Sunday, June 18, 2017

ACR Launches New Leadership Course


Based in Dallas, TX, Dr. Rajiv “Raj” Dahiya uses minimally invasive techniques, such as the Predictive Medical Solutions Cyberknife, in his role as a radiation oncologist. In addition to his everyday radiation oncology work, Dr. Raj Dahiya is extremely active in his field through membership in numerous professional societies, including the American College of Radiology. 

This October, the American College of Radiology (ACR) will launch a new program aimed at equipping up-and-coming radiologists with the skills they need to step into leadership positions at their respective hospital posts. Dubbed the Radiology Leadership Institute (RLI), the 12-week course will provide informative instruction on topics such as hospital administration and governance, departmental leadership and accountability initiatives, and how to be a voice of positive change at a hospital.

The self-paced learning launches October 3, 2017, and runs until May 8, 2018. It will feature virtual courses as well as group discussion platforms that include expert faculty members.

Friday, June 9, 2017

ACS Says Prostate Cancer Screening Rates Have Stabilized


A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Dr. Rajiv “Raj” Dahiya has worked at a number of facilities during his career, including at Predictive Medical Solutions, before taking his current job as a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX. Outside of his work as an MD, Dr. Raj Dahiya helps in the fight against cancer by supporting the efforts of the American Cancer Society.

According to researchers with the American Cancer Society, changes to screening recommendations which initially led to a decline in prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests now have less of an impact, with the decline now tapering off. When the US Preventive Services Task Force issued its recommendations against PSA testing in 2008, rates dropped by seven percent over a three-year period in men over the age of 50.

Recent research shows, however, that the screening rate has stabilized since 2015, with approximately 32.1 percent of men aged 50-plus receiving PSA screenings. Researchers attribute the stabilization to recent research indicating that older men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer at a slightly increased rate, prompting more men to get screened and others to be screened more frequently.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Radiation Therapy - What to Expect at Premier Cancer Centers


Radiation oncologist Dr. Rajiv (Raj) Dahiya holds an MD from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine. Alongside his work with Predictive Medical Solutions, Dr. Raj Dahiya treats patients at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX.

At Premier Cancer Centers, the first thing patients can expect is a consultation. After reviewing educational materials, patients have the opportunity to discuss their concerns and treatment goals. 

Patients who choose to have treatment will then undergo a CT scan. This information, as well as data gathered from other tests, is used as a planning tool for physicians, enabling them to create truly custom treatment plans that effectively target tumors while minimizing harm to the surrounding areas. 

A radiation oncologist and physicist will both review treatment plans to ensure they are suitable. Once a treatment plan is finalized, patients begin undergoing treatments. 

The timing and duration of treatments vary greatly by patient. When therapy has concluded, patients receive continued support through follow-up appointments.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Three Types of Common Head and Neck Cancers


Rajiv Dahiya, MD, of Predictive Medical Solutions and Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX, is a leader in oncology. Dr. Raj Dahiya focuses on advanced radiation technologies in his practice. Many of Dr. Raj Dahiya’s patients undergo treatments for cancer of the head or neck, which include:

- Hypopharyngeal cancer. Occurring in the hypopharynx, the opening to the esophagus, this cancer usually forms in the thin, flat squamous cells that line the inside of the hypopharynx. Early signs include sore throats and ear pain. 

- Laryngeal cancer. Occurring when malignant cells form in the larynx, the part of the throat that contains vocal cords, this type of cancer often begins in squamous cells and can include symptoms such as ear pain and a sore throat. It some cases, laryngeal cancer can spread to nearby structures such as lymph nodes. 

- Oropharyngeal cancer. With symptoms that may include a lump and a sore throat, this cancer affects the oropharynx, including the back third of the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and back of the throat. People with HPV may be at increased risk for this particular cancer.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

An Overview of the CyberKnife System




Formerly with Predictive Medical Solutions, Dr. Rajiv "Raj" Dahiya, a radiation oncologist with an MD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, now treats patients as a physician with Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX. At Premier Cancer Centers, Dr. Raj Dahiya uses the latest treatment technologies, including the CyberKnife System. 

First cleared for use by the FDA in 1999, the CyberKnife System was originally employed to radiate treatment targets in the head and the base of the skull. Since then, the noninvasive radiation system has been approved to treat conditions outside of the skull, and hundreds of thousands of patients have benefitted from the advanced technology. 

Using a robotic system and real-time imaging, CyberKnife is able to deliver high doses of radiation directly targets with sub-millimeter precision. The accuracy of the system greatly reduces the negative effects that radiation exposure can have on surrounding healthy organs and tissue. 

Designed to treat both cancerous and noncancerous tumors, CyberKnife can target sites in various organs and areas throughout the body. It is especially beneficial for patients with tumors that are inoperable or difficult to reach through traditional surgical methods.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Head Start III Trial Suggests Radiation Benefits May Outweigh Risks


Dr. Rajiv (Raj) Dahiya holds an MD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Medicine. He serves as a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX, and concurrently works with Predictive Medical Solutions, a state-of-the-art diagnostic testing service. Dr. Raj Dahiya is accomplished in minimally invasive therapies, including advanced radiation technologies.

In April 2017, researchers published findings from the recent Head Start III trial. This clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of treatments for pediatric patients with brain tumors that exposed them to minimal or no radiation. Some patients received standard radiation treatments as a control group, while a second group underwent high-dose chemotherapy and then a stem cell transfusion in lieu of radiation. 

Radiation can be very harmful to children, especially very young children. Many parents and physicians have been reluctant to start pediatric patients on radiation because of its impact on brain development. However, the Head Start III trial suggests that radiation therapy leads to the best outcomes for pediatric patients. Those who did not receive radiation generally experienced worse outcomes, highlighting the importance of well-timed, well-dosed radiation treatments.

Monday, April 10, 2017

IMPT Study Presented at ASTRO Meeting


As a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX, Dr. Rajiv “Raj” Dahiya employs some of the most innovative radiation techniques available to treat cancer patients. In order to stay informed about current industry trends and network with peers, Dr. Raj Dahiya maintains membership in the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

A study introduced during the recent Multidisciplinary Thoracic Cancers Symposium suggests that intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) could help patients with lung cancer, keeping the disease from coming back within a year following the radiation therapy. Using the proton therapy technique, radiation oncologists target cancer cells while leaving normal tissue intact. This therapy is also able to focus on a specific tumor even if it envelops vital organs like the lung.

The average rate of overall survival for those in the study who received IMPT was 18 months. Those who were subject to higher doses experienced even more benefits, as they experienced local failure at only half the rate of the average population and local-regional failure at a quarter of the rate.