DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Head and Neck Cancer
Palliative Care

Research Abstract

My primary research interests are in palliative care, including the psychosocial aspects of advanced cancer and radiotherapy for palliation. Within the psychosocial aspects of advanced cancer, I have a particular focus on the role of religion and spirituality in the experience of cancer. This includes the impact of religion/spirituality on coping and end-of-life medical care and the impact of spiritual care in the medical setting on patient end-of-life outcomes. My research also includes improving radiotherapy for palliation, such as studying applications of new radiotherapy technologies to palliation, and involvement in clinical research in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Head and Neck Oncology Research Group.

Publications

• Phelps AC,Maciejewski PK,Nilsson M,Balboni TA,Wright AA,Paulk ME,Trice E,Schrag D,Peteet JR,Block SD,Prigerson HG.Religious coping and use of intensive life-prolonging care near death in patients with advanced cancer.JAMA 2009 Mar 18;301(11):1140-7.
  19293414
• Wright AA,Zhang B,Ray A,Mack JW,Trice E,Balboni T,Mitchell SL,Jackson VA,Block SD,Maciejewski PK,Prigerson HG.Associations between end-of-life discussions, patient mental health, medical care near death, and caregiver bereavement adjustment.JAMA 2008 Oct
  18840840
• Smith AK,McCarthy EP,Paulk E,Balboni TA,Maciejewski PK,Block SD,Prigerson HG.Racial and ethnic differences in advance care planning among patients with cancer: impact of terminal illness acknowledgment, religiousness, and treatment preferences.J Clin Onco
  18757326
• Mack JW, Nilsson M, Balboni T, Friedlander RJ, Block SD, Trice E, Prigerson HG.Peace, Equanimity, and Acceptance in the cancer experience (PEACE): validation of a scale to assess acceptance and struggle with terminal illness.Cancer 2008 Apr 21.
  18429006
• Balboni TA, Gaccione P, Gobezie R, Mamon HJ.Shielding of the hip prosthesis during radiation therapy for heterotopic ossification is associated with increased failure of prophylaxis.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2007 Apr 1;67(5):1499-505.
  17234358
• Balboni TA, Vanderwerker LC, Block SD, Paulk ME, Lathan CS, Peteet JR, Prigerson HG.Religiousness and spiritual support among advanced cancer patients and associations with end-of-life treatment preferences and quality of life.J Clin Oncol 2007 Feb 10;25(
  17290065
• Balboni TA, Gobezie R, Mamon HJ.Heterotopic ossification: Pathophysiology, clinical features, and the role of radiotherapy for prophylaxis.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2006 Aug 1;65(5):1289-99.
  16863921
• Balboni T.Resident resource corner. It was Sunday.Current Surgery;59(1):84-5.
  16093110
• Balboni T.Resident resource corner. It was Sunday.Current Surgery;59(1):84-5.
  16093110