On Target with Dr Akila Viswanathan - Dr Kristin Redmond and Brain and Spinal Tumors

10/29/24 • 15 min

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center Podcasts

In this edition of the On Target podcast, Dr Akila Viswanathan speaks with Dr Kristin Redmond about treating brain and spinal tumors and her research on stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Dr Redmond discusses some ongoing clinical trials using SBRT, a highly precise form of radiation therapy used to treat tumors in while minimizing damage to surrounding areas, that are exploring optimal doses and treatment techniques to improve patient outcomes.

They also highlight the benefits of collaboration in multidisciplinary care at Johns Hopkins, where experts from radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgery, radiology and other fields work together to provide the best possible care for patients with complex cases, including rare tumors.

Dr Redmond also touches on the innovative use of circulating tumor DNA to detect tumor recurrence early and her research on the neuropsychological effects of radiation on the brain.

In this edition of the On Target podcast, Dr Akila Viswanathan speaks with Dr Kristin Redmond about treating brain and spinal tumors and her research on stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Dr Redmond also touches on the innovative use of circulating tumor DNA to detect tumor recurrence early and her research on the neuropsychological effects of radiation on the brain.

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On Target with Dr Akila Viswanathan - Dr Ana Kiess and Radiopharmaceuticals

Dr Akila Viswanathan begins a special series focusing on women in radiation oncology at Johns Hopkins in this edition of the On Target podcast. Today she speaks with Dr Ana Kiess about treating patients with prostate cancer and head and neck cancers, her research on the integration of radiopharmaceutical therapies, and the unique challenges women face in academic medicine while balancing leadership roles, research, and clinical responsibilities.

Radiopharmaceuticals are a specialized group of drugs containing radioisotopes that emit radiation. They are used primarily in nuclear medicine and oncology for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. These treatments deliver targeted radiation doses directly to tumors, damaging the cancer cells’ DNA and preventing their growth and spread. Dr Kiess highlights the ongoing clinical trials and advancements in radiopharmaceutical therapies, which are opening new possibilities for cancer treatment, especially in cases of prostate cancer.

The discussion also emphasizes the collaborative environment at Johns Hopkins, where specialists from multiple disciplines work together to advance the field. Dr Kiess explains how this collaborative approach enhances research and patient care, allowing for the development of innovative treatment protocols that can more effectively target cancers.

Next Episode

Cancer Matters with Dr Bill Nelson - Lymphoma and Cellular Therapy

In this Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson speaks with Dr Nina Wagner-Johnston about the treatment of lymphoma and the newly opened Cellular Therapy Program at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington DC.

Lymphoma is a blood cancer of the immune system. There are many types of lymphomas with a broad range of aggressiveness and clinical behaviors but they are also among the most treatable. Learn more about the different types of lymphomas here.

The Cellular Therapy Program at Sibley Memorial Hospital makes bone marrow transplants more readily available in the Washington DC region allowing patients to remain closer to home while receiving treatment.