Opportunities For Medical Physicists Research Articles

TU-FG-BRC-01: Cancer and the Immune System: The Basics!

There is substantial current interest in the potential of radiation therapy for synergizing with novel immunotherapies to transform irradiated tumor into an immunogenic hub with capacity to ignite a powerful and adaptive longterm anti-cancer response. Interest stems from new insights into fundamental mechanisms underlying interactions between cancer, radiation and the immune system. Radically new immunotherapy approaches have been proposed, which target the immune system, rather than the cancer itself. Promising preliminary results on subsets of patients have led to a surge in research and clinical trials investigating the potential for combining new immunomodulatory agents with radiation therapy. In this symposia, we undertake a basic review of key topics and questions relating to the potential for combining radiation therapy and new immunotherapy approaches, including a focus on opportunities for medical physicists. Learning Objectives: 1.Gain insight into approaches to combining immunotherapy and radiation therapy. 2.Review latest clinical trial data investigating radiation and immunotherapy. 3.Consider how radiation therapy can better stimulate immunogenicity. 4.Explore opportunities for medical physicists in radiation and immunotherapy M Oldham has funding support from Immunolioght Llc

TU-FG-BRC-04: Opportunities for Medical Physics Contributions to Radiation Immunotherapy

There is substantial current interest in the potential of radiation therapy for synergizing with novel immunotherapies to transform irradiated tumor into an immunogenic hub with capacity to ignite a powerful and adaptive longterm anti-cancer response. Interest stems from new insights into fundamental mechanisms underlying interactions between cancer, radiation and the immune system. Radically new immunotherapy approaches have been proposed, which target the immune system, rather than the cancer itself. Promising preliminary results on subsets of patients have led to a surge in research and clinical trials investigating the potential for combining new immunomodulatory agents with radiation therapy. In this symposia, we undertake a basic review of key topics and questions relating to the potential for combining radiation therapy and new immunotherapy approaches, including a focus on opportunities for medical physicists. Learning Objectives: 1. Gain insight into approaches to combining immunotherapy and radiation therapy. 2. Review latest clinical trial data investigating radiation and immunotherapy. 3. Consider how radiation therapy can better stimulate immunogenicity. 4. Explore opportunities for medical physicists in radiation and immunotherapy M Oldham has funding support from Immunolioght Llc

TU-FG-BRC-00: Radiation and Immunotherapy: How to Ignite Long Term Anti-Cancer Response

There is substantial current interest in the potential of radiation therapy for synergizing with novel immunotherapies to transform irradiated tumor into an immunogenic hub with capacity to ignite a powerful and adaptive longterm anti-cancer response. Interest stems from new insights into fundamental mechanisms underlying interactions between cancer, radiation and the immune system. Radically new immunotherapy approaches have been proposed, which target the immune system, rather than the cancer itself. Promising preliminary results on subsets of patients have led to a surge in research and clinical trials investigating the potential for combining new immunomodulatory agents with radiation therapy. In this symposia, we undertake a basic review of key topics and questions relating to the potential for combining radiation therapy and new immunotherapy approaches, including a focus on opportunities for medical physicists. Learning Objectives: 1. Gain insight into approaches to combining immunotherapy and radiation therapy. 2. Review latest clinical trial data investigating radiation and immunotherapy. 3. Consider how radiation therapy can better stimulate immunogenicity. 4. Explore opportunities for medical physicists in radiation and immunotherapy M Oldham has funding support from Immunolioght Llc

SU-A-213-00: Professional Council Symposium: Alternative Career Opportunities for Medical Physicists

Medical Physics is an attractive career choice for many young scientists, offering opportunities in both research and clinical activities. Very often, clinical medical physics is broadly divided into two categories: we are either therapy physicists or diagnostic physicists. Such a bifurcation, while capturing much of what we have historically done, does not reflect the breadth of the applications of physics in medicine. Further, the second bifurcation - that between research and clinical medical physics - also does not reflect the breadth of professional opportunities. As health care changes and more bright candidates enter the field, recognizing the broader opportunities for medical physicists is becoming increasingly important. This symposium will explore just two aspects of non-traditional medical physics careers. The first speaker will first focus on the enormous opportunities in quantitative imaging in cancer care, which is linked with treatment response assessment, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and advanced image analysis. Second, biological data analysis, including analysis of big data in images and other biomarkers will be discussed. Finally, opportunities for physicists in the pharmaceutical industry, such as in pharmacokinetics and modeling) will be presented. The second speaker will discuss some of the many opportunities for medical physicists in imaging and therapeutic equipment industry. Both large corporations and small companies offer alternative career paths for physicists outside of the typical research and clinical realms. Research and clinical medical physics are still vital in these companies, but are implemented differently. Learning Objectives: 1. Become familiar with career opportunities in quantitative imaging, biological data analysis, pharmaceutical industry, and equipment industry. 2. Learn the activities associated with these opportunities 3. Learn the education and experience expected to be successful in these realms.

SU-A-213-01: Alternative Career Opportunities for Medical Physicists

Medical Physics is an attractive career choice for many young scientists, offering opportunities in both research and clinical activities. Very often, clinical medical physics is broadly divided into two categories: we are either therapy physicists or diagnostic physicists. Such a bifurcation, while capturing much of what we have historically done, does not reflect the breadth of the applications of physics in medicine. Further, the second bifurcation - that between research and clinical medical physics - also does not reflect the breadth of professional opportunities. As health care changes and more bright candidates enter the field, recognizing the broader opportunities for medical physicists is becoming increasingly important. This symposium will explore just two aspects of non-traditional medical physics careers. The first speaker will first focus on the enormous opportunities in quantitative imaging in cancer care, which is linked with treatment response assessment, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and advanced image analysis. Second, biological data analysis, including analysis of big data in images and other biomarkers will be discussed. Finally, opportunities for physicists in the pharmaceutical industry, such as in pharmacokinetics and modeling) will be presented. The second speaker will discuss some of the many opportunities for medical physicists in imaging and therapeutic equipment industry. Both large corporations and small companies offer alternative career paths for physicists outside of the typical research and clinical realms. Research and clinical medical physics are still vital in these companies, but are implemented differently. Learning Objectives: 1. Become familiar with career opportunities in quantitative imaging, biological data analysis, pharmaceutical industry, and equipment industry. 2. Learn the activities associated with these opportunities 3. Learn the education and experience expected to be successful in these realms.

SU-A-213-02: Alternative Career Opportunities for Medical Physicists

Medical Physics is an attractive career choice for many young scientists, offering opportunities in both research and clinical activities. Very often, clinical medical physics is broadly divided into two categories: we are either therapy physicists or diagnostic physicists. Such a bifurcation, while capturing much of what we have historically done, does not reflect the breadth of the applications of physics in medicine. Further, the second bifurcation - that between research and clinical medical physics - also does not reflect the breadth of professional opportunities. As health care changes and more bright candidates enter the field, recognizing the broader opportunities for medical physicists is becoming increasingly important. This symposium will explore just two aspects of non-traditional medical physics careers. The first speaker will first focus on the enormous opportunities in quantitative imaging in cancer care, which is linked with treatment response assessment, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and advanced image analysis. Second, biological data analysis, including analysis of big data in images and other biomarkers will be discussed. Finally, opportunities for physicists in the pharmaceutical industry, such as in pharmacokinetics and modeling) will be presented. The second speaker will discuss some of the many opportunities for medical physicists in imaging and therapeutic equipment industry. Both large corporations and small companies offer alternative career paths for physicists outside of the typical research and clinical realms. Research and clinical medical physics are still vital in these companies, but are implemented differently. Learning Objectives: 1. Become familiar with career opportunities in quantitative imaging, biological data analysis, pharmaceutical industry, and equipment industry. 2. Learn the activities associated with these opportunities 3. Learn the education and experience expected to be successful in these realms.

MO‐D‐BRB‐02: Pediatric Treatment Planning II: Applications of Proton Beams for Pediatric Treatment

Most Medical Physicists working in radiotherapy departments see few pediatric patients. This is because, fortunately, children get cancer at a rate nearly 100 times lower than adults. Children have not smoked, abused alcohol, or been exposed to environmental carcinogens for decades, and of course, have not fallen victim to the aging process. Children get very different cancers than adults. Breast or prostate cancers, typical in adults, are rarely seen in children but instead a variety of tumors occur in children that are rarely seen in adults; examples are germinomas, ependymomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, which require treatment of the child's brain or neuroblastoma, requiring treatment in the abdomen. The treatment of children with cancer using radiation therapy is one of the most challenging planning and delivery problems facing the physicist. This is because bones, brain, breast tissue, and other organs are more sensitive to radiation in children than in adults. Because most therapy departments treat mostly adults, when the rare 8 year‐old patient comes to the department for treatment, the physicist may not understand the clinical issues of his disease which drive the planning and delivery decisions. Additionally, children are more prone than adults to developing secondary cancers after radiation. For bilateral retinoblastoma for example, an irradiated child has a 40% chance of developing a second cancer by age 50. The dosimetric tradeoffs made during the planning process are complex and require careful consideration for children treated with radiotherapy.In the first presentation, an overview of childhood cancers and their corresponding treatment techniques will be given. These can be some of the most complex treatments that are delivered in the radiation therapy department. These cancers include leukemia treated with total body irradiation, medulloblastoma, treated with craniospinal irradiation plus a conformal boost to the posterior fossa, neuroblastoma, requiring focal abdominal irradiation to avoid kidney, liver, and vertebral body damage, retinoblastoma, requiring treatment to an eye while minimizing dose to surrounding tissues, and a variety of other tumors which occur anywhere in the body. Case studies will be presented showing the treatment technique and resulting dosimetry, highlighting the objectives for tumor coverage and organ‐at‐risk sparing. Practical issues that have to be faced when treating children will also be discussed such as daily sedation and immobilization. Late effects based on the current understanding of dose‐volume response in normal tissues will be discussed.In the second presentation, specific focus will be on pediatric proton therapy. We will review literature publications on dosimetric comparison of proton versus photon plans, common pediatric tumors treated with protons, and available clinical outcomes. We will describe simulation technique, treatment planning, image guidance for setup verification, and proton beam delivery unique to pediatric and adolescent patients. Finally, we will discuss desired improvements, outlook, and opportunities for medical physicists in pediatric proton therapy.Learning Objectives: Improve understanding about childhood cancer and treatment with radiation Understand treatment planning and delivery issues and associated late effects specific to children Become aware of specific treatment methods for the most challenging pediatric cancers Know the current status, techniques, and desired improvements for pediatric proton therapy

MO‐D‐BRB‐00: Pediatric Radiation Therapy Planning, Treatment, and Late Effects

Most Medical Physicists working in radiotherapy departments see few pediatric patients. This is because, fortunately, children get cancer at a rate nearly 100 times lower than adults. Children have not smoked, abused alcohol, or been exposed to environmental carcinogens for decades, and of course, have not fallen victim to the aging process. Children get very different cancers than adults. Breast or prostate cancers, typical in adults, are rarely seen in children but instead a variety of tumors occur in children that are rarely seen in adults; examples are germinomas, ependymomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, which require treatment of the child's brain or neuroblastoma, requiring treatment in the abdomen. The treatment of children with cancer using radiation therapy is one of the most challenging planning and delivery problems facing the physicist. This is because bones, brain, breast tissue, and other organs are more sensitive to radiation in children than in adults. Because most therapy departments treat mostly adults, when the rare 8 year‐old patient comes to the department for treatment, the physicist may not understand the clinical issues of his disease which drive the planning and delivery decisions. Additionally, children are more prone than adults to developing secondary cancers after radiation. For bilateral retinoblastoma for example, an irradiated child has a 40% chance of developing a second cancer by age 50. The dosimetric tradeoffs made during the planning process are complex and require careful consideration for children treated with radiotherapy.In the first presentation, an overview of childhood cancers and their corresponding treatment techniques will be given. These can be some of the most complex treatments that are delivered in the radiation therapy department. These cancers include leukemia treated with total body irradiation, medulloblastoma, treated with craniospinal irradiation plus a conformal boost to the posterior fossa, neuroblastoma, requiring focal abdominal irradiation to avoid kidney, liver, and vertebral body damage, retinoblastoma, requiring treatment to an eye while minimizing dose to surrounding tissues, and a variety of other tumors which occur anywhere in the body. Case studies will be presented showing the treatment technique and resulting dosimetry, highlighting the objectives for tumor coverage and organ‐at‐risk sparing. Practical issues that have to be faced when treating children will also be discussed such as daily sedation and immobilization. Late effects based on the current understanding of dose‐volume response in normal tissues will be discussed.In the second presentation, specific focus will be on pediatric proton therapy. We will review literature publications on dosimetric comparison of proton versus photon plans, common pediatric tumors treated with protons, and available clinical outcomes. We will describe simulation technique, treatment planning, image guidance for setup verification, and proton beam delivery unique to pediatric and adolescent patients. Finally, we will discuss desired improvements, outlook, and opportunities for medical physicists in pediatric proton therapy.Learning Objectives: Improve understanding about childhood cancer and treatment with radiation Understand treatment planning and delivery issues and associated late effects specific to children Become aware of specific treatment methods for the most challenging pediatric cancers Know the current status, techniques, and desired improvements for pediatric proton therapy

MO‐D‐BRB‐01: Pediatric Treatment Planning I: Overview of Planning Strategies and Challenges

Most Medical Physicists working in radiotherapy departments see few pediatric patients. This is because, fortunately, children get cancer at a rate nearly 100 times lower than adults. Children have not smoked, abused alcohol, or been exposed to environmental carcinogens for decades, and of course, have not fallen victim to the aging process. Children get very different cancers than adults. Breast or prostate cancers, typical in adults, are rarely seen in children but instead a variety of tumors occur in children that are rarely seen in adults; examples are germinomas, ependymomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, which require treatment of the child's brain or neuroblastoma, requiring treatment in the abdomen. The treatment of children with cancer using radiation therapy is one of the most challenging planning and delivery problems facing the physicist. This is because bones, brain, breast tissue, and other organs are more sensitive to radiation in children than in adults. Because most therapy departments treat mostly adults, when the rare 8 year‐old patient comes to the department for treatment, the physicist may not understand the clinical issues of his disease which drive the planning and delivery decisions. Additionally, children are more prone than adults to developing secondary cancers after radiation. For bilateral retinoblastoma for example, an irradiated child has a 40% chance of developing a second cancer by age 50. The dosimetric tradeoffs made during the planning process are complex and require careful consideration for children treated with radiotherapy.In the first presentation, an overview of childhood cancers and their corresponding treatment techniques will be given. These can be some of the most complex treatments that are delivered in the radiation therapy department. These cancers include leukemia treated with total body irradiation, medulloblastoma, treated with craniospinal irradiation plus a conformal boost to the posterior fossa, neuroblastoma, requiring focal abdominal irradiation to avoid kidney, liver, and vertebral body damage, retinoblastoma, requiring treatment to an eye while minimizing dose to surrounding tissues, and a variety of other tumors which occur anywhere in the body. Case studies will be presented showing the treatment technique and resulting dosimetry, highlighting the objectives for tumor coverage and organ‐at‐risk sparing. Practical issues that have to be faced when treating children will also be discussed such as daily sedation and immobilization. Late effects based on the current understanding of dose‐volume response in normal tissues will be discussed.In the second presentation, specific focus will be on pediatric proton therapy. We will review literature publications on dosimetric comparison of proton versus photon plans, common pediatric tumors treated with protons, and available clinical outcomes. We will describe simulation technique, treatment planning, image guidance for setup verification, and proton beam delivery unique to pediatric and adolescent patients. Finally, we will discuss desired improvements, outlook, and opportunities for medical physicists in pediatric proton therapy.Learning Objectives: Improve understanding about childhood cancer and treatment with radiation Understand treatment planning and delivery issues and associated late effects specific to children Become aware of specific treatment methods for the most challenging pediatric cancers Know the current status, techniques, and desired improvements for pediatric proton therapy

WE-D-16A-01: ACR Radiology Leadership Institute

The Radiology Leadership Institute (RLI) was established in 2011 by the American College of Radiology with a mission to prepare leaders who will shape the future of radiology to ensure quality, elevate service and deliver extraordinary patient care. Leadership skills are critical to medical physicists in order for them to assure that imaging and therapy are safe and of the highest quality possible. This session will provide an introduction to the RLI and its programs with an emphasis on how medical physicists can get involved and what they might expect to gain through their engagement with the RLI. The session will also provide a framework for leadership in healthcare with an emphasis on roles and opportunities for medical physicists to enhance their effectiveness as members of the healthcare, medical education, and research communities.

TH-E-213CD-01: Image-Guided Oncologic Surgery

Oncologic surgery relies strongly on the hand‐eye coordination of surgeons and their ability to correctly determine surgical margins, distinguishing cancerous from healthy tissues. In recent years a variety of innovative intra‐operative imaging technologies have been developed that allow for more accurate identification of tumor and its boundaries and they help bring quantitative measures to the surgical theater. This symposium will present some of the latest developments in intra‐operative imaging technologies, including cone beam computed tomography,mass spectrometry and optical spectroscopy. Each offers to overcome the limitations of conventional surgical navigation (i.e., tracking in the context of preoperative images) and allow intraoperative assessment of the quality of tumor resection and the avoidance of adjacent, normal anatomy. Such technological advances are key to safer, more precise, and more minimally invasive interventions. In addition, we will discuss the role of medical physicists in the assessment and validation of technologies in image‐guidedoncologic interventions. Learning Objectives: 1. To identify emerging imaging technologies in image‐guidedoncologic surgery 2. To better understand the role of various technologies toward reaching the surgical end point 3. To identify opportunities for medical physicists in assessment of technologies in image‐guidedoncologic interventions

MO-B-110-02: IHE & DICOM - Current Efforts

The Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) standard group, managed by the NEMA Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), has a long history during which AAPM members have contributed to the development of imaging systems standards. Highlights of notable past efforts will be reviewed and currently active efforts summarized. In comparison, Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) International has a large number of member organizations, including AAPM, who work together to improve the interoperability of healthcare information systems. Imaging systems have represented a major focus of IHE efforts to date. Opportunities for Medical Physicists to contribute to currently active IHE efforts will be reviewed. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand how Medical Physicists have made important contributions to the current DICOM standard, 2. Learn of new DICOM efforts that will significantly impact imaging systems operations, and 3. Become aware of opportunities to contribute to IHE Imaging integration efforts.

TU-E-211A-02: New Member Symposium/Meet the Experts

A time of challenges is a time of opportunities, especially for young people in a discipline. Never have there been more opportunities for young medical physicists. The technologies of imaging, intervention and treatment are expanding at an unprecedented rate. The same technologies are being targeted as examples of technology overutilization and excessive costs in the healthcare system. Scientists are encouraged to be more entrepreneurial in their research so that the economic competitiveness of the nation is enhanced. Physicians are demanding that medical physicists be better teachers, and graduate students are looking for mentors in medical physics. Young medical physicists have the potential to address all of these opportunities, but first they have to identify their own particular interests, talents and needs as medical physicists. Learning Objectives: 1. Appreciate the challenges of technology evolution in health care. 2. Understand how these challenges present opportunities for medical physicists. 3. Identify the knowledge and skills that enable medical physicists to respond to technology opportunities. 4. Project how these knowledge and skills can support career development of medical physicists.