Articles tagged with Radiation
A new technique using laser angiography illuminated blood flow during laryngectomy surgery, identifying patients at highest risk of wound healing issues. This approach may enable surgeons to adjust during surgery or recovery to improve outcomes, with potential interventions including wider tissue removal and extended hospital stays.
A new study found that black men with low-risk prostate cancer are 16% less likely to adopt active surveillance than non-black men, despite similar rates of overall active surveillance. The disparity is attributed to socioeconomic and insurance barriers that deter black patients from accessing follow-up care.
A clinical trial at the University of Cincinnati is investigating the use of targeted proton radiation in early-stage breast cancer. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cosmetic outcomes of this treatment, as well as its side effects and cancer recurrence rates.
Researchers have developed a system to accurately deliver precise doses of radiation to cancer tissues while minimizing exposure to healthy ones. The new system uses specialized polymer gel to visualize the spatial location and dose of treatment in real-time.
A new study presents evidence that pencil beam scanning proton therapy offers the best hope of preserving cognitive functions in children with brain tumors. The treatment delivers low doses of radiation to critical areas of the brain, including the temporal lobes and hippocampus.
Radiation oncologists provide guidance on preparing for and responding to natural disasters, including creating emergency operations plans, providing patients with access to treatment plans via flash drives, and identifying alternative sources of power. The tips aim to minimize treatment delays during a disaster.
The new technology provides a 360-degree, three-dimensional view of surgical tools and surrounding tissue for more precise needle placement. This allows for improved dose pattern distribution to the tumour and surrounding tissue, reducing complication rates.
A new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology reviews historical rationale for patient shielding and concludes that its benefits outweigh its risks. The practice, which has been in place since 1976, poses little benefit while increasing radiation exposure and decreasing image quality.
A recent commentary suggests that treatment guidelines recommended by medical specialist organizations are more likely to lead to overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and increased healthcare costs. The authors argue that specialty bias and fee-for-service compensation models contribute to this issue.
Researchers used Raman spectroscopy to map biomolecular changes in radiation-resistant and radiation-sensitive human lung tumors and head and neck tumors. They found statistically significant differences in lipid and collagen content that could potentially identify treatment-resistant tumors early.
A new tungsten-based alloy developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory has shown outstanding radiation resistance, retaining mechanical properties after exposure to high levels of radiation. The material's unique composition and structure have been found to be key factors in its exceptional performance.
A Children's Oncology Group study shows that postoperative radiation improves outcomes for children with ependymoma, achieving seven-year progression-free survival for over 75% of patients and overall survival for 85%. The findings provide evidence that radiation can improve outcomes despite age and tumor subtype.
A researcher at the University of Cincinnati is using a $1.4 million VA grant to study radiation resistance in head and neck cancer. The goal is to target molecular pathways to make radiation therapy more effective, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes for patients.
A genetic mutation in glioma tumors makes them resistant to radiation treatment, but a new study suggests that currently available drugs can restore sensitivity. This breakthrough could lead to extended survival and improved treatment options for patients with low-grade gliomas.
The use of active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer nearly tripled between 2010 and 2015, with 42.1% of men adopting this strategy. This increase is associated with a favorable prognosis and reduced toxicity from treatment.
Researchers are developing tools to help identify analogies using AI and crowd workers. This approach aims to scale up the process of finding helpful insights that can lead to scientific breakthroughs. The potential benefits include more efficient discovery and a greater number of profound advances.
Women physician researchers make 7-8% less per year than men, leading to tens of thousands of dollars less in lifetime wealth. Researchers used new models to calculate the impact of salary disparities on accumulated wealth.
A study of over 2 million CT scans found that radiation doses vary greatly due to how scanners are used by medical staff, not patient or machine differences. Setting consistent dose standards could minimize unnecessary radiation risks.
A team of University of Arizona researchers discovered a protein called WIF-1 that might increase survival in glioblastoma patients. Long-term survivors rely on genes that suppress the Wnt signaling pathway, which fuels tumor growth. The study aims to create a drug targeting this pathway for more precise treatment.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford are developing accelerator-based technology to reduce the side effects of cancer radiation therapy by vastly shrinking its duration. The goal is to blast cancer cells quickly, reducing the chance that radiation will hit and damage healthy tissue around tumors, making radiation therapy more precise.
The EXPLORER scanner captures a 3-D picture of the whole human body at once, producing images in as little as one second. It can track specially tagged drugs and has countless applications in diagnostics, disease progression, and new drug therapies.
The HiLo trial found no significant difference in recurrence rates between patients given a low radiation dose compared to the standard higher dose. This means patients with low-risk thyroid cancer can benefit from fewer side effects, long-term complications, and more convenient treatment options.
Long-term data show that whole breast radiation therapy significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence in low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients, even without additional treatment. Radiation also reduces overall cancer return by more than 70 percent.
A new analysis of genetic data and clinical trial results suggests that African-American men may have comparatively higher cure rates when treated with radiation therapy. The study found that tumors from African-American men were more likely to have indicators of increased sensitivity to radiation, leading to improved outcomes.
A phase III trial has established the radiation/cisplatin combination as the standard of care for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancers, resulting in higher overall and progression-free survival rates compared to cetuximab/radiation. The treatment also showed a lower rate of serious side effects, particularly with cisplatin.
A large, long-term study found SBRT to be safe and effective for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The treatment delivered substantially larger doses of radiation per session, reducing the duration of treatment without increasing the risk of severe side effects.
Researchers found a link between higher levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and lower disease-free survival rates after radiotherapy. Elevated CRP levels, a marker of inflammation, were not associated with DFS.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that cancer patients can safely use topical skin treatments during radiation therapy without increasing the radiation dose to their skin. The study challenged common advice given to patients and debunked the myth that these treatments increase radiation damage.
Researchers found that stereotactic radiation therapy doubles progression-free survival and increases overall survival by a median of 13 months in patients with limited metastatic cancer. The treatment also improved survival rates, but with increased side effects.
At ASTRO's Annual Meeting, leading researchers will present their groundbreaking findings on clinical trials and radiation oncology research. The meeting features three news briefings highlighting advances in breast, lung, genitourinary, oral, and oligometastatic cancers.
Scientists are exploring a new propulsion idea that could eliminate fuel costs and make interplanetary travel easier. Dr. Mike McCulloch's quantised inertia theory predicts that objects can be pushed by differences in Unruh radiation in space.
Researchers have found that disrupting the non-canonical NF-κB pathway improves the effects of radiotherapy by enhancing the immune system's ability to interact with radiation. This new approach may lead to novel combination strategies for improving cancer treatment.
A Baylor University study finds that children with certain types of brain tumors who undergo radiation treatment are more likely to forget recent memories than pre-treatment ones. The study suggests that radiation impacts the development of new cells in the hippocampus, leading to deficits in forming new memories.
A phase 1 clinical trial at the University of Colorado Cancer Center has shown promising results, with 72% 2-year survival in heavy smokers. The combination of olaparib, cetuximab, and radiation was found to be synthetically lethal for cancer cells, leading to enhanced cell death.
A small clinical benefit was observed in reduced risk of dying from breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with radiation plus lumpectomy. The absolute risk reduction was 0.27 percent, indicating that 370 women would need to be treated to save one life.
Researchers from the University of Houston have reported a new understanding of deep earthquakes, finding they are hosted in anisotropic rocks. This discovery explains why deep earthquakes radiate seismic energy differently than shallow ones, offering insights into the causes of these events.
A study found that CT scans may increase brain tumor risk in children, with dose-response relationships observed between radiation exposure and tumor incidence. The researchers caution that careful justification and optimization of pediatric CT scans are essential to minimize risks.
A new study found that an experimental drug called AZ32 selectively sensitizes brain tumors to radiation, extending the survival of mouse models with human glioblastoma multiforme. The combination therapy forced GBM cells to undergo mitotic catastrophe, leading to cell death.
Researchers found that d-limonene, a compound in citrus oils, protected cells producing saliva in mice exposed to radiation therapy. The study shows promising results for alleviating dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients.
Researchers discovered a new strategy against anaplastic thyroid cancer using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which showed better results than conventional radiotherapy. The study was made possible by a patient's donation of $10,000 to fund research.
Research by Ingo Titze and Anil Palaparthi found that animals' high radiation efficiency is due to wide mouths, high frequencies, and body acoustical reflecting chambers. Humans lack these traits, limiting our ability to make long-range calls like animals do. The study aims to improve human call efficiency for emergency situations.
A new AI method developed by MD Anderson researchers uses deep neural networks to automate the contouring of high-risk clinical target volumes in head and neck cancers. The model achieves comparable results to trained oncologists, offering a potential solution to reduce inter-physician variability and improve treatment efficiency.
Scientists from GFZ and universities reconstructed past changes in Earth's magnetic field using paleomagnetic data. They found that the South Atlantic Anomaly is unlikely to be a precursor of a pole reversal, as it was followed by increased field strength and disappearance of similar anomalies in the past.
A novel technique called radiation segmentectomy (RS) uses yttrium-90 to destroy tumors while sparing surrounding tissue. The procedure has shown positive response in 71% of patients and improved survival outcomes, with a median overall survival of 6.7 years.
A new device has been developed to reduce radiation exposure in nanoscale-level imaging of living cells, allowing for more accurate and undamaged images. This innovation enables the study of biological, chemical, and materials science samples in their near-native environments.
The European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and ESTRO join forces to launch E2-RADIatE, a pan-European infrastructure for efficient collaboration in radiation oncology. The initiative aims to generate robust data on cancer treatment and develop new therapeutic strategies.
New research from two large international trials confirms that intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy is safe and does not increase the risk of ureteral stricture in cervical cancer patients. The treatment is associated with better survival rates and fewer adverse side effects compared to other radiation therapies.
A recent study found that stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can improve overall survival and reduce cognitive side-effects in patients with brain metastases from small-cell lung cancer. The study compared outcomes of 5,752 patients who received whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) to those of 200 patients who received SRS.
A recent study found that medical students receive little formal instruction in radiation oncology, a crucial aspect of cancer treatment. The study highlights the need for radiation oncologists to take ownership over educating medical students about their specialty's value in patient care. Despite this gap, some departments reported en...
Carnegie Mellon's RadPiper robots will identify uranium deposits on pipe walls at the U.S. Department of Energy's former uranium enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio, saving tens of millions of dollars in completing characterization. The robot's use reduces hazards to workers and increases labor savings by an eight-to-one ratio.
A new study published in JAMA Oncology found that higher doses of radiation therapy did not improve survival rates for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. However, the study did show lower rates of recurrence and tumor growth in the group receiving the higher dose, which could lead to better quality of life.
The new guideline recommends hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (WBI) for most breast cancer patients, regardless of age or tumor stage. This accelerated treatment offers a more convenient and lower-cost option without compromising cancer control or side effects.
A low-calorie diet has been shown to enhance intestinal regeneration after injury in mice, with reserve stem cells playing a key role. The study found that calorie restriction expanded reserve stem cells five-fold and improved their ability to regenerate tissue, implicating them as critical players in this process.
Researchers are testing new palliative radiation techniques to spare esophageal effects and improve swallowing function in lung cancer patients. The PROACTIVE trial aims to reduce negative symptoms like heartburn and difficulty swallowing.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found low post-treatment mortality rates for both surgery and targeted radiation in early-stage lung cancer patients. Patients over 80 years old showed significantly higher mortality rates with surgery compared to targeted radiation.
A large percentage of US small-cell lung cancer patients do not receive standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments, leading to lower overall survival. Patients with federal insurance are more likely to receive chemotherapy but less likely to receive radiation therapy.
Researchers have discovered that radiosurgery can be an effective treatment option for patients with four or more brain lesions, even when the number of deposits exceeds the traditional three-lesion threshold. The study found no significant difference in survival rates between patients treated with radiosurgery for 4-10 metastases and ...
Researchers at WashU Medicine used noninvasive radiation therapy to treat five patients with ventricular tachycardia, a life-threatening heart rhythm. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in arrhythmia events, with some patients experiencing no episodes over the course of a year.
Researchers developed a diamond-based detector that can measure the number of protons in a dose of radiation with almost perfect accuracy. The device allows for precise control of radiation doses for cancer treatment and research, enabling scientists to study cell responses to different doses of radiation.
A new study by U.S. and Chinese scientists found that coal ash from high-uranium deposits in China contains radiation levels 43 times higher than UN safety standards. The use of such ash in residential building materials is not suitable due to potential human health risks.