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).

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.
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.

CMS quality initiative will overburden practices ‘still reeling’ from COVID-19, ACR and others warn

Physicians are urging the agency to ease reporting requirements and data collection, according to a letter shared recently.

March 2, 2021

American College of Radiology urges CMS to scale back ‘excessive’ cuts in mandatory payment model

ACR chief executive William Thorwarth Jr., MD, is also "alarmed" at the number of small and rural practices required to participate in the value-based care initiative.

February 3, 2021

Lawmakers delay RO model again as reps. seek to scale back ‘intensity’ of payment cuts

CMS had originally planned to kick off the mandatory bundled-payment effort in July, but will now punt the go-live date to Jan. 1, 2022.

December 23, 2020

Radiology scores relief as Congress addresses pay cuts, RO payment model in year-end spending bill

President Trump on Tuesday night hinted that he may veto the bill if Congress does not make certain adjustments.

December 22, 2020

CMS will delay start of radiation oncology payment model until July

The American Society for Radiation Oncology said it is "pleased" and "thankful" the federal agency listened to the needs of physician practices.

October 22, 2020

CMS delays radiation oncology payment model following fierce opposition from physician community

The American College of Radiology had expressed "alarm" over a Jan. 1 launch date, concerned CMS was rushing the rollout and including too many small practices.

October 22, 2020

CMS’ mandatory Radiation Oncology Model ‘goes too far,’ say provider groups pushing for delay

Chief Seema Verma said the new bundled payment effort will reward results, rather than the number of services delivered.

September 22, 2020

Oncology group releases its first clinical radiation therapy guidelines for cervical cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology recommendations cover indications and best practices for using external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy in the postoperative and definitive settings.

June 10, 2020

Radiation Oncology

Mindfulness audio eases symptoms for prostate cancer patients during radiation therapy

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

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

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

How to create a cardio-oncology program