Splenic Dose with Abdominal Radiation Therapy
This is a retrospective, IRB exempt study that I submitted to two peer-reviewed journals which declined to publish it. It is a small study that has its flaws but I believe still is worthy of open peer-review. Radiation oncologists routinely treat upper abdominal cancers and the spleen is ignored because of the number of other critical organs we need to avoid: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine and spinal cord. That is fine, if we actually consider the clinical implications. If the spleen isn't functioning, then the risk of infection is higher and may be life-threatening: sepsis or meningitis. Fortunately, there is a vaccination that we can give...but it hasn't been done routine because we just didn't think of it. That is why I'm sharing this -- vaccination is part of survivorship care. Judge for yourself the value. Thank you for your interest and feel free to leave me comments!
