Comments needed on guideline for Localized Prostate, Webinars, New Podcast and more
February 25, 2026
| ASTRO seeks public comments for updated guideline on Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer |
| ASTRO requests feedback on a draft guideline on Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer. The guideline covers a broad scope of patients with localized prostate cancer receiving external beam radiation therapy as primary local therapy, including patients with low-risk prostate cancer who decline active surveillance and those with intermediate-, high- or very high-risk prostate cancer. Please review the guideline and submit comments through the webform by March 25. You can also access the draft guideline and webform at www.astro.org/PublicComment. |
| Live webinars happening tomorrow and Friday on ASTRO Academy |
| 💻 Secure your spot for the February 26 webinar on optimal applications of immunotherapy with radiation in head and neck cancers. Jonathan Schoenfeld, MD, MPH, and Christopher Wilke, MD, PhD, will present and Yvonne Mowery, MD, will moderate the session with time for Q&A.
💻 Spots are still available for the eContouring for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer Webinar this Friday, February 27. Matthew Deeks, MD, will review the management and treatment of oligometastatic prostate cancer. This webinar offers access to three hands-on contouring practice cases. These live webinars and more are available on the ASTRO Academy. |
| Happening today: Focus on Palliation Virtual Symposium (Free!) |
| The Society of Palliative Radiation Oncology (SPRO) invites ASTRO members to the Focus on Palliation 2026 Virtual Symposium, today at 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. The program will highlight updates and advances in palliative radiotherapy, including a presentation competition with awards, keynote and networking opportunities. CME credit will be available through Duke University. Register for this free event! |
| Visit the ASTRO Booth at the ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium |
| If you are at the Moscone Center in San Francisco attending ASCO GU February 26-28, stop by the ASTRO Booth, #64! Beth Bukata, Director of ASTRO Membership, will be available to answer questions regarding membership, benefits and other topics of interest. She will also have copies of the latest patient materials related to GU cancers. |
| ASTRO responds to Request for Information on Artificial Intelligence in Health Care |
| On February 23, ASTRO submitted formal comments to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Request for Information (RFI) on Health Sector Artificial Intelligence (AI), outlining how federal policy can better support the responsible adoption of AI in clinical care. The letter emphasized that while AI holds meaningful promise to improve patient outcomes, access and system efficiency, its success in clinical practice depends on policy choices that recognize realworld clinical workflows, safety obligations and payment realities. Read What’s Happening in Washington for more information. |
| ASTRO continues to advocate for new treatment delivery and image guidance codes |
| ASTRO continues to advocate for the new treatment delivery and image guidance codes. Effective today, EviCore’s updated guideline should reduce high denial rates for CPT 77412. Noridian has identified and is correcting a system error that was denying CPT 77387 for POS 19 and 22, with claim reprocessing expected in a few weeks. UHC’s revised RT guideline requires CPT 77387 to be billed with the -26 modifier starting March 1. For private payors still denying 77387 due to the modifier, ASTRO suggests resubmitting claims without it until there is payer consensus. Please report inappropriate denials and payer issues to Emilio Beatley or Alex Costa. |
| DC-based 2025 Survivor Circle Grants awardees share final updates |
| Two Washington, DC-based organizations, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts and Touch4life, were selected in the fall of 2024 as ASTRO’s Survivor Circle grant winners, receiving $12,500 each. For over 20 years, the grant has been awarded annually to selected organizations for the services they provide to cancer patients, their families and caregivers, in the state hosting ASTRO’s Annual Meeting. Read more about how the grants deepened the impact of each organization and details on this year’s application. |
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New RTAnswers On Target podcast available on RT for rectal cancer In this episode, Leah Katz, MD, and Shalina Burt, MD, host Harvey Mamon, MD, to provide a broad overview of the use of radiation therapy to treat rectal cancer. They cover broad paradigms of treatment and the choices available to patients. Listen now and share with your patients. |
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| APEx welcomes new facilities |
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Congratulations to the following facilities for achieving accreditation through ASTRO’s APEx - Accreditation Program for Excellence®:
And, congratulations to the following facilities for achieving reaccreditation through APEx:
View a list of accredited facilities and contact ASTRO staff to learn about the new options for accreditation and why APEx is the right choice to accredit your radiation oncology practice. |
