Articles tagged with Radiation
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) awarded a total of $34,500 to 42 researchers selected for the 2013 Annual Meeting Abstract Awards. The awards recognized outstanding abstracts in seven categories and honored top-rated research in radiation and cancer biology, clinical practice, and radiation physics.
The Mobile Radiation Detection and Identification System (MRDIS) enables scanning of transshipped containers, making it difficult for terrorists to smuggle radioactive materials. Eight MRDIS units have been deployed worldwide, with plans to expand to two international airports next year.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that neural stem cells can resist radiation and regenerate after damage, potentially restoring lost function in brain cancer patients and individuals with conditions like MS and PD. The findings may lead to new treatments for brain trauma and strokes.
A study published in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine found that tumors with low oxygen levels are more responsive to radiation therapy when exposed to oxygen. This approach may lead to personalized therapies and fewer radiation treatments for patients with hypoxic tumors.
The GammaPod uses tens of thousands of beams of radiation to focus on tumors with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Clinical trials are underway to test the device's effectiveness as an alternative to invasive surgery and traditional radiation therapies.
A new biodegradable implant has shown potential to significantly reduce rectal injury in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The BioProtect Balloon Implant increased the space between the prostate and rectum, reducing radiation exposure by an average of 30%.
A phase II clinical trial identified patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer who may not require full radiation doses. Most patients tolerated the treatment with low incidence of high-grade side effects, but larger tumors and heavy smoking history predicted worse outcomes.
A study found that radiation oncology received only 1.6% of the $30.9 billion in NIH-funded grants for cancer research in FY 2013. This disparity highlights an urgent need for increased funding to improve patient survival and treatment outcomes.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that digital chest tomosynthesis (DT) holds promise as a first-line lung cancer screening tool. DT improved sensitivity in detecting lung nodules compared to conventional chest radiography, while providing lower costs and radiation dosages.
A study of young Australians found a small increase in cancer risk after receiving CT scans, particularly at younger ages. The risk increased with the number of scans, but the benefits of early diagnosis and monitoring largely outweigh the risks.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may not be more effective than conformal radiation therapy (CRT) after prostatectomy. The study compared outcomes of 457 IMRT and 557 CRT patients treated between 2002 and 2007, showing no significant difference in long-term side ...
A new tool, the DCIS Score, complements traditional factors to predict IBE risk in women with DCIS treated without radiation. The score helps guide personalized treatment decisions.
A team of researchers has developed a method using black holes to measure the universe's rate of expansion with high accuracy. The method uses radiation emitted by material surrounding black holes, allowing for distance measurements of billions of light years and providing insights into the universe's past.
Researchers found that sparing the contralateral submandibular gland reduced symptoms of dry mouth in patients with head and neck cancers. The study suggests a recommended maximum dose of 40 Gy for the gland, leading to improved patient outcomes.
New research shows that mathematical prediction models, not doctors, are better at predicting the outcomes and responses of lung cancer patients to treatment. The models use information from previous patients to create a statistical formula that can be used to predict patient survival and response to treatment.
The new ASTRO white paper recommends 10 fundamental elements for safe and effective IGRT practices, including establishing a multi-professional team and performing end-to-end testing for new procedures. The paper aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of image-guided radiation therapy in radiation oncology.
Researchers found a 23% total radiation dose reduction in abdominal CT exams using iterative reconstruction and longitudinal dose modulation. This translates to between 1,000 and 3,000 fewer radiation-induced cancers annually, based on Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivor assumptions.
A new algorithm optimizes tube potential for patients undergoing lumbar spine CT exams, resulting in a 41% reduction in radiation dose. The study found that lower kilovoltage images maintained diagnostic quality despite increased image noise.
Cleveland Clinic researchers find that patients with prior chest radiation are nearly twice as likely to die in the years following their heart surgery compared to similar patients who did not undergo radiation treatment. Radiation heart disease can cause coronary artery disease, valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and other cardiac problems.
A new study has created a 'toxicity map' of the brain to help protect cognitive function in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The map relates treatment dose to brain function, shedding light on the impact of radiation on cognitive performance.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital have found that decreasing tube voltage in CT colonography does not negatively impact image quality, allowing for reduced radiation doses. The study, published in Radiology, aims to improve the safety of colon cancer screenings while maintaining diagnostic quality.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new modeling approach, MBIR, which reduces radiation exposure in medical CT scanners by 78% while improving image clarity. This technology also enables the focus of images after capture in consumer electronics.
Researchers used a second-generation 320-detector row CT scanner to significantly reduce radiation exposure in patients undergoing coronary CT angiography. The new system achieved diagnostic-quality scans with low doses of radiation, reducing effective radiation dose by 72% compared to the first-generation unit.
A new analysis found that lumpectomy plus radiation provides better survival rates than mastectomy for early breast cancer, especially among women over 50 with hormone-sensitive tumors. This suggests that breast-conserving treatments are a viable option for many patients.
Researchers have identified a new approach to treating lymphoma by combining a toll-like receptor agonist with radiation, resulting in durable anti-tumor immune responses. Additionally, scientists have developed model-based decision rules to predict the safety of therapy discontinuation for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Researchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that smaller radiation fields can be safely used to treat glioblastoma patients without compromising treatment efficacy. This study suggests that focusing radiation on smaller areas of the brain may help preserve cognition and reduce symptoms associated with radiation toxicity.
A new study highlights the importance of considering immediate health risks when weighing benefits and potential future radiation-induced cancer risks. The researchers found that for patients with testicular cancer undergoing CT surveillance, the near-term risk of death from the condition was more significant than lifetime cancer risk.
A panel of experts recommends more research on the health effects of medical imaging and ways to reduce unnecessary CT tests, as well as industry standardization of CT machines. The experts stress that despite widespread public concern about radiation risks, the biologic effects from medical imaging tests are not entirely understood.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a new real-time tracking technique that can better predict and track tumor motion during radiotherapy, sparing healthy tissue. The technique has shown to deliver higher levels of radiation to moving tumors while reducing dose to critical organs.
Resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins and red wine, has been shown to increase the susceptibility of prostate tumor cells to radiation treatment, leading to higher mortality rates. This discovery offers new hope for developing effective treatments for all types of prostate cancer, including aggressive tumors.
A Phase 1 clinical trial has shown encouraging results for stereotactic radiosurgery in treating localized primary renal cancer, with 94% of patients experiencing decreased or stable disease and limited side effects. The non-invasive treatment technique may represent a potential new option for patients who have limited treatment options.
A new study from Penn researchers shows that implementing a Conditions Reporting System improves perceptions of safety and reduces incidents in multi-site clinical practices. The system, which encourages staff to report errors, has led to positive responses on staff surveys focusing on the culture of safety.
A new study from Henry Ford Hospital found that delaying radiation therapy after hysterectomy can increase the risk of uterine cancer recurrence. Patients who started treatment within nine weeks after surgery had a five-year relapse-free survival rate of 90%, compared to 43% for those treated later.
Researchers found that radiation therapy significantly improved overall and breast cancer-specific survival rates for elderly women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer. The study analyzed data from over 29,000 women and showed that radiation treatment increased median survival by nearly four years compared to surgery alone.
A retrospective study found that patients with multifocal or multicentric breast cancer experienced higher rates of local recurrence compared to those with a single tumor. The researchers also noted that overall survival and distant recurrence rates were similar between the two groups.
Researchers found that only 18.7% of female patients aged 14-21 were tested for pregnancy after visiting the ED. Despite potential reproductive health concerns, such as abdominal pain or radiation exposure, testing rates remained low, affecting vulnerable populations.
A novel drug mimics a naturally occurring molecule found in coffee and blueberries, increasing survival in animal models after radiation exposure. The treatment is non-invasive and can be applied directly to the skin, providing an effective solution for treating radiation exposure.
Mark P. Carol, MD, a distinguished leader in IMRT and IGRT, has been recognized as ASTRO's 2012 Honorary Member for his groundbreaking approach to developing these techniques. He will be honored at the ASTRO 54th Annual Meeting on October 30, 2012.
A preclinical study found that a mTOR inhibitor can protect normal stem cells from radiation-induced damage, preventing debilitating conditions like mucositis. The study suggests a promising approach for preventing and treating cancer patients' quality-of-life issues with radiation therapy.
A study found that using regional PACS networks for inter-hospital image transfer reduces repeat imaging rates, associated costs, and radiation exposure. The results showed a lower repeat rate of 17%, resulting in lower charges and less radiation exposure.
Pediatric cancer patients who underwent total body irradiation (TBI) before age 3 are at risk of developing endocrine, metabolic, and other complications. The study found that 90% showed abnormally low levels of growth hormone and 71% were under height.
A study found that urology-owned radiation oncology practices in Texas increase patients' travel distances by up to three times due to separate treatment centers. This practice model raises concerns about its impact on healthcare costs and patient care.
A new study published in Cancer found that radiation after lumpectomy significantly reduced the risk of needing a mastectomy in older women with early-stage breast cancer. Radiation was shown to be beneficial for patients with high-grade tumors, while those with non-high grade tumors did not derive as much benefit.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has named its 2012 class of Fellows, recognizing their significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology. The new Fellows include renowned experts in research, patient care, education, and leadership.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has partnered with the Surviving And Moving Forward: The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer to promote cancer survivorship. Through the Survivor Circle exhibit, ASTRO is providing financial assistance and resources to young adult survivors.
A study suggests that electronic medical records (EMRs) significantly improve physician compliance with reviewing portal images, leading to more accurate radiation treatment and higher quality care. By leveraging EMRs, hospitals can reduce errors and optimize patient care.
A new study supports CT colonography as a screening tool for colon cancer in Medicare-aged patients, detecting 9.3% of abnormal growths of cells. The procedure also identified extracolonic findings in 2.9% of patients and may increase screening compliance rates by 15% if covered.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has selected J. Robert Cassady, George T.Y. Chen, and Mark W. Dewhirst as the Society's 2012 Gold Medal recipients for their groundbreaking research, clinical care, teaching, and service in radiation oncology.
Lt. Col. Dore Gilbert, a California-based dermatologist, received the Members Making a Difference award for his service in the U.S. Army Reserve providing skin cancer screenings and supporting patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
A study found that women treated with chest radiation for childhood cancer have a high risk of developing breast cancer comparable to those with BRCA1/2 mutations. The study analyzed data from over 1,200 female survivors and found a 24% breast cancer incidence by age 50.
A new study shows that digital breast tomosynthesis reduces recall rates for routine mammography, particularly for asymmetries and calcifications. The technology allows for a more detailed examination of the breast tissue, resulting in lower recall rates and reduced anxiety for patients.
A new study shows cone beam CT is better than multidetector CT for visualizing superior semicircular canal dehiscence and normal temporal bone anatomy, with improved image quality at half the radiation dose. The study found a significant reduction in false positives and improvements in pathology detection.
A recent analysis of 23,359 patients found that young CT scan recipients are more likely to die from their underlying disease than develop radiation-induced cancer. The study revealed a significantly lower risk of cancer induced by CT scans compared to the risk of dying from the disease.
The study found that dedicated pediatric imaging departments significantly reduce radiation doses in pediatric CT scans, with compliance rates improving and patient doses decreasing. The use of specialized technologists and protocols tailored to child size and organ system scanned contribute to these benefits.
A special issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists examines the debate over low-dose radiation risk, focusing on areas of agreement and disagreement. The issue includes essays from top experts in their fields, exploring topics such as the linear non-threshold theory (LNT) and its implications for policy.
Researchers at Westchester Medical Center overhauled their processes to tackle challenges of interpreting outside studies. This resulted in a significant reduction in unnecessary repeat studies by approximately 85%, leading to lower radiation doses for patients.
Researchers have developed a new radiation therapy method, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), that shortens treatment time for gynecologic cancers from 5 weeks to just 3 days. This highly specific procedure targets well-defined tumors with focused radiation beams, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
A new study published in Physics in Medicine & Biology found that obese patients receive up to 62% more radiation during CT scans than normal-weight patients. This increase is due to excess fat tissue, which can reduce the quality of medical images unless adjusted accordingly.
The University of Colorado Department of Radiology has developed a smartcard to communicate effective doses and radiation risks of common adult radiologic exams to referring physicians and patients. The Adult Dose-Risk Smartcard simplifies facts on radiation dose and risk for informed decision-making about medical imaging procedures.
An international research team found elevated levels of radioactive substances in the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the complex nature of the marine environment. While levels of radioactivity in marine life were below concern for humans and organisms, long-term impacts on the ecosystem remain unclear.