Is it true that the unwritten rule to match into RadOnc...

[tiedyeddog]

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For kids, I would always send them to a major center to be treated on protocol.

Why?

 

[thesauce]

OK fine. I guess that wasn't the best analogy.

Is PM&R a backdoor into anesthesia, as both can do pain fellowships? Is neurology a backdoor into rads, since both can do interventional neuroradiology fellowships?

They are backdoors (i.e. non-traditional pathways) into those fellowships. I'm not sure I ever said anything about the specialty itself - just adding some information. If there's a specific sub-specialty you're interested in and can't get it through the traditional pathways, there are other options one might consider. Obviously, don't choose a pathway where you can't practice your chosen specialty in the end.

 

[thesauce]

Why?

Peds cases are less common and we need to learn everything we can from each patient. Thus, the standardization of treatment, followup, and record-keeping that comes with treating on protocol is important. Yes, many PPs offers these protocols, but very few see enough peds cases where I'd be confident that they were being treated equivalently to a major medical center that sees many cases a day and has the support staff in place for these specific cases. Kids also have (the potential for) more long-term complications from XRT and special considerations, such as daily anesthesia, must be considered.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Peds cases are less common and we need to learn everything we can from each patient. Thus, the standardization of treatment, followup, and record-keeping that comes with treating on protocol is important. Yes, many PPs offers these protocols, but very few see enough peds cases where I'd be confident that they were being treated equivalently to a major medical center that sees many cases a day and has the support staff in place for these specific cases. Kids also have (the potential for) more long-term complications from XRT and special considerations, such as daily anesthesia, must be considered.

Makes sense, so to recap in general,

rare neoplasm = go to academic center for the best chance of survival.

Thanks for answering my questions, you've been really informative.