Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer in the USA: patterns of care and survival among elderly patients at least 80 years old
ConclusionsThe utilization of SBRT as the definitive local therapy in elderly patients with early-stage NSCLC is increasing in the USA. Given its generally favorable toxicity profile, SBRT should be considered in the substantial proportion of elderly patients still not receiving any definitive local therapy. Among medically operable elderly patients, OS was similar between resection and SBRT. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 25, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Current practices in the management of stage IB, grade 3 endometrial cancer in the United States
ConclusionThe current study highlights the fact that there is tremendous variation in the management of patients with stage IB, grade 3 endometrial cancer. Forty percent of patients in the US are not offered adjuvant radiation, despite inferior outcomes among these patients when treated with surgery alone. Clearly defined, uniform guidelines are needed to standardize management decisions for this group of patients. Uniform practice is especially important to cut costs in medicine and standardize treatment across health networks. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 25, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Clinical outcomes following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for non-resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma
ConclusionSBRT was well-tolerated by PCa patients with fractionated SBRT trending towards superior PFS and less toxicity as compared to single-fraction SBRT. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 25, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Increasing utilization of intensity modulated radiation therapy in vulvar cancer: National Practice Patterns 2004 –2012
ConclusionsIMRT utilization for vulvar cancer increased between the years 2004 and 2012. Survival was not significantly compromised with the use of IMRT compared to conventional 2D/3D RT techniques and may have allowed for dose escalation in some situations. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 18, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Radiotherapeutic care for brain metastases within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA): Practice patterns and guideline correlation
ConclusionVeterans with brain metastases treated at VHA radiation oncology centers receive evidence-based care and have access to advanced technologies and palliative care services. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 12, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Accidental overexposure related to new radiation therapy technologies
ConclusionSeveral factors have been identified that can have a significant impact on reduction of the number of accidents related to the use of new radiation therapy technologies. These include thorough preparation and management of resources, such as having sufficient number of staff, adequate staff training, risk audits of new technology, quality assurance, and an enhanced safety culture. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 3, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Temporal trends for adjuvant radiation utilization and their effect on survival for locally advanced (stage III) endometrial cancer in the USA
ConclusionBased upon this analysis, omission of adjuvant radiation therapy has become more prevalent in stage III EEC patients, and this was associated with worse survival. Appropriate incorporation of radiotherapy in the management of these patients should be further explored in prospective studies. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 3, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Timely delivery of primary chemoradiation for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer: are we meeting this quality measure?
ConclusionsMore than 50% of patients treated with primary CCRT for locally advanced cervical cancer fail to meet the quality benchmark for timely completion of therapy. Location of treatment, time to completion of EBRT, and delay in initiation of BT was associated with treatment prolongation. Though total treatment time failed to correlate with disease-specific outcomes, treatment delays during EBRT were detrimental to PFS and DSS. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - May 3, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Single-fraction radiation therapy provides highly effective palliation for cutaneous T cell lymphoma
ConclusionSingle-fraction radiation therapy is a highly effective palliative approach for treating limited extent CTCL lesions with minimal toxicity. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - April 25, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Recurrent glioblastoma: a single-institution experience with reirradiation and temozolomide
ConclusionsOur results suggest that reirradiation with high precision radiotherapy along with temozolomide is an effective option in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - April 22, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Improved infield response rates and overall survival in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving higher biological equivalent doses of radiation with ipilimumab
ConclusionOur findings suggest that the rate of a global CR is independent of the dose of radiation given, but the rate of infield CR and OS might improve with higher doses. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - April 8, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Fractionation trends in breast cancer and implications in partial breast irradiation
ConclusionsWhile APBI utilization increased sharply from 2000 to 2008, the use of APBI has stabilized since 2008 with a concomitant increase in use of hypofractionation. The causes of these trends are unknown but should be the focus of future research. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - April 8, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Low-dose total body irradiation: an overlooked cancer immunotherapy technique
AbstractLow-dose total body irradiation (LD-TBI) has been shown to be an effective therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies. The application of this method has fallen out of favor as newer systemic therapies have been developed. Nevertheless, for management of many of these hematologic malignancies, no prospective randomized trial has shown that any other treatment is unequivocally superior to LD-TBI. The precise mechanism of action is uncertain but it is believed by some to be at least partly immunologically mediated. In this review, we shall discuss the clinical data on this method along with some new potential...
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - April 7, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Radiographic predictors of response to endoluminal brachytherapy for the treatment of rectal cancer
ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that EBT is an effective alternative with similar response rates to CRT. However, the inability of MRI and PET/CT to discern reactive from malignant tumor and nodes may pose limitations in their use for guiding further therapy. Larger randomized studies are needed. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - March 30, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Radiation injury to cardiac arteries and myocardium is reduced by soy isoflavones
ConclusionOur histopathological findings suggest a radioprotective role of soy isoflavones to prevent cardiac injury. This approach could translate to the use of soy isoflavones as a safe complement to thoracic radiotherapy with the goal of improving the overall survival in patients whose cancer has been successfully controlled by the radiotherapy but who otherwise succumb to heart toxicity. (Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology)
Source: Journal of Radiation Oncology - March 22, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
