The Promise of Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer

Because the lungs are sensitive to radiation, treating lung cancer can be challenging. What's the current standard of care for the management of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, and how might proton therapy benefit patients with this condition? How does the efficacy of proton therapy for lung cancer compare to other therapies?

Ramesh Rengan, MD, PhD, assistant professor of radiation oncology at Penn Medicine, evaluates the potential of proton therapy for lung cancer. Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.



Source: ReachMD | Originally Aired: August 24, 2009 | Length: 13 min

Innovative Technologies in Interventional Pulmonology

Interventional pulmonology offers patients with airway disorders a variety of innovative procedures, including endobronchial stenting, laser bronchoscopy and endobronchial brachytherapy. Daniel Sterman, MD, associate professor of medicine and director of the interventional pulmonology program at Penn Medicine, talks about the state of the art in interventional pulmonology for treating patients with lung cancer, airway obstructions and other conditions.

What specific challenges and risks are there with these types of procedures? Join host Dr. Lee Freedman to learn more.

Source: ReachMD | Originally Aired: November 9, 2009 | Length: 13 min

Proton Therapy for Brain Tumors

What advantages are there to using proton therapy to treat brain tumors? Is proton therapy most effective when used alone or when it is integrated with conventional radiation therapy? What patients might benefit the most from proton therapy for treating their brain tumors?

Robert Lustig, MD, professor of clinical radiation oncology and director of clinical operations in the department of radiation oncology at Penn Medicine, describes this exciting new therapy. Hosted by Dr. Lee Freedman.

Source: ReachMD | Originally Aired: January 4, 2010 | Length: 13 min

Diagnosing Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors

Although gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or GEP-NETs, are relatively common, they are often indolent. However, GEP-NETs can metastasize in a small portion of the population, so physicians should be aware of symptoms and screening tools.

The two most common types of GEP-NETs are categorized as carcinoids and pancreatic endocrine tumors. What distinguishes the two? Host Dr. Lee Freedman welcomes David Metz, MD, professor of medicine and associate chief for clinical affairs in the division of gastroenterology at Penn Medicine, to discuss characteristics and diagnosis of GEP-NETs.

Source: ReachMD | Originally Aired: October 12, 2009 | Length: 13 min