Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
A study by University of California, San Diego researchers found that Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy varies widely among patients with breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Factors such as provider type, location, and clinic type accounted for most of the variation in costs.
Two studies found hypofractionated radiation therapy to have substantially lower rates of acute and short-term toxic effects compared to conventionally fractionated therapy, with improved patient-reported outcomes. The treatment also showed comparable tumor control and lower costs.
University of York scientists identified how tiny regulatory molecules in cells make prostate cancers resistant to radiotherapy. By manipulating these critical micro-RNAs, it may be possible to kill more cancer stem cells and extend the lives of thousands of men.
Researchers have developed a genetic test that analyzes tumor sensitivity to radiation therapy, with findings suggesting metastatic colon tumors are more resistant to radiation than primary tumors. The study suggests personalizing radiation therapy for patients may be possible through this test.
A study of 76 patients with cervical or endometrial cancer found that extended-field IMRT did not increase duodenal toxicity risk, even at high doses. The study confirms the safety of EF-IMRT for treating para-aortic lymph nodes.
Researchers have discovered how combining AKT inhibitors with radiotherapy may improve cancer treatment outcomes. The study found that targeting specific genes can enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy across various cancer types.
A new study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that proton therapy significantly reduces toxic side effects in esophageal cancer patients. Proton therapy targets tumors while minimizing harm to surrounding tissues, leading to improved patient outcomes.
Researchers have found that carbon-based nanoparticles can produce low-energy electrons through plasmon excitation, making them more lethal to tumors and potentially inducing focused destruction of cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel types of sensitizers for proton radiotherapy.
A new study found that adding radiation therapy to treatments blocking testosterone's effects can control tumors and save lives for men with node-positive prostate cancer. This combination therapy reduced death rates by 50% compared to hormone therapy alone in patients with regional lymph nodes.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued a new guideline on definitive and adjuvant radiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, citing 35 years of data to guide current treatment and future research. The guideline recommends RT as the ideal treatment for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.
The ASCENDE-RT1 trial found that permanent radioactive implants (brachytherapy) reduced prostate cancer recurrence by 50% at five years compared to dose-escalated external beam radiotherapy. LDR-PB also showed an overall survival advantage, but with more urinary side effects.
Increasing the dose of radiotherapy for children with intracranial ependymoma can significantly improve their survival rates. Studies show that higher doses above 54 Gy can lead to better overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared to lower doses.
Researchers found that MR tractography can accurately assess prostate cancer treatment response to androgen deprivation and radiation therapy. Higher tract densities indicate gland shrinkage and subsequent fibrosis after therapy.
A UK National Cancer Research Institute trial suggests that a PET scan after chemotherapy can identify patients who don't need additional radiotherapy, reducing late effects. The study found that 90.8% of patients without further treatment remained disease-free compared to 94.6% in the radiotherapy group.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have uncovered a novel mechanism by which the tumor suppressor gene p53 regulates PD-L1, allowing non-small cell lung cancer to grow. MicroRNA delivery with existing treatments may represent a new therapeutic approach for lung cancer.
A large study found that fewer than 10% of patients with adverse pathologic features after surgery received postoperative radiotherapy within six months. Despite strong evidence, the utilization of radiation therapy for these patients is declining in the US.
Physicians at UT Southwestern have successfully treated a rare and often deadly complication of kidney cancer using stereotactic body radiation therapy, with similar survival rates to surgery. The innovative approach shows promise as an alternative treatment option for patients resistant to traditional therapies.
Researchers found delayed radiation therapy offers no protective benefit and may increase risk of complications, contradicting the long-held view. Adjuvant therapy soon after prostate removal is effective in curing patients with low-grade disease.
A new study has identified a group of molecules in prostate-cancer cells that can help distinguish which patients should be treated with radiation therapy if rising PSA levels indicate tumor recurrence. MicroRNA patterns, including miR-4516 and miR-601, may predict patient response to radiation therapy.
Researchers found that combining radiation with ipilimumab shrank tumors in some patients. The team also identified the PD-L1 pathway as a mechanism of resistance, suggesting an ideal third treatment to improve response and immunity.
The International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group (ILROG) has issued a guideline outlining the use of 3D computed tomography-based radiation therapy planning and volumetric image guidance to treat pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma. The guidelines aim to reduce radiation dose to normal tissue and decrease the risk of late side effects.
A recent study found that nearly a third of women with N2/N3 breast cancer did not receive post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT), which is the standard of care for this patient group. The study evaluated over 57,000 cases and found that socioeconomic factors did not influence PMRT receipt.
A new study published in The Lancet Oncology found that older women with early-stage hormone-receptor positive breast cancers who receive hormone treatment and surgery can safely omit radiotherapy. This group of patients is at low risk of cancer recurrence, making radiotherapy unnecessary.
A new tool assesses radiotherapy-related toxicities in lung cancer patients using patient-reported outcomes, revealing strongest agreement with quality-of-life measures. The study found that clinicians' recorded toxicities underestimated their severity, highlighting the potential for early detection and improved treatment.
A new study found that adding radiation treatment to hormone therapy saves more lives among older men with locally advanced prostate cancer, reducing cancer deaths by nearly 50 percent. The treatment was also associated with fewer deaths from any cause.
Women undergoing left-side breast cancer radiation therapy can reduce heart exposure by holding their breath, resulting in a 90% disease-free survival rate and a median reduction of 62% in radiation dose. The breath-hold technique also shows a lower risk of ischemic heart disease after 8 years.
A new study reveals that two-thirds of women treated for early-stage breast cancer in the US receive longer radiation therapy than necessary, despite multiple randomized trials and professional society guidelines showing that hypofractionated radiation is clinically effective and less costly.
A recent study published in Cancer journal reveals that older breast cancer patients continue to receive radiation therapy despite evidence suggesting limited benefits. The study analyzed data from a national health database and found that only about one-third of eligible women no longer receive radiation therapy.
Researchers developed an anti-cancer drug that protects normal cells from radiation damage while sparing cancer cells. The compound, RTA 408, increases the effectiveness of radiation therapy in prostate cancer models and has potential applications for treating accidental radiation exposure.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have found that combining AZD3965 with radiotherapy reduces tumour growth in mice and increases anti-tumour effects. The study suggests a new treatment approach for cancer patients by targeting tumours through metabolism
Research found that post-operative radiation therapy improved overall survival for patients with resected NSCLC, with a median survival time of 42 months compared to 38 months without PORT. Factors associated with better survival included female gender, adenocarcinoma histology, and younger age.
Scientists from Queen's University Belfast have made a groundbreaking discovery in attosecond science, tracking ultra-fast electron movement within a nanometer-sized molecule. This research has implications for understanding how radiotherapy kills cancer cells and improving solar cells.
A study published in Practical Radiation Oncology evaluated the use of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in treating pediatric cancers. The results show that IGRT is commonly used to improve localization and precision in radiation delivery, particularly for tumors near sensitive structures or organs.
Researchers found combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy helps the immune system target and destroy cancer cells resistant to initial treatment. This approach improved survival rates and protected mice against disease recurrence.