A large Medicare analysis found that depression is associated with higher cancer mortality, while psychotherapy soon after diagnosis reduces cancer risk. Patients with depression had a 21% lower risk of cancer-specific mortality after receiving psychotherapy within four weeks of their diagnosis.
A prospective study found that stereotactic radiosurgical capsulotomy significantly reduced symptoms of major depression and thoughts of suicide among patients with severe, treatment-resistant psychiatric illness. Benefits were largely sustained over a median follow-up of more than three years.
A phase 3 trial found that delivering focused radiation therapy over three to five sessions after surgery for a large brain metastasis reduced cancer recurrence and improved survival. Patients who received multi-session treatment lived nine months longer than those treated in a single session without significantly increasing side effects.
A randomized phase 2 trial found that five treatments of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) better preserved physical function and reduced fatigue compared to 28 treatments of conventional radiation therapy with chemotherapy. Rates of cancer remaining in lymph nodes did not differ significantly between the groups.
Patients with small cell lung cancer and brain metastases lived 17.4 months with radiosurgery, compared to 8.6 months with whole brain treatment. Radiosurgery was associated with a 40% lower risk of death. The study challenges the long-standing reliance on whole brain treatment for SCLC brain metastases.
A randomized trial found that five-treatment stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) provided excellent long-term cancer control and better urinary continence and sexual function compared to surgery. SBRT offered clear advantages for urinary continence and sexual function, with 91% of patients remaining free from biochemical or clin...
A large U.S. insurance claims analysis found that fewer than 30% of patients with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer remained adherent to endocrine therapy for five years after lumpectomy. Younger age and radiation therapy omission were associated with lower adherence rates.
Low-dose radiation therapy may slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis, with sustained improvements in pain, physical function, and quality of life. The therapy was associated with a 67% lower adjusted hazard of government-certified disability due to knee osteoarthritis, particularly in patients with grade 2 disease.
A multi-institutional trial found that ultra-low-dose radiation therapy relieved painful bone lesions from multiple myeloma for most patients, with 81% achieving pain control without additional radiation. Treatment side effects were limited to low-grade fatigue.
Studies on hypofractionated postmastectomy radiotherapy, proton therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, and stereotactic body radiation therapy for Ewing sarcoma showcase improved patient outcomes. The findings also suggest potential benefits for short-course radiation therapy access and patient navigation in cancer centers.
For appropriately selected patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, preserving the bladder can be a curative treatment option, and trimodal therapy is recommended as an alternative to radical cystectomy. The guideline also provides guidance on radiation therapy after surgery and for patients with metastatic or symptomatic disease.
The updated guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on radiation therapy for adult patients with pancreatic cancer, clarifying its role in various settings. It recommends radiation therapy for patients with resectable, locally advanced, and metastatic disease, as well as those with recurrent or palliative needs.
A new study found that over 50 million Americans live in counties without a radiation oncology clinic, highlighting vulnerabilities in the nation's cancer care infrastructure. Radiation oncology practices have closed disproportionately in rural areas and freestanding settings, raising concerns about patients' access to cancer care.
The ASTRO Annual Meeting will take place in Boston from September 26-30, featuring research presentations, keynote addresses, and panel discussions on critical cancer care issues. The meeting aims to foster meaningful conversations about radiation therapy's value in advancing patient care.
Studies presented at the inaugural Multidisciplinary Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Symposium highlight the growing potential of RPTs to improve cancer outcomes. A meta-analysis shows Lu-177 PSMA-617 consistently prolongs progression-free survival without adding severe side effects for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has rebranded its research foundation as Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation, marking a renewed focus on advancing research and improving patient care. The new initiative aims to strengthen research collaborations and investments to drive progress in radiation oncology.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for gastric cancer. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the role of radiation therapy in multidisciplinary care, including patient selection, integration with systemic therapy and treatment delivery.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has announced three winning research proposals for the 2025 ASTRO-AstraZeneca Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy Challenge. The selected projects aim to improve therapies and outcomes for patients with limited-stage SCLC through immunotherapy and radiation techniques.
A new clinical trial report finds that stereotactic radiation therapy offers long-term survival outcomes comparable to surgery for patients with small, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The study included a larger patient population than previously published randomized studies and followed these patients for much longer.
A phase III trial comparing proton and photon radiation therapy for breast cancer found that patients report equally strong health-related quality of life with either treatment. Patients treated with protons were more likely to say they would recommend or choose it again, but overall patient-reported outcomes were similar.
A retrospective study found that radiation therapy controlled ventricular tachycardia with fewer complications than standard catheter ablation. Radiation therapy was similarly effective in controlling arrhythmia and showed lower serious side effects, especially in the early time window.
A large phase III trial found that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) preserves quality of life, with fewer declines in bowel and urinary functioning. However, SBRT does not outperform standard radiation therapy for disease-free survival, with higher rates of biochemical failure and rising PSA after treatment.
A phase III trial suggests that post-operative radiation therapy can reduce cancer recurrence in patients with high-risk disease. Patients who received radiation experienced significantly fewer pelvic recurrences and improved locoregional recurrence-free survival compared to those who did not receive radiation.
A phase III trial finds that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy resulted in similar quality-of-life outcomes and low rates of side effects for people with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer. Excellent tumor control and fewer long-term side effects were seen with both treatments.
A new clinical trial found that patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis reported significant reductions in pain and improved physical function after receiving low-dose radiation therapy. The study showed a 70% response rate in the high-dose group, compared to 42% in the placebo group.
A new randomized study validates a predictive gene expression test that identifies patients with recurrent prostate cancer who will benefit from adding hormone therapy to radiation. The test, PAM50, groups tumors into molecular subtypes and predicts treatment outcomes.
A new clinical trial found that adding a PSMA-targeting agent to stereotactic radiation therapy doubled progression-free survival in patients with limited metastatic prostate cancer. The study also showed that the treatment delayed hormone therapy by 24 months and improved local control.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Society of Surgical Oncology jointly published a guideline outlining when post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) is appropriate based on new evidence. PMRT reduces cancer recurrence risk in patients with node-positive disease or high-risk features.
The ASTRO's 2025 Annual Meeting will feature pivotal studies in radiation medicine, highlighting advances in radiopharmaceutical therapy and new indications for low-dose radiation therapy. The meeting will also explore cutting-edge techniques for prostate, breast, lung, and other common cancers.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has updated its guideline on radiation therapy for high-grade diffuse gliomas, the most common primary brain tumor in adults. The new guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for multidisciplinary treatment and addresses optimal radiation dosing, fractionation, and techniques.
ASTRO welcomes Karen Davis as its first Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, leading the organization's business growth strategy. Davis will focus on public- and private-sector partnerships to advance ASTRO's mission and broaden its impact on cancer care.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will host its 67th Annual Meeting in San Francisco from September 27 to October 1, 2025. The meeting will feature over 2,500 research presentations and posters on advances in radiation oncology and non-cancer indications.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer, providing guidance on treatment options and techniques. The guideline recommends a combination of radiation therapy and drug therapy as the standard of care, with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IM...
A new ASTRO survey finds that prior authorization delays lead to treatment interruptions, hospitalizations, and patient deaths. The problem is worsening, with patients experiencing longer treatment delays than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The updated ASTRO guideline recommends personalized treatment approaches for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, including non-surgical alternatives and intensified treatment regimens. The guideline aims to improve outcomes while preserving quality of life.
A new trial suggests that adding immunotherapy to chemoradiation can extend survival in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. However, the findings also indicate that delivering the treatments at different times yields varying results, with concurrent treatment not offering improved survival benefits.
A new study found that hypofractionation does not increase complications for patients with breast cancer who undergo mastectomy and plan breast reconstruction. The trial enrolled 898 patients and showed that reducing treatment time by nearly half is safe and effective, saving patients time and money.
A survey found that spiritual beliefs and distrust of clinical research contribute to Black patients' hesitation to enroll in cancer trials. Despite trusting their medical teams, some patients express concerns about the purpose of research and its potential impact on their health and community.
A multi-center phase III trial found photon- and proton-based radiation therapies to be similarly safe and effective in treating low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Patients treated with either IMRT or proton therapy reported no significant differences in quality of life, tumor control, or progression-free survival.
A randomized trial halted after patients in the control arm reached a record high two-year progression-free survival rate of 98%. Deintensified treatments involving lower radiation dose and immunotherapy did not perform as well as standard chemoradiation.
A phase II clinical trial found that radiopharmaceuticals, specifically 177Lu-Dotatate, can extend progression-free survival for patients with refractory meningioma by nearly 80% after six months. The therapy offers a safe and effective treatment option for those with aggressive tumor growth.
A pooled analysis of three large, phase III clinical trials found that more than 40% of brain metastases patients can fully reverse cognitive losses with conformal radiation techniques. Recovery was more likely for those treated with highly targeted radiation compared to standard whole-brain treatment.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published an updated clinical guideline for treating patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The guideline emphasizes the importance of tailored radiation strategies to maximize patient survival while minimizing side effects. It provides recommendations fo...
The updated clinical guideline recommends multiple dose-fractionation schemes to relieve pain and symptoms of bone and spine lesions. Advanced radiation techniques like intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are now routine clinical care for many patients.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 66th Annual Meeting will be held in Washington, D.C., featuring over 170 exhibitors showcasing state-of-the-art cancer care technologies. Registered attendees can access livestreams of scientific and educational sessions, both in-person and virtually.
Seven high-impact studies will be showcased, exploring novel therapies and improving treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These findings highlight advancements in immunotherapy, risk-directed adjuvant therapy, and FDG-PET-based selective de-escalation of radiotherapy.
A new ASTRO clinical guideline recommends partial breast irradiation as a viable alternative to whole breast radiation for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or DCIS, based on evidence from large randomized trials. The guideline provides guidance on patient selection and best practices for delivering effective partial bre...
Researchers found that relying on existing diagnostic CT scans instead of new ones for simple palliative radiation treatments reduced patient wait times from nearly five hours to under 30 minutes. This novel workflow can improve the patient experience and reduce costs, making it a promising approach for expedited care.
A novel liquid biopsy test identifies levels of circulating tumor DNA as a more precise measure of disease burden than the number of tumors themselves. Patients with lower levels of detectable ctDNA are more likely to benefit from radiation therapy.
A new study found that a shorter radiation treatment course is just as effective as a longer schedule for patients with non-HPV-related locally advanced disease. Delivering fewer, but higher doses of radiation was associated with similar tumor control and late-term side effects.