Gynecologic Brachytherapy Concentration

Course Director: Junzo Chino, MD

This is an elective concentration on brachytherapy insertion and planning techniques to be completed over the course of 3-6 months during the scholarly activities year. Extensions may be granted at the course director's discretion to complete requirements.

The concentration will consist of two primary components:

1. Participating in the insertion, planning and treatment of gynecologic brachytherapy cases in the Duke Health System
2. Completion of a brachytherapy oriented scholarly project. 

It is not designed to occupy participant’s entire work during that time, and concurrent scholarly work as part of the entire year is allowed/expected.

Insertion, Planning and Treatment Requirements

Participants will keep a log of all cases attended with MRN and Case type (independent of the ACGME case logs). Multiple insertion for the same patient may count to the goal if the case involves a new plan. Cases may be shared with the GYN/Sarcoma resident on service.

1. Tandem and Ovoid/Hybrid Implants (for Uterine and Cervical Cancers): 20 Cases
2. Vaginal Cylinder (for postoperative Uterine and Cervical Cancers, and primary Vaginal Cancers): 5 Cases (first fraction only)
3. Primary Interstitial/Cylinder and Needles (Primary or Recurrent Gyn Cancers): 10 Cases
4. IORT as available during the 6 month period

Scholarly Project

Participants will work the faculty to identify a project and mentor. They will meet with the course director to confirm suitability for fulfilling the requirement. This project may involve any of the following aspects of brachytherapy practice.

1. Clinical research (prospective or retrospective)
2. Heath services research (including access/disparity research, practice patterns, environmental impacts or intersection with other determinants of health)
3. Physics research (including planning/treatment, image analysis/radiomics or applicator based research)
4. Education research (development of training phantoms/programs)
5. International research (including training programs, access and novel applications for resource limited settings)

The resident will meet regularly with the course director for updates on progress. The project should be presented/discussed at Gyn/Brachytherapy research meetings which will occur monthly with the faculty. The resident will be expected to make significant progress during the term of the concentration, though final completion may be extended through the remainder of their residency for data collection, analysis and preparation of a manuscript for publication. A completed manuscript suitable for publication or similar work will be a requirement for the successful completion of the concentration, as judged by the course director.