Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
A randomized trial found that the ARCON regime improves control of cancer at its primary site, disease-free survival, and metastasis-free survival in patients with low Hb levels. However, overall survival remains compromised due to other health problems.
A study of 163 patients with cervical cancer found that 3D image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) achieved high rates of tumor control and low side effects, making hysterectomies unnecessary for most women. The technique was effective in controlling the return and spread of the disease, and overall survival was 84% after three years.
Patients with HPV-positive throat cancer have significantly better control of the tumour, disease-specific survival, and overall survival when treated with radiotherapy alone compared to HPV-negative patients. HPV-positive light or non-smokers have even more favourable outcomes.
Researchers discovered that the stem cells essential for regenerating the parotid gland are mainly located in its major ducts, which can be easily avoided during radiotherapy. This technique could reduce complications and improve quality of life for head and neck cancer patients suffering from dry mouth syndrome.
A study from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) is associated with a higher risk of later mastectomy, increased radiation-related toxicities and post-operative complications compared to traditional whole breast irradiation.
Researchers have identified a microRNA, miR-625-3p, that can accurately diagnose malignant pleural mesothelioma with an accuracy of 82.4%. Additionally, high-dose radiotherapy has shown promising response rates for patients with disease confined to one side of the chest.
A study published in JAMA found Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) to be more effective in reducing certain side effects and preventing cancer recurrence compared to conventional conformal radiation therapy (CRT). IMRT was also comparable to proton therapy, a newer technique.
A recent study compared the adverse effects of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), proton therapy, and conformal radiation therapy in treating localized prostate cancer. The results showed that IMRT was associated with fewer gastrointestinal adverse effects and hip fractures but more erectile dysfunction, while proton therapy...
A study by Dr. Andreas Engert and colleagues found that six cycles of BEACOPPescalated chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy are more effective in treating advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma with fewer treatment-related events. This approach also reduces toxicity compared to the standard eight-cycle regimen.
Breast cancer patients treated with IMRT had lower incidence of acute and chronic toxicities compared to standard WBI. Larger breasted women also benefited from reduced toxicities with IMRT.
A study found that wide negative margins are associated with a lower risk of local recurrence in women with ductal carcinoma in situ treated with breast-conserving surgery. Researchers recommend considering radiotherapy as the top priority to complement targeting wider free margins.
A study found that over 80% of radiation oncologists discuss fertility risks with patients of childbearing age, but many receive inadequate education. The role of radiation oncologists in communicating fertility preservation options is crucial for improving quality of life and care for young cancer patients.
A new report by a national scientific committee reveals that gains in cancer survival have come at the cost of second malignancies and cardiovascular disease. The report calls for the development of better risk estimates and prediction models to prevent serious health problems among cancer survivors.
A team of researchers identified a beta-1 integrin signaling pathway crucial for HNSCC resistance to radiotherapy. Inhibiting this pathway sensitized cells to radiation and delayed tumor growth in mice.
Researchers developed a new radiotherapy technique that targets cancerous tissue while reducing irradiation of healthy tissue. This approach resulted in lower toxicity and higher completion rates among patients compared to traditional techniques.
A new study published in CANCER found that many older lung cancer patients receive radiation therapy without extending their lifespan. Researchers analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare registry to determine if additional radiation therapy after surgery improves survival rates.
Researchers found that standard radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy is less effective for HIV-positive head and neck cancer patients, with high recurrence rates of 69% and overall survival of 55%. This highlights the need for more research to develop tailored treatments that can improve outcomes for these patients.
Advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation plus chemotherapy showed improved local-regional control and disease-free survival rates compared to those treated with radiation alone. At 10 years post-treatment, the local-regional failure rates were lower for those who received both therapies.
Researchers found that slight oral temperature increases can predict severe mucositis, a common side effect of chemoradiotherapy. Early intervention using thermal imaging technology may help prevent or alleviate severe complications from treatment.
A study found that intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) improves quality of life among long-term survivors of head and neck cancer. Patients treated with IMRT reported better health-related quality of life compared to those receiving other forms of radiation therapy.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that newer radiation therapy technology, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), improves patients' quality of life for those with advanced head and neck cancers. IMRT was associated with fewer long-term side effects, leading to better quality of life.
A chromosomal abnormality, specifically the absence of chromosomes 1p and 19q, has definitive prognostic value for managing treatment of adult patients with pure and mixed anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. Treatment with combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy showed near-doubling of median survival time compared to radiation therapy ...
A new study in mice reveals that limiting oxygen supply can alleviate cognitive impairment caused by radiation therapy. Mice exposed to radiation showed significant improvement in spatial learning after undergoing chronic hypoxia treatment.
A Wayne State University study shows that soybean compounds can make radiation treatment of lung cancer more effective while helping to preserve normal tissue. The compounds, known as isoflavones, block DNA repair mechanisms and molecular survival pathways in cancer cells, making them more vulnerable to ionizing radiation.
Combining bevacizumab with standard chemoradiation therapy prolongs survival and delays disease progression in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The study results show over 90% of patients surviving 2 years without distant metastases.
A retrospective study found that women treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation therapy have a two-fold increased risk for subsequent mastectomy, most likely due to tumor recurrence or local complications. APBI brachytherapy was also associated with higher incidence of acute and late toxicities compared to traditional whole ...
A retrospective case series review found that carbon dioxide laser ablation had lower recurrence rates compared to radiation therapy, with minimal morbidity. The treatment option is particularly advantageous for large lesions in cosmetically sensitive regions of the head and neck.
Researchers found that taking a probiotic before radiation therapy can protect the intestine from damage in mice, and may help prevent similar problems in human patients. The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG protected the lining of the small intestine in mice exposed to radiation.
A phase III trial found that concurrent chemo-radiotherapy significantly improved the 5-year overall survival of patients with stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The treatment regimen resulted in higher progression-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates compared to radiation alone.
Combining radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy significantly improves overall survival for men with locally advanced prostate cancer. The study, published in The Lancet, found that patients receiving both treatments had a higher 7-year survival rate compared to those receiving ADT alone.
Men with locally advanced or high-risk prostate cancer who receive combined radiation and hormone therapy live longer and are less likely to die from their disease. The treatment improved overall survival by 23% and disease-specific survival by 43% compared to hormone therapy alone.
A large study of over 10,000 breast cancer patients found that radiotherapy significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality. The study found that radiotherapy almost halves the 10-year-risk of recurrence and reduces the 15-year-risk of mortality by a sixth
Early-stage laryngeal cancer patients receiving primary surgery have a higher four-year survival rate compared to those treated with radiation. Meanwhile, chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy has seen increased use in advanced-stage patients, improving their survival rates.
A study by Fox Chase researchers found that a portion of the prostate bed is outside IMRT treatment margins in post-prostatectomy patients, suggesting too little treatment in the target area and too much in surrounding structures. The Calypso system helps ensure precise delivery within narrow treatment margins.
A survey of radiation oncologists and healthcare professionals reveals that fears of getting into trouble and embarrassment are the primary barriers to using online error-reporting systems. Despite this, most respondents recognize the value of reporting errors and near-misses for improving care and patient safety.
A randomized phase III trial found that higher doses of radiation therapy do not improve overall survival for stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients. The standard dose of radiation therapy (60 Gy) was shown to be sufficient and effective in treating the disease.
Linda Meyer, a radiation oncology nurse manager at Allegheny General Hospital, has been selected for the 2011 ASTRO Nurse Excellence Award. She is recognized for her exceptional care and commitment to educating nurses in the field.
A study found that men treated with IMRT had 26% fewer late bowel and rectal side effects than those receiving 3D-CRT. The treatment also showed a statistically significant decrease in acute toxicity.
A randomized trial found that a shorter radiation course for prostate cancer with hypofractionation is as effective as conventional radiation therapy at five years after treatment. The study used intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to limit dose to normal tissues, reducing side effects.
A study comparing 6,597 patients across four European countries found substantial differences in treatment approaches for rectal cancer. The use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy varied greatly between countries, despite comparable stages of disease.
Researchers developed prediction models that accurately predict erectile function after prostate cancer treatment based on pretreatment sexual function and patient characteristics. The models found that men who underwent certain treatments had a higher chance of regaining functional erections suitable for intercourse.
Gilda's Club South Florida participates in ASTRO's Survivor Circle exhibit to raise awareness about cancer survivorship programs. The organization receives a $10,000 grant to provide support to newly diagnosed patients and their families.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center found that IMRT improved treatment outcomes for patients with extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck, with minimal side effects. The study showed high response rates and no severe dry mouth, relapses, or tissue abnormalities.
Researchers found that combining six common quality assurance measures can prevent more than 90% of potential patient-harming incidents. A checklist of relatively low-tech measures and use of film-based radiation-dose measurements were key to safety.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has published a white paper to improve the safe use of IMRT, which requires more time and resources from cancer clinics. The report provides practical guidance to strengthen IMRT programs, reducing errors and improving treatment outcomes.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that combining short-term hormone therapy (ADT) with radiation therapy significantly improves overall survival rates for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The treatment also resulted in a 10% reduction in disease-specific deaths among high-risk patients.
A study published in Cancer Research suggests that stem cell therapy can improve cognitive function in patients with brain cancer who experience radiation-induced learning and memory loss. The treatment involved human neural stem cell transplants, which led to significant improvements in cognitive function compared to control rats.
New treatment options, including stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, have led to significant improvements in the survival of elderly Dutch lung cancer patients. Median survival for NSCLC patients increased by nearly 8 months between 2003 and 2009.
Researchers have found a new treatment option for children with relapsed or primary refractory high-risk neuroblastoma, using combined positron emission tomography and X-ray computed tomography to select patients for molecular radiotherapy. The therapy was well-tolerated and showed promise in improving symptoms and quality of life.
A new study by Thomas Jefferson University researchers finds that receiving radiation therapy immediately after a radical prostatectomy is a cost-effective treatment for prostate cancer patients. Urologists were less likely than radiation oncologists to recommend adjuvant radiation therapy or believe it improves overall survival.
A prospective study found that smoking significantly increases a woman's risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which can cause pain and discomfort. The study also suggests that smoking cessation reduces the risk, but even after 20 years of abstention, the risk remains elevated.
Researchers found that women with estrogen receptor negative cancers who did not receive radiation were 91% more likely to die from breast cancer. There is a corresponding increase in the use of radioactive implants for these patients.
The RTOG 0525 Phase III Trial Comparing Conventional Adjuvant Temozolomide with Dose-Intensive Temozolomide in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma found no significant improvement in overall patient survival or disease progression for patients who received dose-intensive temozolomide plus radiotherapy. However, the trial demonst...
Scientists selectively sensitized prostate cancer cells to radiation therapy by knocking down a key protein repair gene. The approach shows promise for treating locally advanced prostate cancer, reducing disease recurrence.
Two new studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine explore treatments for older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients with severe allergic asthma. Long-acting inhaled beta-agonists were found to increase survival rates over anticholinergics, while omalizumab improved symptoms and quality-of-life sc...
Researchers found that tissue spacers significantly reduced the rectal dose administered to patients receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer. This led to minimal damage to the rectum, enabling radiation oncologists to increase treatment doses without concern.
A study found that a pelvic MRI scan can identify local recurrence in prostate cancer patients with rising or persistently elevated PSA levels. About one-third of these patients have a low PSA level of less than 1, making it possible to treat them with higher doses and potentially increasing cure rates.
A study found that Medicare reimbursement policy significantly affects the use of costly breast cancer therapy, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The analysis showed a sharp increase in IMRT usage and costs between 2001 and 2005, with billing rates varying by region and treatment setting.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has developed a guideline for palliative thoracic radiation therapy to treat advanced lung cancer. The guideline recommends various regimens of thoracic external beam radiation therapy as effective for symptom palliation, but not endobronchial brachytherapy or concurrent chemotherapy.
Thomas Jefferson University researchers show intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) delivers higher doses to the prostate bed while sparing surrounding tissue, leading to improved PSA levels and reduced side effects. The study fills a gap in documentation of this technique's benefits for post-operative patients.