Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
Research published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology investigates the effectiveness of surgery as a standalone treatment for stage I small cell lung cancer. The study found three- and five-year survival rates of 58.1% and 50.3%, respectively, for patients who underwent lobectomies without radiotherapy.
Research found that split-course palliative radiotherapy reduced patients' symptoms by 52-84% and provided long-lasting relief in 58% of cases. Cancer survival rates were not adversely affected by a two-week break in treatment, demonstrating the regimen's potential as an optimal option for symptom management.
A three-week course of accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation has been shown to be as safe and effective as the standard five-week regimen for women with early-stage breast cancer. The study, led by Dr. Tim Whelan, found that patients treated with this accelerated therapy had a low risk of side effects and recurrence of ...
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules do not increase adverse symptoms or worsen body image compared to the international standard treatment. Patients reported moderate or striking concerns about body image, but these did not differ between radiotherapy schedules.
The study analyzed data from 15 trials involving 3,452 women, finding that chemoradiotherapy improved survival rates compared to radiotherapy alone. This treatment also reduced the chance of cancer recurrence and spread.
A non-absorbed oral co-polymer therapy under development by Midway Pharmaceuticals demonstrates ability to protect against radiation damage and prevent lethal bacterial infections in animal models. The compound, PEG 15-20, may provide new way to prevent serious GI side effects of radiation in cancer patients.
A study of 3,754 women found that nearly 50% experience pain symptoms 2-3 years after breast cancer treatment, with young age and supplemental radiation therapy increasing the risk. The most common areas affected by pain are the axilla, arm, breast area, and side of the body.
Adding cetuximab to radiation therapy improves survival rates in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer, with benefits persisting for up to 5 years. Patients who develop a prominent rash after treatment show significantly improved overall survival compared to those without the rash.
A shortened, more intensive course of radiation therapy has been shown to be as effective as traditional treatments for early-stage breast cancers, with no significant side effects. This accelerated hypofractionated whole breast irradiation option is more time-efficient and cost-effective.
A new study by Henry Ford Hospital found that a patient's socioeconomic status has no effect on their outcome following curative radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The study analyzed data from 788 patients and found that all patients, regardless of race or income, had similar survival rates and biochemical control rates.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy is effective in controlling optic nerve sheath meningioma growth while preserving vision. The treatment resulted in a high rate of stabilized or improved visual acuity, with minimal late complications.
A new study found that a shorter, five-week course of hypofractionated radiation is as effective as standard radiation therapy in reducing prostate cancer recurrence. The treatment delivered higher doses of radiation in fewer sessions, resulting in no significant difference in cancer recurrence or side effects between the two groups.
A study presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) found that hypofractionated radiation treatment is more effective in stopping cancer from growing in high-risk prostate cancer patients compared to standard radiation therapy. The new treatment also had no increased risk of negative side effects, making it a valua...
A new study suggests that PET imaging before radiation therapy should not be used to determine areas that may benefit from higher doses of radiation. Researchers found that activity patterns in some patients changed completely after treatment, making it unreliable as a predictor.
A phase III study found that short-term hormone therapy given prior to and during intermediate dose radiation treatment significantly increases the chance of living longer (51 percent) compared to those who receive radiation alone. The benefit appeared to be greatest for men at medium-risk for disease failure.
Researchers found proton therapy to have excellent early tolerance with minimal urinary and rectal toxicity. The study showed a low rate of Grade 3 genitourinary and gastrointestinal side effects, with the most common being minor rectal bleeding.
A study by Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers found that radiation therapy alone can lead to undetectable PSA levels in patients with prostate cancer. Patients with low PSA scores had less chance of biochemical failure and a higher chance of being cured compared to those with detectable PSA levels.
A national clinical trial shows that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is effective in treating early-stage lung cancer in patients with unrelated medical comorbidities. The primary lung cancer did not recur 98 percent of the time, and more than half of patients were alive three years after diagnosis.
A study found that adding proton therapy 'boost' to X-ray radiation therapy significantly reduces prostate cancer recurrences in low- and intermediate-risk patients. The high-dose treatment also proves safe with minimal side effects, benefiting these patients with conventional doses of radiation.
A phase III study found that short-term hormone therapy added to radiation treatment significantly increases survival in medium-risk prostate cancer patients by 51% compared to those receiving radiation alone. In contrast, low-risk patients showed no significant benefit from this combination.
A recent study found that radiation therapy significantly improves regional recurrence control in melanoma patients who underwent lymphadenectomy. The treatment reduced the risk of cancer returning to the lymph nodes by 12 percentage points compared to observation.
Research presented at the ASTRO Annual Meeting has shown that short-term hormone therapy added to radiation increases survival for medium-risk prostate cancer patients, while a shorter radiation course is effective in reducing recurrence rates. Additionally, proton therapy reduces recurrences and is well-tolerated in prostate cancer pa...
Combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy more than doubles event-free survival for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer without prior surgery. Non-platinum-based chemotherapy shows long-term benefit with lower toxicity compared to platinum therapies.
The world's largest congress on ion therapy brought together leading experts to discuss the latest scientific and clinical developments in radiation therapy. The meeting marked a significant milestone in the technology and clinical application of ion radiation, with over 70,000 patients worldwide treated so far.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is partnering with Gilda's Club Chicago to promote cancer survivorship. The two organizations will participate in the Survivor Circle exhibit at ASTRO's 51st Annual Meeting, highlighting programs that help patients and families cope with cancer.
Halos of Hope, a non-profit organization established in 2007, will partner with ASTRO to provide comfort and dignity to chemo patients. The partnership aims to educate members about the organization's mission and programs focused on supporting cancer survivors.
A large study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that patients treated with radiotherapy after prostate cancer surgery experienced very few complications, contradicting concerns about toxicity and side effects. The study suggests that radiation treatment is an effective and safe option for patients with recurrent cancer.
Researchers have identified highly radiosensitive patients who can guide personalized radiotherapy, avoiding severe side effects. The study aims to develop a blood test that can predict patient reaction to radiotherapy, enabling tailored treatment and improved tumour control.
A study found that patients who had surgery before radiation treatment are more likely to complete therapy, while those with other illnesses or chemotherapy are less likely. This highlights the importance of addressing comorbidities and toxic effects of treatment in radiation therapy.
Researchers found that inhibiting NF-kappa B reduced radiation toxicity in zebrafish embryos, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. The study also suggests that downmodulating NF-kappa B activity may be more beneficial than completely ablating it to protect against radiation effects.
Men with coronary artery disease-induced congestive heart failure or heart attack who receive hormone therapy before or along with radiation therapy for prostate cancer have a higher risk of death, according to a study. However, in men without comorbidities, hormone therapy was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.
Researchers found a strong link between radiotherapy treatment and fatigue, with increases in serum markers of cytokine activity also associated. This study suggests that exposure to radiation releases inflammatory cytokines contributing to fatigue.
Patients who received radiotherapy for low-grade glioma brain tumors showed significant cognitive decline compared to those who did not receive treatment. The study found that attentional functioning, executive functioning, and information processing speed were lower in patients given radiotherapy. Deferring treatment or using modern r...
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has named its 12th class of ASTRO Fellows, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology through research, patient care, education, or leadership. The fellows will be recognized at the 51st Annual Meeting in November.
A new trial shows that chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, either with or without surgery, are viable options for patients with stage IIIA (N2) non-small-cell lung cancer. The treatment improved overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared to standard concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone.
Patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma with radiation therapy have a substantially higher risk of stroke. After a median follow-up of almost 18 years, 96 patients developed cerebrovascular disease, with the incidence rate for stroke being 2.2 times that in the general population. Risk factors include radiation to the neck and mediastinum.
Researchers have developed a new radiotherapy technique that uses real-time images to guide the radiation beam, allowing for more accurate targeting of tumors. This approach promises to reduce damage to healthy tissue and minimize nasty side effects.
A new study from Henry Ford Hospital found that radical prostatectomy significantly increases long-term survival for men under 50 with prostate cancer. The procedure improved cancer-specific and overall survival rates compared to radiotherapy or watchful waiting, making it the recommended treatment option for younger patients.
Researchers are exploring new treatments for lung cancer using targeted therapies and personalized care. Studies have shown promising results in improving patient outcomes, including the use of molecular targeted therapies and chemotherapy combinations.
A new study reveals that lithium promotes DNA repair in irradiated mice, protecting nerves in the hippocampus by decreasing double-strand DNA breaks. Targeted therapies to enhance DNA repair may provide an avenue for future therapeutic development.
Research at the University of Navarra Hospital found that high-dosage perioperative brachytherapy effectively controls 86% of head and neck tumor cases after a seven-year follow-up. The technique reduces treatment time by two weeks compared to conventional radiotherapy, improving patient outcomes.
The EORTC-NCIC trial found that adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy significantly increases survival in glioblastoma patients, with improved outcomes seen across all clinical prognostic subgroups. The study suggests testing tumour MGMT gene methylation status to identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment.
A short course of radiation therapy followed by high-quality surgery is the most effective treatment for patients with operable rectal cancer. Recent trials have shown a reduction in local recurrence with radiotherapy and chemotherapy before or after surgery.
A new study finds aggressive surgery followed by targeted radiotherapy is effective in treating a rare form of childhood brain cancer. The treatment improved event-free survival rates, with children under 3 years old showing excellent outcomes.
Researchers investigate thalidomide for biochemical recurrence and adjuvant radiotherapy for improved survival, reducing metastases risk by 29%. Both treatment options show promise for patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer after surgery.
Researchers found that fractionated radiation induced an immune imbalance, characterized by elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in the distal colonic mucosa. This imbalance persisted even after the end of radiotherapy, with a Th2 profile dominating the immune response.
In a phase III trial, combining endocrine treatment with radiotherapy reduced prostate cancer mortality by half compared to endocrine treatment alone. The study found significant superiority of the combined treatment over hormone therapy alone in reducing prostate cancer-specific mortality and overall survival.
Two studies published in The Lancet show that removing pelvic lymph nodes or external beam radiotherapy does not improve survival rates for women with early endometrial cancer. Removal of lymph nodes increased risk of death by 16%, while radiotherapy showed no benefit in terms of overall survival.
Patients with low-grade gliomas who underwent aggressive surgeries were free of tumor recurrence an average of 15 years after diagnosis. Radiation therapy significantly extended their survival time, with patients living up to six years without tumor recurrence.
A new study presents a promising alternative to traditional treatments for women with breast implants who develop early-stage cancer. Brachytherapy, a targeted radiation treatment, offers better cosmetic outcomes and avoids the risk of implant hardening compared to whole-breast radiation therapy.
The study found that CAPHOSOL results in a low incidence of oral mucositis, moderate to severe pain, and dysphagia. Patient satisfaction rates were high, with 79% describing themselves as satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment.
A study found that patients with locally advanced lung cancer who received proton therapy and chemotherapy had fewer instances of bone marrow toxicity compared to those receiving IMRT and chemotherapy. This suggests that proton therapy may be a more effective option for treating this serious side effect, enabling doctors to give higher...
A large cohort study found that hormone therapy before radiation seed implants for prostate cancer increases the risk of death by 20% in men over 70 years old with early-stage cancer. This treatment approach may have negative effects on survival, particularly for older patients.
A short one-week course of radiation before surgery significantly reduces rectal cancer recurrence risk by 76% compared to post-operative treatment. However, this approach also causes impairment in sexual and bowel functions, affecting the quality of life for patients.
A new type of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) called balloon brachytherapy is as effective in keeping breast cancer from coming back as standard external beam radiation. This shorter treatment option makes radiation therapy more convenient for patients, potentially increasing the rate of breast conservation.
A randomized study found that adding radiation therapy to hormone treatment reduces the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 50% compared to hormone therapy alone. The quality of life at four years after treatment was similar between the two groups, with decreased social function in patients who received combined treatment.
A study presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 50th Annual Meeting found that proton therapy decreases the risk of patients developing a secondary cancer. Proton therapy is a more targeted form of external beam radiation, which delivers less radiation to bordering normal structures.
Patients who underwent both stereotactic radiosurgery and whole brain radiation experienced a 49% decline in learning and memory functioning, compared to 23% for those who received radiosurgery alone. Neurocognitive function was measured by recall of a list of 12 words after three attempts.
A randomized study found that accelerated hypofractionated whole breast irradiation is as effective as standard five-week treatment in reducing local recurrence and side effects. The new therapy reduces the radiation time to three weeks, resulting in a cost savings of two-thirds compared to traditional treatment.
Multidisciplinary approaches combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have shown promise in treating various cancers, including lung and head and neck cancers. The addition of targeted therapies like pazopanib and cetuximab has demonstrated significant activity in reducing tumor size and improving patient outcomes.