Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells' DNA and destroy their ability to divide and grow. It is delivered using linear accelerators, proton accelerators, metered cobalt-60 exposure, or brachytherapy where radioactive seeds are placed inside the patient on a temporary or permanent basis to kill cancer or relieve pain. The main radiation oncology society and annual conference is the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

Imaging may be misleading when determining the success of cancer treatment
A new analysis calls into question the use of imaging alone to determine the efficacy of ablative radiation therapy.
Prostate cancer radiotherapy timeline can be safely shortened
Isodose moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy allows patients to undergo just 4-5 weeks of treatment, compared to conventional therapy that can take around 8.
Simple CT metric predicts treatment-induced kidney impairment in prostate cancer patients
Though effective, Lu-177 radioligland therapy is not without side effects, some of which can be severe.
Tiny 'water bears' may hold key to reducing radiation-induced side effects
These animals are virtually indestructible and have long outlived the dinosaurs due to their ability to withstand extreme cold, heat, natural disasters and even cosmic radiation.
Orano Med breaks ground on $265M thorium production site
The new 7,000-square-meter plant is located in France and will begin production of thorium-228, necessary for the development of isotopes used in cancer treatments.

More and more radiation therapy jobs going unfilled

As part of efforts to address staffing shortages, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists is holding a virtual career fair focused on radiation therapy jobs on Sept. 26.

New BAT lead garment better protects healthcare workers from radiation exposure.

Doc develops lead garment that drastically reduces radiation exposure to vulnerable areas

The vest offers extended coverage of the breast, axilla and thyroid. It is said to reduce exposure of these areas by nearly 98%.

Researchers score $2M to examine side effects of radiation therapy in prostate cancer patients

The grant will fund a team at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center working to identify genetic biomarkers capable of predicting RT side effects.

Mindfulness audio eases symptoms for prostate cancer patients during radiation therapy

Experts signaled optimism for how their findings could benefit men who might be reluctant to seek support while battling cancer.

AI able to assess invasiveness of lung lesions to aid in surgery

In a study, the most accurate model combined deep-learning with a radionomics approach.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Radiation treatment for breast cancer linked to high risk of developing subsequent skin cancer

The danger of developing the disease on or around the breast after radiation is 57% higher than the general population.

Surveillance imaging of post-treatment cancer patients may cause more problems than it solves

After completing primary radiation therapy, patients in remission from cancers of the head and neck are better served by expectant management than routine imaging.

How to create a cardio-oncology program

Juan Carlos Plana Gomez, MD, discussed how cardiology and oncology programs can work together to provide high-quality patient care.

Radiation Oncology

Imaging may be misleading when determining the success of cancer treatment

Prostate cancer radiotherapy timeline can be safely shortened

Simple CT metric predicts treatment-induced kidney impairment in prostate cancer patients

Tiny 'water bears' may hold key to reducing radiation-induced side effects

Orano Med breaks ground on $265M thorium production site