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.

RTOG 9003: Hyperfractionated RT improves overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer

Patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX) experienced improved local-regional control and, with patients censored at five years, improved overall survival with no increase in late toxicity, according to a study published in the May 1, 2014 edition of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology ● Biology ● Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

2 May 2014

ASTRO’s guideline details use of adjuvant radiation therapy in treatment of endometrial cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued a new guideline, "The Role of Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Endometrial Cancer: An ASTRO Evidence-Based Guideline," that details the use of adjuvant radiation therapy in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

25 Apr 2014

Symposium focused on Surefire Medical's COSY clinical trial to be held at ECIO meeting

Surefire Medical, Inc. announced that a symposium focused on the Coiling vs. Surefire Infusion System in Y90 (COSY) clinical trial will be held during the European Conference on Interventional Oncology (ECIO) meeting taking place in Berlin, Germany April 23-26. T

23 Apr 2014

Researchers recommend early colorectal cancer screening guidelines for cervical cancer survivors

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston are the first to recommend that young women treated with radiation for cervical cancer should begin colorectal cancer screening earlier than traditionally recommended.

17 Apr 2014

Adjuvant radiotherapy after prostatectomy ‘risks urinary incontinence’

Men who receive adjuvant radiation therapy following radical prostatectomy face a significantly increased risk of urinary incontinence in the following years, study findings indicate.

14 Apr 2014

Research shows blocking DNA repair improves radiation therapy for glioblastomas

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have demonstrated in both cancer cell lines and in mice that blocking critical DNA repair mechanisms could improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy for highly fatal brain tumors called glioblastomas.

9 Apr 2014

Herpes simplex viral therapy in conjunction with radiation proves effective in treating malignant gliomas

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham report a genetically engineered herpes simplex viral therapy is safe when used in conjunction with radiation in the treatment of malignant gliomas, one of the most deadly forms of brain cancer.

9 Apr 2014

6 months of hormonal treatment in addition to radiotherapy improves outcome for prostate cancer

Vienna, Austria: Men with prostate cancer that is small and confined to the prostate gland but that is at risk of growing and spreading, do better if they are treated with radiotherapy combined with androgen deprivation therapy, which lowers their levels of the male hormone, testosterone, according to new research.

7 Apr 2014

Researchers use ultrasound to destroy cancerous tissue in brain

Researchers in Zurich, Switzerland have successfully used focused ultrasound for the first time to non-invasively ablate part of a recurrent glioma tumor through a patient's intact skull.

7 Apr 2014

Helium ion radiotherapy provides hope for improved, accurate radiation treatment for young cancer patients

For the first time, researchers have been able to demonstrate that the use of helium ions in radiation therapy could provide accurate treatment to tumours while helping to spare healthy organs.

7 Apr 2014

Alteration in tumor suppressor gene TP53 plays key role early in development of bone cancer

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project found mutations in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 in 90 percent of osteosarcomas, suggesting the alteration plays a key role early in development of the bone cancer.

4 Apr 2014

Study looks at ability of nontoxic molecules to store harmful alpha emitting radioisotopes

Researchers have discovered that microscopic "bubbles" developed at Kansas State University are safe and effective storage lockers for harmful isotopes that emit ionizing radiation for treating tumors.

3 Apr 2014

RPCI receives FDA approval to enroll patients in phase II clinical trial using I-PDT approach

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to enroll patients in a phase II clinical trial that will use a unique and highly precise method of delivering interstitial photodynamic therapy (I-PDT) to recurrent tumors of the head and neck.

2 Apr 2014

Brainlab, Mobius Imaging announce CE Mark approval for Airo Mobile Intraoperative CT

Brainlab, a global leader in medical technology and Mobius Imaging, developer of advanced imaging technologies, announced today CE Mark approval for Airo Mobile Intraoperative CT. The CE Mark allows Brainlab to begin installation of the systems sold in the European Union.

1 Apr 2014

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

RTOG 9003: Hyperfractionated RT improves overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer

ASTRO’s guideline details use of adjuvant radiation therapy in treatment of endometrial cancer

Symposium focused on Surefire Medical's COSY clinical trial to be held at ECIO meeting

Researchers recommend early colorectal cancer screening guidelines for cervical cancer survivors

Adjuvant radiotherapy after prostatectomy ‘risks urinary incontinence’

Research shows blocking DNA repair improves radiation therapy for glioblastomas

Herpes simplex viral therapy in conjunction with radiation proves effective in treating malignant gliomas

6 months of hormonal treatment in addition to radiotherapy improves outcome for prostate cancer

Researchers use ultrasound to destroy cancerous tissue in brain

Helium ion radiotherapy provides hope for improved, accurate radiation treatment for young cancer patients

Alteration in tumor suppressor gene TP53 plays key role early in development of bone cancer

Study looks at ability of nontoxic molecules to store harmful alpha emitting radioisotopes

RPCI receives FDA approval to enroll patients in phase II clinical trial using I-PDT approach

Brainlab, Mobius Imaging announce CE Mark approval for Airo Mobile Intraoperative CT

Research findings offer insight into helping cancer patients assess treatment risk

Scientists identify two markers that predict patient's resistance to radiation therapy for cancer

AMS' revenues decrease 4.6% to $3,937,000 in fourth quarter 2013

Oral cancer drug improves outcomes in women with resistant gynecologic cancers

Radiation therapy fights cancer in more ways than one

High-volume medical centers improve gynecologic cancer survival

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

Latest News