Radiation Therapy News and Research

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Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy, x-ray therapy, or irradiation) is the use of a certain type of energy (called ionizing radiation) to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the “target tissue”) by damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow and divide. Although radiation damages both cancer cells and normal cells, most normal cells can recover from the effects of radiation and function properly. The goal of radiation therapy is to damage as many cancer cells as possible, while limiting harm to nearby healthy tissue.

Mirada Medical, BioClinica partner to extend oncology clinical trials

BioClinica, Inc., a global provider of clinical trial management solutions, today announced a partnership with Mirada Medical, a leading provider of medical image analysis software. BioClinica will integrate Mirada's XD3 software solution into its imaging core lab technology to further enhance its PET capabilities and expertise for molecular imaging trials.

From Clario 31 Mar 2012

Radiation therapy increases complications of implant-based breast reconstruction

Breast cancer patients whose treatment includes radiation therapy are at higher risk of complications after implant-based breast reconstruction, reports a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

30 Mar 2012

Latest updates in clinical practice decision-making in cancer care presented at NCCN 17th conference

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) held the NCCN 17th Annual Conference: Clinical Practice Guidelines & Quality Cancer Care, March 14 - 18 at The Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, Florida. The latest updates in clinical practice decision-making in cancer care were presented, including, but not limited to, the new NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Lung Cancer Screening and updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Melanoma and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas.

29 Mar 2012

Elekta receives EU CE marking for Connexion modular couchtop

Elekta's Connexion modular couchtop is CE marked and successfully released for sale in the European Union. Connexion meets the clinic's need to tailor patient set-up to accommodate the unique therapy requirements of the individual patient.

From Elekta 29 Mar 2012

IMRT associated with reduced toxicities when compared with standard whole breast irradiation

Breast cancer patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) instead of standard whole breast irradiation (WBI) have a lower incidence of acute or chronic toxicities, according to a study in Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), the official clinical practice journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

29 Mar 2012

Olaparib improves survival rates in platinum-sensitive relapsed serous ovarian cancer

Today at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 43rd Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer®, Dr. Jonathan Ledermann, Director of Cancer Services and Professor of Medical Oncology at University College London, presented new data updating the overall survival of women enrolled in a "Phase II randomized placebo-controlled study of olaparib (AZD2281) maintenance in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed serous ovarian cancer."

28 Mar 2012

TJUH's Department of Radiation Oncology unveils new brachytherapy suite

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Department of Radiation Oncology has unveiled the region's only image-guided brachytherapy suite, where patients can have radiation imaging, planning and treatment in a single location without being moved.

27 Mar 2012

RUMC to offer new stereotactic radiosurgery treatment program

Rush University Medical Center will begin offering in late March a new stereotactic radiosurgery treatment program with the latest radiation therapy technology available.

27 Mar 2012

Novel interventional radiology procedure zaps around complicated pancreatic tumors

Results of a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 37th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco, Calif., signal a light at the end of the tunnel for individuals with inoperable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). A new procedure called irreversible electroporation or IRE uses microsecond electrical pulses to force open and destroy tumor cells around a vast and delicate network of blood vessels of the pancreas.

27 Mar 2012

Accuray releases PlanTouch integrated software application in radiation oncology

Accuray Incorporated, the premier radiation oncology company, announced today the release of PlanTouch, the first commercially available, fully integrated software application in radiation oncology that allows physicians to remotely review and approve patients' radiation treatment plans on the iPad.

26 Mar 2012

Percutaneous cryoablation freezes and destroys breast cancer tumors

Individuals fighting metastatic breast cancer, where the disease has progressed to other areas of the body, may finally have another weapon in their arsenal: percutaneous cryoablation.

26 Mar 2012

Genetic marker identifies tumors unable to repair DNA damage by platinum agents

Scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and their colleagues have found a genetic marker that predicts which aggressive "triple negative" breast cancers and certain ovarian cancers will likely respond to platinum-based chemotherapies.

23 Mar 2012

Fat-enclosed nanoparticles can directly irradiate brain tumor

For the past 40 years, radiation has been the most effective method for treating deadly brain tumors called glioblastomas. But, although the targeting technology has been refined, beams of radiation still must pass through healthy brain tissue to reach the tumor, and patients can only tolerate small amounts before developing serious side effects.

21 Mar 2012

RaySearch receives PMH contract for new adaptive radiation therapy solution

RaySearch Laboratories AB has been awarded a contract for a new adaptive radiation therapy solution at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in Toronto, Canada. This means that RaySearch will deliver its treatment planning system RayStation to PMH where it will be used as the primary treatment planning tool for adaptive radiation therapy.

20 Mar 2012

Viewpoints: The argument for the health law; No one wins contraception battle

It's said that you can judge a man by the quality of his enemies. If the same principle applies to legislation, the Affordable Care Act - which was signed into law two years ago, but for the most part has yet to take effect - sits in a place of high honor.

20 Mar 2012

BSD-500 Hyperthermia System installed at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

BSD Medical Corporation announced today the purchase, installation and acceptance of a BSD-500 Hyperthermia System (BSD-500) by Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (Fort Belvoir).

19 Mar 2012

Prostate Center of Academic Urology receives accreditation from ACR, ASTRO

The Prostate Center of Academic Urology has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and The American Society for Radiation Oncology.

19 Mar 2012

Gamma Knife surgery stops growth of 'World's tallest living human'

Sultan Kosen won't be posting new world records for height anymore, but that's just fine with him. The Gamma Knife radiosurgery the 29-year-old Turkish man had in August 2010 has successfully stopped his growth at the height of 8 ft 3 in (251 cm). Mr. Kosen, who suffered the effects of acromegaly, has held the title of "World's Tallest Living Human" since September 2009, when his 8 ft plus stature edged 7 ft 9 in Xiu Xung from China.

From Elekta 17 Mar 2012

Clinicians to discuss best approaches for future cancer treatment at Brainlab's radiotherapy meeting

Today clinicians from around the world will gather at the 4th Brainlab European Radiotherapy User Meeting to share their best practice and experiences in treating difficult-to-treat cancers using advanced radiotherapy.

17 Mar 2012

Harrington HealthCare introduces Strengthening Our Future campaign

Harrington HealthCare System today formally launched a fundraising campaign to rebuild the Emergency Department at its Webster campus, Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard. The $8.8 million Strengthening Our Future campaign will enable Harrington HealthCare at Hubbard to continue to deliver the highest quality care to its patients.

17 Mar 2012