Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.