Department of Human Oncology
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Head shot of Carolyn Eckrich

Carolyn Eckrich, MS

Radiation Oncology Physics Resident

Department of Human Oncology

(She/Her)

Education

MS, Duke University, Medical Physics (2023)

BA, College of Holy Cross, (2021)

Selected Honors and Awards

James T. Dobbins III Leadership Award (2023)

Dean’s Research Award (2022 - 2023)

Boards, Advisory Committees and Professional Organizations

Student Leadership and Advisory Council, Duke University, President and First Year Representative ( 2021 - 2023)

Women of Medical Physics, Duke University, VP of Communications (2022 - 2023)

AAPM Students and Trainees Subcommittee (SPASC), voting member (2022 - Present)

American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), member (2021 - Present)

What are your Clinical & Research Interests?

I am very eager to learn more about the clinic and the various tasks/responsibilities. I have an interest in Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART) especially for GYN patients.

Why did you choose to come to UW?

I chose UW because of the people. While navigating the residency interview season, I received the advice that programs would offer comparable learning resources, such as machines/rotations. However, it is the caliber of individuals one learns from and collaborates with that truly elevates a residency program. Upon my interview experience with UW, I immediately felt welcomed, and it became evident that the individuals within this community not only share camaraderie but also actively cultivate a spirit of collaboration.

Favorite part of residency, favorite rotation, or favorite thing about the program?

I really enjoy treatment planning and the opportunity to work closely with the dosimetrists as well as the therapists and physicians. I am excited for the Brachytherapy rotation!

Favorite thing to do in Madison?

I love the walking trails for my Vizsla puppy and the wide variety of restaurants.

Fun fact about yourself or things you like to do for fun?

I have my Private Pilot’s License and my bucket list goal is to have my hot air balloon license. I love music and have played the violin since I was 4 years old. I enjoy exercising which includes running, hiking, waterskiing, and yoga/pilates.

  • Adaptive Positron Emission Tomography Radiation Therapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Vulvar Cancer: A Prospective Study Advances in radiation oncology
    Shenker R, Eckrich C, D'Anna R, Niedzwiecki D, Rodrigues A, Craciunescu O, Chino J
    2023 Mar 1;8(4):101208. doi: 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101208. eCollection 2023 Jul-Aug.
    • More

      PURPOSE: In this prospective trial, we aim to determine whether fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT)-based adaptive radiation therapy (ART) improves dosimetry outcomes for patients treated with definitive radiation for locally advanced vulvar cancer.

      METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients were enrolled in 2 sequential institutional review board-approved prospective protocols for PET/CT ART from 2012 to 2020. Patients were planned with pretreatment PET/CT to 45 to 56 Gy in 1.8 Gy/fraction, followed by a boost to gross disease (nodal and/or primary) to a total of 64 to 66 Gy. Intratreatment PET/CT was obtained at 30 to 36 Gy, and all patients were replanned to the same dose goals with revised organ at risk (OAR), gross tumor volume, and planned target volume contours. Radiation therapy consisted of either intensity modulated radiation therapy or volumetric modulated arc therapy. Toxicity was graded by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Local control, disease-free survival, overall survival, and time to toxicity were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Dosimetry metrics for OARs were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

      RESULTS: Twenty patients were eligible for analysis. Median follow-up among surviving patients was 5.5 years. Local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival at 2 years were 63%, 43%, and 68%, respectively. ART significantly reduced the following OAR doses: bladder, maximum dose (Dmax; median reduction [MR], 1.1 Gy; interquartile range [IQR], 0.48-2.3 Gy; P < .001) and D2cc (MR, 1.5 Gy; IQR, 0.51-2.1 Gy; P < .001); bowel, Dmax (MR, 1.0 Gy; IQR, 0.11-2.9 Gy; P < .001), D2cc (MR, 0.39 Gy; IQR, 0.023-1.7 Gy; P < .001), and D15cc (MR, 0.19 Gy; IQR, 0.026-0.47 Gy; P = .002); and rectal, mean dose (MR, 0.66 Gy; IQR, 0.17-1.7 Gy; P = .006) and D2cc (MR, 0.46 Gy; IQR, 0.17-0.80 Gy; P = .006). No patients experienced any grade ≥3 acute toxicities. There were no reported late grade ≥2 vaginal toxicities. Lymphedema at 2 years was 17% (95% confidence interval, 0%-34%).

      CONCLUSIONS: Doses to bladder, bowel, and rectum were significantly improved with ART, though the median magnitudes were modest. Which patients benefit most from adaptive treatment is a matter for future investigation.

      PMID:37213484 | PMC:PMC10196271 | DOI:10.1016/j.adro.2023.101208


      View details for PubMedID 37213484

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