A study published by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology found that delivering radiotherapy in just two sessions over eight days is safe and effective for treating prostate cancer. The treatment had no additional side effects compared to the standard five doses, making it a convenient option for patients.
Researchers found that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) improved progression-free survival by 15.6 months, compared to 20.6 months without targeted therapy. The treatment also showed no significant impact on quality-of-life measures.
A new study aims to make proton therapy available to more patients in Europe by planning five new centres across Romania, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, and Poland. Currently, 59% of European cancer patients have access to the treatment, but this can be increased to 87% with strategic location and expansion.
A 10-year study confirms a one-week course of post-surgery radiotherapy is just as safe and effective as the traditional three-week regimen for early-stage breast cancer patients. This shorter schedule provides similar cancer control without additional long-term side effects.
A new study introduces the RAPID-RT study, which uses a rapid-learning approach to evaluate the impact of treatment modifications in radiotherapy. The technique aims to reduce cardiac toxicity and improve survival in lung cancer patients by minimising dose to the top of the heart, a previously identified risk area.
A Phase III trial shows molecular profiling can safely reduce radiation for women with early-stage endometrial cancer, tailoring treatment to individual tumour characteristics. Nearly half of patients can be spared radiotherapy without compromising cancer control.
New studies showcase radiotherapy's potential as a curative treatment for rectal cancer, offering safer alternatives to surgery. Reduced-dose treatments and immunotherapy-combined regimens have improved tumour control and reduced side effects.
A phase III clinical trial has shown that a two-and-a-half week course of precision radiotherapy is equally successful in beating prostate cancer as the standard eight-week approach. After 10 years, both options produced similar disease control rates and survival rates.
A combination of biological markers and genetic changes can predict radiation sensitivity, helping doctors assess patients at risk of side effects. The study found that the time of day when radiotherapy is given can also affect side effects, particularly in breast cancer patients.
A new study presents evidence that pencil beam scanning proton therapy offers the best hope of preserving cognitive functions in children with brain tumors. The treatment delivers low doses of radiation to critical areas of the brain, including the temporal lobes and hippocampus.
A single high-dose treatment has shown promise in treating men with low-risk prostate cancer, reducing the need for multiple visits to the hospital. After two years, 94% of patients showed no sign of cancer returning, while those with medium-risk cancer saw a 95% success rate.
Research presented at ESTRO 38 conference finds that high dose radiation therapy significantly improves two-year survival rates for mesothelioma patients. The study, led by Dr. Marco Trovo, suggests radical hemi-thoracic radiotherapy as a new standard of care for this rare and aggressive cancer.
Researchers found that radiotherapy after chemotherapy improved survival in patients with large tumours, with a 7-10% survival benefit at three and five years. This trial suggests that radiotherapy should be considered for these patients to balance cure rates with toxic side effects.
Women with early, low-risk hormone-driven breast cancer who receive radiotherapy after surgery have a significantly lower risk of recurrence and improved disease-free survival compared to those without radiotherapy. The study found that whole breast irradiation is effective in reducing in-breast recurrences and improving overall survival.
A new report by ESTRO highlights the need for improved access to radiotherapy in Europe, citing a quarter of patients who need treatment not receiving it. Experts recommend increased investment, better understanding, and integration into cancer care plans.
Research finds that accelerated partial breast irradiation is as effective as whole breast radiotherapy in improving quality of life. Women treated with targeted therapy experienced reduced symptoms and better quality of life compared to those receiving standard treatment.
Researchers found that ultrahypofractionated radiotherapy is just as effective as standard radiotherapy in stopping prostate cancer from returning, with no significant long-term side effects. Patients treated with this method spend less time traveling to and from hospital for treatment.
Research suggests that tiny differences in patient position during radiotherapy can lead to reduced survival chances, particularly when tumours are close to vital organs like the heart. Tightening treatment guidelines could improve survival rates by ensuring more accurate patient positioning.
New research from two large international trials confirms that intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy is safe and does not increase the risk of ureteral stricture in cervical cancer patients. The treatment is associated with better survival rates and fewer adverse side effects compared to other radiation therapies.
The European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and ESTRO join forces to launch E2-RADIatE, a pan-European infrastructure for efficient collaboration in radiation oncology. The initiative aims to generate robust data on cancer treatment and develop new therapeutic strategies.
A simple handgrip strength test is a good indicator of short- and long-term survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients. Patients with weak handgrips were 1.5 times more likely to die within five years, compared to those with strong handgrips.
A study found that elderly patients with locally advanced lung cancer who received simultaneous radiotherapy and chemotherapy had worse survival rates compared to younger patients. In contrast, those treated with sequential chemo-radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone had similar survival rates.
Researchers suggest that radiotherapy could have a role in extending the lives of patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer. Studies show that higher doses of radiation are associated with longer survival times. The study analyzed data from over 500 patients and found that those who received higher doses lived significantly longer.
A large study found that brachytherapy is a good option for many men with penile cancer, offering high survival rates and minimal impact on sexual and urinary function. The treatment allowed 85% of men to survive with their penis intact, with few cases requiring surgery due to side effects.
Researchers found that projecting videos onto the inside of a radiotherapy machine reduced the need for general anesthesia in children with cancer, making treatment less traumatic and more efficient. The study used video projection to calm anxious kids and save time, resulting in faster treatment times and reduced stress.
A new study found that treating prostate cancer with a single high dose of precise radiation results in fewer hospital trips, lower toxicity, and improved quality of life compared to traditional treatments. Patients reported high satisfaction with the convenient outpatient procedure.
Researchers found that adaptive radiation treatment significantly decreased the incidence of radiation pneumonitis in advanced lung cancer patients, while still slowing and controlling cancer growth. The study also showed no difference in cancer recurrence rates between the two groups.
The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) has launched the Global Impact of Radiation in Oncology (GIRO) partnership to improve radiotherapy access worldwide. The project aims to save one million lives by 2035 by addressing barriers to provision and raising awareness among healthcare professionals and patients.
Around half of women with locally advanced cervical cancer experience symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and hot flushes after treatment. Younger women are more likely to be affected. Research highlights the need for better recognition and treatment of these under-recognised symptoms.
A large study of 2,437 patients with stage II testicular seminoma found that radiation therapy was associated with better outcomes compared to chemotherapy, particularly in stage IIa disease. The study's findings support the recommendation for radiotherapy as the preferred treatment option for early-stage II testicular cancer.
Researchers found a small but significant association between high doses of radiotherapy to the heart and increased risk of non-cancer death in early stage NSCLC patients. The study suggests that heart-sparing radiotherapy techniques may be beneficial, but further research is needed.
A recent study has shown that combining radiation therapy with an immune system-strengthening compound can increase the immune response against tumors, even those outside the radiation field. This breakthrough could lead to longer treatment durations and reduced side effects, as well as new curative options for patients.
A large number of Phase III radiotherapy trials failed to publish their results, exposing patients to unnecessary risks. Researchers found that only 47% of eye cancer trials were published, while 100% of testicular and anal cancer trials went unpublished.
A new study found that younger women with early breast cancer who undergo breast conserving therapy (BCT) have a 13% higher risk of local recurrence and a doubled risk of metastasis compared to those who receive mastectomy. This contrasts with older women, where BCT is deemed safe without increased risks.
The demand for radiotherapy is expected to increase by 16% between 2012 and 2025, with prostate cancer cases projected to rise by 24%. This is due to an aging population in Europe, with four million new cancer patients expected in 2025. The study's authors aim to help policymakers plan for increased radiotherapy services.
Researchers have developed a model that allows for precise targeting of tumors while reducing dose to surrounding tissues. The rescanning technique compensates for tumor motion, averaging out the delivered dose while keeping doses to normal tissues low.
The ASCENDE-RT1 trial found that permanent radioactive implants (brachytherapy) reduced prostate cancer recurrence by 50% at five years compared to dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy. LDR-PB also showed an overall survival advantage, but with more urinary side effects.
Increasing the dose of radiotherapy for children with intracranial ependymoma can significantly improve their survival rates. Studies show that higher doses above 54 Gy can lead to better overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared to lower doses.
A population-based study found brachytherapy with external beam radiation improved overall survival by 13% for women with inoperable stage 1 endometrial cancer. Brachytherapy was also associated with lower deaths from endometrial cancer after three years.
A study of combined intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy for cervical cancer treatment found that the technique delivers higher radiation doses to tumors without increasing treatment-related problems. The method successfully targets the tumor while avoiding other organs, leading to a better chance of cure.
A new radiotracer has been developed to accurately identify the sentinel node in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, reducing the need for extensive surgery. The study shows a high detection rate and low false negative rate for SNs, facilitating accurate prediction of cancer spread.
Researchers found that certain HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer patients can survive for over two years without further disease after intensive treatment. The study identified key factors contributing to the survival advantage, including cancer sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
A clinical trial found that six months of hormone therapy added to radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer relapse and progression. Men who received both treatments had a nearly 50% lower risk of biochemical progression compared to those treated with radiotherapy alone.
Researchers found that women who underwent radiotherapy for breast cancer have a small but significantly increased risk of developing a primary lung tumour. The risk increases with the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissue, with an estimated relative risk of 8.5% per delivered Gy to the lung.
Researchers have developed a method to calculate the optimal dose of helium ions for radiation treatment, showing promising results in treating pediatric patients with neuroblastoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. The use of helium ions may provide greater accuracy and reduced uncertainties compared to conventional radiotherapy or proton therapy.
Patients with HPV+ throat cancer have good prognosis, but tumors elsewhere in the head and neck have no prognostic effect of being HPV+, researchers found. HPV status has significant impact on tumour control, survival, and death from any cause for oropharyngeal cancers.
Researchers developed a genetic signature to identify men at high risk of prostate cancer recurrence after surgery or radiotherapy. The test uses DNA analysis from biopsy tissue and shows promise in predicting treatment failure with close to 80% accuracy.
A study found that permanent brachytherapy preserves erectile function in approximately 50% of prostate cancer patients, improving treatment outcomes. Researchers call for further training on discussing and assessing sexual side-effects of radiation treatment to ensure adequate patient information.
Research finds that palliative radiotherapy significantly improves the quality of life for elderly patients with painful bone metastases. The treatment, which involves a single fraction of radiotherapy, has been shown to be effective in all age groups, including those over 75, despite some variability in response.
A randomised trial found that intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) significantly reduced skin telangiectasia and improved cosmetic effect in patients with early breast cancer. IMRT delivers an even dose of radiation, reducing undesirable side-effects.