Newswise — The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has published two new patient information brochures to help patients with lymphoma understand their treatment options. Radiation Therapy for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Radiation Therapy for Hodgkins Lymphoma to help patients and their families understand how radiation therapy works to cure cancers of the lymphatic system.
"Radiation therapy has been proven to be quite effective in the treatment of lymphomas, particularly Hodgkins," said Louis Harrison, M.D., Chair of the ASTRO Communications Committee and a radiation oncologist at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. "I hope these brochures will help people with lymphomas better understand their treatment options so they can make the best, most informed decision on their care."
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 64,000 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed this year; this includes 7,350 cases of Hodgkins lymphoma. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 60s and 70s and more than 75 percent of patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma live longer than a year after diagnosis. Nearly 60 percent of patients with non-Hodgkins live longer than five years. Hodgkins lymphoma has two peak time frames " between the ages of 15 and 40 and in people over the age of 55 and is very curable. Eighty-five percent of patients with Hodgkins live longer than five years after diagnosis. Specific risk factors for both lymphatic cancers are unknown; however, immune system problems in addition to age may increase a person's likelihood of developing either disease.
To help patients understand how radiation therapy works to cure lymphomas, ASTRO has developed up-to-date brochures that patients can use to talk with their healthcare providers when contemplating radiation therapy as part of their treatment. The brochures also help patients find support groups and information on clinical trials.
Patients and patient advocacy organizations can request free copies of the brochure by calling Beth Bukata or Nick Lashinsky at 1-800-962-7876 or e-mailing [email protected] or [email protected]. The brochure can also be viewed online at http://www.astro.org/patient/.
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment.
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