The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a new Radiation Oncology Practice Assessment (ROPA) program to leverage recent advances in information technology to improve radiation therapy cancer care for our nation’s Veterans.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded the 2015 Annual Meeting Nurses Abstract Award to Bridgett Harr, CPN, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, for the abstract “Advanced Practice Nurse Follow-up Clinic Reduces Emergency Room Visits and Admissions in High-Risk Patients after Chemoradiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.”
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has launched a new original research in radiation oncology journal, Advances in Radiation Oncology (Advances), and the peer-reviewed publication is now online and accepting submissions at www.advancesradonc.org.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected a San Antonio-based cancer patient support group, ThriveWell Cancer Foundation, to receive ASTRO’s 2015 Survivor Circle grant.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected a Houston-based cancer patient support group, Dan’s House of Hope, to receive ASTRO’s 2015 Survivor Circle grant.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected San Antonio resident and cancer survivor Vicki Shapiro to receive the 2015 Survivor Circle Award.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) applauds the more than 200 members of Congress who signed letters expressing concerns about the recent and newly proposed Medicare cuts to radiation oncology.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected 41 recipients to receive a total of $33,500 for the 2015 Annual Meeting Abstract Awards.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected seven leading physician-researchers to receive a total of $675,000 in awards and grants to advance radiation oncology research. Together, the seven funding grants, including ASTRO Junior Faculty Career Research Training Award, the ASTRO Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Research Seed Award and the ASTRO/Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI) Comparative Effectiveness Research Award, will support studies in radiation and cancer biology, radiation physics, translational research, outcomes/health services research and comparative effectiveness research within radiation oncology. Recipients will be recognized at ASTRO’s 57th Annual Meeting, October 18-21, 2015, at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected leading surgeon and researcher Jack A. Roth, MD, as the 2015 Honorary Member, the highest honor ASTRO bestows on distinguished cancer researchers, scientists and leaders in disciplines other than radiation oncology, radiobiology or radiation physics.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) members have elected three new officers to the Board of Directors and three members to serve on the Nominating Committee.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has chosen three renowned radiation oncology physicians and researchers to receive the 2015 ASTRO Gold Medal: Carl R. Bogardus, Jr., MD, FASTRO, Carl M. Mansfield, MD, ScD (Hon.), FASTRO, and James B. Mitchell, PhD, FASTRO.
A study of women with cervical or endometrial cancer who require treatment to the para-aortic (PA) lymph nodes can safely receive extended-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (EF-IMRT) without increased risk of duodenal toxicity, according to a study published in the July-August 2015 issue of Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) journal focused on the clinical practice of radiation oncology.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is pleased to announce the launch of its new open-access journal, Advances in Radiation Oncology, and the selection of its Founding Editor, Robert C. Miller, MD, MBA.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) appreciates yesterday’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court affirming the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in its decision on King v. Burwell. In its ruling, the Supreme Court confirmed that Americans will have access to tax credits for health insurance subsidies, regardless of whether they are accessing state-based health insurance marketplaces or federally facilitated health insurance marketplaces.
Phase III results of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0537 indicate that acupuncture-like, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ALTENS) may be equally effective as pilocarpine, the current prescription medication in a pill, to treat radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth), according to a study published in the June 1, 2015 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is issuing a new guideline, “Definitive and adjuvant radiotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: An American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) evidence-based clinical practice guideline.”
The “Radiation and the Modern Management of Lymphoma” issue (May 1, 2015) of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), is focused on the integral role of radiation therapy in current lymphoma treatment.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) applauds the House of Representatives, the Senate and the President for milestone passage last night of the “Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act” (H.R. 2) that permanently repeals the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, which has plagued the nation’s health care infrastructure for more than a decade.
Long-term analysis of RTOG 9903 demonstrates that the addition of erythropoietin (EPO) did not improve local-regional control for anemic patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who receive radiation therapy or chemoradiation, according to a study published in the April 1, 2015 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) seeks to recognize an individual cancer survivor in San Antonio and the surrounding area who has committed his or her time and energy to volunteering in their local community.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) leadership participated in today’s launch of the new Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (HCPLAN) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at an event featuring President Obama and HHS Secretary Burwell.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) commends Congressional leadership for introduction of the “Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act” (H.R. 2) and urges swift passage during votes in the House and Senate later this week.
The International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group (ILROG) has issued a guideline that outlines the use of 3-D computed tomography (CT)-based radiation therapy planning and volumetric image guidance to more effectively treat pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma and to reduce the radiation dose to normal tissue, thus decreasing the risk of late side effects.
Cancer patients with limited brain metastases (one to four tumors) who are ≤50 years old should receive stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) without whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), according to a study available online, open-access, and published in the March 15, 2015 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) commends the February 5, 2015, decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide coverage for annual lung cancer screening via low-dose CT screening for those at highest-risk for lung cancer.
Prostate cancer patients with detectable prostate specific antigen (PSA) following radical prostatectomy should receive earlier, more aggressive radiation therapy treatment, according to a study published in the February 1, 2015 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
Three exceptional ASTRO staff members have been promoted to new positions: Emily Wilson has been named Executive Vice President; Dave Adler promoted to Vice President of Advocacy; and Anne Hubbard promoted to Director of Health Policy, as announced by ASTRO’s Board of Directors and effective immediately.
Locally advanced rectal cancer patients who receive preoperative radiation therapy with either irinotecan plus capecitabine or oxaliplatin plus capecitabine have a four-year overall survival rate of 85 percent and 75 percent, respectively, according to a study published in the January 1, 2015 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
A 2013 survey of radiation oncologists indicates that they would like more formal recommendations and guidance in order to improve the peer review process, according to a study published in the January-February 2015 issue of Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), the clinical practice journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
The Alliance for Integrity in Medicare (AIM) — a broad coalition of medical specialty, laboratory, radiation oncology and medical imaging groups committed to ending the practice of inappropriate physician self-referral — strongly commends the letter sent by the AARP to Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) on December 11, 2014.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO’s) education credentials have been recognized and upgraded by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) from Accreditation to Accreditation with Commendation, approved at the ACCME’s December 2014 meeting.
The use of hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation
(HF-WBI) for patients with early-stage breast cancer increased 17.4 percent from 2004 to 2011, and patients are more likely to receive HF-WBI compared to conventionally fractionated whole-breast irradiation (CF-WBI) when they are treated at an academic center or live ≥50 miles away from a cancer center, according to a study published in the December 1, 2014 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) praises the November 11, 2014, decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide coverage for annual lung cancer screening via low-dose CT screening for those at highest-risk for lung cancer.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for not implementing proposed payment cuts for radiation therapy starting January 1, 2015, as detailed in the final 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), issued on Friday, October 31, 2014.
Analysis of data from an institutional patient registry on stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) indicates excellent long-term, local control, 79 percent of tumors, for medically inoperable, early stage lung cancer patients treated with SBRT from 2003 to 2012, according to research presented today at the 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
Patients who received post-operative radiation therapy (PORT), radiation therapy after surgery, lived an average of four months longer when compared to the patients who had the same disease site, tumor histology and treatment criteria and who did not receive PORT, according to research presented today at the 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
Biopsies were found to be the most costly tool prescribed in lung cancer diagnosis, according to research presented today at the 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
Analysis of 607 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) lung tumors and neuroendocrine tumors (NET) identified common molecular markers among both groups that could reveal new therapeutic targets for patients with similar types of lung cancer, according to research presented today at the 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
Patients at high-risk for developing lung cancer are more likely to receive low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening when their primary care provider is familiar with guideline recommendations for LDCT screening for lung cancer, according to research presented today at the 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
Lung cancer patients with minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) have similar, positive five-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates as patients with adenocarcinoma in-situ (AIS), according to research presented today at the 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology.
The 2014 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology, sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) and The University of Chicago, will provide a clinically relevant, multidisciplinary update on the scientific progress in treating thoracic malignancies.
Tumor laterality (left-side vs. right-side) does not impact overall survival in breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant external beam radiation therapy, according to a study published in the October 1, 2014 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is a commonly used modality to ensure treatment accuracy in the management of pediatric tumors; however, consensus recommendations are needed in order to guide clinical decisions on the use of IGRT in treating pediatric patients, according to a study published in the September-October 2014 issue of Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), the official clinical practice journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).