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Kenneth B. Roberts, MD

Professor of Therapeutic Radiology
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Additional Titles

Chief, Cardiac Brachytherapy Program, Therapeutic Radiology

Chief, Lymphoma/Sarcoma Radiotherapy Program, Therapeutic Radiology

Chief, Pediatrics Radiotherapy Program, Therapeutic Radiology

Associate Chief of Radiation Oncology, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Therapeutic Radiology

About

Titles

Professor of Therapeutic Radiology

Chief, Cardiac Brachytherapy Program, Therapeutic Radiology; Chief, Lymphoma/Sarcoma Radiotherapy Program, Therapeutic Radiology; Chief, Pediatrics Radiotherapy Program, Therapeutic Radiology; Associate Chief of Radiation Oncology, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Therapeutic Radiology

Biography

As a practicing, productive academic physician, my current clinical interests have emphasized the role of radiotherapy in pediatric malignancies, lymphomas, leukemias, sarcomas, colo-anal cancers, and benign inflammatory conditions. Correspondingly, my clinical research interests have been translational and practical, emphasizing combined modality therapy in cancer management, late effects of therapy including secondary malignancies, and the utilization of brachytherapy (implanted radiation sources) in both malignant and benign disease.

Appointments

Education & Training

MS
Duke University School of Law, Legal Studies (1994)
Resident
Duke University Medical Center (1992)
Fellow
Duke University Medical Center (1989)
Resident
Ohio State University Hospitals (1987)
MD
Duke University (1984)
BS
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chemistry and Biology (1979)

Research

Overview

During my first ten years on the Yale faculty, I participated in clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of bioreductive alkylating agents as an adjunct to radiotherapy in cervix cancer. A Phase III study comparing radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy plus Mitomycin C for cervix cancer has been completed in Venezuela with results showing a significant improvement in disease-free survival with the addition of Mitomycin C, which is a hypoxic cell cytotoxin.

For several years, I had been collaborating with Interventional Cardiology and Medical Physics in a clinical program utilizing coronary brachytherapy to manage in-stent restenosis. Some current or upcoming clinical research projects include:

1) modifying radiation dose and volume in advanced stage Hodgkin’s disease based on response to initial chemotherapy (a cooperative group trial);

2) the effects of prostate edema during brachytherapy on modulating radiation dose delivery;

3) the changes in second malignancies seen after Hodgkins Lymphoma therapy with shift away from primary extended field radiotherapy to combined chemotherapy and low dose involved field radiotherapy

4) an examination of the economic forces that drive the use and demand for radiotherapeutic modalities, often with poorly developed evidence.

Regarding this latter concept, in the management of localized prostate cancer, brachytherapy is in a decline while Intensity Modulated and Image Guided Radiotherapy is in ascendancy for complex reasons. In early stage breast cancer, there is an increasing trend toward partial breast irradiation using 3D conformal radiotherapy or brachytherapy. Coronary brachytherapy had experienced a several year surge in usage and interest amongst cardiologists, but now is less frequently needed due to the efficacy of drug eluting stents, a complementary albeit expensive technology. Palliative radiotherapy in terminally ill cancer patients has become less frequently used, due in part to the capitated reimbursement for hospice care and the relatively high expense and inconvenience of radiotherapy versus medical therapy.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Brachytherapy; Cytotoxins; Hodgkin Disease; Radiation Oncology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Kenneth B. Roberts's published research.

Publications

2024

2023

Clinical Trials

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    Childrens Oncology Group

  • activity

    American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

  • activity

    consortium of Connecticut Hospitals, physicians, scientists, and physicists

  • activity

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • activity

    Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center

Clinical Care

Overview

Clinical Specialties

Therapeutic Radiology; Medical Oncology

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Radiation Oncology

    Certification Organization
    AB of Radiology
    Original Certification Date
    1995
  • Medical Oncology

    Certification Organization
    AB of Internal Medicine
    Original Certification Date
    1989
  • Internal Medicine

    Certification Organization
    AB of Internal Medicine
    Original Certification Date
    1987

Yale Medicine News

Get In Touch

Contacts

Academic Office Number
Appointment Number
Clinic Fax Number
Mailing Address

Therapeutic Radiology

PO Box 208040

New Haven, CT 06520-8040

United States

Locations

  • Yale Therapeutic Radiology

    Academic Office

    Hunter Building

    15 York Street, Ste HRT 133

    New Haven, CT 06510

  • Patient Care Locations

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