Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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...
A pooled analysis of NRG Oncology studies RTOG 0129 and 0522 found that IMRT significantly reduced xerostomia and feeding tube dependency in head and neck cancer patients, especially those with oropharyngeal cancer. However, IMRT was associated with increased acute mucositis and dysphagia.
Researchers found that delivering higher doses of radiation over a shortened period was safe and associated with lower costs for patients with favorable-risk prostate cancer. The hypofractionated radiation therapy schedule demonstrated comparable quality of life outcomes to conventional radiation therapy.
A Phase III randomized trial comparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to standard RT found that patients treated with IMRT had better bowel and bladder functions scores and required fewer anti-diarrheal medications. Quality of life measures also showed less decline for patients treated with IMRT.
A new long-term analysis of prognostic factors among patients with breast cancer reveals that young age and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) adjacent to invasive tumors are associated with increased ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence. High-grade invasive tumors also relapsed more frequently during the first five years.
A Cancer Research UK-funded clinical trial found that whole brain radiotherapy makes little difference in survival and quality of life for lung cancer patients with brain metastases. Patients who received radiotherapy lived five days longer but experienced only small improvements in quality of life.
Researchers found that whole brain radiotherapy had no beneficial effect on survival or quality of life compared to best supportive care and steroids. The trial included 538 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had spread to the brain, and showed that WBRT did not extend survival or improve quality of life.
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.
A study identified two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of radiotherapy side-effects in prostate cancer patients, including rectal bleeding and urinary frequency. The findings suggest that these variants are located in genes expressed in tissues exposed to radiation.
A study examined regional radiotherapy practice patterns for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and their effect on mastectomy use. Women living in areas with high radiotherapy rates were more likely to undergo mastectomy despite being eligible for breast-conserving surgery.
Researchers are developing new simulation techniques to improve the accuracy of heavy ion cancer therapies. The project aims to develop a real-time dose monitoring technique to minimize exposure of healthy tissues. This collaboration reflects UTA's focus on data-driven discovery and health, with potential implications for patient care.
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.
A new radiotherapy regime for prostate cancer has been shown to be as effective as the current standard treatment, but with fewer hospital visits and less side effects. The 20-dose course is expected to save the NHS tens of millions of pounds per year.