Sean P. Collins, MD, PhD

Sean P. Collins MD, PhD

Georgetown University Hospital

Washington, DC

Sean P. Collins, MD, PhD, is a clinical associate professor at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. He joined his twin brother Brian on the faculty of the cancer center in July of 2006 as an attending physician in radiation oncology. Dr. Collins graduated from the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Michigan in 2001. Professor Collins completed both an internship in surgery and a residency in radiation oncology at Georgetown University Hospital. His area of expertise is prostate cancer, for which he treats patients using the CyberKnife®, a technology that allows for more accurate targeting of radiation therapy. Dr. Collins is a physician-scientist, and his work focuses on developing prostate cancer treatment protocols using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to minimize the toxicity of radiation dose escalation. To date, he has treated over 2000 prostate cancer patients with SBRT and has presented his work at major meetings and published multiple papers on his experience in peer reviewed journals.

Talks by Sean P. Collins MD, PhD

Radiation Therapy Planning Using Advanced Imaging – Pearls and Pitfalls

Posted by Sean P. Collins MD, PhD | Dec 2024

Sean P. Collins, MD, PhD, shares POSLUMA, a new PSMA-specific PET imaging agent approved in May 2023 for prostate cancer.

Rationale for Involved Site SBRT-Enhanced Intermittent Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Nodal Oligorecurrent Prostate Cancer

Posted by Sean P. Collins MD, PhD | Sep 2024

Sean P. Collins, MD, PhD, discusses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) combined with intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in managing nodal oligorecurrent prostate cancer. He emphasizes the evolving landscape of prostate cancer treatment, particularly in patients with limited nodal metastases, where traditional systemic approaches are being re-evaluated in favor of targeted and less toxic strategies.
Dr. Collins explores the clinical evidence supporting SBRT as a precise and effective modality that targets metastatic nodes while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. He underscores that when SBRT is combined with intermittent ADT, it provides a synergistic effect that not only controls localized disease but also allows for periodic withdrawal of ADT, thereby reducing the need for life-long hormone therapy.
Ultimately, Dr. Collins advocates for a paradigm shift toward more personalized and targeted management of nodal oligorecurrent prostate cancer. His insights provide a thoughtful analysis of the potential benefits of integrating SBRT and intermittent ADT.

Radiation Therapy Planning Using Advanced Imaging – Pearls and Pitfalls

Posted by Sean P. Collins MD, PhD | Jun 2024

Dr. Sean P. Collins discusses radiation therapy planning for prostate cancer, emphasizing the role of advanced imaging technologies. He underscores how these technologies enhance the precision of targeting cancerous tissues while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
Dr. Collins elaborates on various advanced imaging modalities, including multiparametric MRI and PET/CT scans. He believes that integrating these imaging techniques into the radiation therapy planning process can result in more precise dose distributions, leading to better tumor control and fewer adverse effects.
Despite the clear advantages, Dr. Collins also addresses the potential pitfalls associated with advanced imaging in radiation therapy planning. Variability in image quality, the potential for imaging artifacts, and the necessity for specialized expertise in interpreting complex imaging data are addressed, as well as ways to mitigate these challenges.