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.

Qigong reduces depressive symptoms and improves QOL in women with breast cancer

Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found qigong, an ancient mind-body practice, reduces depressive symptoms and improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer.

28 Jan 2013

VRAM flap success for dorsal vaginal and perineal reconstruction

Reconstruction of the dorsal vagina or perineum using the vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap following extensive surgery and intraoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer results in favorable surgical and quality of life outcomes, research shows.

25 Jan 2013

Tailored treatments and PSA screenings required to improve health outcomes in Ghana

Infectious diseases in Ghana tend to capture the most attention, but a quiet crisis may soon take over as the country's most threatening epidemic: cancer.

25 Jan 2013

RaySearch Laboratories receives order for RayStation treatment planning from Spain

RaySearch Laboratories AB has received an order for its RayStation® treatment planning from Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón in Castellón, Spain.

25 Jan 2013

Tumor separation surgery followed by SRS is safe and effective in controlling spinal metastases

Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) have found that tumor "separation surgery" followed by high-dose hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or high-dose single-fraction SRS is safe and effective in controlling spinal metastases regardless of the radiosensitivity of the particular tumor type that has invaded the spine.

23 Jan 2013

New guidelines to help fast track radiation oncology drug development

Researchers from the translational research program of the National Cancer Institute and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Therapy Group have developed new guidelines to help fast track the clinical development of targeted cancer drugs in combination with radiation therapy.

11 Jan 2013

Surgical methods outperform radiation therapy in prostate cancer

A surgical method for treating localized prostate cancer may be a better option for patients than radiation therapy, show findings from a cost-effectiveness analysis.

9 Jan 2013

Combination of pazopanib and paclitaxel shows promise in slowing anaplastic thyroid cancer

A combination of the drugs pazopanib and paclitaxel shows promise in slowing anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), according to a Mayo Clinic-led study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

9 Jan 2013

FDA approves use of iCAD's PowerLook AMP with Philips MicroDose Digital Mammography System

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, today announced approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use of the company's next generation mammography computer-aided detection platform, PowerLook Advanced Mammography Platform, with Digital CAD for Philips' MicroDose Full-Field Digital Mammography System.

8 Jan 2013

New study compares costs and outcomes associated with prostate cancer treatments

The most comprehensive retrospective study ever conducted comparing how the major types of prostate cancer treatments stack up to each other in terms of saving lives and cost effectiveness is reported this week by a team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco.

7 Jan 2013

Perceived reduction in penis size linked to regrets of prostate cancer treatment choice

A small percentage of men in a prostate cancer study complained that their penis seemed shorter following treatment, with some saying that it interfered with intimate relationships and caused them to regret the type of treatment they chose.

3 Jan 2013

RaySearch and Siemens terminate development and licensing agreement

In May 2009 RaySearch Laboratories entered into a long-term development and licensing agreement with Siemens Healthcare. Under the agreement RaySearch provided a number of treatment planning modules for integration in Siemens' syngo Suite for Oncology, which is Siemens' integrated workflow solution for radiation therapy.

2 Jan 2013

Active surveillance of prostate cancer patients encouraged

Active surveillance is an effective way of monitoring patients with low-risk prostate cancer and is associated with a low risk for systemic progression, say researchers.

31 Dec 2012

Vero system can treat patients with recent diagnoses of metastatic cancer

University of Florida radiation oncologists are using a sophisticated medical device to treat patients who have recent diagnoses of metastatic cancer, where the disease has started to spread from one part of the body to another.

18 Dec 2012

Elekta receives clearance for Clarity 4D Monitoring software

Elekta has received 510(k) clearance for its Clarity 4D Monitoring software, enabling U.S. medical centers to implement this new way of reducing the uncertainty caused by prostate motion during radiation treatment.

From Elekta 17 Dec 2012

New report provides snapshot of Canada's cancer system

A comprehensive report released today by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer provides a snapshot of how Canada's cancer system is performing in key areas from prevention through to patient experience and outcomes.

17 Dec 2012

Sirtex unveils new website to learn more about SIR-Spheres microspheres

Sirtex today unveiled a new, comprehensive and easy-to-use global website for doctors, nurses, patients and investors interested in learning more about SIR-Spheres microspheres, a form of radiotherapy targeting liver tumours that is gaining increasingly wide acceptance worldwide.

13 Dec 2012

Concord Medical to acquire 19.98% ownership of MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center

Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited, a leading specialty hospital management solution provider and operator of the largest network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in China, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which it will acquire 19.98% of indirect ownership of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Proton Therapy Center (MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center), achieved through acquiring a minority interest in the general partner and facility manager.

13 Dec 2012

IRS releases final rules for health law's medical device tax

The 2.3 percent tax is expected to raise $29 billion over 10 years.

7 Dec 2012

Cocktail-treated human NK cells show promise against cancer

Fighting cancer using the body's own defense system is a promising treatment approach. Immune therapies have even become clinical routine in treating a few cancers such as malignant melanoma and prostate cancer. Natural killer cells (or NK cells) are considered to be particularly suitable weapons against cancer.

7 Dec 2012

Radiation Therapy News and Research

Further Reading

Qigong reduces depressive symptoms and improves QOL in women with breast cancer

VRAM flap success for dorsal vaginal and perineal reconstruction

Tailored treatments and PSA screenings required to improve health outcomes in Ghana

RaySearch Laboratories receives order for RayStation treatment planning from Spain

Tumor separation surgery followed by SRS is safe and effective in controlling spinal metastases

New guidelines to help fast track radiation oncology drug development

Surgical methods outperform radiation therapy in prostate cancer

Combination of pazopanib and paclitaxel shows promise in slowing anaplastic thyroid cancer

FDA approves use of iCAD's PowerLook AMP with Philips MicroDose Digital Mammography System

New study compares costs and outcomes associated with prostate cancer treatments

Perceived reduction in penis size linked to regrets of prostate cancer treatment choice

RaySearch and Siemens terminate development and licensing agreement

Active surveillance of prostate cancer patients encouraged

Vero system can treat patients with recent diagnoses of metastatic cancer

Elekta receives clearance for Clarity 4D Monitoring software

New report provides snapshot of Canada's cancer system

Sirtex unveils new website to learn more about SIR-Spheres microspheres

Concord Medical to acquire 19.98% ownership of MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center

IRS releases final rules for health law's medical device tax

Cocktail-treated human NK cells show promise against cancer

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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