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.

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.

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.

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.

ASTRO receives VA contract to develop cancer therapy quality measures

“This pioneering effort leverages evidence-based guidelines and the consensus of medical experts in a new and powerful way to optimize care for military veterans,” said Theodore L. DeWeese, MD, chair of ASTRO's board.

Cancer bell being rung by VA patient Anthony Thomas at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. Read more https://news.va.gov/90427/cancer-patients-final-treatment-ends-victory-bell/

Experts say it may be time to stop ringing the ‘cancer bell’

This common gesture is meant to signal joy at the end of treatment, but it's producing the opposite effect for some oncology patients, according to a recent survey.

ASTRO releases new radiation therapy guidelines to treat skin cancers

More than 5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. each year, and an overwhelming majority are categorized as either basal or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

ACR collaborates with ASTRO on updated radiation therapy guidelines

The American College of Radiology has teamed up with the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) on updated radiation therapy parameters for clinicians.

ACR, ASTRO update radiation therapy practice parameters

In total, the groups released seven updated practice parameters that describe recommended procedures and considerations to safely administer radiation depending on practice area.

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