ABSTRACT
Purpose: Despite the call to increase the number of radiation oncologists in Latin America, the quality, similarity, and number of residency training programs are unknown. We seek to describe the current state of residency programs in radiation oncology in Latin America. Methods and Materials: Latin American Residents in Radiation Oncology performed a cross-sectional analysis of universities and training centers for radiation oncologists in Latin America. Latin American Residents in Radiation Oncology members identified and contacted current residents and specialists at each center to obtain information and documents that described their training curricula. Results: As of 2020, 13 of 23 (56.5%) Latin American countries have radiation oncology training. Seventy-three training centers were identified (59 active and 14 inactive), associated with 28 universities. On average, each active center trains 2.6 new residents per year, and in total, 156 residents are trained annually. The average length of training programs is 3.6 years. Brazil and Mexico comprise 31 (52.5%) and 7 (11.9%) of active programs, respectively, and 64 (41.8%) and 50 (32.7%) residents, respectively. Training is available in 38 cities in 13 countries, and outside Brazil and Mexico, only 13 cities in 11 countries (9 capitals and 4 noncapital cities). Individualized curriculum documents were provided by 20 (83.3%) of 24 non-Brazilian programs, while 1 standardized guideline was provided for Brazilian training programs. These demonstrated variation between subjects taught, their devoted time, outside specialty rotations, and experiences in modern techniques. Seventy-five percent include volumetric modulated arc therapy, 70% stereotactic radiosurgery, and 55% stereotactic body radiation therapy training. One-hundred percent include gynecologic brachytherapy education and <50% brachytherapy education in other disease sites. Conclusions: Training is highly centralized in capital cities. The number of trainees is insufficient to close the current human resource divide but is limited by available job openings. Over 50% of training programs now include technological training in stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy, or volumetric modulated arc therapy; however, substantial variation still exists. The development of radiation oncology specialists must be improved and modernized to address the escalating demand for cancer care.
ABSTRACT
Lhermitte phenomenon is a neurological symptom described as a sensation of electric shock that radiates from the back towards the extremities, which appears when a patient flexes the neck. A transient myelopathy as a late complication of radiotherapy is associated with this symptom. It appears two to four months after treatment and disappears spontaneously. We report a 45 years old female with a neck malignant melanoma treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. She experienced the Lhermitte phenomenon that was triggered by heat. This phenomenon must be differentiated from the Uhthoff phenomenon.
Subject(s)
Head and Neck Neoplasms/diagnosis , Hot Temperature/adverse effects , Melanoma/diagnosis , Pain/etiology , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Head and Neck Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Male , Melanoma/radiotherapy , Melanoma/surgery , Middle Aged , Skin Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Skin Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
Lhermitte phenomenon is a neurological symptom described as a sensation of electric shock that radiates from the back towards the extremities, which appears when a patient flexes the neck. A transient myelopathy as a late complication of radiotherapy is associated with this symptom. It appears two to four months after treatment and disappears spontaneously. We report a 45 years old female with a neck malignant melanoma treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. She experienced the Lhermitte phenomenon that was triggered by heat. This phenomenon must be differentiated from the Uhthoff phenomenon.
