RMC Physicians Published in International Radiation Oncology Journal

Research titled "Development of a Standardized Method of Contouring the Lumbosacral Plexus" was accepted for manuscript publication in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. RMC physician,Dr. Ly Do the lead investigator and senior author on the project and completed the research along with RMC physician, Dr. Morteza Dowlatshahi and other leading academic universities.

This journal is the most prestigious and well known journal of the field of Radiation Oncology and is peer reviewed by the most well respected experts of the field. It is an honor to have passed the rigorous methods of acceptance for publication, and will be incorporated in all future phase I, II and III protocols involving the treatment of pelvic tumors conducted by the RTOG (Radiation Therapeutic Oncology Group),which is the largest body of research for Radiation Oncology.

The research involved the creation of a radiation planning method for pelvic tumors that the rest of the country would now use in a standardized fashion. The physicians at the Cancer Care Institute will continue to strive for both clinical and academic excellence through their research and will be clinical research investigators for the RTOG soon, a distinction given to only to select institutions around the country. If you wish to view their many manuscripts and abstracts, you can view many of them on PubMed.org, and typing in the physician names.

RMC Participating in Traumatic Brain Injury Trial

RMC is participating in the ProTECT III Trial, a research project that has been approved by the Western Institutional Review Board (IRB). RMC was invited, along with Stanford and Valley Medical Center, to participate in the trial because of our high volume and clinical expertise regarding our head injury population.

Progesterone for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (ProTECTtm III) is a research study to see if progesterone, a hormone normally found in our bodies, is useful in limiting the amount of brain damage from TBI. Many animal studies and two small studies in humans suggest that progesterone given after TBI, may result in less brain damage. The ProTECT III study will test these findings and determine how helpful this treatment is in adults with moderate to severe TBI.

The reason for this study is to find out if progesterone along with standard medical care works better than standard medical care alone to limit damage from TBI. If progesterone helps brain injury patients get better, it will be a big improvement in the treatment of TBI.

Principal investigators (PI’s) for Regional are Rick Kline, MD, Medical Director of Trauma Services and Neurosurgeon Ken Blumenfeld, MD.

This project supports RMC’s role as a lead Trauma Center!