Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
A clinical trial suggests that combining radiotherapy with an anti-cancer drug called APG101 blocks a cell-signalling pathway crucial for glioblastoma development. The treatment showed promising results, with patients receiving the combination therapy living longer than those treated with radiotherapy alone.
A new study has found that treating chest lymph nodes in early breast cancer patients improves overall survival without increasing side effects. The research involved 4004 patients from 43 centres and found that irradiating the IM-MS lymph nodes gave a better patient outcome than radiation therapy to the breast/thoracic wall alone.
A meta-analysis of over 11,000 patients showed that hyperfractionated radiotherapy (AFRT) reduces the risk of death by 8% compared to standard fractionation radiotherapy (SFRT). AFRT also improves locoregional control, with a significant increase in five-year survival rates.
A new process called 'Smart Rounds' optimizes the safety and efficacy of radiation therapy by formalizing multidisciplinary reviews at the beginning of treatment planning. This leads to safer, more individualized radiation treatment plans and better utilization of medical resources.
A new study presented at ASTRO's Annual Meeting has identified the Common-Terminology-Criteria-for-Adverse Events (CTCAE) scale as a reliable method for assessing patient reactions to radiation therapy. The study found that using this standardized scale improved consistency among caregivers, enabling more uniform and effective care.
The project will provide state-of-the-art training in modern, high-quality image-guided radiotherapy, increasing productive research and improving cancer patient care. Researchers from various disciplines will benefit from the six-day workshop, lecture and exercise-based course.
Researchers found that unstable chromosomes with breaks at common fragile sites are associated with a less favorable response to radiation therapy and surgery in prostate cancer patients. These abnormalities are often linked to DNA instability, which is characteristic of cancer cells.
A Mayo-led study has found that sulfasalazine, a commonly prescribed medication for inflammatory bowel disease, fails to reduce diarrhea in patients receiving radiation therapy. The study suggests that the medication may actually increase the risk of diarrhea when used during pelvic radiation therapy.
A study of Stage T1aN0 breast cancer patients found no significant increase in deaths from cardiac disease or secondary malignancies among those receiving external beam radiation therapy (XRT). Women who received XRT had better survival rates and fewer deaths from all causes compared to non-XRT groups.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found stereotactic body radiotherapy to be a viable option for elderly patients with localized pancreatic cancer, offering a six-to-seven-month increase in lifespan and minimal side effects. The study also showed that two patients lived nearly two years after treatment.
The study found a significantly lower quality of life in patients who received high-dose radiation therapy (74 Gy) compared to those receiving standard dose (60 Gy). IMRT was associated with a lower decline in QOL compared to 3-D CRT, even a year after treatment.
A two-item questionnaire, including PHQ-9 and PHQ-2, effectively screened for depression in radiation therapy patients. The study found that these questions were as useful as the entire PHQ-9 in identifying depression, with an area under the curve of approximately 0.83.
A secondary analysis of the historic RTOG 9202 prostate cancer trial found no additional benefits with long-term hormonal therapy compared to short-term therapy in intermediate-risk patients. The study suggests that administering less treatment can reduce side effects and healthcare costs without compromising survival rates.
Researchers found that reducing radiation dose to stem-cell niches surrounding hippocampus preserves memory without increased risk of relapse. This technique, if validated, will help maintain quality of life for brain cancer patients.
A study found that avoiding specific regions of the brain during whole-brain radiotherapy prevents memory loss in patients. Limiting radiation to the hippocampus, a sensitive area for memory function, preserved memory function for up to six months after treatment.
A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients. The study confirmed a disease-specific-survival rate of 95 percent when patients received fewer weeks of neoadjuvant total androgen suppression.
A study by American Society for Radiation Oncology found that proton therapy can prevent costly side effects in children with medulloblastoma, making it both cost-effective and cost-saving compared to photon therapy. Proton therapy reduced the risk of hearing loss, secondary malignancy, and heart failure.
Patients under 50 years old have improved OS after SRS, with no greater risk of new brain metastases. SRS alone is a favorable first-line therapeutic option for younger patients.
A multi-institutional study found that sulfasalazine does not reduce diarrhea in patients receiving pelvic radiation therapy, and may even increase the risk. The study, which enrolled 87 patients, used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to evaluate the effectiveness of sulfasalazine versus placebo.
The ASTRO/AUA joint guideline offers clinical principles and recommendations for radiation therapy use in patients with and without evidence of prostate cancer recurrence. The guideline is based on a comprehensive review of 324 research articles and provides detailed efficacy data for patients with detectable and undetectable PSA levels.
A randomized controlled trial of 147 women with stage IIIB cervical cancer found that adding cisplatin to radiation therapy and high-dose-rate brachytherapy improved disease-free survival and reduced late toxicity, while maintaining acceptable acute toxicity levels.
A study of 70 pediatric patients treated with proton therapy found high local control rates (83%) and overall survival (95%), with subtotal resection correlated to decreased cognitive and endocrine outcomes. Few patients developed growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism or hearing loss.
Researchers found that a 3-week radiotherapy course is comparable to the traditional 5-week treatment in terms of tumour control rates. The study also revealed reduced damage to healthy tissue and fewer hospital visits with the shorter treatment schedule.
A European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer trial found that adjuvant radiotherapy after local excision reduced the incidence of local recurrences by a factor of two, resulting in an overall lower risk of mastectomy. The study highlights the importance of conducting long-term follow-up.
The Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia and the South Georgia Medical Center, Pearlman Cancer Center will each receive $8,000 to provide direct support for their organization's work supporting cancer patients. The grants also aim to raise awareness about the financial challenges faced by cancer patients.
Sherri Graves Smith, a cancer survivor and volunteer, will receive the 2013 Survivor Circle Award from ASTRO. She has dedicated her time and energy to helping others in her community, providing financial assistance and support to cancer patients struggling with daily living essentials.
Jean B. Owen, PhD, receives the highest honor from ASTRO for her extensive work in establishing and analyzing benchmarks for optimal care in radiation oncology. Her contributions include developing clinical performance measures and survey processes to improve quality of care nationwide.
Researchers recommend accelerated radiotherapy as standard treatment for un-resected non-small cell lung cancer patients not receiving concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, citing its efficiency over current practice. However, cost-effectiveness of different modified schemes remains uncertain and requires further research.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 10 outstanding members to receive the Fellow of ASTRO designation. These distinguished individuals have made substantial contributions to the field of radiation oncology through research, education, patient care, and leadership.
Researchers found that giving chemotherapy drug carboplatin before radiotherapy could reduce relapse rates and allow radiation doses to be lowered in men with stage IIA and IIB testicular seminoma. The study showed improved treatment outcomes and reduced long-term side effects.
The Wyss Institute will use its Organs-on-Chips technology to test human physiological responses to radiation and evaluate drugs designed to counter those effects. The project aims to improve the national ability to respond to nuclear radiation incidents and reduce animal testing.
A new analysis reveals carbon ion radiotherapy controls cancer growth and prolongs survival in patients with spinal tumors, offering a promising alternative to surgery. The treatment has minimal impact on healthy tissues and potential to preserve quality of life.
A phase 2 trial found moderate dose radiotherapy to be an effective treatment for patients with desmoid-type fibromatosis, with a 81.5% local control rate at 3 years. The response was slow, but continued regression was seen even after three years.
The GammaPod uses tens of thousands of beams of radiation to focus on tumors with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Clinical trials are underway to test the device's effectiveness as an alternative to invasive surgery and traditional radiation therapies.
A study of 582 patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found SBRT to be safe and effective, with a three-year freedom from local progression rate of 79.6%. The biological effective dosage was the most significant factor influencing outcomes.
Researchers found that PET-CT improved staging accuracy and intrathoracic disease identification in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer patients. This led to an improvement in overall survival rates compared to those not staged with PET-CT.
Use of advanced treatment technologies like IMRT and robotic prostatectomy has increased among men with low-risk disease, despite clinical guidelines recommending local treatment for those with a low life expectancy. The authors suggest that aggressive direct-to-consumer marketing and incentives may promote the use of these treatments.
A recent study by Mayo Clinic and others reveals that rural women with breast cancer are less likely to receive guideline-recommended radiation therapy after a lumpectomy. The researchers found that rural women were also more likely to choose mastectomy over lumpectomy, leading to potential gaps in care.
ASTRO has awarded Amato Giaccia, Radhe Mohan, and Prabhakar Tripuraneni with the Society's highest honor—the ASTRO Gold Medal. The awardees have made outstanding contributions to radiation oncology through research, clinical care, teaching, and service.
A phase III non-inferiority trial found that axillary radiotherapy provides excellent regional control and reduces the risk of lymphoedema compared to axillary lymph node dissection. The study also showed no significant differences in overall or disease-free survival between the two treatment arms.
A clinical trial found that adding bevacizumab to standard treatment for glioblastoma did not improve overall survival or progression-free survival. However, patients in the bevacizumab arm experienced a greater decline in cognitive function and symptom burden compared to those on placebo.
The EORTC trial 26951 found that CpG island methylator phenotype status and MGMT promoter methylation are key factors in determining which patients benefit from PCV chemotherapy. The study suggests that other molecularly defined subsets of grade III tumors may also respond to treatment.
In a large, international randomized trial, initial radiotherapy was compared to temozolomide chemotherapy. No significant difference in progression-free survival was observed between the two treatment strategies, with radiotherapy numerically favored. Molecular tumor characterization may allow personalized treatment approaches.
A randomized clinical trial found that higher-dose radiotherapy did not improve overall survival in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. The study suggested that a standard dose of 60Gy is superior to 74Gy, and that adaptive radiotherapy may be more effective.
A study found that radiation oncology received only 1.6% of the $30.9 billion in NIH-funded grants for cancer research in FY 2013. This disparity highlights an urgent need for increased funding to improve patient survival and treatment outcomes.
Scientists found that mice lost 85% of their hair when treated with radiation in the morning, compared to a 17% loss in the evening. This discovery suggests that delivering cancer radiotherapy later in the day may reduce hair loss.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and conformal radiotherapy (CRT) had similar morbidity and cancer control outcomes after prostatectomy. The use of IMRT did not result in significant differences in long-term gastrointestinal or urinary symptoms.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may not be more effective than conformal radiation therapy (CRT) after prostatectomy. The study compared outcomes of 457 IMRT and 557 CRT patients treated between 2002 and 2007, showing no significant difference in long-term side ...
The new guideline provides detailed direction on treatment options for prostate cancer patients, including adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy recommendations. It emphasizes the importance of informed consent and patient education on potential side effects and benefits of radiation therapy.
A randomised trial found that intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) significantly reduced skin telangiectasia and improved cosmetic effect in patients with early breast cancer. IMRT delivers an even dose of radiation, reducing undesirable side-effects.
Recent studies have shown that image-guided brachytherapy can deliver high doses of radiotherapy to tumours while sparing surrounding organs, leading to effective treatment with fewer side-effects. The studies also found a clear dose response relationship between radiation dose and vaginal morbidity.
Researchers found that sparing the contralateral submandibular gland reduced symptoms of dry mouth in patients with head and neck cancers. The study suggests a recommended maximum dose of 40 Gy for the gland, leading to improved patient outcomes.
The new ASTRO white paper recommends 10 fundamental elements for safe and effective IGRT practices, including establishing a multi-professional team and performing end-to-end testing for new procedures. The paper aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of image-guided radiation therapy in radiation oncology.
Researchers found that high levels of cytokine TGFβ cause neural stem cells to become dormant, leading to reduced neurogenesis in aging and irradiation. Targeted therapies targeting TGFβ may improve cognitive function in elderly individuals.
A new form of radiation therapy, BNCT, has been developed by University of Missouri researchers, putting cancer into remission in mice without harmful side effects. The technique targets cancer cells by delivering boron chemicals that shatter and destroy cancer cells from the inside out.
The ASTRO white paper emphasizes the vital role of patient-specific peer review in improving patient safety and quality of care. The report details suggested targets for peer review throughout various areas within radiation therapy, prioritizing those most likely to impact patient outcomes.
A large observational study conducted by a group of researchers in Sweden and the Netherlands suggests that surgery offers better survival benefits than radiotherapy for men with localized prostate cancer, especially in younger age groups and those with fewer comorbidities. The study found that radical treatment, preferably surgery, is...
A clinical trial comparing two treatments for advanced head and neck cancer found that adding a targeted biologic therapy to chemotherapy did not improve patient outcomes. The study's results suggest that the current standard of care therapy may be sufficient, at least for now.
Researchers John Wong, Ronald Berger, and Hien Nguyen receive awards and funding to develop life-saving technologies. The Life Prizes aim to accelerate the translation of promising research into commercial applications, speeding up the delivery of innovative medical solutions.
A pilot study may lead clinicians to more accurately predict which patients will suffer from gastrointestinal side effects of radiotherapy. The technology uses an electronic nose and FAIMS to analyze stool samples and identify patterns in toxicity levels.