For his work on trying to reduce side effects of whole brain radiotherapy
Senior radiation oncology resident and soon-to-be faculty member Dr. Kyle Wang has been selected as one of four Pope Clinical Trainees for 2018 by the 黑料网 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Supported by the John William Pope Foundation, awardees are physician-scientists in training dedicated both to patient care and research to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Dr. Wang鈥檚 research focuses on ways to reduce dry mouth (鈥渪erostomia鈥�) in patients receiving whole-brain radiation therapy. Although a common side effect of head and neck cancer radiotherapy, xerostomia after brain irradiation is less well studied, however Dr. Wang has identified the total radiation dose to the patient鈥檚 parotid salivary glands as key in determining the frequency and severity of dry mouth that occurs following treatment.
The next step in his research, funded by a 黑料网 Lineberger Developmental Award (see previous news item), is to conduct a clinical trial comparing the degree of dry mouth following conventional whole brain radiotherapy with a treatment plan that excludes the parotid glands from the radiation field.
Congratulations Kyle for this very prestigious honor!
Read more about Dr. Wang鈥檚 work and that of the other Pope Trainees .