Cancer is a worldwide pandemic. The burden it imposes grows steadily on a global scale causing emotional, physical, and financial strains on individuals, families, and health care systems. Despite being the second leading cause of death worldwide, many cancers do not have screening programs and many people with a high risk of developing cancer fail to follow the advised medical screening regime due to the nature of the available screening tests and other challenges with compliance. Moreover, many liquid biopsy strategies being developed for early detection of cancer lack the sensitivity required to detect early-stage cancers. Early detection is key for improved quality of life, survival, and to reduce the financial burden of cancer treatments which are greater at later stage detection. This review examines the current liquid biopsy market, focusing in particular on the strengths and drawbacks of techniques in achieving early cancer detection. We explore the clinical utility of liquid biopsy technologies for the earlier detection of solid cancers, with a focus on how a combination of various spectroscopic and -omic methodologies may pave the way for more efficient cancer diagnostics.

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Objectives In this study, we aim to determine the frequency of adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network follow‐up guidelines in a population of head and neck cancer patients who received curative treatment. We will also assess the impact of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and treatment setting on utilization of follow‐up care. Methods This study included patients with biopsy‐proven, nonmetastatic oropharyngeal or laryngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2016, at a safety‐net hospital or adjacent private academic hospital. Components of follow‐up care analyzed included an appointment with a surgeon or radiation oncologist within 3 months and posttreatment imaging of the primary site within 6 months. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted using a logistic regression model to estimate odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Results Two hundred and thirty‐four patients were included in this study. Of those, 88.8% received posttreatment imaging of the primary site within 6 months; 88.5% attended a follow‐up appointment with a radiation oncologist within 3 months; and 71.1% of patients attended a follow‐up appointment with a surgeon within 3 months. On multivariable analysis, private academic hospital treatment versus safety‐net hospital treatment was associated with increased utilization of both surgical and radiation oncology follow‐up. Non‐Hispanic black (NHB) patients, Hispanic patients, and those with a low socioeconomic status were also less likely to receive follow‐up. Conclusion Safety‐net hospital treatment, socioeconomic status, Hispanic ethnicity, and NHB race were associated with decreased follow‐up service utilization. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to reduce these disparities. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 129:2303–2308, 2019

Objective To examine the impact of treatment setting and demographic factors on oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer time to treatment initiation (TTI). Study Design Retrospective case series. Setting Safety net hospital and adjacent private academic hospital. Subjects and Methods Demographic, staging, and treatment details were retrospectively collected for 239 patients treated from January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2016. TTI was defined as days between diagnostic biopsy and initiation of curative treatment (defined as first day of radiotherapy [RT], surgery, or chemotherapy). Results On multivariable analysis, safety net hospital treatment (vs private academic hospital treatment), initial diagnosis at outside hospital, and oropharyngeal cancer (vs laryngeal cancer) were all associated with increased TTI. Surgical treatment, severe comorbidity, and both N1 and N2 status were associated with decreased TTI. Conclusion Safety net hospital treatment was associated with increased TTI. No differences in TTI were found when language spoken and socioeconomic status were examined in the overall cohort.

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Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system neoplasm. Despite promising recent progress in elucidating the genomic landscape and underlying biology of these histologically, molecularly, and clinically diverse tumors, the mainstays of meningioma treatment remain maximal safe resection and radiation therapy. The aim of this review of meningioma radiotherapy is to provide a concise summary of the history, current evidence, and future for application of radiotherapy in meningioma treatment.

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