Rachel Catherine Blitzblau

Rachel Catherine Blitzblau
Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Clinical Science Departments 2016
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers 2010

Contact Information

Duke University/Radiation Onco, Box 3085, Durham, NC 27710
Morris Bldg White Zone Subbase, Box 3085, Durham, NC 27710
rachel.blitzblau@duke.edu (919) 668-5213

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Chief Resident, Radiation Oncology, Yale University 2009 - 2010
- Resident, Radiation Oncology, Yale University 2006 - 2010
- Intern (PGY1), Radiation Oncology, Harvard University 2005 - 2006
- MD./PhD., Tufts University 2005
Duke Appointment History
- Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Clinical Science Departments 2010 - 2016
Recognition
In the News
- DEC 30, 2014 NPR’s “All Things Considered”
  
  Doctors not cutting back on radiation for breast cancer patients
- DEC 8, 2014 NPR
  
  Doctors are slow to adopt changes in breast cancer treatment
- DEC 8, 2014
  
  Older Breast Cancer Patients Still Get Radiation Despite Limited Benefit
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Shammas, Ronnie L., Yi Ren, Samantha M. Thomas, Scott T. Hollenbeck, Rachel A. Greenup, and Rachel C. Blitzblau. “Immediate Breast Reconstruction Allows for the Timely Initiation of Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy..” Plast Reconstr Surg, June 7, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000005899.
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  - Lane, Whitney O., Samantha M. Thomas, Rachel C. Blitzblau, Jennifer K. Plichta, Laura H. Rosenberger, Oluwadamilola M. Fayanju, Terry Hyslop, E Shelley Hwang, and Rachel A. Greenup. “Surgical Resection of the Primary Tumor in Women With De Novo Stage IV Breast Cancer: Contemporary Practice Patterns and Survival Analysis..” Ann Surg 269, no. 3 (March 2019): 537–44. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000002621.
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  - Blitzblau, Rachel C., and Janet K. Horton. “First, Do No Harm..” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 103, no. 2 (February 1, 2019): 295–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.04.029.
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  - Sheng, Yang, Taoran Li, Sua Yoo, Fang-Fang Yin, Rachel Blitzblau, Janet K. Horton, Yaorong Ge, and Q Jackie Wu. “Automatic Planning of Whole Breast Radiation Therapy Using Machine Learning Models..” Front Oncol 9 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2019.00750.
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  - Wang, Wentao, Yang Sheng, Sua Yoo, Rachel C. Blitzblau, Fang-Fang Yin, and Q Jackie Wu. “Goal-Driven Beam Setting Optimization for Whole-Breast Radiation Therapy..” Technol Cancer Res Treat 18 (January 1, 2019). https://doi.org/10.1177/1533033819858661.
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  - Natarajan, Brahma, Daphna Spiegel, Elizabeth M. Nichols, Steven Feigenberg, Rachel Blitzblau, Gloria Broadwater, Eileen A. Duffy, Jay A. Baker, and Janet K. Horton. “Findings on Surveillance Imaging After Preoperative Partial Breast Irradiation for Early Stage Breast Cancer..” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 102, no. 4 (November 15, 2018): 1374–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.05.059.
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  - Park, Tristen S., Samantha M. Thomas, Laura H. Rosenberger, Oluwadamilola M. Fayanju, Jennifer K. Plichta, Rachel C. Blitzblau, Cecilia T. Ong, Terry Hyslop, E Shelley Hwang, and Rachel A. Greenup. “The Association of Extent of Axillary Surgery and Survival in Women with N2-3 Invasive Breast Cancer..” Ann Surg Oncol 25, no. 10 (October 2018): 3019–29. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-018-6587-2.
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  - Bichakjian, Christopher K., Thomas Olencki, Sumaira Z. Aasi, Murad Alam, James S. Andersen, Rachel Blitzblau, Glen M. Bowen, et al. “Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Version 1.2018, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology..” J Natl Compr Canc Netw 16, no. 6 (June 2018): 742–74. https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2018.0055.
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  - Smith, Benjamin D., Jennifer R. Bellon, Rachel Blitzblau, Gary Freedman, Bruce Haffty, Carol Hahn, Francine Halberg, et al. “Radiation therapy for the whole breast: Executive summary of an American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) evidence-based guideline..” Pract Radiat Oncol 8, no. 3 (May 2018): 145–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2018.01.012.
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  - Greenup, Rachel A., Samilia Obeng-Gyasi, Samantha Thomas, K. Houck, Whitney O. Lane, Rachel C. Blitzblau, Terry Hyslop, and E Shelley Hwang. “The Effect of Hospital Volume on Breast Cancer Mortality..” Ann Surg 267, no. 2 (February 2018): 375–81. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000002095.
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  - Wright, Jean, and Rachel Blitzblau. “Cardiac Morbidity and Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer..” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 100, no. 2 (February 1, 2018): 283–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2017.06.2443.
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  - Ong, Cecilia T., Samantha M. Thomas, Rachel C. Blitzblau, Oluwadamilola M. Fayanju, Tristen S. Park, Jennifer K. Plichta, Laura H. Rosenberger, Terry Hyslop, E. Shelley Hwang, and Rachel A. Greenup. “Patient Age and Tumor Subtype Predict the Extent of Axillary Surgery Among Breast Cancer Patients Eligible for the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Trial Z0011..” Ann Surg Oncol 24, no. 12 (November 2017): 3559–66. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-017-6075-0.
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  - Greenup, Rachel A., Rachel C. Blitzblau, Kevin L. Houck, Julie Ann Sosa, Janet Horton, Jeffrey M. Peppercorn, Alphonse G. Taghian, Barbara L. Smith, and E Shelley Hwang. “Cost Implications of an Evidence-Based Approach to Radiation Treatment After Lumpectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer..” Journal of Oncology Practice 13, no. 4 (April 2017): e283–90. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.2016.016683.
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  - Sheng, Y., T. Li, S. Yoo, F. F. Yin, R. C. Blitzblau, J. K. Horton, M. Palta, C. A. Hahn, Y. Ge, and Q. R. Wu. “Development of an Ultra-Fast, High-Quality Whole-Breast Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning System..” International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics 96, no. 2S (October 2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.06.566.
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  - Spiegel, D., P. K. Marcom, B. Peterson, J. Force, L. Howie, M. Palta, R. C. Blitzblau, and J. K. Horton. “Acute Toxicity in Patients With HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treated With Adjuvant Radiation Therapy and Concurrent Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab..” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 96, no. 2S (October 1, 2016): E9–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.06.619.
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  - Yoo, S., J. K. Horton, F. F. Yin, and R. C. Blitzblau. “Dosimetric Effect of the Breast Board and Couch Top for Whole-Breast Radiation Therapy in the Prone Position..” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 96, no. 2S (October 1, 2016): E46–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.06.710.
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  - Chino, F., and R. C. Blitzblau. “Metastatic Tumor Volume and Extranodal Tumor Extension: Clinical Significance in Patients with Stage II Breast Cancer Drinka E, Allen P, McBride A, et al (Univ of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Ctr, Houston; Univ of Arizona School of Medicine, Phoenix) Arch Pathol Lab Med 139:1288-1294, 2015.” Breast Diseases 27, no. 2 (January 1, 2016): 154–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breastdis.2016.04.020.
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  - Kent, Collin, Janet Horton, Rachel Blitzblau, and Bridget F. Koontz. “Whose Disease Will Recur After Mastectomy for Early Stage, Node-Negative Breast Cancer? A Systematic Review..” Clin Breast Cancer 15, no. 6 (December 2015): 403–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clbc.2015.06.008.
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  - Tseng, Yolanda D., Hajime Uno, Melissa E. Hughes, Joyce C. Niland, Yu-Ning Wong, Richard Theriault, Rachel C. Blitzblau, et al. “Biological Subtype Predicts Risk of Locoregional Recurrence After Mastectomy and Impact of Postmastectomy Radiation in a Large National Database..” International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics 93, no. 3 (November 2015): 622–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.07.006.
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  - Blitzblau, Rachel C., Ritu Arya, Sua Yoo, Jay A. Baker, Zheng Chang, Manisha Palta, Eileen Duffy, and Janet K. Horton. “A phase 1 trial of preoperative partial breast radiation therapy: Patient selection, target delineation, and dose delivery..” Pract Radiat Oncol 5, no. 5 (September 2015): e513–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2015.02.002.
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  - Horton, Janet K., Rachel C. Blitzblau, Sua Yoo, Joseph Geradts, Zheng Chang, Jay A. Baker, Gregory S. Georgiade, et al. “Preoperative Single-Fraction Partial Breast Radiation Therapy: A Novel Phase 1, Dose-Escalation Protocol With Radiation Response Biomarkers..” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 92, no. 4 (July 15, 2015): 846–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.03.007.
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  - Arya, Ritu, Sharareh Siamakpour-Reihani, Manisha Palta, Lisa Massa, Gloria Broadwater, Rachel C. Blitzblau, and Janet K. Horton. “Exercise behavior and patient-reported outcomes in women with early breast cancer receiving locoregional radiation therapy..” Pract Radiat Oncol 5, no. 4 (July 2015): e275–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2015.01.003.
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  - Yoo, Sua, Rachel Blitzblau, Fang-Fang Yin, and Janet K. Horton. “Dosimetric comparison of preoperative single-fraction partial breast radiotherapy techniques: 3D CRT, noncoplanar IMRT, coplanar IMRT, and VMAT..” J Appl Clin Med Phys 16, no. 1 (January 8, 2015). https://doi.org/10.1120/jacmp.v16i1.5126.
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  - Mowery, Y. M., and R. C. Blitzblau. “The UK HeartSpare Study (Stage IB): Randomised comparison of a voluntary breath-hold technique and prone radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery.” Breast Diseases 26, no. 3 (January 1, 2015): 237–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breastdis.2015.07.001.
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  - Yoo, S., R. Blitzblau, F. F. Yin, and J. K. Horton. “Dosimetric comparison of preoperative single-fraction partial breast radiotherapy techniques: 3D CRT, noncoplanar IMRT, coplanar IMRT, and VMAT.” Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics 16, no. 1 (January 1, 2015): 183–91.
  - Mowery, Yvonne M., and Rachel C. Blitzblau. “Whole-breast radiation therapy: the long and short of it..” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 90, no. 5 (December 1, 2014): 990–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.10.028.
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  - Nath, Sameer K., Zhe J. Chen, Bryan P. Rowe, Rachel C. Blitzblau, Sanjay Aneja, Baiba J. Grube, Nina R. Horowitz, and Joanne B. Weidhaas. “A PHASE II TRIAL OF BALLOON-CATHETER PARTIAL BREAST BRACHYTHERAPY OPTIMIZATION IN THE TREATMENT OF STAGE 0, I AND IIA BREAST CARCINOMA..” Journal of Radiation Oncology 3, no. 4 (December 2014): 371–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13566-014-0153-8.
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  - Blitzblau, R. C. “Local recurrence patterns in breast cancer patients treated with oncoplastic reduction mammaplasty and radiotherapy.” Breast Diseases 25, no. 3 (January 1, 2014): 257–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breastdis.2014.07.025.
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  - Blitzblau, Rachel C., and Janet K. Horton. “Treatment planning technique in patients receiving postmastectomy radiation therapy..” Practical Radiation Oncology 3, no. 4 (October 2013): 241–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2012.09.004.
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  - Blitzblau, Rachel C., and Janet K. Horton. “Radiotherapy after mastectomy..” Surg Oncol Clin N Am 22, no. 3 (July 2013): 563–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soc.2013.02.012.
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  - Blitzblau, R. C., and J. K. Horton. “Evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the p53 binding protein 1 (TP53BP1) gene in breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast irradiation (BCS + RT).” Breast Diseases 23, no. 1 (March 7, 2012): 44–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breastdis.2012.01.001.
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  - Pelletier, Cory, William C. Speed, Trupti Paranjape, Katie Keane, Rachel Blitzblau, Antoinette Hollestelle, Kyan Safavi, et al. “Rare BRCA1 haplotypes including 3'UTR SNPs associated with breast cancer risk..” Cell Cycle 10, no. 1 (January 1, 2011): 90–99. https://doi.org/10.4161/cc.10.1.14359.
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  - Blitzblau, Rachel C., and Joanne B. Weidhaas. “MicroRNA binding-site polymorphisms as potential biomarkers of cancer risk..” Mol Diagn Ther 14, no. 6 (December 1, 2010): 335–42. https://doi.org/10.2165/11587600-000000000-00000.
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  - Ratner, Elena, Lingeng Lu, Marta Boeke, Rachel Barnett, Sunitha Nallur, Lena J. Chin, Cory Pelletier, et al. “A KRAS-variant in ovarian cancer acts as a genetic marker of cancer risk..” Cancer Res 70, no. 16 (August 15, 2010): 6509–15. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-0689.
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  - Yu, James B., Rachel C. Blitzblau, Sonya C. Patel, Roy H. Decker, and Lynn D. Wilson. “Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database analysis of microcystic adnexal carcinoma (sclerosing sweat duct carcinoma) of the skin..” Am J Clin Oncol 33, no. 2 (April 2010): 125–27. https://doi.org/10.1097/COC.0b013e31819791eb.
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  - Blitzblau, Rachel, Elizabeth K. Storer, and Michele H. Jacob. “Dystrophin and utrophin isoforms are expressed in glia, but not neurons, of the avian parasympathetic ciliary ganglion..” Brain Research 1218 (July 2008): 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2008.04.071.
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  - Yu, James B., Rachel C. Blitzblau, Roy H. Decker, Douglas M. Housman, and Lynn D. Wilson. “Analysis of primary CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disease and survival from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database..” J Clin Oncol 26, no. 9 (March 20, 2008): 1483–88. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2007.14.1374.
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  - Rosenberg, Madelaine M., Rachel C. Blitzblau, Douglas P. Olsen, and Michele H. Jacob. “Regulatory mechanisms that govern nicotinic synapse formation in neurons..” Journal of Neurobiology 53, no. 4 (December 2002): 542–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/neu.10112.
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  - Chen, Weizhi, Chiye Aoki, Veeravan Mahadomrongkul, Christian E. Gruber, Guang Jian Wang, Rachel Blitzblau, Nina Irwin, and Paul A. Rosenberg. “Expression of a variant form of the glutamate transporter GLT1 in neuronal cultures and in neurons and astrocytes in the rat brain..” J Neurosci 22, no. 6 (March 15, 2002): 2142–52.
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  - Sinor, J. D., S. Du, S. Venneti, R. C. Blitzblau, D. N. Leszkiewicz, P. A. Rosenberg, and E. Aizenman. “NMDA and glutamate evoke excitotoxicity at distinct cellular locations in rat cortical neurons in vitro..” J Neurosci 20, no. 23 (December 1, 2000): 8831–37.
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  - Temburni, M. K., R. C. Blitzblau, and M. H. Jacob. “Receptor targeting and heterogeneity at interneuronal nicotinic cholinergic synapses in vivo..” The Journal of Physiology 525 Pt 1 (May 2000): 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7793.2000.00021.x.
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  - Blitzblau, R., S. Gupta, S. Djali, M. B. Robinson, and P. A. Rosenberg. “The glutamate transport inhibitor L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate indirectly evokes NMDA receptor mediated neurotoxicity in rat cortical cultures..” Eur J Neurosci 8, no. 9 (September 1996): 1840–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-9568.1996.tb01328.x.
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  - Speliotes, E. K., K. A. Hartnett, R. C. Blitzblau, E. Aizenman, and P. A. Rosenberg. “Comparison of the potency of competitive NMDA antagonists against the neurotoxicity of glutamate and NMDA..” J Neurochem 63, no. 3 (September 1994): 879–85. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1471-4159.1994.63030879.x.
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- Conference Papers
  - Arya, Ritu, Lee W. Jones, Rachel C. Blitzblau, Manisha Palta, Lisa Massa, Gloria Broadwater, and Janet K. Horton. “Abstract P2-12-07: The association between exercise behavior and patient-reported outcomes in women with early breast cancer receiving locoregional radiation therapy.” In Poster Session Abstracts. American Association for Cancer Research, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs14-p2-12-07.
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  - Mowery, Yvonne M., Rachel A. Greenup, Kevin Houck, Manisha Palta, Janet K. Horton, Eun-Sil S. Hwang, Julie A. Sosa, and Rachel C. Blitzblau. “Abstract P1-15-10: Low utilization of hypofractionated radiotherapy for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer in the US.” In Poster Session Abstracts. American Association for Cancer Research, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs14-p1-15-10.
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  - Palta, Manisha, Priya Palta, Nrupen A. Bhavsar, Janet K. Horton, and Rachel C. Blitzblau. “The use of adjuvant radiotherapy in elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer: changes in practice patterns after publication of Cancer and Leukemia Group B 9343..” In Cancer, 121:188–93, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.28937.
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  - Horton, J. K., R. C. Blitzblau, S. Yoo, G. S. Georgiade, J. Geradts, J. A. Baker, Z. Chang, et al. “Abstract P5-14-04: Preoperative single-fraction partial breast radiotherapy – Initial results from a novel phase I dose-escalation protocol with exploration of radiation response biomarkers.” In Poster Session Abstracts. American Association for Cancer Research, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs13-p5-14-04.
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  - Horton, J. K., R. C. Blitzblau, S. Yoo, G. S. Georgiade, J. Geradts, J. A. Baker, Z. Chang, E. Duffy, and E. S. Hwang. “Preoperative Single-Fraction Partial Breast Radiation Therapy: A Novel Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Protocol and Exploration of Breast Cancer Radiation Response.” In International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 87:S229–S229. Elsevier BV, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.06.594.
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  - Perez, B. A., P. R. Patel, S. Yoo, L. O’Neill, K. P. Livengood, S. Catalano, C. T. Chollet, and R. C. Blitzblau. “Evaluating Radiation Dose to the Heart With Left Whole Breast Radiation Therapy in Prone, Supine Breath-Hold, and Supine Free-Breathing Positions.” In International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 87:S229–S229. Elsevier BV, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.06.593.
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  - Blitzblau, R. C., J. B. Yu, L. D. Wilson, and K. B. Roberts. “Analysis of Gastric MALT Lymphomas Identified in the SEER Database.” In International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 69:S537–38. Elsevier BV, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.07.1779.
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  - Patel, S. C., J. B. Yu, R. H. Decker, R. C. Blitzblau, D. M. Housman, and L. D. Wilson. “Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database Analysis of Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma (Sclerosing Sweat Duct Carcinoma) of the Skin.” In International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 69:S755–56. Elsevier BV, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.07.2319.
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  - Roberts, K. B., R. C. Blitzblau, and L. D. Wilson. “Characterization of Non-Gastric MALT Lymphomas Identified in the SEER Database.” In International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 69:S532–33. Elsevier BV, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.07.1771.
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  - Yu, J. B., R. C. Blitzblau, R. H. Decker, D. M. Housman, and L. D. Wilson. “Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database Analysis of Stage IE Primary CD30+ Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (PCCTCL).” In International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 69:S536–37. Elsevier BV, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.07.1777.
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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

In the News

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Conference Papers