Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
A single dose of targeted radiotherapy during surgery is comparable to conventional radiotherapy in efficacy for most women with early breast cancer. This reduces the need for extra hospital visits and minimizes side effects. The long-term results show no significant difference in survival or likelihood of cancer recurrence.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that delaying radiation therapy for men with unfavorable intermediate-risk or high-risk localized prostate cancer, who are receiving radiation and hormone therapy, is unlikely to impact survival. This flexibility in radiation timing could help patients minimize exposure to COVID-19 by s...
A study examined the association between radiotherapy timing and overall survival in patients with prostate cancer. The analysis of National Cancer Database data found that delaying radiotherapy relative to androgen deprivation therapy was associated with improved overall survival.
The Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences special issue shares stories about interpersonal skills beyond technical aspects to care for patients during medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. Guest Editor Sue Robins curated this issue as a learning experience for technologists, therapists, and patients alike.
A new study reveals racial disparities in high-cost proton radiotherapy for childhood cancer treatment, with Black and low-income children facing barriers to access. The research highlights the urgent need for equitable healthcare policies to ensure all children receive quality cancer care regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.
A case series evaluates radiotherapy delivery to 209 cancer patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Key findings include improved outcomes and reduced treatment delays.
The study's lead researcher found that using a graphics processing unit (GPU) increased the speed of real-time tumor tracking by five times, improving accuracy over previous methods. This breakthrough could lead to safer and possibly fully automated radiation therapy in the future.
A study found that radiotherapy alters the behavior of immune cells, and reprogramming them with an existing drug can enhance its effects in brain cancer. The researchers demonstrated that combining radiotherapy with daily dosing of a CSF-1R inhibitor extended survival in mouse models of glioblastoma.
A 10-year study found that radiotherapy in five larger doses, rather than daily doses, is equally effective and safe in the long term. This approach benefits patients with low risk of relapse who cannot tolerate daily radiation due to frailty or chronic conditions.
A new project, ITAR, aims to design and develop novel radiotherapy machines for African hospitals, addressing acute shortages of radiotherapy machines. The project will define persistent shortfalls and develop solutions to increase capacity for treating cancer patients in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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.
The NRG Oncology trial NSABP B-43 found a statistically non-significant, modest reduction in the rate of recurrence among women that received trastuzumab. The study showed an annual IBTR event rate of 0.80% per year in the RT+T group compared to 0.99% per year in the RT group.
A one-week course of higher-intensity radiation is recommended to treat bowel cancer patients, reducing side effects and risks associated with COVID-19. Surgery can be safely delayed by up to 12 weeks, allowing for reduced hospital appointments and maintaining social distancing rules.
A randomized trial of high-dose targeted radiation versus observation found no significant difference in progression prevention among 54 men with recurrent hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The study suggests that observation may be a viable alternative to radiation therapy for this patient population.
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.
The NRG-CC001 trial found that lowering radiotherapy dose to hippocampal stem cells reduces cognitive toxicity and neurologic symptoms in patients with brain metastases. Patients who received whole-brain radiotherapy with hippocampal avoidance reported improved cognitive function, reduced fatigue, and fewer cognitive symptoms.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that changes color with radiation exposure, allowing for painless dose monitoring on the skin. The gel is relatively inexpensive and can be used directly on the skin without complex handling.
Thoracic radiation therapy increases fatigue and difficulty breathing in cancer patients, but engaging in physical activity prior to treatment may help improve these symptoms over time. High levels of physical activity are associated with concurrent improvements in fatigue and shortness of breath.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have developed a non-invasive way to directly monitor oxygen distributions within cancer tumors during radiation therapy. The method uses specialty cameras and an oxygen probe drug injection to image the distribution of oxygen from within the tumor.
A five-year follow-up study of over 2,000 U.S. men with localized prostate cancer found that radiation therapy was associated with significant declines in erectile function, while surgery improved function over time. Prostatectomy also resulted in worse urinary incontinence compared to other treatments.
New research from UT Southwestern Medical Center shows how AI can generate optimal treatment plans in near real-time, streamlining the process and reducing delays of up to a week. This can decrease the odds of cancer spreading by 12-14%.
Researchers propose using prolonged breath-holding to target radiotherapy in patients with cardiac arrhythmias. The technique involves mechanical hyperventilation and is well-tolerated by patients with angina.
A new study found that a disrupted biological clock increases the risk of heart disease in mice treated with radiation therapy, highlighting the potential role of protein Bmal1 in protecting the heart. The research could lead to personalized medicine approaches and optimized timing for radiation therapy to minimize side effects.
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.
A team of researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center has collected real-time data to show that light is produced inside the eye during head and neck radiation therapy, elicitng a visual sensation. This evidence supports the idea that Cherenkov light emission from the eye can cause a visual effect.
Researchers found proton therapy significantly lowers the risk of severe side effects such as hospitalization, while maintaining similar cure rates and effectiveness compared to traditional photon radiation. The study suggests proton therapy offers a way to reduce serious side effects without sacrificing treatment efficacy.
A novel assay developed at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown uses zebrafish 'avatars' to test radio-sensitivity in human tumor cells. The assay has shown promising results, with 85% success rate in predicting how tumors will respond to specific drugs.
Researchers found that radiation triggers an immune response that severs connections between nerve cells, leading to damage and cognitive problems. The study suggests two potential approaches to prevent this damage: blocking a receptor responsible for synapse removal or tamping down the brain's immune response.
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 large study found that a single dose of radiotherapy is as effective as five doses in controlling pain and alleviating symptoms for end-of-life cancer patients with spinal canal compression. The study, published in JAMA, showed similar patient outcomes between one-dose and multi-fraction radiotherapy regimens.
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.
The UK will pioneer the use of FLASH radiotherapy and artificial intelligence in cancer treatment. Cancer Research UK RadNet aims to improve cancer survival by optimising and personalising radiotherapy.
A new study found that only about 6 in 10 lung cancer patients in the US receive recommended treatments, with black patients and those over 80 receiving significantly lower treatment rates. The researchers highlight the importance of communicating benefits of treatment for advanced disease beyond survival.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new radiation therapy method that targets pancreatic cancer cells directly, reducing side effects. The treatment uses a radioactive molecule that binds to specific proteins on stroma cells surrounding tumors, delivering high-energy doses of radiation to cancer tissue.
A study shows that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can relieve self-reported symptoms and side-effects of radiotherapy in cancer patients, including bleeding, urinary incontinence, and pain. The treatment, administered for 30-40 sessions, was found to be highly effective for the majority of patients.
A meta-analysis of 11 studies found that RTKI drugs with radiation therapy did not significantly improve survival rates but increased negative side effects. The study suggests holding RTKI drugs during radiation therapy to minimize side effects without affecting survival.
A new study shows that a reduced diversity of gut bacteria is associated with an increased risk of radiotherapy-induced gut damage. Patients at higher risk can be identified before radiotherapy, potentially benefiting from faecal transplants or altered radiation doses.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a method to selectively amplify the effect of X-ray radiation on cancer cells. The technique uses specially designed silica nanoparticles loaded with gadolinium, which releases low-energy electrons when hit by precisely tuned X-rays, damaging cancer cell vital components and killing them.
A new trial found that men with prostate cancer who receive radiotherapy after surgery have no difference in disease recurrence compared to those who do not. The study suggests that observation should be the standard approach and radiotherapy only used if the cancer comes back.
The RADICALS-RT trial found no difference in disease recurrence between men who received radiotherapy shortly after surgery and those who waited for cancer to come back. The study confirms that observation should be the standard approach after surgery, with radiotherapy used only if the cancer recurs.
A new trial analysis found that women diagnosed with early stages of cancer who undergo lumpectomies and receive either partial or whole breast radiation have equivalent cosmetic outcomes, according to patient and physician ratings. The study's findings aim to guide women seeking breast-conserving therapy for early-stage disease.
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 new analysis finds that long-term hormone therapy increases mortality risk for men with low PSA levels after prostate surgery. The study suggests that patients with high PSAs should continue to receive hormone therapy in addition to radiation, but those with low PSAs may be better off without it.
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 noninvasive radiation therapy called ENCORE has been shown to dramatically reduce episodes of rapid, abnormal heartbeats for more than two years. The treatment, which uses stereotactic body radiation therapy, has also led to a reduction in medication side effects and improved quality of life.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that radiation therapy given 30 days or less before CAR T infusion reduces the risk of serious cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. The therapy may also have potential benefits for NHL patients, according to researchers.
Researchers developed a new ultra-hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) technique that safely delivers curative treatment for some prostate cancer patients in just one or two weeks. The study found similar levels of side effects and less overall toxicity compared to the current standard of care.
A Phase III trial comparing SBRT and conventional RT found no significant difference in pain response or adverse events between the treatments. The study suggests that a single fraction of 8 Gy EBRT may remain the standard of care for patients with localized spine metastases.
A phase one/two study found that a single high dose of radiation significantly reduces ventricular tachycardia episodes, with a 72% overall survival rate at one year and 52% at two years. The noninvasive procedure is a last line of defense for patients who have exhausted other treatments.
Researchers are developing optical imaging technologies to monitor treatment response during head and neck cancer therapy, allowing for changes to the treatment plan to more effectively treat patients. The goal is to identify how well the treatment is working during the process, enabling doctors and patients to make informed decisions.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline recommending the use of radiation therapy in pre-surgical, post-surgical, definitive and palliative settings. The guideline emphasizes a patient-centered approach integrating patients' values and preferences into treatment decisions.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to optimize radiation therapy for brain tumors by targeting the densest areas. This approach has shown promise in increasing the number of tumor cells killed during treatment.
Researchers investigated how radiation damages DNA in cancer cells treated with 5-fluorouracil, identifying new fragment ions and their formation thresholds. The study could lead to new ways of protecting normal tissues from radiation damage caused by radiotherapy.
Researchers developed a nonwoven fabric bioabsorbable spacer that creates a space between healthy and cancerous tissues during particle therapy, preserving distance between tumors and normal organs. The spacer safely absorbs by the body without causing serious complications.
Researchers propose focusing high-energy particle beams on small spots deep inside the body to target cancerous tumors precisely, reducing dose to surrounding tissue. The study aims to improve radiotherapy effectiveness and reduce costs using ultra-compact laser-wakefield accelerators.
A new AI framework developed by Cleveland Clinic researchers can now use medical scans and health records to personalize the dose of radiation therapy used to treat cancer patients. The framework has been shown to reduce treatment failure probability to less than 5 percent.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that introducing a default physician order into electronic health records reduced daily imaging for cancer patients with advanced cancer by half. This change also saved an average of two minutes per session, resulting in faster treatment courses.
Research by Georgia State University found that women undergoing radiation therapy for pediatric brain tumors are more likely to experience long-term cognitive issues. Female survivors were more negatively affected in activities of daily living and higher-order skills compared to male counterparts.
Research found statin therapy significantly reduced stroke risk and overall cardiovascular events in cancer patients who underwent radiation therapy for chest, head, or neck cancer. The study also showed a strong trend toward reduction in cardiovascular deaths.
A retrospective study of 748 NSCLC patients found that the average radiation dose delivered to the heart was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and death. The team's findings highlight the need for more stringent avoidance of high cardiac radiotherapy doses and collaboration with cardiologists to m...