Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
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...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Researchers found that combining radiotherapy with PD-1 blockade therapy improved survival rates in a murine lung cancer model. However, this treatment approach showed no benefits for tumors that had relapsed after radiation therapy, highlighting the need for personalized medicine strategies.
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.
Researchers used PET and SPECT to tailor radionuclide treatment for neuroendocrine cancer patients, reducing the risk of toxicity. The study showed that personalized dosimetry led to a significant alteration in radiotherapy doses, with some patients receiving reduced or increased doses.
Researchers found that combining local radiation therapy with anti-cancer vaccines can increase the response rate for immunotherapy agents by boosting T cell infiltration into tumors. This combination may help physicians better treat many types of cancer and could potentially lead to improved outcomes.
High-intensity femtosecond laser pulses can cause DNA breaks and damage, with OH radicals being more likely to produce double strand breaks. The extent of damage can be controlled by varying the focal length of the focusing lens.
A clinical trial has found that twice-daily radiotherapy is as effective as once-daily radiotherapy in treating small cell lung cancer, with similar survival rates and fewer side effects. The study's results have already changed clinical practice worldwide.
A phase III clinical trial found that giving chemotherapy after radiotherapy delays further growth of anaplastic glioma and increases the number of patients alive at five years. The treatment improved survival for patients with this rare type of brain tumour, now being considered standard care.
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.
A new study suggests that conventional repeated radiation treatments for brain tumors may kill important support cells and cause more damage than single dose radiation therapy. This can lead to cognitive problems in patients after treatment.
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.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham successfully trained breast cancer patients to achieve single prolonged breath holds of over five minutes, enabling targeted radiotherapy to be administered in just one dose. This breakthrough could improve long-term survival and quality of life for breast cancer patients.
A longitudinal Nordic study shows that combining hormone therapy with local radiotherapy halves the risk of death from prostate cancer 15 years after diagnosis. Researchers found that treatments with radiotherapy reduced mortality rates from 34 to 17 percent.
Research published in BMJ Open found that single dose targeted intraoperative radiotherapy can save patients thousands of hours of time, journeys, and CO2 emissions compared to standard treatment. The study estimates that widespread adoption of TARGIT could save millions of miles, tons of CO2, and hundreds of hours of travel time annually
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.
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.
Research found that delaying radiation therapy after surgery increases the risk of recurrent tumors in women with stage 0 breast cancer. Women who received radiation within eight weeks had a lower rate of recurrence compared to those who delayed treatment. The study suggests that timely radiation therapy is crucial for reducing the ris...
Patients with grade 2 glioma who received combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy experienced longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those who received radiation therapy alone. The study's findings suggest that initial therapy of RT followed by PCV is necessary to achieve longer survival.
A clinical trial confirms that a shortened radiotherapy schedule is as effective as conventional radiotherapy in treating low-risk prostate cancer patients. Patients treated with the shorter regimen experienced more mild side effects, but no difference in severe late side effects.
Patients with grade 2 glioma who received radiation therapy plus PCV chemotherapy experienced longer progression-free and overall survival times compared to those who received radiation therapy alone. The treatment combination improved survival rates by up to 10 years.
A new study found that active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer significantly improves urinary function, reduces incontinence, and enhances sexual satisfaction. Men on active surveillance reported a similar quality of life to those without cancer, highlighting its potential as an alternative to curative treatment.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that surgery can greatly increase a man's chance of survival when traditional radiation therapy has failed. A complex procedure to remove the prostate achieves excellent long-term survival for men after radiation therapy has failed.
A new trial found that full-dose radiotherapy to the whole breast is not necessary for women with low-risk early breast cancer. The study showed very low rates of local recurrence and minimal side effects across all treatment groups, suggesting that partial breast radiotherapy may be sufficient for many patients.
Researchers have found a possible association between radiotherapy for prostate cancer and an increased risk of developing secondary cancers of the bladder, colorectal tract, and rectum. However, the absolute rates of these secondary cancers remain low compared to other treatment complications.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that combining radiotherapy with the drug panobinostat improved progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with high-grade gliomas. The study, published online ahead of print in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology, offers promise for a new treatment approach.
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 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.
A set of risk factors can predict the magnitude of survival benefit offered by radiation therapy following breast cancer surgery. Radiation therapy provides a significant survival benefit for patients with more aggressive cancer, particularly those with higher prognostic scores.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that proton therapy is as effective as standard radiotherapy for treating medulloblastoma, a common malignant brain tumor in children, while causing fewer long-term side effects. Proton therapy reduced hearing loss and cognitive deficits compared to photon radiotherapy.
A new study suggests that proton beam therapy is as safe and effective as conventional radiotherapy in treating childhood brain cancer, medulloblastoma. The treatment may also reduce the risk of long-term side effects such as hearing loss and endocrine problems.
A recent study at Houston Methodist Hospital showed that multiple small doses of highly focused radiation therapy is more effective and safer than a single larger dose in destroying pituitary gland tumors. The findings support the use of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) as a best practice for treating slow-growing pituitar...
A meta-analysis of 19 studies involving over 118,000 patients found that surgery resulted in lower mortality rates compared to radiation treatment. Patients treated with surgery were twice as likely to survive prostate cancer than those treated with radiation.
Researchers at Houston Methodist Hospital developed a suicide gene therapy that combines radiation treatment with a genetically modified virus to target and destroy cancer cells. The treatment shows high five-year overall survival rates of 97% and 94%, improving upon historical studies by 5-20%.
A population-based study of 37,207 patients found that those who received breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy had improved overall survival after 10 years compared to those who received mastectomy without radiation. BCT was also associated with fewer regional recurrences and distant metastases.
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.
Treatment with anti-angiogenesis drugs improves radiation treatment of nervous system tumors in animal models, reducing tumor size and nerve damage. Anti-VEGF treatment enhances nerve regeneration and decreases muscle atrophy.
A new collaborative research project, ISIBELa, is investigating the risk of secondary cancer in later life following successful childhood cancer therapy. Researchers will analyze cases, examine patient differences, and use advanced laboratory techniques to identify genetic and epigenetic causes.
New data from clinical trials at Penn Medicine demonstrate the clinical benefits of proton therapy for patients with advanced lung, pancreatic, and spine cancers. Proton therapy has been shown to reduce toxicities and improve survival rates compared to conventional radiation therapy.
A shortened radiotherapy schedule has been shown to have similar efficacy as a conventional course in treating low-risk prostate cancer. The study found that patients treated with the shorter schedule experienced no significant decrease in cancer control compared to those treated with the longer conventional schedule.
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.
A recent study found that up to 90% of people in low-income countries lack radiotherapy treatment, leading to millions of deaths and lost economic benefits. Expanding access could save an estimated 26.9 million life-years by 2035.
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.
A new trial has shown that giving patients fewer but higher doses of radiotherapy is as effective in treating prostate cancer as longer treatment periods. The study found that this approach resulted in fewer side effects and reduced the need for hospital visits, potentially saving over 150,000 trips per year.
A global shortfall in radiotherapy resources has led to millions of unnecessary deaths, but investing in radiotherapy services could bring economic benefits of up to $365 billion over the next 20 years. Access to radiotherapy is currently unacceptably low, especially in Africa, where most countries have no facilities.
A study suggests that radiation therapy alone is associated with decreased overall and cardiac mortality in men with unfavorable-risk prostate cancer and moderate or severe comorbidity. In contrast, the combination of radiation therapy and androgen deprivation therapy may not provide additional benefits for these patients.
A study found that chemoradiation causes progressive changes in brain structure, including reduced grey matter volume and ventricular enlargement, in glioblastoma patients. These changes were apparent within weeks of treatment and persisted after radiation therapy ceased.