Location

Rochester, Minnesota

SUMMARY

James A. Martenson Jr., M.D., is a consultant in the Department of Radiation Oncology and a professor of oncology in the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.

Most of Dr. Martenson's research is conducted through cooperative groups, particularly the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, where he serves as vice chair of the Radiation Oncology Committee.

Focus areas

  • Clinical trials in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
  • Clinical trials of supportive care, particularly in patients receiving radiation therapy

Significance to patient care

As one example of a study related to his focus on supportive care, Dr. Martenson is a co-chair of a randomized clinical trial of doxepin for the relief of oral pain in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer of the head and neck. The study was reported by Robert C. Miller, M.D., the principal investigator, at the plenary session of the 2012 meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology. Doxepin was found to provide significant pain relief in this group of patients.

Dr. Martenson has also collaborated with others in research efforts that have led to improved survival in patients with rectal cancer, stomach cancer and cancer of the esophagus.

PROFESSIONAL DETAILS

Administrative Appointment

  1. Emeritus, Department of Radiation Oncology

Academic Rank

  1. Professor of Oncology

EDUCATION

  1. Resident - Radiation Oncology Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. Resident Radiology-Therapeutic, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. MD University of Washington School of Medicine and the School of Public Health, Seattle
  4. BS - Microbiology University of Washington
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BIO-00078354

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