Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers have discovered that the taxane drug Paclitaxel stimulates a unique form of cell division called tripolar mitosis, which makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. This discovery could lead to the development of personalized treatment strategies by identifying patients with high levels of specific biomarkers.
Researchers suggest that combining drugs blocking PAF-R protein may increase radiotherapy's killing of tumor cells by one third and reduce tumor repopulation. Analysis with human oral cancer cells and murine cervical cancer cells showed promising results, supporting a new therapeutic strategy.
A new trial has shown that targeted radiotherapy can limit the side effects of breast cancer treatment without compromising its effectiveness. The study found that women who received partial-breast radiotherapy reported fewer long-term changes to their breast appearance and feel, compared to those who underwent whole-breast radiotherapy.
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.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania challenges common advice given to breast cancer patients, suggesting that antiperspirants can be used safely during radiotherapy. The study found no significant difference in radiation skin dose absorbed by patients with or without antiperspirants.
A study by MD Anderson Cancer Center found improved survival rates for patients with stage 3 lung cancer treated with concurrent chemotherapy and proton therapy. The treatment reduced toxic effects compared to standard care, with a median overall survival of 26.5 months.
A new CU Boulder study reveals that a protein called CPR-4 is responsible for the radiation-induced bystander effect, which can damage healthy cells. Researchers hope to develop a medication to inhibit this effect, allowing doctors to minimize side effects and enhance cancer cell killing.
Researchers found that neoadjuvant radiation therapy significantly lowers the risk of developing a second primary tumor in early-stage breast cancer patients. The study also suggests that delaying surgery due to neoadjuvant radiation therapy is not detrimental to survival.
A Phase II study found that increasing radiotherapy doses to hypoxic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lesions, identified by PET/CT scans, did not improve patient outcomes. The study suggests that smaller volumes of tumors with hypoxia may be more effectively targeted for radiotherapy.
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.
Researchers found significant dose-dependent changes in cortical neural networks after radiotherapy for brain tumors, affecting global network effects and cognitive processing.
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.
Researchers found that irradiation of breast fat triggers an inflammatory response, protecting remaining cancer cells and allowing tumors to grow. Agents that block inflammation could improve radiotherapy effectiveness, potentially revolutionizing breast cancer treatment.
Researchers found that radiation therapy can improve the delivery of cancer nanomedicines up to 600% by attracting macrophages to tumor blood vessels, leading to increased nanoparticle uptake. This combination strategy shows promise for enhanced treatment efficacy and could be tested in clinical trials quickly.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a test called the radiosensitivity index to determine how sensitive a patient's tumor is to radiation therapy. This allows them to select the optimum radiotherapy dose for each patient based on their individual tumor biology.
The world's first computerized tomography (CT) images of biological tissue using protons have been produced, revolutionizing Proton Therapy for cancer treatment. This breakthrough enables detailed three-dimensional images to be created, allowing for more accurate targeting of tumors and reduced radiation exposure.
Advances in radiation therapy have improved precision by understanding physics and biology. Researchers use supercomputers to simulate radiation dose calculations and develop new technologies like MR-linacs.
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.
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.
The team's detector can pick up just a single charged particle, revealing the intensity of radiation. It could aid in detecting nuclear threats at ports of entry, streamlining radio-medicine, and boosting unmanned radiation monitoring vehicles.
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.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that melatonin can protect the small intestine of rats from radiotherapy-induced toxicity. Melatonin reduced intestinal cell death and inflammation, facilitating intestinal recovery. This suggests oral treatment with melatonin may help prevent radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity in cancer patients.
A study on reduced radiotherapy in young children with brain tumors found that deviations from the treatment protocol led to poorer outcomes. Children who received radiation therapy according to protocol had improved overall survival rates.
Researchers have developed an effective antibody against radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, a debilitating side effect of lung cancer treatment. The antibody targets connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), reversing fibrotic transformation and improving pulmonary function in mice.
A pilot study conducted by Thomas Jefferson University found that a virtual environment education program significantly reduced anxiety and increased comprehension in patients receiving radiation therapy. The program used simulated environments to teach patients about their treatment, resulting in improved confidence and satisfaction.
Two studies found that radical prostatectomy was associated with greater decreases in sexual function and urinary incontinence compared to active surveillance. However, no significant differences were found in bowel or hormonal function beyond 12 months.
A new study funded by Cancer Research UK finds that smokers treated for breast cancer have significantly higher risks of developing lung cancer or heart attacks due to radiotherapy. The long-term risk of death from these conditions is around 5% for smokers, compared to 0.5% for non-smokers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that Fluciclovine PET/CT significantly improved targeted therapy for recurrent prostate cancer by defining tumor-targeted areas. The treatment led to higher radiation doses to the penile bulb without increased toxicity.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that FDG PET/CT is a valuable imaging tool for treating lung cancer patients, especially when clinical suspicion or evidence of disease recurrence or metastasis is present. However, its routine use without clinical suspicion should be discouraged until its value fo...
Researchers found that a shorter course of radiation therapy, known as moderate hypofractionation, is just as effective at treating prostate cancer while costing less. This approach can help patients recover more quickly and reduces the burden on treatment centers and payers.
A new study has found that radiotherapy for invasive breast cancer increases the risk of developing second primary lung cancer. The research, conducted in Taiwan, involved analyzing data from over 986,000 patients with breast cancer between 2000 and 2010. The results showed a significant increase in lung cancer incidence among women wh...
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 ...
A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that short-course preoperative radiotherapy combined with delayed surgery reduces the adverse side-effects of rectal cancer surgery. Patients with delayed surgery develop fewer complications while maintaining equally good oncological outcomes.
A new treatment regimen combining hormonal therapy with radiation treatment significantly improves the average long-term survival of men with recurrent prostate cancer who have had their prostate gland removed. The study found that this regimen also reduces the frequency of spread of the cancer, improving patient outcomes.
A study by the NRG Oncology Radiation Therapy Oncology Group found that adding antiandrogen therapy to radiation therapy can reduce the incidence of metastasis, death from prostate cancer, and overall deaths in patients with recurrent prostate cancer. The study showed a significant improvement in survival rates for patients treated wit...
A new study found that twice-daily radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy reduces head and neck cancer deaths by 20% and slows disease progression. The treatment, known as hyperfractionated radiotherapy, has shown promise in treating advanced stage patients who face lower survival rates.
Researchers discovered that radiotherapy can be less effective due to inflammation and immune response modulation. Combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy may enhance treatment benefits.
A large multicenter cohort study found that radiation therapy increased complications and impaired patient-reported satisfaction with reconstructed breasts in breast cancer patients who received implant reconstruction. However, no worsening of outcomes was observed in those who received autologous reconstruction. The study suggests tha...
A new study finds that women who have implant reconstruction following radiation therapy had more complications from the surgery and were less satisfied with the result. Autologous reconstruction showed similar results, regardless of radiation treatment. The study suggests alternative approaches for breast cancer patients
A team at Tohoku University found that when a cluster of neon atoms is exposed to intense extreme ultraviolet light, it initiates a cascading process that produces many low-energy electrons. This mechanism could have implications for future radiation therapy.
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.
A study at the University of York found that a standard hormone supplement may increase prostate cancer cell resistance to treatment. The research suggests that proteins called SMARCs in stem cells help keep cancer alive during radiotherapy.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and Leipzig University's Innovation Center for Computer-Assisted Surgery are developing a novel cancer therapy combining radiation and focused ultrasound. The SONO-RAY project aims to selectively warm up tumor tissue, improving the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
Long-term clinical data supports the efficacy of PRRT in treating neuroendocrine tumors, improving tumor response rates and progression-free survival. To minimize toxicity, steps such as timing of therapy, patient selection criteria, dose optimization, and adequate monitoring can be taken.