of SCI & SCIE Publications in the Field of Radiation Oncology in Korea / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate current status of SCI (Science Citation Index) and SCI Expanded publications of Korean radiation oncologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published SCI and SCIE articles the conditions of first author's address as "Korea" and "Radiation Oncology" or "Therapeutic Radiology" were searched from Pubmed database. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2006, 146 SCI articles and 32 SCIE articles were published. Most frequently published journal was International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, where 56 articles were found. Articles with 30 or more citations were only five and 10 or more citations were 26. Yonsei University, which had 57 published articles, was the top among 19 affiliations which had one or more SCI and SCIE articles. Authors with five or more articles were 9 and Seong J. of Yonsei University was the top with 19 articles. CONCLUSION: The investigations showed disappointing results. The members of Korean Society of Radiation Oncologists must consider a strategy to increase SCI and SCIE publications.

Number of Radiation Oncologists in Korea, Adequate or Surplus? / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to discern and address the issues related to the radiation oncology manpower supply and its distribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The statistical data of the Annual Report of the Korea Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) from 1997 to 2002 and the Annual Report of the Korean Society of Radiation Oncology (KOSTRO) from 1997 to 2004 were used to predict the status of the human resources in 2015. The estimated demand and supply were calculated with the Microsoft Excel(R) program (Microsoft, Redmond, WA). RESULTS: The demand for radiation oncologists is estimated to be 161 in 2015 and about 4.9 radiation oncologists will be in demand annually. In contrast, an average of 15 new radiation oncologists will be supplied annually so that the accumulated surplus of radiation oncologists until 2015 is estimated to be 74.1. The main reason for the surplus comes from the discrepancy between the increased number of radiation therapy patients and the need for radiation oncologists. When there is an increase of 1,000 radiation therapy patients, the demand for radiation oncologists increases only by 2.4. This phenomenon is especially evident in the top 10 hospitals where the average number of radiation therapy patients per radiation oncologist is 341, which is 58% higher than the average number (215) of other 46 hospitals. CONCLUSION: To prevent a surplus and to maintain the quality of management, the number of radiation therapy patients per radiation oncologist should be limited. Furthermore, coordinate control of the number of residency positions should be seriously considered.