Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Research suggests that monitoring hepatic function with HIDA SPECT prior to and during radiation therapy can help tailor treatment plans for unresectable liver cancer patients. This assessment method allows for personalized radiation doses while minimizing the risk of liver injury.
Researchers developed a diffusion abnormality index (DAI) to measure brain tumor response to radiation therapy. The study showed that changes in DAI can predict post-treatment response with high sensitivity and specificity.
This study found that SUVmax is a significant and clinically independent marker for progression-free survival in stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The research included 95 medically inoperable patients who received stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), with median overall survival of 25.3 months and progression...
A study found that 1 in 4 lung cancer patients in Andalusia did not receive the radiotherapy they needed, resulting in a 3,000-day loss of life. This underuse has negative consequences for patients, highlighting the need for improved radiotherapy protocols.
A new radiation therapy method using volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has been shown to significantly reduce prostate cancer treatment time by approximately 14%. The study found that VMAT patients had shorter average room times, with some patients experiencing similar treatment times as those using gold-marker tracking.
A new study found differences in urinary, bowel, and sexual function after short-term follow-up, but those differences were no longer significant 15 years after initial treatment. Men who underwent prostatectomy were more likely to experience urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center found that qigong reduces depressive symptoms and improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. The study suggests that qigong may prevent a delayed symptom burden and expedite recovery, especially for women with elevated depressive symptoms.
A new study finds that prostate cancer stigma is a significant barrier to diagnosis and treatment in Ghana, with many men diagnosed at late stages and opting out of therapy. The researchers aim to develop tailored treatment regimens and increase PSA screening rates to improve health outcomes.
A study reveals that radiotherapy services are insufficiently equipped in 10 European countries to meet the growing demand for treatment, with Nordic countries and Belgium being well-equipped. The authors suggest further investigation into optimizing efficiency to address fragmentation of radiotherapy services.
A study of 722 patients found that those taking beta-blockers for other conditions lived longer after receiving radiotherapy. The use of beta-blockers improved survival rates without disease spreading or recurring, but not locoregional progression-free survival.
A comprehensive study analyzed 232 papers on prostate cancer treatments and found that surgery is the most cost-effective option, saving lives at a lower cost than radiation therapy. The analysis also showed that treatment plans for localized prostate cancer vary dramatically across different centers.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found no significant difference in toxicity between proton radiotherapy (PRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) among Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer at 12 months post-treatment. Despite its widespread use, PRT's benefits and harms remain unknown.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that proton radiotherapy provides minimal relief from side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction compared to standard radiation treatment IMRT. The study revealed no long-term benefits for proton therapy, despite high costs.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute found that a ketogenic diet significantly enhances the anti-tumor effect of radiation, leading to improved survival rates for mice with malignant gliomas. The study suggests that the diet could be used as an adjuvant therapy without FDA approval.
A new study from Henry Ford Hospital found that delaying radiation therapy after hysterectomy can increase the risk of uterine cancer recurrence. Patients who started treatment within nine weeks after surgery had a five-year relapse-free survival rate of 90%, compared to 43% for those treated later.
A study by Thomas Jefferson University researchers found that deviating from radiation therapy protocols increases the risk of treatment failure and mortality. The analysis of eight large clinical trials revealed a significant association between protocol deviations and inferior clinical outcomes.
A study by Mayo Clinic found that an oral rinse of antidepressant doxepin significantly eased pain associated with oral mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck. The treatment was well-tolerated, with common side effects including stinging and burning sensations.
Researchers found that men whose testosterone fell following radiation therapy were more likely to experience an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), often indicating cancer recurrence. This discovery may lead doctors to use testosterone levels as a guide for treatment decisions.
A long-term study found that radiotherapy after surgery significantly improves biochemical progression-free survival and local control for high-risk prostate cancer patients. However, its effects on clinical progression-free survival and overall survival are less clear.
Researchers developed a new radiation treatment method that reduces the risk of permanent neurocognitive damage in children with brain tumors. The study found that proton therapy and photon therapy techniques significantly decreased the risk of these adverse effects, potentially leading to better quality of life for affected children.
Mark P. Carol, MD, a distinguished leader in IMRT and IGRT, has been recognized as ASTRO's 2012 Honorary Member for his groundbreaking approach to developing these techniques. He will be honored at the ASTRO 54th Annual Meeting on October 30, 2012.
Researchers have discovered a new PET imaging agent that can predict the early response to treatment for head and neck cancer patients. The agent, 3'-deoxy-3'F-18-fluorothymidine (18-F-FLT), showed high accuracy in detecting therapeutic responses and identifying patients needing close follow-up.
Emanuel Hamelburg, a Boston-area prostate cancer survivor, has been recognized for his dedication to cancer awareness and advocacy. He was awarded the Survivor Circle Award by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in 2012.
A new study by USC researchers shows that controlled fasting enhances the effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating gliomas, a type of brain tumor with a median survival of less than two years. Fasting improved survival rates in mice treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
A preclinical study found that a mTOR inhibitor can protect normal stem cells from radiation-induced damage, preventing debilitating conditions like mucositis. The study suggests a promising approach for preventing and treating cancer patients' quality-of-life issues with radiation therapy.
Patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received radiation therapy had an increased median survival of 21 months compared to 16 months. The percentage of patients not receiving treatment declined from 20 percent to 16 percent between 1999-2003 and 2004-2008.
Researchers found a significant link between radiotherapy and an increased risk of developing diabetes in childhood cancer survivors. The study, which analyzed over 2500 patient questionnaires and medical records, suggests that radiation exposure to the tail of the pancreas may be particularly damaging.
Research suggests that radiation therapy is not necessary for older women with low risk of breast cancer recurrence, according to a recent editorial published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study found that patients over 70 years old with estrogen receptor-positive tumors did not show improved survival or quality of life with...
A study found that urology-owned radiation oncology practices in Texas increase patients' travel distances by up to three times due to separate treatment centers. This practice model raises concerns about its impact on healthcare costs and patient care.
A recent study found that radiation therapy after lumpectomy can help prevent mastectomy in early-stage breast cancer patients, particularly those with high-grade tumors. The research, published in the Journal Cancer, contradicts current national treatment guidelines.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded five physicians with research grants to promote the advancement of radiation therapy. The Junior Faculty Career Research Training Award and Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Research Seed Grant Award support young researchers in radiation oncology, biology, physics, ...
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has named its 2012 class of Fellows, recognizing their significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology. The new Fellows include renowned experts in research, patient care, education, and leadership.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has partnered with the Surviving And Moving Forward: The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer to promote cancer survivorship. Through the Survivor Circle exhibit, ASTRO is providing financial assistance and resources to young adult survivors.
A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that stereotactic ablative radiotherapy is an effective treatment option for elderly patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment did not negatively impact health-related quality of life, and functional and symptom outcomes remained stable after two years.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has selected J. Robert Cassady, George T.Y. Chen, and Mark W. Dewhirst as the Society's 2012 Gold Medal recipients for their groundbreaking research, clinical care, teaching, and service in radiation oncology.
A new study has shown that giving a daily low-dose of the chemotherapy drug carboplatin at the same time as radiotherapy significantly prolongs survival in elderly patients with lung cancer. Patients who received combined chemoradiotherapy were nearly a third less likely to die than those given radiotherapy alone.