00:00:00 Dr. Ramji Rajendran, a board-certified radiation oncologist, emphasizes the importance of early cancer screening and prevention. He advises women to get mammograms after the age of 40, men to get their PSA checked after the same age, and both genders to start colonoscopies at 45. The expert also highlights the team approach to cancer treatment, where patients receive information from various specialists, including radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists, to ensure comprehensive care. Radiation therapy is used in three ways: curatively treating early-stage cancers like lung cancer, maintaining breasts for women after breast cancer surgery, and providing multimodality care in collaboration with other specialists. Dr. Rajendran addresses criticisms about radiation therapy side effects by emphasizing advancements in technology over the last 30 years, which have significantly reduced side effects.

00:05:00 Dr. Rajendran discusses the advancements in cancer treatment and the team approach to providing care. He explains how the sequence of treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, has been flipped to optimize patient outcomes. This approach involves coordination among various physicians to ensure patients can tolerate treatments. The team also treats patients beyond curative stages, using techniques like gamma knife radio surgery for brain metastases and body treatments for metastatic disease. The ultimate goal is to help patients live longer with an excellent quality of life. Dr. Rajendran expresses his excitement about the advancements in cancer care and the team approach, which is more comforting for patients diagnosed with cancer. He acknowledges the disheartening aspect of meeting patients with advanced stages of cancer but emphasizes the importance of early detection and acceptance of genetic predispositions to cancer.

00:10:00 Dr. Ramji Rajendran, a radiation oncologist, discusses the importance of moving forward with cancer treatment and not dwelling on past factors such as tobacco use. He also explains that the use of radiation treatment in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy depends on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the latest clinical trials and guidelines. Dr. Rajendran expresses his passion for the constantly evolving field of cancer care and the availability of new technologies and treatments at conferences like ASCO. When asked about clinical trials, he emphasizes their significance for both oncologists and patients, particularly those with rare cancers, who may benefit from the expertise and resources of academic medical centers.

00:15:00 He then discusses the role of radiotherapy in cancer treatment and the benefits of clinical trials for patients with rare diagnoses or exhausted treatment options. He explains that while the majority of cancer care is provided at non-academic medical centers, the most appropriate treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. Radiotherapy is a local therapy used primarily in the early stages of cancer, but it has limitations in treating larger tumors. Dr. Rajendran highlights advanced technologies like intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and gamma knife radiosurgery, which allow for precise delivery of radiation to tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. He also mentions stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a curative option for early-stage lung cancer patients who cannot undergo surgery. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Rajendran emphasizes the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment.

00:20:00 Dr. Ramji Rajendran, radiation oncologist, discusses the differences between CyberKnife and Gamma Knife, two types of radiation therapy. He emphasizes that both technologies have their unique advantages and that the best choice depends on the location of the cancer. Dr. Rajendran also clarifies common misconceptions about radiation therapy, explaining that the technology focuses on delivering a high dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. He also acknowledges the stigma surrounding radiation and the importance of delivering optimal care while being aware of long-term toxicity.

00:25:00 Dr. Rajendran discusses the advancements in cancer treatment, specifically hypofractionated radiation therapy and radioimmunotherapy. Hypofractionation is a method that delivers more radiation doses in fewer sessions, reducing the financial burden on patients. Radiation oncologists are also exploring new ways to use radiation for various benign diseases and in multidisciplinary care. Radioimmunotherapy is another promising development, where radiation is attached to drugs or antibodies to target cancer cells directly, maximizing treatment effectiveness. An example given is the use of Herceptin, a medication for breast cancer, which is now being combined with radiation to treat metastatic disease, resulting in significant patient responses. Overall, these advancements aim to provide better value, utility, and overall treatment for cancer patients.

00:30:00 He expresses his deep commitment to his patients and the community. He emphasizes the importance of working together as a team to deliver the best possible treatment for each patient. Dr. Rajendran also believes that physicians should maintain a low profile and live frugally, showing appreciation for the community and supporting other first responders. He shares an example of his collaboration with emergency room doctors during a crisis. The conversation highlights the significance of physicians helping each other and maintaining a balanced lifestyle to avoid burnout.

00:35:00 Nate discusses the importance of having financial stability and freedom beyond one's income from their profession. He emphasizes the value of investing and creating other sources of income to support one's lifestyle, allowing them to walk away from their job if needed. The speaker also touches upon the concept of finding joy and purpose in one's work, which can help prevent burnout. He believes that focusing too much on income and neglecting the purpose aspect of one's career can lead to burnout. The speaker's perspective is that time is a valuable asset and should be managed wisely, both in terms of personal life and financial planning.

00:40:00 Dr. Rajendran shares his plans for the next five years, which include giving back to the community and mentoring students, as well as continuing to improve healthcare. He can be contacted at Chicago Cancer Care Specialists, as well as Alexian Brothers and Radiology Consultants.