Articles tagged with Radiation Therapy
Researchers found a significant impact on mortality if cancer treatment is delayed, whether it's surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. A four-week delay in treatment was associated with an increased risk of death across all common forms of cancer treatment.
Scientists discovered that radioresistant cancer cells' invasiveness increases following radiotherapy, thanks to upregulated lysosome trafficking. The Arl8b molecule plays a key role in this process, while the BORC complex is required for its interaction with lysosomes.
A new study examined recent data on African American patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and found that while Black patients are now more likely to receive effective treatments, disparities persist. The use of surgery remained a significant disparity across racial groups, despite increasing utilization over time.
The study found that patients with a radio-sensitive genotype have better survival with standard radiation therapy, while those with the resistant genotype fare better with high dose radiotherapy. High dose radiotherapy is associated with shorter survival times among patients with the sensitive genotype.
Researchers at UCI and CHUV/UNIL have developed a new cancer treatment that uses ultra-high dose rate radiation therapy to eliminate brain tumors without causing significant side effects. This breakthrough technique, known as FLASH-RT, has shown promising results in mice and has the potential to be used for a range of cancer types.
A survey of nearly 400 cancer survivors found that 87% experienced sexual side effects, but most were not formally asked by their oncologist. Female patients were particularly unlikely to be discussed with. Researchers recommend using a standard questionnaire to initiate conversations and improve patient experience.
The number of radiation therapy facilities in the US has grown by 17% over 15 years, with a disproportionate increase in urban areas. Despite this growth, 4.5% of the population lives more than 50 miles from a treatment center, highlighting access disparities.
A phase II trial shows similar safety and efficacy with single- and multiple-fraction treatment for patients with limited oligometastases. The study found comparable survival rates, local control rates, and disease-free survival rates between the two treatment groups.
A new Penn study found administering radiation therapy to multiple myeloma patients waiting for CAR T cells to be manufactured was safe and did not interfere with cellular therapy. Patients who received radiation 34 days or fewer before infusion had similar rates of severe side effects as those who did not receive radiation.
A randomized phase III trial found that stereotactic radiosurgery reduces cognitive decline without compromising survival for patients with four or more brain metastases. Patients who received SRS had better preserved cognitive function compared to those who received whole-brain radiation therapy.
A randomized phase II/III trial found that SBRT reduced pain in patients with spinal metastases by 35% after three months, compared to 14% for conventional radiation. Patients treated with SBRT also experienced higher satisfaction rates related to financial considerations.
A randomized phase III trial found that image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) improves long-term toxicity-free survival and reduces gastrointestinal side effects in women with cervical cancer. The study showed a significant reduction in moderate-to-severe gastrointestinal side effects compared to 3D-CRT, with improv...
A new study found that adding advanced PET scans to radiation plans for prostate cancer increases disease-free survival rates. After three years, 75.5% of patients treated with the additional imaging were still cancer-free, compared to 63% in the control group.
A new study from Penn Medicine found that proton therapy reduces the risk of radiation-induced heart diseases in lung cancer patients. Mini-strokes and heart attacks were significantly less common among patients who underwent proton therapy compared to those treated with conventional photon-based radiation therapy.
The new guideline provides options for different treatments to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Recommendations address patient selection, pelvic radiation treatments, integration with chemotherapy and surgery, and follow-up care.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will highlight groundbreaking studies and discussions on cancer treatment advances, COVID-19, and racial representation in radiation therapy clinical trials at its upcoming Annual Meeting.
A major study of women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) found that surgery followed by radiotherapy offers better protection against invasive cancer. However, the benefit of radiotherapy decreases over time, suggesting a need for personalized treatment decisions.
A systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that patients with localized and locally advanced prostate cancer may be spared radiotherapy following surgery. The authors recommend closely following patients after surgery and offering radiotherapy only if the cancer recurs. This approach may spare many men from radiotherapy's associate...
A large randomized trial found that post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) does not significantly improve disease-free survival in completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The study included 501 patients and showed no significant difference in overall survival between the PORT group and the control group.
A clinical trial found that patients with IDH-mutant high-risk LGG, regardless of codeletion status, receive a survival benefit from adding postradiation chemotherapy. The study supports the use of WHO-defined molecular subgroups in predicting response to treatment.
A retrospective analysis found that Black pediatric patients are less likely to receive proton therapy, which may lead to increased side effects and long-term health disparities. The study calls for addressing barriers to access and promoting equitable distribution of this high-cost treatment.
Researchers have discovered new genes that play a crucial role in determining the success of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. These genes, which encode for repair mechanisms used by cancer cells, can be missing or dysfunctional in some patients, making them more likely to respond to radiation therapy.
A single dose of targeted radiotherapy during surgery is comparable to conventional radiotherapy in efficacy for most women with early breast cancer. This reduces the need for extra hospital visits and minimizes side effects. The long-term results show no significant difference in survival or likelihood of cancer recurrence.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that delaying radiation therapy for men with unfavorable intermediate-risk or high-risk localized prostate cancer, who are receiving radiation and hormone therapy, is unlikely to impact survival. This flexibility in radiation timing could help patients minimize exposure to COVID-19 by s...
A study examined the association between radiotherapy timing and overall survival in patients with prostate cancer. The analysis of National Cancer Database data found that delaying radiotherapy relative to androgen deprivation therapy was associated with improved overall survival.
The Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences special issue shares stories about interpersonal skills beyond technical aspects to care for patients during medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. Guest Editor Sue Robins curated this issue as a learning experience for technologists, therapists, and patients alike.
A new study reveals racial disparities in high-cost proton radiotherapy for childhood cancer treatment, with Black and low-income children facing barriers to access. The research highlights the urgent need for equitable healthcare policies to ensure all children receive quality cancer care regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.
A case series evaluates radiotherapy delivery to 209 cancer patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Key findings include improved outcomes and reduced treatment delays.
The study's lead researcher found that using a graphics processing unit (GPU) increased the speed of real-time tumor tracking by five times, improving accuracy over previous methods. This breakthrough could lead to safer and possibly fully automated radiation therapy in the future.
A study found that radiotherapy alters the behavior of immune cells, and reprogramming them with an existing drug can enhance its effects in brain cancer. The researchers demonstrated that combining radiotherapy with daily dosing of a CSF-1R inhibitor extended survival in mouse models of glioblastoma.
A 10-year study found that radiotherapy in five larger doses, rather than daily doses, is equally effective and safe in the long term. This approach benefits patients with low risk of relapse who cannot tolerate daily radiation due to frailty or chronic conditions.
A new project, ITAR, aims to design and develop novel radiotherapy machines for African hospitals, addressing acute shortages of radiotherapy machines. The project will define persistent shortfalls and develop solutions to increase capacity for treating cancer patients in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for cervical cancer. The guidelines address indications and best practices for external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy in postoperative and definitive settings, including the use of chemotherapy and IMRT.
The NRG Oncology trial NSABP B-43 found a statistically non-significant, modest reduction in the rate of recurrence among women that received trastuzumab. The study showed an annual IBTR event rate of 0.80% per year in the RT+T group compared to 0.99% per year in the RT group.
A one-week course of higher-intensity radiation is recommended to treat bowel cancer patients, reducing side effects and risks associated with COVID-19. Surgery can be safely delayed by up to 12 weeks, allowing for reduced hospital appointments and maintaining social distancing rules.
A randomized trial of high-dose targeted radiation versus observation found no significant difference in progression prevention among 54 men with recurrent hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The study suggests that observation may be a viable alternative to radiation therapy for this patient population.
A new phase II trial found a combination of radiation therapy and pembrolizumab to be effective in treating locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly for patients ineligible for cisplatin chemotherapy. The treatment showed encouraging survival outcomes and acceptable toxicity.
The NRG-CC001 trial found that lowering radiotherapy dose to hippocampal stem cells reduces cognitive toxicity and neurologic symptoms in patients with brain metastases. Patients who received whole-brain radiotherapy with hippocampal avoidance reported improved cognitive function, reduced fatigue, and fewer cognitive symptoms.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that changes color with radiation exposure, allowing for painless dose monitoring on the skin. The gel is relatively inexpensive and can be used directly on the skin without complex handling.
Thoracic radiation therapy increases fatigue and difficulty breathing in cancer patients, but engaging in physical activity prior to treatment may help improve these symptoms over time. High levels of physical activity are associated with concurrent improvements in fatigue and shortness of breath.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have developed a non-invasive way to directly monitor oxygen distributions within cancer tumors during radiation therapy. The method uses specialty cameras and an oxygen probe drug injection to image the distribution of oxygen from within the tumor.
New research from UT Southwestern Medical Center shows how AI can generate optimal treatment plans in near real-time, streamlining the process and reducing delays of up to a week. This can decrease the odds of cancer spreading by 12-14%.
A five-year follow-up study of over 2,000 U.S. men with localized prostate cancer found that radiation therapy was associated with significant declines in erectile function, while surgery improved function over time. Prostatectomy also resulted in worse urinary incontinence compared to other treatments.
Researchers propose using prolonged breath-holding to target radiotherapy in patients with cardiac arrhythmias. The technique involves mechanical hyperventilation and is well-tolerated by patients with angina.
A new study found that a disrupted biological clock increases the risk of heart disease in mice treated with radiation therapy, highlighting the potential role of protein Bmal1 in protecting the heart. The research could lead to personalized medicine approaches and optimized timing for radiation therapy to minimize side effects.
A new study suggests that monitoring patients' activity levels prior to chemoradiation therapy for lung cancer can predict treatment outcomes. Inactive patients are more likely to experience hospitalization, treatment delays, and disease recurrence, while active patients have better survival rates.
A team of researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center has collected real-time data to show that light is produced inside the eye during head and neck radiation therapy, elicitng a visual sensation. This evidence supports the idea that Cherenkov light emission from the eye can cause a visual effect.
Researchers found proton therapy significantly lowers the risk of severe side effects such as hospitalization, while maintaining similar cure rates and effectiveness compared to traditional photon radiation. The study suggests proton therapy offers a way to reduce serious side effects without sacrificing treatment efficacy.
A novel assay developed at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown uses zebrafish 'avatars' to test radio-sensitivity in human tumor cells. The assay has shown promising results, with 85% success rate in predicting how tumors will respond to specific drugs.
Researchers found that radiation triggers an immune response that severs connections between nerve cells, leading to damage and cognitive problems. The study suggests two potential approaches to prevent this damage: blocking a receptor responsible for synapse removal or tamping down the brain's immune response.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline for the use of radiation therapy in treating basal and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. The guideline provides recommendations on when to use radiation as stand-alone therapy or following surgery, as well as dosing and fractionation schedules.
A large study found that a single dose of radiotherapy is as effective as five doses in controlling pain and alleviating symptoms for end-of-life cancer patients with spinal canal compression. The study, published in JAMA, showed similar patient outcomes between one-dose and multi-fraction radiotherapy regimens.
A nationwide survey of over 400 US adults with cancer found that nearly all patients felt confident in their treatment decisions but had gaps in knowledge about potential side effects. The study highlights the need for more informed patient counseling and coordination between oncology disciplines to manage treatment-related side effects.
The UK will pioneer the use of FLASH radiotherapy and artificial intelligence in cancer treatment. Cancer Research UK RadNet aims to improve cancer survival by optimising and personalising radiotherapy.
A new study found that only about 6 in 10 lung cancer patients in the US receive recommended treatments, with black patients and those over 80 receiving significantly lower treatment rates. The researchers highlight the importance of communicating benefits of treatment for advanced disease beyond survival.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new radiation therapy method that targets pancreatic cancer cells directly, reducing side effects. The treatment uses a radioactive molecule that binds to specific proteins on stroma cells surrounding tumors, delivering high-energy doses of radiation to cancer tissue.
A study shows that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can relieve self-reported symptoms and side-effects of radiotherapy in cancer patients, including bleeding, urinary incontinence, and pain. The treatment, administered for 30-40 sessions, was found to be highly effective for the majority of patients.
A meta-analysis of 11 studies found that RTKI drugs with radiation therapy did not significantly improve survival rates but increased negative side effects. The study suggests holding RTKI drugs during radiation therapy to minimize side effects without affecting survival.
A new study shows that a reduced diversity of gut bacteria is associated with an increased risk of radiotherapy-induced gut damage. Patients at higher risk can be identified before radiotherapy, potentially benefiting from faecal transplants or altered radiation doses.
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a method to selectively amplify the effect of X-ray radiation on cancer cells. The technique uses specially designed silica nanoparticles loaded with gadolinium, which releases low-energy electrons when hit by precisely tuned X-rays, damaging cancer cell vital components and killing them.