Advances, an ASTRO Journal (@Advances_ASTRO)

Does the addition of mucosal ☢️ impact outcomes in patients with #hncsm# carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) site? This retrospective analysis compared outcomes in pts w/ SCC CUP treated with (n=46) and without (n=88) 50 Gy ☢️ to putative mucosal sites. From mFU 72 mo: ➡️ 5yr OS with and without mucosal ☢️was similar: 56.1% and 57.5%, respectively (p=0.899) ➡️ Tumor recurrences with and without mucosal ☢️ were similar: 32.6% and 27.3%, respectively (p=0.591) ➡️ All mucosal recurrences (9.7%) occurred in current 🚬 at >3 yrs post initial diagnosis, suggestive of 2nd primary tumor 🔗 - #radonc# @ASTRO_org

New in Advances in Radiation Oncology: Titanium vs Carbon/PEEK spinal implants in postoperative spine SBRT: a review of imaging, dosimetry, and clinical evidence. Key finding: Carbon/PEEK reduces CT artifact volume up to ~90% and cuts photon max dose perturbation from ~30% to ~5%; in protons, CTV underdose error drops from 17.3% to 4.1%, near implant-free levels. Why it matters: artifacts complicate contouring and dose calculation exactly where ablative dose meets spinal cord, and cleaner imaging helps detect recurrence earlier. Important caveat: clinical outcome data remain retrospective and limited; no direct contouring-accuracy comparisons exist, and Carbon/PEEK costs more. Bottom line: the dosimetric advantages are consistent and real, but improved local control is not yet proven. Randomized data (CarbonS trial) are coming. @ASTRO_org #RadOnc# #OncTwitter#