Featured Publications
Oropharyngeal Cancer Early Outcomes and Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Kang J, Wu Y, Rybkin A, Yu Y, Chen L, Zakeri K, McBride S, Riaz N, Tsai C, Gelblum D, Wong R, Sherman E, Pfister D, Lee N. Oropharyngeal Cancer Early Outcomes and Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2021, 111: e412. PMCID: PMC8536212, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.07.1185.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDefinitive radiation therapyCOVID cohortRadiation therapyMore patientsAdvanced diseaseMonth outcomesPC cohortNew patientsCurative-intent radiation therapyGrade 3 dysphagiaOropharyngeal cancer outcomesCancer-specific survivalSupportive care needsKaplan-Meier methodLong-term outcomesDiagnosis/treatmentCOVID-19 pandemicMATERIAL/METHODSPerson consultsRT startClinicopathologic factorsOPC patientsHistorical cohortMedian timeEarly outcomes
2023
Concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer
Han J, Zakeri K, Raab G, Hesse J, Shamseddine A, Chen L, Yu Y, Kang J, McBride S, Riaz N, Tsai C, Gelblum D, Sherman E, Wong R, Michel L, Lee N. Concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer. Head & Neck 2023, 45: 2207-2216. PMID: 37439286, PMCID: PMC10981461, DOI: 10.1002/hed.27456.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLocoregional recurrenceDistant metastasisOverall survivalHNSCC patientsConcurrent carboplatinDefinitive chemoradiationConsecutive HNSCC patientsDefinitive radiation therapyMedian radiation doseKaplan-Meier methodCumulative incidence functionFree survivalAdvanced headMedian ageMedian dosesNeck cancerAUC 1Radiation therapyCarboplatinPatientsChemoradiationPaclitaxelRadiation doseExcellent optionIncidence function
2022
Treatment Outcomes for Radiation Therapy with Concurrent Carboplatin and Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Han J, Zakeri K, Raab G, Chen L, Yu Y, Kang J, McBride S, Riaz N, Tsai C, Gelblum D, Sherman E, Wong R, Michel L, Lee N. Treatment Outcomes for Radiation Therapy with Concurrent Carboplatin and Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2022, 114: e317. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.07.1381.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProgression-free survivalCisplatin-ineligible patientsDefinitive radiation therapyUnknown primary cancerLocoregional controlRadiation therapyDistant controlConcurrent carboplatinWeekly carboplatinAdvanced headOverall survivalHNSCC patientsPrimary cancerNeck squamous cell carcinomaConclusions Radiation therapyConsecutive HNSCC patientsCycles of chemotherapySevere ulcerative colitisUpper gastrointestinal bleedMedian radiation doseSynchronous primary malignanciesKaplan-Meier methodSquamous cell carcinomaMATERIAL/METHODSCumulative incidence functionPhysician Graded Toxicity Profiles and Survival Outcomes among Patients with Non-Metastatic Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Proton Therapy vs. Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy
Youssef I, Yoon J, Zakeri K, Cohen M, Wong R, Yu Y, Kang J, Gelblum D, McBride S, Sherman E, Dunn L, Cracchiolo J, Chen L, Lee N. Physician Graded Toxicity Profiles and Survival Outcomes among Patients with Non-Metastatic Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Proton Therapy vs. Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2022, 114: e325-e326. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.07.1399.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchProgression-free survivalIntensity-modulated radiation therapyOropharyngeal carcinomaAcute gradeIMRT groupLocoregional recurrenceOncologic outcomesAdverse eventsOverall survivalRadiation therapyPT groupSignificant differencesTreatment-related adverse eventsPatient/tumor characteristicsProton therapyCurative-intent radiationGrade 3 dysphagiaPresence of xerostomiaMedian RT doseRetrospective cohort studyProspective Randomized ComparisonPatient-reported outcomesSimilar oncologic outcomesMATERIAL/METHODSReduction of doseOutcomes and Toxicities of Nonmedullary Thyroid Tumors Treated with Proton Beam Radiation Therapy
Youssef I, Yoon J, Mohamed N, Zakeri K, Press R, Yu Y, Kang J, Wong R, Tuttle R, Shaha A, Sherman E, Lee N. Outcomes and Toxicities of Nonmedullary Thyroid Tumors Treated with Proton Beam Radiation Therapy. International Journal Of Particle Therapy 2022, 9: 20-30. PMID: 36060412, PMCID: PMC9415751, DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-22-00005.1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPercent of patientsLocal-regional recurrenceThyroid cancerRadiation therapyGross diseaseOverall survivalPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubeProton therapyProton beam radiation therapyAcute grade 3Central neck compartmentFavorable therapeutic ratioIntensity-modulated radiation therapyBeam radiation therapyProton beam therapyConcurrent chemotherapyPalliative radiationUnresectable diseaseAdjuvant radiationDefinitive radiationT4 diseaseMetastatic diseaseNeck compartmentRegional recurrenceUpper mediastinumOutcomes for Organ Preservation with Chemoradiation Therapy for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer
Eita A, Mohamed N, Rybkin A, Kang J, Fiasconaro M, Zhigang Z, Zakeri K, Yu Y, Sadaka E, Sherman E, Dunn L, Cracchiolo J, Wong R, Cohen M, Lee N. Outcomes for Organ Preservation with Chemoradiation Therapy for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancer. The Laryngoscope 2022, 133: 1138-1145. PMID: 35801573, PMCID: PMC10547133, DOI: 10.1002/lary.30279.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUnivariate analysisLocoregional failureT4 laryngealNonoperative managementHypopharyngeal cancerRadiation therapyPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubeHypopharynx cancer patientsYear OS ratesDisease-free survivalNon-surgical managementHypopharynx groupsInoperable diseaseLast followUnresectable diseaseChemoradiation therapyNodal statusGastrostomy tubeHypopharynx cancerOS ratesStage T4Cancer patientsFunctional outcomeTracheostomy tubeOrgan preservation
2021
Long-term Therapeutic and Functional Outcomes With Organ Preservation for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancers
Rybkin A, Eita A, Kang J, Fiasconaro M, Zhang Z, Zakeri K, Yu Y, Chen L, Gelblum D, Tsai C, Riaz N, McBride S, Sherman E, Dunn L, Ho A, Cohen M, Cracchiolo J, Pfister D, Wong R, Lee N. Long-term Therapeutic and Functional Outcomes With Organ Preservation for T4 Larynx and Hypopharynx Cancers. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2021, 111: e365-e366. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.07.1084.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomyDisease-free survivalHypopharynx cancerLocoregional failureOverall survivalUnivariate analysisChemoradiation therapyRadiation therapySurgical candidatesDistant metastasisStage T4Functional outcomeMedian disease-free intervalAdequate supportive careOrgan preservation trialsYear OS ratesDefinitive radiation therapyDisease-free intervalKaplan-Meier methodLarynx groupSupportive careEndoscopic gastrostomyMethods PatientsNodal statusNonoperative managementProton radiotherapy for recurrent or metastatic sarcoma with palliative quad shot
Lee A, Kang J, Bernstein H, Marqueen K, Neal B, Kelly C, Dickson M, Tsai C, Tap W, Singer S, Alektiar K, Lee N. Proton radiotherapy for recurrent or metastatic sarcoma with palliative quad shot. Cancer Medicine 2021, 10: 4221-4227. PMID: 34085781, PMCID: PMC8267151, DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3646.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLocal progression-free survivalMetastatic sarcomaSystemic therapyQUAD ShotOverall survivalUnivariate analysisPalliative responseMedian local progression-free survivalGrade 3 acute toxicityFurther systemic therapyProgression-free survivalConcurrent systemic therapyProton therapyCommon histologyMedian followProton RTTreatment optionsRadiation therapyPatientsLocal controlSarcomaTherapyRegimenProton radiotherapyAcute toxicityToxicity Profiles and Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Nonmetastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy vs Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy
Li X, Kitpanit S, Lee A, Mah D, Sine K, Sherman EJ, Dunn LA, Michel LS, Fetten J, Zakeri K, Yu Y, Chen L, Kang JJ, Gelblum DY, McBride SM, Tsai CJ, Riaz N, Lee NY. Toxicity Profiles and Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Nonmetastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy vs Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy. JAMA Network Open 2021, 4: e2113205. PMID: 34143193, PMCID: PMC8214161, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.13205.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLocoregional failure-free survivalNonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinomaProgression-free survivalIntensity-modulated radiation therapyIntensity-modulated proton therapyCurative-intent radiotherapyIMPT groupIMRT groupAdverse eventsOncologic outcomesOverall survivalSurvival outcomesNasopharyngeal carcinomaMAIN OUTCOMERadiation therapyToxicity profileHigher acute adverse eventsSimilar progression-free survivalTertiary academic cancer centerTreatment-related adverse eventsPropensity score-matched analysisTreatment-related toxic effectsMultivariable logistic regression analysisPoor progression-free survivalChronic grade 3Outcomes and prognostic factors of major salivary gland tumors treated with proton beam radiation therapy
Zakeri K, Wang H, Kang JJ, Lee A, Romesser P, Mohamed N, Gelblum D, Sherman E, Dunn L, Boyle J, Wong R, Chen L, Yu Y, Tsai CJ, McBride SM, Riaz N, Lee N. Outcomes and prognostic factors of major salivary gland tumors treated with proton beam radiation therapy. Head & Neck 2021, 43: 1056-1062. PMID: 33606323, PMCID: PMC9371938, DOI: 10.1002/hed.26563.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMajor salivary gland tumorsProton beam radiation therapyBeam radiation therapySalivary gland tumorsRadiation therapyLocoregional controlGland tumorsProgression-free survivalPhoton radiation therapyOverall survivalPrognostic factorsCommon siteCystic carcinomaLarge cohortDosimetric advantagesParotid glandTherapyPatientsTumorsTherapy CenterSurvivalTreatmentProton Therapy CenterCarcinomaCohort
2020
Last-line local treatment with the Quad Shot regimen for previously irradiated head and neck cancers
Fan D, Kang JJ, Fan M, Wang H, Lee A, Yu Y, Chen L, Tsai C, McBride SM, Riaz N, Gelblum DY, Neal BP, Fetten J, Dunn LA, Michel LS, Boyle JO, Cohen MA, Roman BR, Ganly I, Singh B, Wong RJ, Sherman EJ, Lee NY. Last-line local treatment with the Quad Shot regimen for previously irradiated head and neck cancers. Oral Oncology 2020, 104: 104641. PMID: 32182548, PMCID: PMC8480112, DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104641.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLocoregional progression-free survivalQuad Shot regimenOverall survivalPalliative responseRadiation therapyNeck cancerMedian locoregional progression-free survivalGrade 3 toxicity ratesOverall palliative response rateMedian overall survivalPalliative response ratePrior radiation therapyProgression-free survivalRadiation-related toxicityFree survivalPalliative therapyMedian ageLocal therapyPalliative optionSurvival improvementProton radiation therapyToxicity ratesTumor reductionIrradiated headLocal treatment
2019
Timing of surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy for sinonasal malignancies: Effect of surgical approach
Xiao R, Joshi RR, Husain Q, Cracchiolo JR, Lee N, Tsai J, Yu Y, Chen L, Kang JJ, McBride S, Riaz N, Roman BR, Ganly I, Tabar V, Gray ST, Cohen MA. Timing of surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy for sinonasal malignancies: Effect of surgical approach. Head & Neck 2019, 41: 3551-3563. PMID: 31294897, PMCID: PMC6742559, DOI: 10.1002/hed.25873.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedCarcinoma, Squamous CellCombined Modality TherapyDatabases, FactualDisease-Free SurvivalEndoscopyFemaleHumansKaplan-Meier EstimateLinear ModelsMaleMiddle AgedOtorhinolaryngologic Surgical ProceduresParanasal Sinus NeoplasmsPropensity ScoreRadiotherapy, AdjuvantRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentSurvival AnalysisTime FactorsConceptsSquamous cell carcinomaRadiation therapyEndoscopic surgeryPropensity score-matched analysisAdjuvant radiation therapyNational Cancer DatabasePostoperative radiation therapyKaplan-Meier methodTiming of surgeryDay of surgeryShorter postoperative timeMultivariable linear regressionOverall survivalPostoperative timeSinonasal malignanciesCell carcinomaSurgical approachNeck cancerCancer DatabaseParanasal sinusesSurvival advantageNasal cavitySurgeryPatientsExtended OSTrends and Disparities of Proton Therapy Use among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Analysis from the National Cancer Database (2005-14)
Lee A, Kang J, Yu Y, McBride S, Riaz N, Cohen M, Sherman E, Michel L, Lee N, Tsai CJ. Trends and Disparities of Proton Therapy Use among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Analysis from the National Cancer Database (2005-14). International Journal Of Particle Therapy 2019, 5: 1-10. PMID: 31773036, PMCID: PMC6871620, DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-19-00051.1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNational Cancer DatabasePrimary disease siteMultivariable logistic regressionTherapy useNeck cancerRadiation therapyCancer DatabasePrimary siteDisease sitesNasal cavity/nasopharynxLogistic regressionInitial treatment courseNeck primary malignancyProton therapyCommon primary siteDistribution of patientsHousehold income quartileT4 diseaseMost patientsPrimary malignancyClinical factorsNonmetastatic headTreatment coursePrimary headOral cavity
2018
Whole Versus Partial Bladder Radiation
Kang J, Steinberg M, Kupelian P, Alexander S, King C. Whole Versus Partial Bladder Radiation. American Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2018, 41: 107-114. PMID: 26535994, DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000237.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAged, 80 and overCarcinoma, Transitional CellCohort StudiesDisease-Free SurvivalFemaleGeriatric AssessmentHumansKaplan-Meier EstimateMaleMiddle AgedNeoplasm InvasivenessNeoplasm StagingOrgan Sparing TreatmentsPrognosisRadiation Dose HypofractionationRadiation InjuriesRadiotherapy, Image-GuidedRadiotherapy, Intensity-ModulatedRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentSurvival AnalysisTreatment OutcomeUnited StatesUrinary Bladder NeoplasmsConceptsOverall survivalLymph nodesWhole bladderLocal controlMuscle-invasive bladder cancerMuscle-invasive recurrenceMulti-institutional cohortSimultaneous integrated boostIntensity-modulated radiation therapyDefinitive chemoradiationPrimary endpointSecondary endpointsBladder treatmentLocal recurrenceUrothelial cancerMean ageBladder cancerIntegrated boostInstitutional experienceRetrospective analysisBladder wallBoost volumeRadiation therapySimilar survivalTherapeutic ratioWrong to be Right
Kang JJ, Reiter RE, Kummer N, DeKernion J, Steinberg ML, King CR. Wrong to be Right. American Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2018, 41: 1-5. PMID: 26237192, PMCID: PMC6946377, DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000000216.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAnalysis of VarianceCohort StudiesDatabases, FactualDisease-Free SurvivalFollow-Up StudiesHumansKaplan-Meier EstimateMaleMargins of ExcisionMiddle AgedMultivariate AnalysisNeoplasm GradingNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalProportional Hazards ModelsProstatectomyProstate-Specific AntigenProstatic NeoplasmsRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentSalvage TherapySurvival AnalysisTreatment OutcomeConceptsSalvage radiation therapyRadical prostatectomyT stageCox multivariate analysisIntrinsic risk factorsIatrogenic failuresPostoperative PSASRT PSASalvage radiationBiochemical progressionIndependent predictorsLocal recurrencePreoperative PSARelapse rateBiochemical relapseKaplan-MeierBiochemical recurrenceSurgical approachRP patientsRisk factorsSurgical techniqueGleason gradeRadiation therapySurgical pathologyConsecutive rises
2015
Pelvic Nodal Dosing With Registration to the Prostate: Implications for High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
Kishan AU, Lamb JM, Jani SS, Kang JJ, Steinberg ML, King CR. Pelvic Nodal Dosing With Registration to the Prostate: Implications for High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2015, 91: 832-839. PMID: 25752398, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.11.035.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnatomic LandmarksCone-Beam Computed TomographyFiducial MarkersHumansLymph NodesLymphatic IrradiationMaleMovementOrgan SizePelvic BonesPelvisProstateProstatic NeoplasmsRadiosurgeryRadiotherapy DosageRadiotherapy Planning, Computer-AssistedRadiotherapy, Image-GuidedRectumSeminal VesiclesUrinary BladderConceptsNodal coverageCone-beam CTKilovoltage cone-beam CTHigh-risk prostate cancer patientsHigh-risk prostate cancerNodal clinical target volumeStereotactic body radiation therapyBladder-filling protocolPelvic lymph nodesMajority of patientsSubset of patientsRadiation therapy regimenProstate cancer patientsBody radiation therapyClinical target volumeAverage V100Multimodality bladderSBRT regimenStrict bladderLymph nodesPelvic nodalTherapy regimenCancer patientsProstate cancerRadiation therapy
2014
Ultra-Sensitive PSA Following Prostatectomy Reliably Identifies Patients Requiring Postoperative Radiation Therapy
Kang J, Reiter R, Steinberg M, King C. Ultra-Sensitive PSA Following Prostatectomy Reliably Identifies Patients Requiring Postoperative Radiation Therapy. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2014, 90: s130-s131. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.05.578.Peer-Reviewed Original Research