Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells' DNA and destroy their ability to divide and grow. It is delivered using linear accelerators, proton accelerators, metered cobalt-60 exposure, or brachytherapy where radioactive seeds are placed inside the patient on a temporary or permanent basis to kill cancer or relieve pain. The main radiation oncology society and annual conference is the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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ASTRO: AI predicts radiation side effects for cancer patients

A new machine learning approach can predict the negative side effects of radiation treatment in patients with head and neck cancers. The findings, presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting, can help select patients who might need a more tailored care approach.

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ASTRO: SBRT effective in men with metastasized prostate cancer

High-dose, targeted radiation can be a safe and effective option for men with oligometastatic prostate cancer, according to findings presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in Chicago.

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ASTRO issues new guidance for pancreatic cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has updated its recommendations for using radiation therapy to treat patients with diagnosed pancreatic cancer.

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ASTRO: Proposed radiation oncology APM can improve patient care

CMS revealed details for their newly proposed alternative payment model for radiation oncology on July 10. The American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) believes the model, with adjustments, "will incentivize higher quality, more convenient radiation treatments for patients and support their journey toward a cure."

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ASTRO voices support for new prior authorization legislation

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is championing bipartisan legislation introduced Wednesday, June 5, that would reduce prior authorization practices found to delay patient access to necessary cancer treatments.

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SBRT an effective local treatment for HCC patients

“The results of this research are extremely exciting, as it will significantly impact clinical care,” reported study author Mishal Mendiratta-Lala, MD, with the division of abdominal radiology at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor.

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ASTRO concerned about mandatory participation in forthcoming radiation oncology APM

Over the coming weeks, CMS will unveil a mandatory Medicare payment model for radiation oncology, Alex Azar, Health and Human Services secretary, said in a recent speech. The announcement drew a mixed reaction from the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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ASTRO 2018: Higher-dose treatments benefit men with low-, intermediate-risk prostate cancer

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is both safe and effective for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, according to research presented Oct. 22 at the 2018 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

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