Title:

Technical Advances in Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer and Opportunities for Future Research

Speaker:

Dr. Mohammad Khan

Affiliation:

Emory University School of Medicine

When:

Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 11:00:00 AM   Add to Calendar

Where:

Boggs Building, Room 47

Host:

Dr. Cho
scho@gatech.edu
404-385-1301

Abstract

Continuous refinement in the extent of irradiated normal tissue for prostate cancer has been a major focus of development in radiation oncology. The goal of treatment is to irradiate all cancerous cells while excluding surrounding normal tissue in order to maximize the therapeutic ratio. Advances in imaging to facilitate daily target alignment and enhanced treatment planning techniques like intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton therapy have led to the development of enhanced beam delivery methods – image guided radiotherapy (IGRT). Further refinements are now largely limited by changes in position of target - not just day to day prior to treatment (inter-fraction) but also during treatment (intra-fraction). Daily target localization and target motion management has thus become a topic of heightened interest. A variety of prostate IGRT systems are in use for this purpose: (1) Transabdominal ultrasound, (2) X-rays with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging system attached to a linear accelerator, (3) implanted fiducials which provide localization and real-time tracking (Calypso® 4D Localization and Tracking System®; Seattle, WA). All three of these technologies have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for this use and are part of the standards of care in centers across the United States, including Emory University School of Medicine. The rapid emergence and integration of these technologies has left many clinical questions unanswered, and raised opportunities for further research. The current research carried out at Emory University Department of Radiation Oncology will be presented and opportunities for future collaboration will be discussed.

Biography

Dr. Khan joined the Emory University Department of Radiation Oncology in August 2011. His expertise includes treatment of prostate cancer patients, pediatric patients, lymphoma patients, leukemia patients, multiple myeloma patients, and malignant melanoma patients. Dr Khan received his MS (1999) and Ph.D (2002) degrees in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his MD degree (2006) from University of Tennessee, Memphis. He then completed his internship year (2007) and his radiation oncology residency training (2011) from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. His research includes clinical outcome studies as well as physics translation research.