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.

Statins improve outcomes in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with definitive radiation therapy

Men with high-risk prostate cancer who take statin drugs commonly used to lower cholesterol while receiving radiation therapy are less likely to have their cancer return than patients who do not take these medications, according to a study published in the March issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics, an official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

24 Mar 2011

John Muir Health provides new cancer treatment using Varian's RapidArc radiation therapy

John Muir Health is offering a new cancer treatment option using the latest technology from Varian Medical Systems - The Trilogy Linear Accelerator with RapidArc Technology. The new accelerator, located at John Muir Medical Center, Concord, significantly shortens treatment sessions from 15-20 minutes to 2-5 minutes, while improving the precision of the radiotherapy.

24 Mar 2011

NephRx receives new U.S. patent for NX002 to treat oral mucositis

NephRx Corporation today announced issuance of a new U.S. patent for its novel peptide NX002, which currently is in preclinical development for the treatment of oral mucositis.

23 Mar 2011

MnSOD oral drug can protect against lung cancer radiation therapy

Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer can safely take an experimental oral drug intended to protect healthy tissue from the effects of radiation, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and published in this month's issue of Human Gene Therapy.

23 Mar 2011

SCCA, ProCure to open new proton therapy center for cancer treatment

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, together with ProCure Treatment Centers Inc., today held its ceremonial groundbreaking on a new proton therapy center in north Seattle that will provide a first-of-its-kind treatment option for cancer patients throughout the Northwest.

23 Mar 2011

Differences between therapeutic radiation therapy and exposure to excessive nuclear plant fallout radiation

"The Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (http://www.caro-acro.ca) is the voice for specialists in Canada who treat patients' cancer with radiation. In that capacity," explains Dr. Matthew Parliament, president of CARO-ACRO, "we work with proven, controlled, targeted application of various forms of radiation therapy to treat and cure cancer."

21 Mar 2011

Are newer prostate cancer treatments — now gaining popularity — worth the extra cost?

Newer technologies for treating prostate cancer have surged in popularity in the last decade — and they have come with a hefty price tag, according to a report published this week.

19 Mar 2011

Cancer Care Partners first in U.S. to use new, advanced cancer treatment

On March 7, 2010, Cancer Care Partners became the first cancer center in the United States to use the new TomotherapyHD, a comprehensive, image guided radiation therapy system that enables Cancer Care Partners to more efficiently treat complex tumors with improved precision.

18 Mar 2011

CPF applauds new guidelines for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) applauds the joint statement issued by the American Thoracic Society for the first evidence-based clinical guidelines for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The guidelines represent progress in understanding of the disease and a milestone for patients. The devastating and deadly disease also called simply "Pulmonary Fibrosis" or "PF" has no FDA approved treatment and no cure.

18 Mar 2011

Nukepills.com donates 50,000 potassium iodide tablets to Tokushukai Hospital in Tokyo

Approximately 50,000 potassium iodide tablets have been donated by Nukepills.com to Tokushukai Hospital in Tokyo, Japan for immediate distribution to those affected by Japan's nuclear reactor crisis.

16 Mar 2011

BRAF gene defect leads to pilocytic astrocytoma in children

Pilocytic astrocytoma, the most common brain tumor in children, is usually slow-growing and benign. However, surgeons often cannot completely remove the diffusely growing tumor.

16 Mar 2011

Newer, more expensive treatments for prostate cancer adopted rapidly

With 180,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, it is one of the most common types of cancer in the country. For this reason, it has been cited as a good marker for health care spending in general, reflective of the greater trends across the United States.

15 Mar 2011

Research highlights benefit of shortened radiation course for patients with DCIS

Findings by a researcher at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey highlighting the benefit of a shortened radiation course for patients with the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer are part of a feature article in the journal Cancer due out tomorrow.

15 Mar 2011

Cancer Research UK introduces new centre in Oxford

A new centre launched today will cement Oxford's place at the forefront of cancer research, and form one of the final links in a unique chain of Cancer Research UK Centres across the country.

15 Mar 2011

Transcept initiates enrollment in TO-2061 Phase 2 study for treatment resistant obsessive compulsive disorder

Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the first patient has been enrolled in a Phase 2 clinical study to evaluate TO-2061 as an adjunctive treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in patients who have responded inadequately to currently approved treatments. OCD affects 1 to 2 percent of the United States adult population and can significantly impair the lives of patients and their families.

14 Mar 2011

U-M's CoreValve trial to offer less invasive approach for patients with aortic stenosis

The University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, a leader in heart valve replacement, will participate in a national clinical trial to offer patients a less invasive approach to replacing diseased aortic valves.

14 Mar 2011

Women with DCIS have excellent overall prognosis despite treatment

Women with ductal carcinoma in situ-DCIS-who later develop invasive breast cancer in the same breast are at higher risk of dying from breast cancer than those who do not develop invasive disease, according to a study published online March 11 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

14 Mar 2011

IHS opens new GE Discovery ST PET/CT system at Laurel imaging facility

Imaging Healthcare Specialists (IHS) is proud to announce the opening of a new GE Discovery ST PET/CT system at its Laurel imaging facility in Hillcrest. With the opening of this new scanner, IHS now offers state-of-art PET/CT imaging at two locations, in Hillcrest and in Encinitas.

11 Mar 2011

U-M participates in national trial for alternative approach to open heart surgery for severe aortic stenosis

10 Mar 2011

Alliance fourth quarter revenue decreases to $117.7 million

Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc., a leading national provider of outpatient diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy services, announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

9 Mar 2011

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

Statins improve outcomes in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with definitive radiation therapy

John Muir Health provides new cancer treatment using Varian's RapidArc radiation therapy

NephRx receives new U.S. patent for NX002 to treat oral mucositis

MnSOD oral drug can protect against lung cancer radiation therapy

SCCA, ProCure to open new proton therapy center for cancer treatment

Differences between therapeutic radiation therapy and exposure to excessive nuclear plant fallout radiation

Are newer prostate cancer treatments — now gaining popularity — worth the extra cost?

Cancer Care Partners first in U.S. to use new, advanced cancer treatment

CPF applauds new guidelines for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Nukepills.com donates 50,000 potassium iodide tablets to Tokushukai Hospital in Tokyo

BRAF gene defect leads to pilocytic astrocytoma in children

Newer, more expensive treatments for prostate cancer adopted rapidly

Research highlights benefit of shortened radiation course for patients with DCIS

Cancer Research UK introduces new centre in Oxford

Transcept initiates enrollment in TO-2061 Phase 2 study for treatment resistant obsessive compulsive disorder

U-M's CoreValve trial to offer less invasive approach for patients with aortic stenosis

Women with DCIS have excellent overall prognosis despite treatment

IHS opens new GE Discovery ST PET/CT system at Laurel imaging facility

U-M participates in national trial for alternative approach to open heart surgery for severe aortic stenosis

Alliance fourth quarter revenue decreases to $117.7 million

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