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.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for metastatic brain tumors reduces risks of learning and memory problems

Cancer patients who receive stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for the treatment of metastatic brain tumors have more than twice the risk of developing learning and memory problems than those treated with SRS alone, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

7 Oct 2009

Aeolus Pharmaceuticals raises $1.65 million from existing institutional shareholders

Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has completed a $1.65 million financing with several existing institutional shareholders, all of which are affiliates of Xmark Opportunity Partners, LLC. Under the terms of the financing, Aeolus received $1.65 million in gross proceeds in exchange for 5,892,857 Units (the “Units”), with each Unit comprised of one share of Aeolus Pharmaceuticals common stock, and a seven year warrant to purchase up to two additional shares of Aeolus Pharmaceuticals common stock at an initial exercise price of $0.28 per share, for a per Unit purchase price of $0.28.

7 Oct 2009

New fruit-flavored protein drinks for nutritionally challenged

The Isopure Company, LLC. announced today the U.S. launch of Isopure Plus - a new line of clear, fruit-flavored protein drinks offering seniors and people with nutritional challenges a great-tasting, easy-to-digest alternative to thick milkshake-like protein formulations.

6 Oct 2009

Elekta Impac Software to demonstrate its integrated oncology EHR, MOSAIQ at EHR Symposium

Elekta Impac Software has been selected to demonstrate at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Electronic Health Records (EHR) Symposium: Harnessing the EHR, From Incentives to Sustainability, October 6-7, in San Francisco, California.

From Elekta 6 Oct 2009

Two-thirds of tonsil tumour samples show evidence of HPV-16 gene: Study

It is estimated that more than 7,000 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year in the UK and approximately 3,500 cases result in death. These cancers include tumours of the mouth, lips, throat and voice-box, and some have been linked to the sexually transmitted infection, HPV-16. Scientists at Liverpool analysed the DNA of more than 90 cancerous tissue samples to look for genes that indicated infection.

6 Oct 2009

Study identifies new genes associated with head and neck cancer

A Henry Ford Hospital study has identified 231 new genes associated with head and neck cancer, one of the most deadly cancers responsible for 2.1 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States.

5 Oct 2009

Few risks to babies born to parents who underwent cancer treatment in childhood: Study

Whether they can have children is one of the major concerns for adult survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer because fertility can be compromised by cancer treatment. For cancer survivors who can have children, two new studies led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center may help alleviate fears that their childhood disease will adversely impact their newborns.

3 Oct 2009

Research study reveals primary chemotherapy benefits

Initial chemotherapy alone after surgery is just as successful as initial radiation therapy for patients from whom a very malignant brain tumor (anaplastic glioma) was removed. With this treatment, the patients survive on average > 30 months without a recurrence. A study conducted by the Neurooncology Working Group of the German Cancer Society led by researchers from Heidelberg and Z-rich showed that patients in primary therapy benefit to the same extent from chemotherapy alone as from radiation alone.

3 Oct 2009

Clinical study results of prostate cancer patients treated with CyberKnife Radiosurgery released

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today publication of results from a study of early stage prostate cancer patients treated with CyberKnife Radiosurgery.

1 Oct 2009

Todd Cancer Institute granted approval for constructing proton therapy center

The Todd Cancer Institute (TCI) at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (LBMMC) and Miller Children’s Hospital (MCH) today announced it has been granted approval to proceed with the architecture and engineering for its proton therapy center, becoming one of only 13 centers in the country currently planning for a compact unit.

1 Oct 2009

St. Mary Medical Center offers Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment to fight cancer

For patients diagnosed with a brain tumor, St. Mary Medical Center is among the first in the region to offer Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) as a breakthrough treatment to fight cancer. Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery is a one-time application of a large-dose radiation precisely targeting a tumor.

1 Oct 2009

Lumenis to discuss different treatment options for laryngeal cancer at 2009 AAO-HNS

Lumenis Ltd., the world's largest medical laser company, announced today they will be focusing their attention at this year's AAO-HNS annual meeting in San Diego, California, on an educational event to discuss different treatment options for laryngeal cancer.

From Lumenis Inc. 30 Sep 2009

SNM calls on Congress to support the CARE Bill

SNM is calling on Congress to support the Consistency, Accuracy, Responsibility and Excellence in Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Act (CARE bill), which would ensure that states set minimum education and credentialing standards for nuclear medicine technologists. The bill (H.R. 3652) was introduced Sept. 28 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.).

30 Sep 2009

Proton therapy center to treat pediatric and adult cancer patients

The development of a proton therapy center in the Pacific Northwest has taken a significant step forward with the signing of a letter of intent between the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and ProCure Treatment Centers Inc. (ProCure). SCCA and ProCure announced the agreement today and are moving the project forward to bring this advanced form of radiation therapy to adult and pediatric cancer patients.

29 Sep 2009

Senators urge the CMS to spare funding cuts for radiation oncology services

Cancer physicians and cancer care advocates applauded a bipartisan letter led by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius yesterday urging that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) spare life-saving radiation oncology services from a major Medicare funding cut proposed for diagnostic imaging services. The 32 Senators signing the letter stated their unanimous concern that these funding cuts could force freestanding and community-based cancer centers to shut down, thereby limiting access to care for seniors - particularly in rural areas.

25 Sep 2009

Scientist reveals that selecting optimal radiation dosage for a patient is possible

An international group of scientists has taken the first step on the road to targeting radiotherapy dosage to individual patients by means of their genetic characteristics, a radiation oncologist told Europe's largest cancer congress, ECCO 15 - ESMO 34, in Berlin today (Thursday September 24). Professor Dirk de Ruysscher, from Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands, said that his team's work might provide the basis for personalised radiotherapy in which, with a simple blood test, doctors may be able to select the optimal radiation dose for a particular patient.

24 Sep 2009

The ThermoDox and MR-HIFU program shows great promise for treating life-threatening cancers

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) and Celsion Corporation (NASDAQ: CLSN) today announced that their joint research program to evaluate ThermoDox® in combination with MR-HIFU (Magnetic Resonance guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) as a combination therapy to non-invasively treat difficult cancers has successfully completed the feasibility stage.

23 Sep 2009

Nukepills replenishes its stock of N95 face masks for flu season

Nukepills.com today announced the replenishment of its stock of N95 Particulate Masks just in time for the upcoming flu season. A deluge of online orders in May of this year, in response to media stories of the Swine Flu Virus (H1N1), depleted the company's large inventory in just a few days.

23 Sep 2009

Moses Cone Health System installs TomoTherapy cancer treatment system

TomoTherapy Incorporated announced today that Moses Cone Health System has installed North Carolina's first TomoTherapy® cancer treatment system at the Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center in Greensboro, N.C.

22 Sep 2009

FDA continues review of BSD Medical's HDE for the BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System

BSD Medical Corporation (NASDAQ: BSDM) (www.bsdmedical.com) reported today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues its review of the Company's Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) marketing submission for the Company’s BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System.

19 Sep 2009

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for metastatic brain tumors reduces risks of learning and memory problems

Aeolus Pharmaceuticals raises $1.65 million from existing institutional shareholders

New fruit-flavored protein drinks for nutritionally challenged

Elekta Impac Software to demonstrate its integrated oncology EHR, MOSAIQ at EHR Symposium

Two-thirds of tonsil tumour samples show evidence of HPV-16 gene: Study

Study identifies new genes associated with head and neck cancer

Few risks to babies born to parents who underwent cancer treatment in childhood: Study

Research study reveals primary chemotherapy benefits

Clinical study results of prostate cancer patients treated with CyberKnife Radiosurgery released

Todd Cancer Institute granted approval for constructing proton therapy center

St. Mary Medical Center offers Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment to fight cancer

Lumenis to discuss different treatment options for laryngeal cancer at 2009 AAO-HNS

SNM calls on Congress to support the CARE Bill

Proton therapy center to treat pediatric and adult cancer patients

Senators urge the CMS to spare funding cuts for radiation oncology services

Scientist reveals that selecting optimal radiation dosage for a patient is possible

The ThermoDox and MR-HIFU program shows great promise for treating life-threatening cancers

Nukepills replenishes its stock of N95 face masks for flu season

Moses Cone Health System installs TomoTherapy cancer treatment system

FDA continues review of BSD Medical's HDE for the BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System

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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