Cancer Science & Therapy

Landmark Studies in Radiation Oncology: Has the Pattern of Publication Changed?

Abstract

Carsten Nieder, Hans Geinitz, Nicolaus H Andratschke and Anca L Grosu

The purpose of this study was to identify current pattern of publication of the most influential radiation oncology
research, and to compare these previous pattern. From several potential measures of impact and relevance of
research, we selected article citation rate because landmark or practice-changing research is likely to be cited
frequently. The citation database Scopus was used to identify the 100 most frequently cited articles published
between 2009 and 2011, and 1999-2001, respectively. Current top 100 articles achieved a median of 57 citations
(range 181-38). Top 100 articles from the time period 1999-2001 achieved a median of 208 citations (range 1149-
121). The number of authors per highly cited article has increased significantly. Recently, 58% of articles were
written by more than 10 authors (1999-2001: only 25%). Significantly, fewer articles were published by authors from
the US and/or Canada (53% versus 73%). Pure European contributions increased from 20% to 33%. The proportion
of publications related to breast, lung or lower gastrointestinal tract cancer increased, while that related to prostate
or gynecological cancer decreased significantly. Irrespective of time period, pattern of publication was dominated
by only two scientific journals: the Journal of Clinical Oncology and the International Journal of Radiation Oncology
Biology and Physics. Several newly launched journals have managed to attract highly cited articles. Fifteen of the
20 journals (75%) that featured top 100 articles from the time period 1999-2001 were no longer represented on
the recent top 100 list. Inspite of changing pattern of publication, relatively few well established journals dominate.