Researchers investigated alternative radiation therapy regimens for early-stage breast cancer patients. The trial found that fewer, larger individual doses of radiation led to similar adverse effects as conventional radiation therapy after 10 years.
Long-term data show that whole breast radiation therapy significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence in low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients, even without additional treatment. Radiation also reduces overall cancer return by more than 70 percent.
A highly sensitive liquid biopsy test detects minute traces of cancer-specific DNA, accurately determining whether HPV+ oral cancer patients are free from cancer following radiation therapy. The test reduces the need for costly radiological studies and provides a more precise count of tumor DNA in the blood.
A new analysis of genetic data and clinical trial results suggests that African-American men may have comparatively higher cure rates when treated with radiation therapy. The study found that tumors from African-American men were more likely to have indicators of increased sensitivity to radiation, leading to improved outcomes.
A new study shows that stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is as safe and effective for patients with one kidney as it is for those with two. The treatment provided high local control and cancer-specific survival rates, with minimal impact on renal function.
A phase III trial has established the radiation/cisplatin combination as the standard of care for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancers, resulting in higher overall and progression-free survival rates compared to cetuximab/radiation. The treatment also showed a lower rate of serious side effects, particularly with cisplatin.
A large, long-term study found SBRT to be safe and effective for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The treatment delivered substantially larger doses of radiation per session, reducing the duration of treatment without increasing the risk of severe side effects.
The SPPORT trial found that adding pelvic lymph node treatment and short-term hormone therapy to standard treatment extends time before cancer spreads. This combination therapy resulted in higher freedom-from-progression rates and lower distant metastasis rates compared to standard treatments alone.
Researchers found that stereotactic radiation therapy doubles progression-free survival and increases overall survival by a median of 13 months in patients with limited metastatic cancer. The treatment also improved survival rates, but with increased side effects.
The new guideline recommends moderate hypofractionation (240-340 cGy) as an alternative to conventional fractionation for men with early-stage prostate cancer. Hypofractionated radiation therapy can be completed in four to five weeks, compared to eight to nine weeks for conventional radiation.
At ASTRO's Annual Meeting, leading researchers will present their groundbreaking findings on clinical trials and radiation oncology research. The meeting features three news briefings highlighting advances in breast, lung, genitourinary, oral, and oligometastatic cancers.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology updates its clinical guideline to recommend concurrent chemotherapy for certain patients with incurable stage III non-small cell lung cancer, improving quality of life and alleviating symptoms. The new guideline also provides recommendations for delivery and dosing of radiation therapy.
The new guideline recommends hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (WBI) for most breast cancer patients, regardless of age or tumor stage. This accelerated treatment offers a more convenient and lower-cost option without compromising cancer control or side effects.
A phase II trial demonstrates the safety and efficacy of de-escalating radiation therapy by 30-35% for patients with HPV-positive disease who respond well to chemotherapy given prior to radiation. Patients experienced excellent survival rates and improved functional outcomes with fewer side effects.
The phase II CONDOR trial demonstrates durvalumab's safety and encouraging anti-tumor activity as second-line treatment for tumors with low or negative PD-L1 expression. Seventeen patients experienced partial responses, with an overall response rate of 9.2% for durvalumab alone.
A clinical trial found that nivolumab can be administered safely with radiation therapy and chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed local-regionally advanced head and neck cancers. Most patients completed curative-intent radiation therapy and were able to tolerate continuing immunotherapy for up to a year.
A phase II trial found cabozantinib to be an active agent in treating metastatic, radioactive iodine-resistant differentiated thyroid cancer, with 34 of 35 patients experiencing tumor shrinkage. The treatment also showed a high response rate and was well-tolerated despite common side effects.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion significantly reduced uninsured rates for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy, with the greatest benefits seen among vulnerable individuals living in high-poverty areas. The uninsured rate dropped by half in fully expanded states and only 5 percent in non-expansion states.
A phase II trial found that patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer who received half the standard radiation dose achieved equally high cure rates at two years, with 95% tumor control and 89% disease-free survival. The reduced treatment also resulted in lower side effects compared to standard therapy.
A survey of breast cancer clinic patients found that short- and long-term side effects were often better than anticipated, with 83% and 84% of respondents reporting similar expectations. Women reported lower fears and more positive experiences after treatment, highlighting the need to address misconceptions about radiation therapy.
A phase III trial has confirmed the effectiveness of pelvic radiation as a standard treatment for high-risk stage I-II endometrial cancer. The study found that adjuvant pelvic radiation provided better pelvic control and fewer severe side effects compared to a brachytherapy-chemotherapy combination.
The study found that four fractions of 7 Gy HDR brachytherapy resulted in significantly better tumor control than two 9-Gy fractions, with a higher survival rate for women with stage IIB disease. Severe treatment-related side effects did not differ significantly between treatment arms.
A phase II trial found that radiation therapy and immunotherapy can halt tumor growth in patients with stage IV cancer, with at least 30% experiencing favorable response. The treatment combination was safe and well-tolerated, with stable disease achieved for half of the patients.
A study found that 40% of cancer patients at an urban cancer center were diagnosed with depression, with three-fourths of these cases being previously undiagnosed. Female patients and disabled patients were more likely to be depressed, emphasizing the need for mental health screening and care.
A phase III trial demonstrates a 32 percent overall survival rate at five years, setting a new benchmark for patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC. The trial also confirms that using a higher radiation dose is not beneficial and can lead to detrimental outcomes.
A new study finds that patients with severe distress are more likely to miss appointments and be admitted to the hospital during radiation therapy. The NCCN Distress Thermometer, a tool to measure psychological state, can help identify patients who need additional support during treatment.
A randomized phase II clinical trial found that adding consolidative stereotactic radiation therapy to chemotherapy significantly increased progression-free survival expectancy nearly tripling it for patients with limited metastatic disease. Treatment-related side effects were similar between the two treatment approaches.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded $275,000 in research grants to four early-career scientists to investigate the effects of radiation on breast cancer cells and tumor immune evasion. The awardees aim to develop innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes by modulating the immune response.
ASTRO has recognized 43 researchers and clinical teams for their top-rated research abstracts, showcasing innovative science in radiation oncology. The Resident Clinical/Basic Science Research Abstract Award and Annual Meeting Travel Award also support early-career scientists, with a total of $45,000 in honorariums awarded.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 23 distinguished members to receive the ASTRO Fellow designation. These individuals have made significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology in research, education, patient care, or service and leadership.
ASTRO honors Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD, a leading researcher and medical oncologist, for her work on chemoradiation treatments. Her research has helped raise the profile of radiation oncology by providing clinical evidence for combined modality treatment.
Søren M. Bentzen and Louis B. Harrison have made significant contributions in clinical patient care, research, teaching, and service to the profession. Dr. Bentzen focuses on personalized medicine using big data to tailor treatments, while Dr. Harrison is a renaissance man of radiation oncology with varied accomplishments.
The new clinical guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. For medically inoperable patients with high-risk clinical scenarios, SBRT is recommended as an alternative to surgery or salvage therapy.
The new ASTRO clinical practice guideline provides recommendations for the management of oropharyngeal cancer, including optimal radiation dose and fractionation schedules, chemotherapy integration, and post-operative treatment. The guideline aims to improve treatment outcomes while minimizing long-term side effects.
Researchers found a combination of radiation therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors to be effective in controlling tumors in metastatic lung cancer patients. Ten percent experienced severe treatment-related toxicity, but the treatment regimen showed promise for thoracic tumors, with median progression-free survival at 3.8 months.
A new study presents evidence that intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with recurrent lung cancer. The study shows that over three-fourths of patients were free from local recurrence at one year following retreatment, with fewer than one in ten experiencing severe side effects.
A blood test analyzing specific biomarkers has been shown to detect lung cancer recurrences an average of six months before conventional imaging methods. This finding suggests that blood tests may be used in conjunction with CT and PET/CT scans to guide personalized treatment planning for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
African Americans and American Indians received less likely to receive potentially curative treatments for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while Asian/Pacific Islanders had better survival rates. Patients who received definitive treatment had improved survival rates, regardless of race, age, or gender.
Researchers found that SBRT is well-tolerated in elderly patients with early stage lung cancer, offering a viable curative treatment option. Patients who received definitive SBRT had high two-year survival rates of 73% for cancer-specific survival and 57% for overall survival.
Analysis of 355 biopsied tumors found that mutations in non-small cell lung cancer frequently varied between biopsies, with nearly one in five patients harboring multiple genetic resistance mechanisms. Researchers propose improved molecular testing methods for serial testing and rebiopsy to better characterize resistance over time.
The updated clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) underscores the safety and effectiveness of palliative radiation therapy (RT) for treating painful bone metastases. The guideline recommends optimal RT dosing schedules, including options for re-treatment, to provide pain relief, with a single 8-Gy ...
The updated guideline suggests that more breast cancer patients can benefit from accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), including younger patients and those with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The guideline provides direction for the use of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for early-stage breast cancer patients.
Two researchers will receive funding to explore the use of smartphone-connected technology and wearables to predict radiation toxicity in lung cancer patients. A randomized trial will investigate whether a simple walking program can reduce treatment interruptions and improve outcomes among cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemothe...
The new guideline establishes a two millimeter margin as the standard for adequate margins in DCIS treated with whole breast radiation therapy, potentially reducing re-excision rates and improving cosmetic outcomes. This recommendation is supported by evidence and aims to improve quality of care and patient outcomes.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected four early career scientists to receive research awards totaling $275,000. The grants support work in radiation and cancer biology, physics, and translational research.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has updated its treatment standard for rectal cancer, recommending a more customized approach that may reduce treatment side effects. The new guideline suggests alternatives to the traditional tri-modal approach, including short-course radiation therapy and non-operative management.
Benedick A. Fraass, Christopher G. Willett, and Anthony L. Zietman have been named recipients of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Gold Medal for their outstanding contributions to radiation oncology. They were recognized for their achievements in clinical patient care, research, teaching, and service to the profession.
The Samfund, a Boston-based cancer organization, will receive $8,500 from ASTRO for its work in supporting young adult cancer survivors financially. The grant funding will support the development of new financial programs and tools to aid in recovery.
Boston Cancer Support, a nonprofit organization, will receive an $8,500 ASTRO Survivor Circle grant to support its work providing patient transportation and online resources. The organization aims to alleviate one of the largest issues faced by cancer patients: affordable transportation to treatments.
A majority of locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) patients use cost-coping strategies to manage treatment costs. Socioeconomic factors are associated with the use of these strategies, with patients with Medicaid relying more on financial coping mechanisms.