Dr. Goodman on Ongoing Clinical Trials in Radiation Oncology

Karyn A. Goodman, MD, radiation oncologist, professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, discusses ongoing trials in the field of radiation oncology.

The RTOG 0848 study is a phase III trial examining chemoradiation as an adjuvant treatment for patients with resected head of pancreas adenocarcinoma, says Goodman, who is also the trial's radiation oncology principal investigator. Patients are randomized to receive chemoradiation after 6 months of gemcitabine. A second study, CALGB 80803, is a randomized phase II trial examining PET scan-directed combined modality therapy in patients with esophageal cancer.

Quality assurance for radiation is an area of unmet need required to better provide quality radiation care to patients, Goodman explains. She is also involved in evaluating US quality of care and reviewing cancer center radiation plans.