Getting fancy with the fanny.

A retrospective look at the practice patterns of eight cancer centers within the NCCN database demonstrates that the use of intensity-modulated radiation (IMRT) in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally-advanced rectal cancer is on the rise, complementing similar NCDB data. The rate was <13% from 2005-2008 and took a quick and steep climb to >30% from 2009-2011. The biggest discrepancies between the patients receiving versus not receiving IMRT included, you guessed it, insurance and institution.