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).

MRI guidance significantly reduces radiotherapy side effects compared to CT
A recent comparison of the two modalities’ utility for guiding radiation therapy for prostate cancer shows numerous benefits for MRI over CT.
Novel imaging technique could be used to tailor glioblastoma treatment
It allows providers to quantify changes in tumor size throughout patients’ treatment in real-time, providing early indications of efficacy and enabling adjustments as needed.
Post-mastectomy radiation therapy can be safely shortened prior to breast reconstruction
New research suggests that treatment regimens can be nearly halved without increasing the risk of recurrence or complications further down the road.
More and more radiation therapy jobs going unfilled
As part of efforts to address staffing shortages, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists is holding a virtual career fair focused on radiation therapy jobs on Sept. 26.
Doc develops lead garment that drastically reduces radiation exposure to vulnerable areas
The vest offers extended coverage of the breast, axilla and thyroid. It is said to reduce exposure of these areas by nearly 98%.

ASTRO, industry leaders issue new radiation treatment guidelines for early-stage prostate cancer

Prominent medical societies have issued new clinical guidelines, Thursday, Oct. 11, recommending physicians use external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to treat men with early-stage prostate cancer.

October 12, 2018

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business

‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer.

Radiation Oncology

MRI guidance significantly reduces radiotherapy side effects compared to CT

Novel imaging technique could be used to tailor glioblastoma treatment

Post-mastectomy radiation therapy can be safely shortened prior to breast reconstruction

More and more radiation therapy jobs going unfilled

Doc develops lead garment that drastically reduces radiation exposure to vulnerable areas

Around the web