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Background Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is commonly employed in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC); however, the optimal radiotherapy regimen is still unknown. This 3-institution analysis compares long-term disease control and survival outcomes for once- (QD) versus twice-daily (BID) radiotherapy at contemporary doses. Methods and Materials Data were collected for LS-SCLC patients treated with platinum-based CCRT and planned RT doses of > 5940 cGy at > 180 cGy QD or > 4500 cGy at 150 cGy BID. Comparative outcome analyses were performed for treatment groups. Results From 2005 through 2014, 132 patients met inclusion criteria for analysis (80 QD, 52 BID). Treatment groups were well-balanced, excepting higher rate of advanced mediastinal staging, longer interval from biopsy to treatment initiation, and lower rate of prophylactic cranial irradiation for the QD group, as well as institutional practice variation. At median survivor follow-up of 33.5 months (range, 4.6–105.8), 80 patients experienced disease failure (44 QD, 36 BID), and 106 died (62 QD, 44 BID). No differences in disease control or survival were demonstrated between treatment groups. Conclusion The present analysis did not detect a difference in disease control or survival outcomes for contemporary dose QD versus BID CCRT in LS-SCLC.

Background: Evidence suggests that cancer patients with increased travel burden to treatment centers may have limited treatment options. Purpose: To investigate the association between travel distance to a treatment facility and initial treatment choice among young men with low-risk prostate cancer in a rural state. Methods: A retrospective medical charts review was conducted of young men (65 years or younger) newly diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2014 who were treated with either active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, or brachytherapy at either of the two major hospital systems in Bismarck, ND, USA. Results: Information on a random sample of 242 patients was studied. The majority of patients (66%) received radical prostatectomy. Patients who received radical prostatectomy were significantly younger (p-value 0.001). PSA at diagnosis, clinical stage, and Gleason score were not associated with treatment choice (p-value = 0.06; p-value = 0.1794; and p-value = 1.00; respectively). Adjusting for age at diagnosis, PSA at diagnosis, and treatment facility, treatment choice was not associated with travel distance (p-value = 0.309). Patients treated at St. Alexius facility were more likely to undergo radical prostatectomy than Sanford health patients (p-value Conclusions: We found no association between travel distance and treatment choice for low-risk prostate cancer. Treatment choice was associated with institution which may suggest institutional bias in patterns of care.

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of lymph node dissection extent remains undetermined in the contemporary setting, as reflected in care pattern variations. Despite some series demonstrating a direct relationship between number of lymph nodes identified and detection of nodal involvement, the correlation between lymph node yield and disease control or survival outcomes remains unclear. METHODS: Patients with clinically localized prostate cancer, pre-RP PSA