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.

Results from HSPPC-96 Phase 2 study against recurrent gliobastoma presented at ASCO 2011

In data presented at The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, cancer researchers found that the brain tumor vaccine HSPPC-96 for treating recurrent gliobastoma (GBM) has a favorable safety profile and extends survival by two to three times more than the current median survival rate.

4 Jun 2011

Survival rates of wealthier patients with glioblastoma are longer than poorer patients

Survival rates of wealthier patients and those younger than 70 with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor, have improved since 2000, whereas rates for those living in poorer areas and older than 70 have remained stagnant, according to an abstract being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital researchers on Saturday, June 4.

4 Jun 2011

SBRT is effective for patients with low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer: Researchers

In a multicenter clinical trial, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that higher doses of stereotactic radiation therapy requiring fewer treatments are safe and effective for patients with low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

4 Jun 2011

CARE in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill introduced in House of Representatives

Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that will set federal minimum education and certification standards in the Medicare program for the technical personnel providing, planning and delivering all medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments.

4 Jun 2011

Delayed treatment could prove effective in certain medical conditions

In today's fast-paced world, waiting — whether it's at the doctor's office, in line at the grocery store or for an Internet connection — is rarely considered a good thing.

3 Jun 2011

Many women over 70 with stage I breast cancer opt for radiation therapy: ASCO

Patterns of radiation usage in breast conserving therapy for women 70 years and older with stage I breast cancer are changing: more women are opting for radioactive implants and those with estrogen positive tumors are opting out of radiation therapy, according to an abstract being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital researchers on Saturday, June 4.

3 Jun 2011

Stereotactic body radiation therapy effective for patients with low-risk prostate cancer

3 Jun 2011

Scientists identify protein sorting mechanism used by salivary gland

University of Louisville researchers are one step closer to helping millions of people whose salivary glands no longer work because of disease or damage from treatment of diseases.

3 Jun 2011

PCF funds 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research

The Prostate Cancer Foundation today announced that it has funded 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research. These two-year awards are designed to support innovative research ideas that have the potential to achieve breakthroughs for improved prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

2 Jun 2011

IMRT cuts GI side effects from prostate cancer in half vs. 3D-CRT

Intensity modulated radiation therapy, a newer, more precise form of radiation therapy, causes fewer gastrointestinal side effects when combined with hormone therapy than using three-dimensional radiation therapy, according to a study published in the June issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology·Biology·Physics, the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

1 Jun 2011

New genetic test can predict clinical outcomes in glioblastoma patients

New research proves that a change in a particular gene can identify which patients with a specific kind of brain cancer will respond better to treatment. Testing for the gene can distinguish patients with a more- or less-aggressive form of glioblastoma, the most common and an often-fatal type of primary brain cancer, and help guide therapy, the researchers say.

1 Jun 2011

ASTRO to honor two radiation oncologists with 2011 Gold Medal award

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has selected K. Kian Ang, MD, PhD, FASTRO, and Bernard Cummings, MB, ChB, FASTRO, as the Society's 2011 Gold Medal recipients.

26 May 2011

Positive preliminary results from Genomic Health's Oncotype DX study in DCIS breast cancer

Genomic Health, Inc. today announced positive preliminary results from a study of Oncotype DX in patients with DCIS by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, a clinical trials cooperative group supported by the National Cancer Institute.

25 May 2011

Morris Hospital installs Toshiba's Ultimax X-ray system to streamline diagnosis, improve patient throughput

Advancements in diagnostic imaging technology are enabling healthcare facilities to achieve multifunctional capabilities using a single modality. To streamline diagnosis and improve patient throughput, Morris Hospital has installed the Ultimax X-ray system from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

23 May 2011

Prowess files patent infringement lawsuit against RaySearch in Baltimore court

As previously announced, RaySearch Laboratories AB has been contacted by a US company named Prowess, which claims that RaySearch has infringed on a US patent in respect of which Prowess has a license.

23 May 2011

DFG to fund 60 million euros for 18 new Research Training Groups

With the aim of further strengthening early-career research in Germany, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) is to establish 18 new Research Training Groups.

21 May 2011

North Shore-LIJ implements new program to ensure safe radiation therapy

Radiation oncologists took a blow in a series of front-page newspaper stories published last year on injuries that occurred nationwide in the delivery of radiation treatment. Radiation oncologists at North Shore-LIJ Health System responded to the public charge with a series of steps that will ensure that patients are protected at all points in the treatment process.

20 May 2011

RTOG reports on largest trial for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

RTOG reports on the largest trial to-date for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma demonstrating the importance and feasibility of prospective molecular analysis of tumor tissue although finding that patients received no additional benefit from dose-intensive temozolomide as compared to standard adjuvant temozolomide after combined temozolomide and radiotherapy.

20 May 2011

Yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue for women with breast cancer

For women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy, yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

19 May 2011

Calypso System can precisely deliver radiation in post-prostatectomy patients

Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc., developer of GPS for the Body® technology used for the precise tracking of cancerous tumors during radiation therapy, is exhibiting at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting (booth 4337) and will discuss recent clinical findings suggesting that the Calypso® System can be used to more precisely deliver radiation in post-prostatectomy patients.

16 May 2011

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

Results from HSPPC-96 Phase 2 study against recurrent gliobastoma presented at ASCO 2011

Survival rates of wealthier patients with glioblastoma are longer than poorer patients

SBRT is effective for patients with low-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer: Researchers

CARE in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy bill introduced in House of Representatives

Delayed treatment could prove effective in certain medical conditions

Many women over 70 with stage I breast cancer opt for radiation therapy: ASCO

Stereotactic body radiation therapy effective for patients with low-risk prostate cancer

Scientists identify protein sorting mechanism used by salivary gland

PCF funds 14 new Creativity Awards for advanced prostate cancer research

IMRT cuts GI side effects from prostate cancer in half vs. 3D-CRT

New genetic test can predict clinical outcomes in glioblastoma patients

ASTRO to honor two radiation oncologists with 2011 Gold Medal award

Positive preliminary results from Genomic Health's Oncotype DX study in DCIS breast cancer

Morris Hospital installs Toshiba's Ultimax X-ray system to streamline diagnosis, improve patient throughput

Prowess files patent infringement lawsuit against RaySearch in Baltimore court

DFG to fund 60 million euros for 18 new Research Training Groups

North Shore-LIJ implements new program to ensure safe radiation therapy

RTOG reports on largest trial for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

Yoga offers unique benefits beyond fighting fatigue for women with breast cancer

Calypso System can precisely deliver radiation in post-prostatectomy patients

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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