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A new nationwide survey of more than 750 radiation oncologists confirms that prior authorization harms people with cancer by causing treatment delays, abandoned treatments, hospitalizations and patient deaths. Findings also make clear that the problem of prior authorization is growing worse, with patients now experiencing longer radiation therapy treatment delays than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued today an updated clinical guideline for physicians who use radiation therapy to treat patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. This update incorporates new data on patient selection and best practices from several practice-changing clinical trials published since the prior guideline was issued in 2020.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recognized the recipients of its 2024 Gold Medal awards and other high-profile honors during an awards ceremony during the 66th ASTRO Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Photos of the awardees and the ceremony are available online.

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Surveys from two Baltimore medical centers shed light on what may be fueling enrollment declines

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People with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with either of two types of contemporary radiation therapy — proton beam therapy or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) — achieved equally high rates of tumor control with no differences in patient-reported quality of life, according to a first-of-its-kind phase III clinical trial comparing the two technologies. Findings of the PARTIQoL trial will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

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People with limited-stage small cell lung cancer may benefit from adding immunotherapy to chemoradiation, but not if both treatments are given at the same time, new research finds.

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Researchers looking to de-intensify radiation treatments for people with early-stage, HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer to prevent long-term side effects halted a large, randomized phase II/III trial after patients in the control arm reached a record high, two-year progression-free survival rate of 98%.

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An accelerated course of radiation therapy does not increase complications for patients who undergo breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, new research shows. Findings of the large, phase III RT CHARM trial (Alliance A221505) will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

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Analysis of three large, phase III clinical trials finds more than 40% of brain metastases patients completely reversed cognitive losses

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A radiopharmaceutical therapy that has successfully extended progression-free survival for patients with neuroendocrine tumors shows early promise for delivering similar benefits to patients with difficult-to-treat meningioma, a type of brain tumor. Findings of the nonrandomized phase II study will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

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In addition to the studies featured on the press program (details here) for the 2024 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, the following studies were recommended by ASTRO experts and may be of interest to journalists.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today announced the recipients of its 2024 research grants and fellowships, including awards co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the LUNGevity Foundation, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the RTOG Foundation/NRG Oncology and AstraZeneca.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today the seven studies to be highlighted in the 2024 ASTRO Annual Meeting press program. Researchers will discuss their findings in news briefings held September 30 and October 1 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and via live webcast.

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The members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently elected five new officers to ASTRO’s Board of Directors: Neha Vapiwala, MD, FASTRO, as President-elect; Jean Wright, MD, FASTRO, as Clinical Affairs & Quality Council Vice Chair; Andrea Ng, MD, MPH, FASTRO, as Education Council Vice Chair; Christopher Corso, MD, PhD, as Government Relations Council Vice Chair; and Malika Siker, MD, FASTRO, as Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (HEDI) Council Vice Chair. The officers will begin their terms October 1 at ASTRO’s 66th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. 

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from Jeff M. Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, in response to the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): “The declines in reimbursement for radiation therapy services for people with cancer under the Medicare physician fee schedule are disappointing.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) selected 48 distinguished members to receive the ASTRO Fellow (FASTRO) designation for its 2024 class of Fellows. These physician leaders will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, October 1 during ASTRO’s 66th Annual Meeting. The ASTRO Fellows program recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to the Society and to the field of radiation oncology through research, education, patient care and service to the field.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today that following a nationwide search, Vivek S. Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO will become CEO of the Society effective November 1, 2024.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) published today an updated clinical guideline that details best practices for using radiation therapy to treat patients who have oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) applauded today’s introduction of bipartisan federal legislation to address critical flaws in the prior authorization process. “The prior authorization system in its current form is ineffective and harmful to patients, creating unnecessary delays to lifesaving cancer treatments and distress for the people who need them,” said Jeff M. Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors.