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).

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.
MRI guidance significantly reduces radiotherapy side effects compared to CT
A recent comparison of the two modalities’ utility for guiding radiation therapy for prostate cancer shows numerous benefits for MRI over CT.
Novel imaging technique could be used to tailor glioblastoma treatment
It allows providers to quantify changes in tumor size throughout patients’ treatment in real-time, providing early indications of efficacy and enabling adjustments as needed.
Post-mastectomy radiation therapy can be safely shortened prior to breast reconstruction
New research suggests that treatment regimens can be nearly halved without increasing the risk of recurrence or complications further down the road.
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.

ASTRO shares updated reference guide for safety during radiation therapy treatment

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has updated its reference guide for patient safety and high-quality care during radiation therapy treatment.

March 14, 2019

ASTRO concerned about mandatory participation in forthcoming radiation oncology APM

Over the coming weeks, CMS will unveil a mandatory Medicare payment model for radiation oncology, Alex Azar, Health and Human Services secretary, said in a recent speech. The announcement drew a mixed reaction from the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

November 12, 2018

ASTRO 2018: Higher-dose treatments benefit men with low-, intermediate-risk prostate cancer

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is both safe and effective for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, according to research presented Oct. 22 at the 2018 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

October 24, 2018

ASTRO 2018: Women receiving weekly breast radiation therapy, daily treatments display similar side effects

Women with early-stage breast cancer who receive large doses of radiation once a week for five weeks will experience the same long-term side effects as women who undergo conventional radiation therapy, according to a ten-year study presented Oct. 21 at the 2018 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

October 23, 2018

ASTRO 2018: SBRT an effective option for low-, intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, according to research presented Oct. 22 at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

October 23, 2018

ASTRO 2018: High-dose radiation therapy safe for kidney cancer patients with a single kidney

Using high-dose, high-precision radiation therapy to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCR) is safe for patients with one kidney, according to findings presented Oct. 22 at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

October 23, 2018

ASTRO 2018: African-Americans with prostate cancer respond better to radiation therapy than Caucasian men

Contrary to recent data suggesting African-Americans face a higher mortality risk from prostate cancer than Caucasian men, a new study presented at the 2018 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting suggests African-American men may have higher cure rates when treated with radiation therapy than Caucasian men.

October 22, 2018

ASTRO 2018: Radiation therapy outcomes better for black prostate cancer patients than white patients

Black men with prostate cancer may have “comparatively higher” cure rates than white men when treated with radiation therapy, according to study results presented Oct. 22 at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

October 22, 2018

Radiation Oncology

Orano Med breaks ground on $265M thorium production site

MRI guidance significantly reduces radiotherapy side effects compared to CT

Novel imaging technique could be used to tailor glioblastoma treatment

Post-mastectomy radiation therapy can be safely shortened prior to breast reconstruction

More and more radiation therapy jobs going unfilled