Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
A study by Pollack and colleagues finds that a high Ki-67 biomarker is linked to increased risk of distant metastasis and death in prostate cancer patients. The researchers also suggest that Ki-67 can help identify high-risk patients who may benefit from alternative treatment strategies.
A study tested the ASTRO consensus definition of biochemical failure after combined radiation treatment and hormone therapy, finding it may not accurately predict future disease progression. The study suggests that approximately 20-30% of patients will experience biochemical failure but not continued rises in PSA levels
High doses of radiation therapy directed at the prostate significantly impact cancer control in high-risk patients. The major site of treatment failure is the prostate, highlighting the importance of high doses in this group.
A multicentre trial involving 351 patients found that anaemia treatment with epoetin beta did not improve cancer control or survival rates. Instead, patients receiving epoetin beta had a 60% better chance of progression-free survival compared to those given placebo.
Researchers identified specific genetic variations linked to differences in normal tissue radiation damage, potentially allowing for personalized treatment approaches. The study's findings suggest that a person's genetic pattern can predict their tolerance to radiotherapy, enabling more effective treatment and reduced side effects.
A new trial has shown that faster radiotherapy can improve head and neck cancer treatment outcomes, with a 60-70% benefit in tumour control and better voice conservation. The study found that accelerated treatment was linked to high EGFR expression and good tumour differentiation.
A randomised controlled trial found that accelerated radiotherapy improved five-year tumour control by 10% compared to standard radiotherapy, with benefits also seen in patients with laryngeal cancer. The treatment was associated with a small increase in disease-specific survival, but also more acute morbidity.
A study examined whether limited-field radiation therapy could be an effective alternative to whole-breast radiation therapy for patients at low risk of recurrence. The results showed no significant difference in local recurrence rates or overall survival between the two groups after five years of follow-up.
A study of 1700 women found that radiotherapy significantly reduced the risk of recurrent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the same breast by over 60%. However, tamoxifen had no effect on reducing invasive cancer risk. The results suggest that radiotherapy may be beneficial for younger patients with DCIS detected by mammography.
A new study found that chemotherapy and radiotherapy together reduce surgery and removal of the voice box due to cancer recurrence. The combination treatment was associated with a significantly lower rate of surgeries compared to standard therapy or radiotherapy alone.
A new radiotherapy strategy, hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HART), has been shown to improve survival rates for lung cancer patients. In a phase III multi-site study, chemotherapy followed by HART resulted in a median survival of 21 months, compared to 12 months with standard radiation therapy.
Researchers genetically inactivated an enzyme, acid sphingomyelinase, to show that damage to endothelial cells is another way radiation kills tumor cells. Tumors without the enzyme were radioresistant, while those with it responded well to low doses of radiation.
Researchers found no difference in life expectancy between single- and multiple-fraction radiotherapy for painful bone metastases. Single-fraction radiotherapy is more cost-effective, with a lower treatment cost of $2,438 compared to $3,311 for multiple-fraction radiotherapy.
The study found that whole-body 18F-FDG PET scanning resulted in a change in treatment plans for 55 patients, avoiding unnecessary irradiation and treatment costs. PET scans also detected previously undiagnosed distant metastases in some cases, sparing patients from futile radiation therapy.
Research suggests that low-grade glioma patients treated with early radiotherapy have impaired cognitive abilities, particularly memory. High doses of radiotherapy (over 2 Gy) exacerbate this effect. The study's findings imply that radiation therapy should be cautiously applied to asymptomatic patients and used in moderation.
Researchers found that combining whole brain radiation with stereotactic radiosurgery improved survival rates by one to two months for patients with single brain metastases. Those with multiple metastases showed some improvement in survival, but not as much, and added medications may further enhance treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a model predicting increased cancer cure rates by 15-70% using genetic radiotherapy, combining radiation and viral infection. The technique makes tumor cells more sensitive to x-rays, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that adding hormone-suppression therapy to radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer significantly improved five-year disease-free survival rates. The study involved 415 patients, with those receiving combined therapy showing a substantial increase in overall survival rates.
The Norwegian Cancer Society's project has made significant strides in improving rectal cancer treatment, resulting in a 30% increase in five-year post-operative survival rates since 1999. The project aims to raise quality at hospitals whose results are still not good enough by improving surgery techniques and patient examination prior...
The study found that while the CT and HPET images could be co-registered within 2mm in centrally located tumor inserts, tumor inserts on the peripheral were only 8-10mm due to distortion and resolution loss of HPET images. This made it difficult for a therapist to refine treatment volume using the co-registered HPET/CT images.
Researchers found that blocking ICAM-1 reduced inflammation and fibrosis in lungs treated with radiation. Mice genetically engineered to lack ICAM-1 showed fewer infiltrating leukocytes and less respiratory distress.
Younger women with Hodgkin's Disease are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer after radiotherapy, particularly if they have a family history or underwent splenectomy. Modern treatment methods aim to lower this increased risk.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomised trials shows a 6% increase in one-year survival for patients receiving chemotherapy with radiotherapy compared to those receiving radiotherapy alone. Patients also experience a two-month improvement in average survival time.
A new radiotherapy technique delivered during surgery shows promising results in preventing breast cancer recurrence and improving cosmetic outcomes. The 'one stop shop' approach may be more effective and accessible than traditional treatment, especially for women in developing countries.
A new treatment regimen combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy significantly improved failure-free survival rates for patients with early-stage Hodgkin's disease. The study also found that staging laparotomy could be avoided, leading to better patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a prognostic model for patients with prostate cancer who have returned after surgery, identifying risk factors that predict treatment success. PET scans also showed promise in assessing lung cancer patients' response to radiation therapy.
Researchers found that prostate cancer patients who underwent seed implantation (brachytherapy) experienced more urinary, sexual, and bowel problems compared to those treated with high-quality conformal external-beam radiation. The procedure's invasive nature may contribute to the higher side effects.
Patients face increased risk of cancer progression due to inadequate staffing and technical support for advanced radiation therapies like IMRT and SRT. These high-tech treatments require specialized personnel and equipment, which can lead to longer waiting times and higher healthcare costs.
A pioneering combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy has shown promising results in treating common cancers, including cervical, testicular, ovarian, bladder, and small cell lung cancer. Survival rates have increased by up to 18% with combined treatment, outperforming traditional radiotherapy alone.
A systematic overview of 22 trials found that preoperative radiotherapy reduces local recurrences by half compared to surgery alone, with a third reduction in postoperative radiotherapy. Fewer patients who received preoperative radiotherapy died from rectal cancer, but early deaths increased.
A systematic review of randomised trials found that women treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy had an increased survival rate of 12% and reduced local and distant disease recurrence by around 40%. However, toxic side-effects were more common.
A new Mayo Clinic study has found that a widely accepted treatment for Graves' ophthalmopathy shows no benefits in improving symptoms. Researchers conducted a double-blind study and discovered no difference between treated and untreated eyes after three or six months, casting doubt on the effectiveness of this long-used treatment.
A laboratory study found that vitamin E concentrations did not interfere with the killing of cancer cells by radiation therapy. However, the study's limitations mean that the impact on real-world treatment outcomes is unclear.
Women with BRCA 1 or 2 mutations may not have to fear radiation therapy due to no increased incidence of side effects. The study suggests similar recurrence rates and survival after five years, with additional treatment keeping cancer in check.
A new radiation treatment technique targets head and neck tumors while sparing salivary glands, enabling patients to function more normally. Patients who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) experienced improved saliva flow and quality of life compared to conventional radiation therapies.
Researchers at UNC have developed a method to identify hypoxic tumor cells that are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. The pimonidazole hypoxia marker allows scientists to focus on key factors associated with tumor aggressiveness and treatment resistance, offering new avenues for understanding cancer therapy.
A new nomogram developed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center predicts outcomes based on disease factors such as stage, PSA level, and radiation dosage. The tool demonstrates improved accuracy in estimating treatment efficacy compared to existing models.
Researchers found radiation therapy to be both safe and effective in preventing cancer recurrence in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. However, women with these genetic mutations were more likely to develop cancer in their unaffected breast.
A major international trial found that giving extra radiotherapy to patients with early breast cancer substantially reduces the risk of cancer recurring in the breast. The study, involving 5,569 patients from nine countries, showed a significant benefit in younger women, particularly those under 40.
Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) enables physicians to deliver targeted radiation doses to tumors, improving treatment outcomes for various cancers. By using advanced imaging techniques and computer algorithms, IMRT minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Researchers found that patients with localized prostate cancer who received higher doses of radiation lived longer and had better local control of their cancer. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, examined data from 1560 patients treated between 1975 and 1995.
Scientists have developed a new way to detect and quantify various types of radiation damage to DNA, including clusters of oxidized bases and abasic sites. The test could help assess radiation risks for astronauts, improve cancer therapy, and distinguish between normal living and low-level radiation-induced damage.
Researchers conducted a Phase II trial of adenoviral p53 gene transfer with radiation therapy, showing 29% of patients achieved local tumor control and 12 of 15 had no active cancer. The study demonstrated considerable promise for combined treatments, comparing favorably to a control rate of less than 20% in patients treated with radia...
Researchers found that concurrent chemotherapy and daily chest radiation can help lung cancer patients live longer, with an average survival of 17 months. In contrast, sequential treatment resulted in an average survival of 14.6 months.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that most household members were exposed to significantly less radiation than the government allows. The study's findings suggest that outpatient care for thyroid cancer patients is safe and poses minimal risk to those around them.
A study published in Urology suggests that patients treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer have a high chance of being disease-free after four years, with minimal risk of recurrence. Patients with favorable prognoses also show a lower risk of treatment failure sooner than those with less favorable prognoses.
TAPET technology, a genetically altered Salmonella bacteria, shows improved antitumor activity when combined with radiation therapy. The NIH/NCI-funded SBIR grant aims to confirm this benefit in animal studies and develop a 'triple play' treatment for solid tumors.
A new study has found that beta radiation treatment can prevent repeat blockages in heart vessels following angioplasty. The treatment was tested on patients who underwent balloon angioplasty for coronary artery disease and showed a significant reduction in recurrent blockage rates.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center are exploring the use of genetic algorithms to treat prostate cancer by improving how radiation is delivered. The formulas have been developed by medical physicist Yan Yu, Ph.D., who heads a task force on the subject for the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai has begun treating patients with a next-generation radiation therapy system that allows physicians to deliver precise, three-dimensional radiation treatments. This technology enables the delivery of full doses of radiation to tumors while protecting surrounding normal tissues.
Researchers have discovered a new drug, pifithrin-alpha, that can protect healthy tissues from radiation damage and reduce side effects. The treatment strategy may allow for higher doses of therapy to be administered, improving cure rates.
Xie George Xu's 3D virtual man, VIP-Man, simulates radiation's effect on the skin, lens of the eye, optic nerve, and bone marrow with high accuracy. The model will enable accurate treatment planning for diseases requiring radiation therapy, revolutionizing radiation dosimetry in biomedical sciences and engineering.
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has become the first medical center to use the GliaSite Radiation Therapy System, a device that delivers high doses of radiation directly into tumor tissue. This innovation aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with malignant brain tumors.
Researchers found that blocking VEGF can significantly increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy against various types of cancer. The combination of anti-VEGF and radiation resulted in greater tumor reduction and slowed re-growth, even with minimal added toxicity.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found that radiation therapy helps patients with localized prostate cancer live longer. After examining the results of 1560 patients who received radiation therapy alone for prostate cancer, they discovered that those with high-risk disease benefited the most from higher doses of radiation.
A USC study suggests that radiation therapy is not necessary for DCIS patients with margin widths of 10mm or more, and may even be counterproductive due to side effects and costs. Patients with narrower margins may benefit from postoperative radiation therapy.
A combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatment significantly increased overall survival in esophageal cancer patients, with 22% surviving at least eight years after treatment. The study found that this combined therapy was associated with longer survival compared to radiation therapy alone.
Researchers found that tumor oxygen levels and blood flow are not predictable, which could hinder radiation therapy and drug delivery. The study's findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight the importance of measuring tumor oxygenation and blood flow in human tumors.
A landmark study involving women with invasive cervical cancer showed that adding chemotherapy to radiation therapy significantly improves survival rates and disease-free survival. The study found that 73% of patients who received both treatments survived for at least five years, compared to 58% of those given only radiation.
Researchers found that brief angiostatin exposure is sufficient to enhance the effects of radiation therapy. The combination of angiostatin and radiation resulted in significantly smaller tumors compared to other treatment groups.