News Releases
ASTRO relaunches its foundation with a renewed focus and clearer identity to reflect accelerated progress in radiation oncology
January 1, 2026The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today that it rebranded its research foundation, formerly the Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI), as Speed of Light – The ASTRO Foundation, marking a new chapter in ASTRO’s commitment to advancing research and improving patient care in radiation oncology.
Multidisciplinary symposium focused on radiopharmaceutical therapy in cancer care debuts February 17–18
December 16, 2025The inaugural Multidisciplinary Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Symposium will take place February 17-18 in Palm Desert, California. This new meeting brings together experts from oncology, nuclear medicine, radiology and related fields to share advances in the rapidly expanding field of radiopharmaceutical, or radioligand, therapy in cancer care. Media registration and resources are available at astro.org/RPTpress.
Leading symposium for head and neck cancer specialists to be held February 19-21
December 16, 2025The 2026 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium will take place February 19-21 in Palm Desert, California, and online. This biennial meeting is a key forum for new clinical research and multidisciplinary collaboration in a disease area that affects more than 66,000 Americans each year and often requires highly coordinated care. Media registration and resources are available at astro.org/HNpress.
ASTRO publishes first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for gastric cancer
November 18, 2025A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the first to focus on radiation therapy for patients with gastric (stomach) cancer. The recommendations outline radiation therapy’s role in multidisciplinary care, including best practices for patient selection, integration with systemic therapy and treatment delivery.
What the SUPREMO trial means for patients considering radiation therapy after mastectomy
November 14, 2025A large international study recently published, the SUPREMO trial, examined whether chest wall radiation therapy after mastectomy improves survival for patients with early-stage breast cancer. ASTRO experts provide important perspective to help put the SUPREMO results in context and guide informed decisions about post-mastectomy radiation therapy.
Winners of the ASTRO-AstraZeneca small cell lung cancer therapy challenge announced
November 4, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently announced the three winning research proposals for the 2025 ASTRO-AstraZeneca Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Therapy Challenge, which supports research that will improve therapies and outcomes for patients with limited-stage SCLC through the integration of consolidation immunotherapy and emerging radiation therapy techniques.
ASTRO marks President Biden’s treatment milestone, highlighting radiation therapy’s vital role in prostate cancer care
October 23, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) congratulates President Joe Biden on completing his course of radiation therapy, which he recently marked by ringing the ceremonial bell alongside his radiation oncology care team. “President Biden’s bell-ringing milestone underscores the vital role of radiation therapy in modern cancer care and is a powerful reminder of how many lives it helps improve,” said ASTRO President Neha Vapiwala, MD, FASTRO.
ASTRO celebrates and supports contributions to radiation oncology with 2025 awards and research grants
October 22, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recognized the recipients of its 2025 Gold Medal awards and other high-profile honors during its recent Annual Meeting. ASTRO also recognized the recipients of its 2025 research grants and fellowships, including awards co-sponsored by patient, provider and industry partners.
ASTRO corrects media misinformation on breast cancer treatment options
October 9, 2025As the leading organization representing radiation oncologists, ASTRO takes seriously any public mischaracterization of radiation therapy, and we are deeply disturbed by recent news coverage of intraoperative radiation therapy for breast cancer that presented inaccurate and misleading information. Such reporting risks confusing patients and undermining trust in evidence-based medicine. In response, ASTRO’s Breast Cancer Resource Panel offers the following clarification of what current data show:
Radiation therapy shows promise for patients with severe heart rhythm disorder
September 29, 2025Radiation therapy may offer a comparable and potentially safer alternative to repeat catheter ablation for patients with severe abnormal heart rhythms that can no longer be controlled with medication. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting and are published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal).
Shorter radiation improves patient experience but not disease control for intermediate-risk prostate cancer
September 29, 2025For patients with intermediate-risk, localized prostate cancer, radiation therapy delivered in five sessions reduced patient-reported side effects compared to longer courses of radiation, according to results of a large, randomized phase III trial. Patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) reported fewer declines in bowel, urinary and sexual functioning but were more likely to experience a rise in PSA. Initial results of the NRG Oncology GU005 trial will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Ten-year clinical trial report finds radiation comparable to surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
September 29, 2025A new clinical trial report finds that stereotactic radiation therapy offers long-term survival outcomes comparable to surgery for patients with small, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with fewer side effects after treatment. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Radiation therapy after surgery safely reduces pelvic relapse risk from locally advanced, muscle-invasive bladder cancer
September 29, 2025Radiation therapy could be an underused tool to reduce pelvic relapse risk for patients with locally advanced, muscle-invasive bladder cancer, according to results of a new phase III randomized trial. Findings of the Bladder Adjuvant RadioTherapy (BART) trial will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
First randomized study comparing proton and photon radiation therapy for breast cancer finds both preserve quality of life
September 29, 2025The first randomized trial to compare photon- and proton-based radiation therapy for breast cancer finds that patients report equally strong health-related quality of life with either treatment. First results of the phase III Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness (RadComp) trial will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) matches proton therapy in patient-reported outcomes for oropharyngeal cancer
September 29, 2025A new phase III clinical trial finds that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy resulted in similar quality-of-life outcomes and low rates of side effects for people with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer. Results of the TORPEdO trial will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
First-of-its-kind genomic test predicts benefit from hormone therapy added to radiation for recurrent prostate cancer
September 28, 2025A new randomized study finds that a lab test that reads tumor genes can identify which patients with recurrent prostate cancer will benefit from adding hormone therapy to radiation after surgery — the first predictive biomarker in this setting. Results of the phase II BALANCE trial (NRG Oncology GU006) will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Radiopharmaceutical added to stereotactic radiation delays prostate cancer progression in patients with limited metastatic disease
September 28, 2025A new clinical trial finds that people with a limited number of metastases from recurrent prostate cancer lived significantly longer without disease progression when they received a radiopharmaceutical drug before targeted radiation, compared with radiation alone. Results will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Low-dose radiation therapy offers substantial relief to people with painful knee osteoarthritis
September 28, 2025A single course of low-dose radiation therapy may provide a safe and effective alternative treatment option for people with painful knee osteoarthritis according to a new randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Results will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Leading cancer societies update clinical guideline on post-mastectomy radiation therapy
September 16, 2025Three leading national cancer organizations today issued an updated guideline on post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) for physicians treating patients with breast cancer. The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) issued joint recommendations that outline when PMRT is appropriate based on new evidence and evolving clinical practice, and highlight best practices for delivering radiation after breast removal surgery in a multidisciplinary, patient-centered setting.
Radiation oncology unites for policies that enhance patient access
September 12, 2025As the world comes together this week for the first World Radiotherapy Awareness Day, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and organizations across the cancer community are uniting in federal advocacy to support access to life-saving radiation therapy. “Radiation oncology is a lifeline for more than one million people with cancer in the US and millions more globally, and ASTRO is leading the charge to ensure these individuals have access to state-of-the-art care close to home,” said Howard Sandler, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors. In official comments submitted today to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, ASTRO urged CMS to make important changes to the proposed 2026 Medicare physician and hospital outpatient payment rules released in July to ensure that radiation therapy services are reimbursed fairly, fostering equal access in communities nationwide.
ASTRO to showcase advances in radiation medicine and cancer research in 2025 Annual Meeting Press Program
September 4, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today the press program for its 2025 Annual Meeting this month in San Francisco. Researchers will discuss their findings in news briefings on September 29 and 30, and complimentary meeting registration is available for credentialed press. The field's most influential scientific forum, ASTRO's Annual Meeting will feature pivotal studies in radiation medicine for patients with cancer and other diseases.
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) names Adam Greathouse as Director of Health Policy
August 21, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the leading medical society for physicians who treat patients with radiation therapy, recently promoted Adam Greathouse to Director of Health Policy. In his new role, Greathouse leads ASTRO’s advocacy efforts on priority health policy issues such as reducing prior authorization burdens that delay patients from starting cancer treatments and supporting reimbursement policies that preserve patient access to high-quality radiation oncology care.
Dr. Catheryn Yashar elected President of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
July 23, 2025The members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently elected four new officers to ASTRO’s Board of Directors: Catheryn M. Yashar, MD, FASTRO, President-elect; Jonathan Strauss, MD, MBA, Secretary/Treasurer-elect; Anita Mahajan, MD, FASTRO, Health Policy Council Vice Chair; and David J. Carlson, PhD, FASTRO, Science Council Vice Chair. These officers will begin their terms September 30 at ASTRO’s 67th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
Radiation oncology leaders named 2025 Fellows of the American Society Radiation Oncology
July 9, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) selected 43 members to receive the ASTRO Fellow (FASTRO) designation this year. This prestigious honor recognizes ASTRO members’ outstanding achievements and contributions to the Society, cancer research, education, patient care and the specialty. The new Fellows will be recognized at ASTRO’s 67th Annual Meeting in San Francisco on Tuesday, September 30.
ASTRO updates guideline on radiation therapy for high-grade diffuse glioma, the most common primary brain tumor in adults
June 26, 2025A from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) focuses on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 diffuse gliomas, a category that includes some of the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumors. The guideline, which replaces ASTRO’s 2016 guideline for glioblastoma, is published in Practical Radiation Oncology.
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) names Karen Davis as Vice President of Business Development & Marketing
June 18, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the leading organization for physicians who treat patients using radiation therapy, recently welcomed Karen Davis as its first Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. “Karen’s proven record of building high-impact partnerships and mobilizing resources for mission-driven organizations will help ASTRO accelerate initiatives that improve care for patients with cancer worldwide,” said ASTRO CEO Vivek S. Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO.
ASTRO applauds bipartisan reintroduction of legislation to reform prior authorization and protect patients
May 21, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today applauded the reintroduction of bipartisan federal legislation to reform prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 (S.1816, H.R.3514) addresses critical and pervasive barriers that impact timely access to lifesaving cancer treatments. “Prior authorization is a persistent and problematic thorn in the side of American health care. Patients and physicians — not insurance companies — should be at the center of treatment decisions,” said Howard M. Sandler, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors.
ASTRO survey underscores damaging impact of continued Medicare cuts on cancer care; bipartisan ROCR Act offers solutions
May 19, 2025New national survey data from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) show that further cuts to Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy would increase patient wait times for cancer treatment and force clinic downsizing. Nearly all (96%) of the 675 physicians responding to the survey say that patient access will suffer under another cut, and seven in 10 say the impact will be significant. Radiation oncologists from across the country are on Capitol Hill today urging lawmakers to pass the bipartisan Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act before additional Medicare cuts are proposed. ROCR would stabilize Medicare payments, protect patient access and enhance cancer treatment outcomes by shifting from an outdated volume-based system to a value-based, bundled-payment model.
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to host Annual Meeting in San Francisco, September 27-October 1
May 15, 2025Registration opens today for the 67th American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, September 27 to October 1, 2025. Led by ASTRO President Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, the conference is centered around the theme of “Rediscovering Radiation Medicine and Exploring New Indications” and is expected to attract up to 10,000 oncologists, clinicians, researchers and other health care professionals from around the globe.
ASTRO emphasizes need for Medicare payment stability as Dr. Mehmet Oz confirmed as CMS Administrator
April 4, 2025The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from Howard M. Sandler, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors: “ASTRO congratulates Dr. Mehmet Oz on his confirmation as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As cancer specialists devoted to improving patient outcomes, we look forward to working collaboratively with Dr. Oz and the CMS team on critical priorities including Medicare payment reform and prior authorization. Most Americans diagnosed with cancer are covered by Medicare, making CMS policies central to their access to timely, high-quality care.”
ROCR Act 2025: Congress takes step toward patient-centered, value-based cancer care with bipartisan plan
March 14, 2025Today marks another pivotal milestone in the nation’s fight against cancer with the reintroduction of bipartisan federal legislation to transform Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy. The Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Payment Program Act of 2025, sponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), John Joyce, MD (R-Pa.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), would protect access to high quality cancer care and improve outcomes for patients nationwide, while generating savings for Medicare.
ASTRO issues its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer
February 27, 2025A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal and anal margin. The guideline, ASTRO’s first for anal cancer, is published in Practical Radiation Oncology.
