Two liquid biopsy tests identified patients with a high risk of cervical cancer recurrence after chemoradiation treatment, allowing for earlier detection and potential improvement in outcomes. The tests detected HPV ctDNA in the blood of patients with residual disease, providing insight before tissue biopsy becomes possible.
A new study found that precision medicine navigators can significantly increase genomic testing rates for Black patients with prostate cancer. Genomic testing is used to gauge the likelihood of cancer metastasis and has been shown to be more accurate than traditional tests in predicting treatment outcomes.
Patients who engage in regular sexual activity or vaginal dilation have a lower risk of long-term side effects, including vaginal stenosis. Regular dilation and/or sex were associated with lower risk of moderate-grade vaginal shortening and narrowing five years after treatment.
A multi-center study found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SABR) can achieve 100% local control and cancer-specific survival for longer than three years among patients with inoperable kidney cancer. The treatment was effective in preserving kidney function, with only one patient requiring dialysis.
A randomized study shows that shorter radiation therapy courses are just as effective in preventing cancer return and reducing side effects for patients with breast reconstruction. The accelerated treatment regimen saved patients time, money, and experienced fewer treatment breaks.
A phase III trial suggests that fewer and higher doses of radiation therapy delivered over five sessions are as effective as lower doses delivered over several weeks for patients with locally advanced disease. The treatment achieved a 96% five-year disease control rate, comparable to 95% for conventional radiation.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology announced the winners of its new combination therapy challenge, which aims to improve prostate cancer treatments using relugolix in combination with radiation therapy. The three winning research proposals will receive funding over four to five years.
The guideline provides guidance on definitive local therapy options for non-small cell lung cancer with limited extracranial metastases. It emphasizes the need for a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to treatment decisions.
A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.
Researchers analyzed over 500,000 patient records and found that patients diagnosed at age 70 were nearly twice as likely to be passed over for post-surgical radiation therapy. This significant gap in treatment recommendations suggests that cognitive heuristics play a major role in physician decision-making.
The updated guideline provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy and systemic therapy after surgery to treat patients with endometrial cancer. It considers the role of surgical staging and molecular profiling techniques in determining whether a patient should receive post-operative therapy.
A new study finds that combining radiation with hormone therapy can improve outcomes for patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer. The trial showed that patients who received both treatments experienced longer progression-free survival and better testosterone levels after treatment.
A large-scale analysis of VA medical centers found that facilities with lower yearly PSA screening rates had higher rates of metastatic prostate cancer in subsequent years. The study supports the benefits of prostate cancer screening in reducing metastatic prostate cancer risk, particularly for high-risk groups like Black patients.
A randomized phase III trial found that hypofractionated whole-breast radiation with concurrent boost is comparable to six weeks of treatment for patients with higher-risk disease, reducing tumor recurrence by 20-30%. The three-week course was non-inferior to the longer treatment in terms of tumor recurrence and cosmetic outcomes.
A randomized phase III trial shows that adding radiation therapy to systemic therapy can delay tumor progression and lengthen survival without compromising quality of life. The combination of SBRT and sorafenib appears more effective than the drug on its own.
Researchers developed an AI model that uses daily step counts to predict the likelihood of unplanned hospitalization during cancer therapy, offering personalized care and potential prevention of treatment interruptions. The model was tested on data from wearable consumer devices and showed strong predictive performance.
A phase III clinical trial confirms the safety and efficacy of a moderately shortened course of radiation therapy for men with high-risk prostate cancer. The study found no significant differences in survival rates, side effects, or recurrence between 5-week and 8-week radiation therapy.
A randomized, phase III clinical trial found that patients who receive technical explanations from medical physicists before treatment have lower anxiety levels and higher satisfaction rates. Medical physicist consults can significantly improve patient outcomes by reducing stress and anxiety related to radiation therapy.
A phase II trial suggests that radiation can reduce painful complications and hospitalizations, and possibly extend overall survival in patients with advanced cancers. The study found that treating asymptomatic lesions with radiation reduced skeletal-related events and extended overall survival compared to those who received no radiation.
In a first-in-human trial, FLASH radiation treatment was found safe and effective for pain relief in patients with bone metastases. The study showed significant pain relief in 7 out of 10 patients, with minimal side effects.
A new study found that sexual side effects of cancer treatment are discussed less frequently with female patients, who are asked about their sexual health 1 in 10 times, compared to 9 in 10 men. The disparity is also observed in clinical trials nationwide.
The new ASTRO guideline provides guidance on radiation therapy for brain metastases, including evidence-based recommendations for multidisciplinary planning and delivery of advanced techniques to manage intact and resected brain tumors. The guideline aims to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with brain metastases.
A blood test detecting circulating tumor DNA can accurately predict recurrence of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer following treatment. The biomarker test may detect recurrent disease earlier than imaging or other standard methods, allowing physicians to personalize treatment more quickly for patients whose cancer returns.
A new AI model combines multiple machine learning methods to accurately detect thyroid cancer and predict treatment outcomes from routine ultrasound images. The multimodal platform achieved high accuracy rates in detecting malignancies and predicting pathological stage and genomic mutations.
A new phase II trial found that mid-treatment PET scans can help determine if patients with p16-positive oropharynx cancer can receive a lower dose of radiation therapy without compromising cancer control. The study reported fewer short-term side effects in patients who received de-escalated therapy.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline outlining the use of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to treat adult patients with primary liver cancers. The guidelines emphasize multidisciplinary care and provide evidence-based recommendations on indications, dosing, techniques, and trea...
A new analysis of US national data finds that external-beam radiation therapy is a proven treatment option for patients with unresectable liver cancer but is rarely prescribed, with only 3.6% of patients receiving it. The study suggests that institutional and regional practice patterns play a key role in driving treatment decisions.
A recent clinical trial found that a shortened course of radiation therapy after prostate removal surgery does not increase long-term side effects or lower quality of life compared to conventional treatment. Patients who underwent hypofractionated, post-operative radiation therapy experienced comparable genitourinary and gastrointestin...
A new study finds that high-dose radiation therapy can lengthen progression-free survival for people with advanced lung cancer when systemic therapy has not fully halted tumor growth or spread. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) shows promise in treating oligoprogressive, metastatic lung and breast cancer.
A new clinical guideline from ASTRO provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma, recommending optimal radiation dosing and techniques. The guideline also addresses the role of radiation therapy for retroperitoneal sarcomas.
A survey of nearly 400 cancer survivors found that 87% experienced sexual side effects, but most were not formally asked by their oncologist. Female patients were particularly unlikely to be discussed with. Researchers recommend using a standard questionnaire to initiate conversations and improve patient experience.
A new study examines clinical trials involving radiation therapy from 1996 to 2019 and finds that Black and Asian American patients are underrepresented, with 12% and 3% of trial participants respectively. The findings highlight the need for better inclusion of racial minorities in research studies.
The number of radiation therapy facilities in the US has grown by 17% over 15 years, with a disproportionate increase in urban areas. Despite this growth, 4.5% of the population lives more than 50 miles from a treatment center, highlighting access disparities.
A phase II trial shows similar safety and efficacy with single- and multiple-fraction treatment for patients with limited oligometastases. The study found comparable survival rates, local control rates, and disease-free survival rates between the two treatment groups.
A randomized phase III trial found that stereotactic radiosurgery reduces cognitive decline without compromising survival for patients with four or more brain metastases. Patients who received SRS had better preserved cognitive function compared to those who received whole-brain radiation therapy.
A randomized phase III trial found that image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) improves long-term toxicity-free survival and reduces gastrointestinal side effects in women with cervical cancer. The study showed a significant reduction in moderate-to-severe gastrointestinal side effects compared to 3D-CRT, with improv...
A randomized phase II/III trial found that SBRT reduced pain in patients with spinal metastases by 35% after three months, compared to 14% for conventional radiation. Patients treated with SBRT also experienced higher satisfaction rates related to financial considerations.
A new study found that adding advanced PET scans to radiation plans for prostate cancer increases disease-free survival rates. After three years, 75.5% of patients treated with the additional imaging were still cancer-free, compared to 63% in the control group.
The new guideline provides options for different treatments to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Recommendations address patient selection, pelvic radiation treatments, integration with chemotherapy and surgery, and follow-up care.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will highlight groundbreaking studies and discussions on cancer treatment advances, COVID-19, and racial representation in radiation therapy clinical trials at its upcoming Annual Meeting.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for cervical cancer. The guidelines address indications and best practices for external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy in postoperative and definitive settings, including the use of chemotherapy and IMRT.
A targeted therapy drug, everolimus, has been shown to extend progression-free survival for advanced head and neck cancer patients. Patients with TP53 mutations experienced a significant survival benefit, indicating potential as a treatment option for high-risk patients.
A new clinical trial suggests that immunotherapy given before surgery for oral cavity cancers can elicit an immune response that shrinks tumors. Most patients (52%) experienced a clinical reduction of their primary tumor after immunotherapy, and four patients had more than 90% pathologic response.
A new phase II trial found a combination of radiation therapy and pembrolizumab to be effective in treating locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly for patients ineligible for cisplatin chemotherapy. The treatment showed encouraging survival outcomes and acceptable toxicity.
A new study suggests that monitoring patients' activity levels prior to chemoradiation therapy for lung cancer can predict treatment outcomes. Inactive patients are more likely to experience hospitalization, treatment delays, and disease recurrence, while active patients have better survival rates.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline for the use of radiation therapy in treating basal and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. The guideline provides recommendations on when to use radiation as stand-alone therapy or following surgery, as well as dosing and fractionation schedules.
A nationwide survey of over 400 US adults with cancer found that nearly all patients felt confident in their treatment decisions but had gaps in knowledge about potential side effects. The study highlights the need for more informed patient counseling and coordination between oncology disciplines to manage treatment-related side effects.
A machine-learning model has been developed to predict significant weight loss and need for feeding tube placement in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The model showed high accuracy in predicting these two endpoints, allowing clinicians to take preventive measures.
A randomized clinical trial found that high-dose radiation therapy can generate an immune system response similar to vaccination, sparking a systemic immune reaction against cancer. Patients treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy lived significantly longer without disease progression.
A phase II trial found that adding radiation therapy to immunotherapy increases progression-free survival for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. T cells played a key role in the immune response, with certain markers predicting longer disease-free periods.