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.
A large-scale analysis of patient records found that induction chemotherapy did not improve overall survival rates or increase the likelihood of receiving a full course of radiation therapy. The study compared more than 8,000 patients who received induction chemotherapy with those who received concurrent chemoradiation.
A study using nationwide population-based data found that chemoradiation therapy improves survival rates among a subset of elderly head and neck cancer patients. Patients aged 71-79 with low comorbidity scores and advanced disease stage showed a significant survival benefit from chemoradiation, while those aged 80 and above did not.
Most recurrences of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer can be detected through imaging and physical exams within 6 months after treatment. The study found that disease characteristics, such as lymph node size and number, increase the likelihood of recurrence.
Researchers mapped molecular signatures in HPV-positive throat cancer patients based on smoking status. Heavy smokers had higher rates of mutations, including HLA-A and tobacco-exposure associated genes, which predicted poorer survival outcomes. These findings support more aggressive treatment for some patients.
Uninsured and Medicaid patients with head and neck cancer more likely to present with advanced tumors, experience higher mortality rates. Radiation therapy and surgery used less often for these patients.
A new template published by ASTRO streamlines post-treatment care for cancer survivors, facilitating consistency and reducing provider burden. The template includes elements required by CoC accreditation requirements, coordinating care among primary care providers, radiation specialists, and patients.
The ThriveWell Cancer Foundation will receive an $8,500 grant from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to support its Patient Assistance Program. The program provides financial and transportation assistance to low-income cancer patients in San Antonio.
Dan's House of Hope will receive the award to continue providing a place to live, programs, and home-away-from-home services for older adolescents and young adults with cancer. The organization helps reduce isolation, decrease financial burdens, and nourish hope for patients aged 15-39.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded a total of $33,500 to 41 researchers for their outstanding contributions to the field of radiation oncology. The awards recognize top-rated abstracts presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting, with recipients receiving cash honors and complimentary registration.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has selected seven leading physician-researchers to receive a total of $675,000 in awards and grants to advance radiation oncology research. The recipients will support studies in radiation and cancer biology, as well as outcomes/health services research within radiation oncology.
A study of 76 patients with cervical or endometrial cancer found that extended-field IMRT did not increase duodenal toxicity risk, even at high doses. The study confirms the safety of EF-IMRT for treating para-aortic lymph nodes.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has launched a new open-access journal, Advances in Radiation Oncology, with Founding Editor Robert C. Miller, M.D. The journal will publish original research on novel retrospectives and hypothesis-generating series, with a focus on practice transformation.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued a new guideline on definitive and adjuvant radiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, citing 35 years of data to guide current treatment and future research. The guideline recommends RT as the ideal treatment for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
The International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group (ILROG) has issued a guideline outlining the use of 3D computed tomography-based radiation therapy planning and volumetric image guidance to treat pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma. The guidelines aim to reduce radiation dose to normal tissue and decrease the risk of late side effects.
A 2013 survey of radiation oncologists found that peer review is a common practice in medicine, but there is wide variation in its performance. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported being involved in peer review, and 74% expressed interest in formal guidelines to improve the process.
A study analyzing Medicare claims found that biopsies accounted for 43.1% of $38.3 million in diagnostic costs for patients with ultimately negative lung cancer diagnoses. Lung biopsies were also the most expensive test, with a median cost of $3,784 and an average cost including complications of $37,745.
Research reveals that minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and adenocarcinoma in-situ (AIS) lung cancer patients have comparable five-year disease-free and overall survival rates of 97.7%. This finding suggests that tumor sub-classification may not provide additional prognostic information for patients with tumors ≤3 cm in size.
A 10-year analysis of data from an institutional patient registry indicates that 79% of tumors are controlled locally for early stage lung cancer patients treated with SBRT. The treatment resulted in minimal toxicity, with no grade 4 or 5 events recorded.
Research shows that primary care providers who know guideline recommendations for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening are more likely to order LDCT for high-risk individuals. This knowledge gap is highlighted by a survey of over 200 primary care providers, which found that 48% knew three or more guideline components.
Analysis of over 600 small cell lung cancer and neuroendocrine tumors identified common molecular markers, including EGFR amplification, that could reveal new therapeutic targets. The study found notable differences in biomarker expression between SCLC and NET tumors.
Research found that post-operative radiation therapy improved overall survival for patients with resected NSCLC, with a median survival time of 42 months compared to 38 months without PORT. Factors associated with better survival included female gender, adenocarcinoma histology, and younger age.
A study published in Practical Radiation Oncology evaluated the use of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in treating pediatric cancers. The results show that IGRT is commonly used to improve localization and precision in radiation delivery, particularly for tumors near sensitive structures or organs.
Researchers present long-term results of RTOG 0236, confirming good primary tumor control and positive 5-year survival rates for patients with inoperable lung cancer. The study found a 40% 5-year survival rate, with seven percent estimated five-year primary tumor failure rate.
A study found that combining chemotherapy and stereotactic ablative radiation (SABR) may be an effective treatment option for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. After undergoing this treatment, nearly 90% of patients were able to undergo surgery, resulting in a high success rate.
Cancer patients with malignant spinal cord compression who receive a single dose of 10 Gy radiation therapy have preserved mobility, comparable to those receiving five daily doses of lower-radiation therapy. The study also found similar changes in bladder function and overall survival rates between the two groups.
A study found that single fraction radiation therapy (SFRT) is equally effective as multiple fraction radiation therapy (MFRT) in improving patients' pain, function, and quality of life, including for those with excluded characteristics. The results support the generalizability of prior randomized controlled trials to real-world practice.
A meta-analysis of 757 Stage IV NSCLC patients found that factors such as timing of metastases and lymph node involvement impact overall survival. The study identified three risk groups with different five-year OS rates, and highlighted the importance of identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from aggressive treatments.
A phase I/II trial of hypofractionated radiation therapy found that prostate cancer patients reported similar quality of life, bladder and bowel function before and after treatment. The study's results also indicated that different regimens of hypofractionated RT produced similar outcomes in terms of patient-reported quality of life.
Research found that NSCLC patients who never smoked had a significantly lower risk of developing secondary primary lung cancers (SPLC) compared to current smokers. The study analyzed 1,484 patients and found that five years after diagnosis, current smokers were more likely to develop SPLC.
A study of 91 prostate cancer patients found that vessel-sparing radiation therapy preserves sexual function without compromising cure rates. Patients who received combination EBRT and brachytherapy reported improved sexual function at five years post-treatment.
A randomized trial found that radiation therapy (RT) alone is as effective in reducing dysphagia as chemoradiotherapy (CRT), allowing patients to forgo chemotherapy. The study also demonstrated comparable survival prognosis between the two groups, highlighting a potential simpler treatment option.
A shorter course of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been found to improve the quality of life for high-risk prostate cancer patients, with faster recovery times and better outcomes compared to a longer 36-month ADT regimen. The study analyzed data from 561 patients who received radiation therapy and long-term ADT.
A randomized phase II trial found that Manuka honey was not effective in reducing esophagitis pain during radiation therapy for lung cancer patients. The study enrolled 163 patients who received either standard supportive care or Manuka honey supplements, but showed no significant differences in pain levels.
A study of over 41,000 patients with stage I and II Hodgkin's Disease found that those receiving consolidated radiation therapy had a higher 10-year survival rate of 84 percent compared to 76 percent for non-RT recipients. The data also showed a decrease in RT utilization, highlighting ongoing disparities in treatment.
Researchers found that high levels of VEGF-A and TGF-β1 before treatment correlated with lower survival rates and less complete tumor regression. A blood test for these proteins could help predict patients' pathological response and disease-free survival rates, allowing for more personalized treatment plans.
Research presented at ASTRO's 56th Annual Meeting found no association between radiation therapy and increased risk of lymphedema in women with clinically node-negative breast cancer. The study results provide reassurance for breast cancer patients regarding the impact of radiation therapy on lymphedema risk.
Kids Konnected and the Breast and Gyn Health Project in California will each receive $8,500 awards to support their work assisting cancer patients and their families. The organizations will also be featured at ASTRO's Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded a total of $35,500 in individual grants to 43 researchers presenting at the 2014 Annual Meeting. The awards recognize top radiation oncology research from around the world and provide insight into significant advances in technology and biology.
Seven physicians receive funding to advance radiation oncology research, including studies on cancer biology, physics, and treatment outcomes. Recipients will focus on improving radiation therapy and enhancing patient care.