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.

Jefferson professor named 'Physician of the Year' by CancerCare

Edith P. Mitchell, M.D., clinical professor, Department of Medical Oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and associate director of Diversity Programs for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, was recently named 'Physician of the Year' by CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. Dr. Mitchell is being honored for her work in gastrointestinal malignancies.

4 Nov 2010

New antibody with SGN-35 drug produces remission in Hodgkin lymphoma

An antibody loaded with an anti-cancer agent produced complete or partial remissions in 38 percent of patients with relapsed or therapy-resistant Hodgkin lymphoma enrolled in a phase I clinical trial, investigators report in the Nov. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

4 Nov 2010

Medicare reimbursement cuts lead to decline in unnecessary or inappropriate care

When Medicare policy changes led to reductions in reimbursement for hormonal treatment of prostate cancer, there was a sharp decline in its use among patients not likely to benefit from the treatment. But among patients for whom the therapy is clearly beneficial, doctors continued to prescribe it at the same rate, according to a new study.

4 Nov 2010

EUSA announces publication of PROSTASCINT imaging for prostate cancer in official journal of American Society

EUSA Pharma, a transatlantic specialty pharmaceutical company focused on oncology, oncology supportive care and critical care, announced today the publication of 10-year outcome data showing that PROSTASCINT (capromab pendetide) fusion imaging is an effective tool for targeting and guiding the dosing of prostate cancer radiotherapy.

3 Nov 2010

Radiation oncologist says radiation quality assurance practices need to be standardized

In 2009, after The New York Times reported a series of mistakes in radiation therapy delivery, a team of radiation oncologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson decided to investigate how thoroughly different hospitals use "chart rounds" to review the radiotherapy cancer patients receive.

3 Nov 2010

LVI in breast tissue predicts recurrence of breast cancer in regional lymph nodes

Breast cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers in women, afflicts an additional 200,000 women each year and causes about 40,000 deaths annually. The disease often extends to neighboring lymph nodes, in part, through lymphovascular invasion (LVI)-a process in which cancer cells invade blood vessels or the lymphatic system-and can often translate into a poor prognosis for patients.

3 Nov 2010

Study finds risk of toxicity in Phase I radiation oncology clinical trials

Risks to patients enrolled in Phase I radiation oncology clinical trials are higher than previously appreciated, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. The findings will be presented at the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in San Diego.

3 Nov 2010

Celsion receives $244,000 grant under QTDP program

Celsion Corporation today announced that the company has been awarded a $244,000 grant under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program under The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA).

3 Nov 2010

Image Guided IMRT preserves sexual function in men after prostatectomy

Men battling prostate cancer who receive Image Guided Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy after undergoing prostatectomy have an excellent chance of retaining sexual function, according to a study by Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) cancer specialists presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology in San Diego.

3 Nov 2010

Patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV have better chances of survival

When the human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in cancer tumours of the tonsil and base of the tongue, patients are more likely to survive following treatment.

3 Nov 2010

Elekta presents solutions for ultimate precision in cancer care at ASTRO Meeting

Elekta presented solutions for ultimate precision in cancer care at an Investor Meeting in conjunction with the 52nd annual American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Meeting, in San Diego. Elekta also discussed the market drivers in established and emerging markets, and explained its strategy for sustainable profitable growth.

From Elekta 2 Nov 2010

African Americans more likely to have uterine cancer recurrence

African Americans are more likely to have a recurrence of uterine cancer despite undergoing a total hysterectomy or a hysterectomy followed by radiation therapy, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

2 Nov 2010

Elekta awarded delivery of three Leksell Gamma Knife systems to Chinese hospitals

In winning a tender to deliver three Leksell Gamma Knifeâ models to hospitals in China, Elekta will help more cancer patients receive the therapy they need. The agreement also helps Elekta increase its leading market position in China.

From Elekta 2 Nov 2010

$Hypofractionated IMRT therapy does not increase side effects in prostate cancer patients$

Hypofractionated IMRT therapy does not increase side effects in prostate cancer patients

When treating prostate cancer with radiation therapy, side effects such as urinary problems and rectal pain and bleeding are a concern, as is impact on the patient's overall quality of life. So when new, more efficient treatment methods are developed, one important question is whether better treatment comes at the cost of increased side effects and decreased quality of life.

2 Nov 2010

IMRT safe and effective treatment for paranasal tumors: Study

Treating paranasal sinus cancer with three-dimensional radiation that conforms to the shape of the tumor-a technique that minimizes side effects such as severe dry mouth and vision problems-is safe and effective, research at Fox Chase Cancer Center shows. Aruna Turaka, M.D., radiation oncologist at Fox Chase, will present the results on November 2nd at the annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

1 Nov 2010

Calypso Medical to showcase FDA cleared Dynamic Edge Gating Technology at 52nd ASTRO

Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc., a developer of real-time localization technology used for the precise tracking of tumor targets, today announced it will showcase Dynamic Edge™ Gating Technology, recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), now underway at the San Diego Convention Center.

1 Nov 2010

BSD MTX-180 MicroThermX Microwave Ablation System receives CE Mark approval

BSD Medical Corporation, the company that pioneered heat therapy applications, today reported that the Company has received CE Mark approval for the commercial sale of The MicroThermX Microwave Ablation System (MTX-180) in Europe. CE marking approval allows BSD to market the MTX-180 in the 30 countries that comprise the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

1 Nov 2010

CyberKnife radiosurgery studies for breast cancer treatment to be presented at ASTRO Meeting

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today studies underway at two leading academic institutions using CyberKnife radiosurgery in breast cancer treatment. These two studies, from the University of Texas Southwestern and Fox Chase Cancer Center, will be presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego from October 31 to November 4.

1 Nov 2010

Philips launches HFO Oncology Configuration for radiation therapy

Royal Philips Electronics today introduced the Philips Panorama High Field Open (HFO) Oncology Configuration for radiation therapy, a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging solution for dedicated oncology use, at this year's American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego, CA.

From Philips Healthcare 1 Nov 2010

Xstrahl launches new control system for X-ray therapy

Xstrahl, a designer and manufacturer of a world-renowned range of superficial and orthovoltage radiotherapy systems that have been essential in supporting healthcare professionals and their patients in over 500 clinics for the past 15 years, today announces the launch of Imperium, a new control system for its X-ray therapy system, at this year's ASTRO conference in San Diego, 31 October - 4 November.

From Xstrahl 1 Nov 2010

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

Jefferson professor named 'Physician of the Year' by CancerCare

New antibody with SGN-35 drug produces remission in Hodgkin lymphoma

Medicare reimbursement cuts lead to decline in unnecessary or inappropriate care

EUSA announces publication of PROSTASCINT imaging for prostate cancer in official journal of American Society

Radiation oncologist says radiation quality assurance practices need to be standardized

LVI in breast tissue predicts recurrence of breast cancer in regional lymph nodes

Study finds risk of toxicity in Phase I radiation oncology clinical trials

Celsion receives $244,000 grant under QTDP program

Image Guided IMRT preserves sexual function in men after prostatectomy

Patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV have better chances of survival

Elekta presents solutions for ultimate precision in cancer care at ASTRO Meeting

African Americans more likely to have uterine cancer recurrence

Elekta awarded delivery of three Leksell Gamma Knife systems to Chinese hospitals

Hypofractionated IMRT therapy does not increase side effects in prostate cancer patients

IMRT safe and effective treatment for paranasal tumors: Study

Calypso Medical to showcase FDA cleared Dynamic Edge Gating Technology at 52nd ASTRO

BSD MTX-180 MicroThermX Microwave Ablation System receives CE Mark approval

CyberKnife radiosurgery studies for breast cancer treatment to be presented at ASTRO Meeting

Philips launches HFO Oncology Configuration for radiation therapy

Xstrahl launches new control system for X-ray therapy

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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