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.

Tecnologie Avanzate, Naviscan sign deal to distribute PET scanner in Italy

Naviscan, Inc., the leader in 3D Molecular Breast Imaging, has entered into a distribution agreement with Tecnologie Avanzate s.r.l. to market and service Naviscan's high-resolution organ-specific PET scanner in Italy.

3 May 2011

Combining CT with FDG-PET improves treatment options for head, neck cancer patients

Combining computerized tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography images results in significantly more defined tumor outlines and potentially different treatment options in head and neck cancer patients compared to using CT alone, according to research presented today, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta.

30 Apr 2011

Reimbursement policy influences choice of IMRT for treating breast cancer

What Medicare would pay for and where a radiation oncologist practiced were two factors that strongly influenced the choice of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for treating breast cancer, according to an article published April 29 online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The use of IMRT and the cost of radiation therapy increased sharply over the period of the study.

29 Apr 2011

Annual mammogram sufficient follow-up after BCT for breast cancer patients

An annual mammogram is sufficient follow-up after breast conserving therapy (BCT) for breast cancer patients, according to a study presented today, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

29 Apr 2011

Proton radiography imaging helps lower radiation dosage to pediatric cancer patients

Proton radiography imaging used prior to and during proton treatments for pediatric cancer patients provides for more accurate treatment delivery and a lower dose of radiation compared to standard diagnostic X-rays and cone beam CT, according to a study presented today at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. The symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

29 Apr 2011

Pelvic MRI scan identifies local recurrence of prostate cancer at low PSA levels

A pelvic MRI scan with IV contrast and rectal balloon is highly effective in identifying local recurrence even at low PSA values in prostate cancer patients with a rising or persistently elevated PSA after prostatectomy, according to a study presented April 29, 2011, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. The symposium is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

29 Apr 2011

Injecting tissue spacers reduces risk of radiation burns to rectum in prostate cancer patients

Injecting a tissue spacer in the prostate-rectal inter-space is an effective way to reduce the rectal dose for prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy, according to research presented April 30, 2011, at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. This symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

29 Apr 2011

Biodesix announces patient enrollment for VeriStrat CASTLE study in lung cancer

Biodesix announces the enrollment of initial subjects into CASTLE, the inaugural study of the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute.

29 Apr 2011

Northstar Healthcare acquires ownership interests in Texas based radiation therapy cancer treatment centers

Northstar Healthcare Inc. today announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire certain ownership interests in four physician owned radiation therapy cancer treatment centers from Dr. Chris Phan, a radiation oncologist. Dr. Phan is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Expert Oncology Network Solutions, LLC (EONS). EONS has been instrumental in developing and consulting with cancer centers across Texas.

28 Apr 2011

ASTRO develops new thoracic radiotherapy guideline

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has developed a guideline for the use of external beam radiation therapy, endobronchial brachytherapy and concurrent chemotherapy to palliate thoracic symptoms caused by advanced lung cancer. The guideline will be published in Practical Radiation Oncology, an official journal of ASTRO.

28 Apr 2011

New genetic discovery in Pulmonary Fibrosis

A new discovery in a deadly lung disease may change the direction of research while uncovering increased risk for many patients and families. The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation applaud the efforts of scientists that led to the discovery of a genetic variation associated with the MUC5B gene which may increase the risk of developing Pulmonary Fibrosis.

25 Apr 2011

Saint Vincent Hospital to build new cancer center in downtown Worcester

Saint Vincent Hospital today announced it has signed a purchase and sale agreement with the CitySquare II Development Co. LLC , to build a medical office building that will house a new comprehensive cancer center in Worcester's CitySquare development. The new center, which represents a $21 million capital investment by Saint Vincent Hospital, is expected to open in January 2013.

22 Apr 2011

Acupuncture offers long-lasting relief for patients after prostate cancer treatment

Acupuncture provides long-lasting relief to hot flashes, heart palpitations and anxiety due to side effects of the hormone given to counteract testosterone, the hormone that induces prostate cancer, according to a study published in the April issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics, an official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

22 Apr 2011

MRG: Radioembolization is expected to grow from $50M in sales in 2011 to $128M in 2015

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, embolization particles will show the most significant growth, both in procedure volume and in revenue, among all devices in the transcatheter embolization and occlusion (TEO) market. Radioembolization is expected to grow from $50 million in sales in 2011 to $128 million in 2015, while drug-eluting beads will grow from $11 million to $28 million over the same period.

21 Apr 2011

Lovelace Medical Center upgrades to Gamma Knife Perfexion system

AMERICAN SHARED HOSPITAL SERVICES, a leading provider of turnkey technology solutions for advanced radiosurgical and radiation therapy services, announced today that it has entered into a contract to supply a Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ system to Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

21 Apr 2011

Genetic variation associated with MUC5B gene may increase risk of developing Pulmonary Fibrosis

A new discovery in a deadly lung disease may change the direction of research while uncovering increased risk for many patients and families. The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) applaud the efforts of scientists that led to the discovery of a genetic variation associated with the MUC5B gene which may increase the risk of developing Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF).

21 Apr 2011

Nutlin-3a molecules stimulate signal to induce cell death and senescence in brain cancer

Researchers of Apoptosis and Cancer Group of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) have found that a small molecule, Nutlin-3a, an antagonist of MDM2 protein, stimulates the signalling pathway of another protein, p53.

21 Apr 2011

BSD Medical sells hyperthermia systems to a U.S. Government medical facility

BSD Medical Corporation (NASDAQ:BSDM) (the "Company" or "BSD") announced today that a U.S. Government medical facility has purchased a BSD-500 Hyperthermia System (BSD-500).

21 Apr 2011

U.S. DOD awards $4.5M to NYU Langone Medical Center for novel breast cancer research

NYU Langone Medical Center announced today the U.S. Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program of the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs has awarded Silvia Formenti, MD, the Sandra and Edward Meyer Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology a $4.5 million Multi-Team Award to conduct novel breast cancer research.

21 Apr 2011

Cancer Centers of North Carolina buys WROS from Wake Radiology

Cancer Centers of North Carolina (CCNC), an affiliate of the United Network of US Oncology and the first practice to offer community-based outpatient cancer care in the Triangle with locations in Raleigh, North Raleigh, Cary, Dunn and Clayton, has purchased Wake Radiology Oncology Services (WROS) from Wake Radiology, the oldest and largest multi-site radiology group in central North Carolina.

21 Apr 2011

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

Tecnologie Avanzate, Naviscan sign deal to distribute PET scanner in Italy

Combining CT with FDG-PET improves treatment options for head, neck cancer patients

Reimbursement policy influences choice of IMRT for treating breast cancer

Annual mammogram sufficient follow-up after BCT for breast cancer patients

Proton radiography imaging helps lower radiation dosage to pediatric cancer patients

Pelvic MRI scan identifies local recurrence of prostate cancer at low PSA levels

Injecting tissue spacers reduces risk of radiation burns to rectum in prostate cancer patients

Biodesix announces patient enrollment for VeriStrat CASTLE study in lung cancer

Northstar Healthcare acquires ownership interests in Texas based radiation therapy cancer treatment centers

ASTRO develops new thoracic radiotherapy guideline

New genetic discovery in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Saint Vincent Hospital to build new cancer center in downtown Worcester

Acupuncture offers long-lasting relief for patients after prostate cancer treatment

MRG: Radioembolization is expected to grow from $50M in sales in 2011 to $128M in 2015

Lovelace Medical Center upgrades to Gamma Knife Perfexion system

Genetic variation associated with MUC5B gene may increase risk of developing Pulmonary Fibrosis

Nutlin-3a molecules stimulate signal to induce cell death and senescence in brain cancer

BSD Medical sells hyperthermia systems to a U.S. Government medical facility

U.S. DOD awards $4.5M to NYU Langone Medical Center for novel breast cancer research

Cancer Centers of North Carolina buys WROS from Wake Radiology

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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