Radiation Therapy News and Research

RSS

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.

Cancer-related fatigue and depression found to limit recreational activities in survivors

Cancer survivors who reported feeling cancer-related fatigue or depression reduced their recreational activities nearly twofold, with females more likely than males to report feeling either cancer-related fatigue or depression, according to a retrospective study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025, held April 25-30.

29 Apr 2025

Predictive model could improve treatment decisions for advanced pancreatic cancer patients

Researchers in Japan have developed a predictive model that could improve treatment decisions for advanced pancreatic cancer patients.

28 Apr 2025

New $224 million proton therapy center coming to Penn Presbyterian

Today, Penn Medicine celebrated the groundbreaking of the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in University City, which is expected to open for patient care in late 2027.

28 Apr 2025

MD Anderson researchers present promising clinical trial results at AACR 2025

Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will present promising results from clinical trials in three minisymposia abstracts at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025.

26 Apr 2025

Prostate cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, study says

Prostate cancer statistics can look scary: 34,250 U.S. deaths in 2024. 1.4 million new cases worldwide in 2022.

24 Apr 2025

Novel technology for in situ irradiation of tumors

Radiation therapy is an established method of cancer treatment. It works by subjecting tumor cells to ionizing radiation, damaging their genetic material and, ideally, eliminating the tumor.

24 Apr 2025

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy brings long-term relief after cancer radiation

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment provides long-term relief for patients suffering from late radiation-induced injuries after treatment of cancer in the lower abdominal area.

23 Apr 2025

Study: Rural cancer patients cross state lines for specialized care

In a federally funded study, researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) found that 7% of Medicare patients cross state borders for cancer care, and rates were nearly double for those who lived in rural areas.

4 Apr 2025

Triple therapy reduces tumor burden and improves survival in glioblastoma models

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget, Volume 16, on March 27, 2025, titled "Imipridones ONC201/ONC206 + RT/TMZ triple (IRT) therapy reduces intracranial tumor burden, prolongs survival in orthotopic IDH-WT GBM mouse model, and suppresses MGMT."

4 Apr 2025

New state-of-the-art cancer treatment center opens in Newport Beach

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC, has opened Keck Medicine of USC – Newport Beach Radiation Oncology and Imaging, a state-of-the-art radiation oncology and imaging center, at 4590 MacArthur Blvd. in Newport Beach.

3 Apr 2025

Study reveals progressive breast shrinkage after breast-conserving therapy

For women with early-stage breast cancer, breast-conserving therapy (BCT) including radiation therapy (RT) leads to progressive reduction in breast size over time, reports a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

27 Mar 2025

Researchers unlock key process for regenerating intestinal cells after injury

Researchers from the University of Colorado Cancer Center have solved a cellular mystery that may lead to better therapies for colorectal and other types of cancer.

25 Mar 2025

New trial aims to make rectal cancer more responsive to radiation

City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. with its National Medical Center named top 5 in the nation for cancer by U.S. News & World Report, has opened a phase 1 trial seeking to one day transform rectal cancer from a mostly radiation-resistant disease to one that can be cured using radiation and chemotherapy.

25 Mar 2025

Breast cancer survivors face accelerated aging tied to tumors and treatment

Accelerated aging in breast cancer survivors is linked to treatments and tumor characteristics, with implications for long-term care and quality of life.

20 Mar 2025

Breast cancer treatments contribute to aging acceleration in survivors

A new research paper was published by Aging (Aging-US) on March 7, 2025, titled "Accelerated aging associated with cancer characteristics and treatments among breast cancer survivors."

18 Mar 2025

Adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy does not improve outcomes for cervical cancer patients

Results from the NRG Oncology GOG-0263 phase III clinical trial testing the addition of cisplatin-based chemotherapy to adjuvant radiotherapy following radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy for patients with early-stage, intermediate-risk cervical carcinoma indicated that the addition of chemotherapy did not improve outcomes for patients and led to increased toxicity for patients.

14 Mar 2025

New technique effectively identifies aggressive medulloblastoma

Canadian researchers have developed an effective new technique for identifying aggressive medulloblastoma-the most common type of malignant brain tumour in children-and potentially sparing young patients from unnecessary treatments and their harmful long-term side effects.

12 Mar 2025

EZH2 inhibition offers hope for fighting treatment-resistant cancers

The critical role of EZH2, an essential epigenetic regulator, in cancer progression and treatment is underscored in this new review article published in Genes & Diseases.

8 Mar 2025

Novel treatment approach shows promise for advanced HPV-negative head and neck cancer

Researchers from the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center demonstrated the potential of a novel treatment approach including immunotherapy to treat advanced human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

7 Mar 2025

New ASTRO guideline offers radiation therapy recommendations for anal cancer

A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal and anal margin.

27 Feb 2025