Past News

ASTRO deeply disappointed in radiation oncology cuts and fears for stability of community-based cancer clinics

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from ASTRO Board of Directors Chair Geraldine Jacobson, MD, MBA, MPH, FASTRO, in response to today’s release of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

ASTRO issues updated guideline on radiation therapy for endometrial cancer

A newly updated clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy and systemic therapy after surgery to treat patients with endometrial cancer. The guideline is published in the January/February 2023 issue of Practical Radiation Oncology.

ASTRO celebrates contributions to radiation oncology with 2022 Gold Medals and other awards

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recognized the recipients of its 2022 Gold Medal awards and other high-profile honors during an awards ceremony yesterday at the 64th ASTRO Annual Meeting in San Antonio. 

Radiation-hormone therapy combination may slow growth of oligometastatic prostate cancer

A new study offers a new option to patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer who want relief from hormone therapy without compromising the risk of their disease spreading. In the study, patients who received radiation in addition to intermittent hormone therapy lived longer without their disease progressing, and they were able to take longer breaks from the drug treatments.

Adding radiation to systemic therapy extends overall survival for patients with advanced liver cancer

Adding radiation therapy to systemic therapy for patients with advanced liver cancer can extend overall survival and delay tumor progression without compromising patients’ quality of life, a randomized phase III clinical trial shows. Findings indicate that radiation therapy should be a standard treatment option for patients with liver cancer who are ineligible for resection and other standard local-regional therapies.

AI model using daily step counts predicts unplanned hospitalizations during cancer therapy

An artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by researchers can predict the likelihood that a patient may have an unplanned hospitalization during their radiation treatments for cancer. The machine-learning model uses daily step counts as a proxy to monitor patients’ health as they go through cancer therapy, offering clinicians a real-time method to provide personalized care.

Three-week course of radiation safe and effective for patients with early-stage breast cancer and elevated risk of recurrence

A three-week course of radiation therapy is as safe and effective as four to six weeks of treatment for patients with early-stage breast cancer who have a higher risk of having their tumors recur, results of a randomized phase III clinical trial show. Delivering fewer, but higher, doses of radiation following lumpectomy, while concurrently delivering a radiation boost to the surgical site, led to similar outcomes as a longer course of treatment.

Lower prostate cancer screening rates associated with subsequent increase in advanced cancers

In the face of conflicting evidence over the risks and benefits of routine prostate cancer screenings, a large, longitudinal analysis found Veterans Health Administration (VA) medical centers with lower prostate screening rates had higher rates of metastatic prostate cancer cases in subsequent years than centers with higher screening rates. Findings of the study will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting and are published in JAMA Oncology.

FLASH radiation therapy shows promise in first-in-human trial

FLASH radiation treatment – which delivers therapeutic doses of radiation in a fraction of a second – may hold promise as a potential treatment for tough-to-kill tumors, a first-in-human study in a small number of people with bone cancer suggests. The technology, previously tested in animals, was shown to be as safe and appeared to be as effective as conventional radiation without causing unexpected side effects.

Medical physicist consults with patients can help reduce anxiety and increase satisfaction with radiation care

Meeting with a medical physicist who can explain how radiation therapy is planned and delivered reduces patient anxiety and increases patient satisfaction throughout the treatment process, according to a new study published today in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics. Findings of the randomized, prospective phase III clinical trial also will be presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

Shortened course of radiation therapy safe and effective for men with high-risk prostate cancer

A new randomized study confirms that men with high-risk prostate cancer can be treated with five versus eight weeks of radiation therapy. The phase III clinical trial is the first to confirm the safety and efficacy of a moderately shortened course of radiation exclusively for patients with high-risk disease.

Radiation therapy for high-risk, asymptomatic bone metastases may prevent pain and prolong life

Treating high-risk, asymptomatic bone metastases with radiation may reduce painful complications and hospitalizations and possibly extend overall survival in people whose cancer has spread to multiple sites, a phase II clinical trial suggests. Results of the multicenter, randomized trial (NCT03523351) will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

Sexual side effects of cancer treatment often unaddressed with female patients

A new study finds that sexual side effects of cancer treatment are discussed far less frequently with female patients than with male patients, even when the treatment directly affects sex organs. Among patients receiving brachytherapy for prostate or cervical cancer at a high-volume cancer center, 9 in 10 men were asked about their sexual health, compared to 1 in 10 women.

Radiation oncology research and clinical trial results to be featured at ASTRO’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today the 10 studies that will be highlighted in the 2022 ASTRO Annual Meeting press program. Researchers will discuss their findings in two news briefings to be held October 24 and 25 in room 225D of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio and via live webcast.

ASTRO applauds House passage of bipartisan bill to reduce prior authorization burden and treatment delays

On behalf of the nation's radiation oncologists and the more than one million people with cancer they will treat this year, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) applauded today's House passage of bipartisan federal legislation that would rein in restrictive prior authorization practices that delay patient access to critical cancer treatments.

ASTRO issues clinical guideline on radiation therapy for IDH-mutant glioma

A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy to treat patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant grade 2 and grade 3 diffuse glioma. Evidence-based recommendations outline the multidisciplinary planning and delivery techniques to manage this subset of central nervous system (CNS) tumors.

ASTRO issues clinical guideline on radiation therapy for brain metastases

A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat patients with brain metastases from non-hematologic solid tumors. The update to ASTRO’s original 2012 guideline is published in Practical Radiation Oncology. 

ASTRO issues clinical guideline on external beam radiation therapy for primary liver cancers

A 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 liver cancers using external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Evidence-based recommendations outline indications and optimal EBRT dosing, techniques and treatment planning for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC), with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care.

ASTRO urges Congress to pass legislation delaying RO Model and protecting Medicare beneficiaries' access to care

ASTRO response to the Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act, which includes a provision to delay the start of the Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model (RO Model): "While we are grateful for the delay, our focus remains on the reforms needed for the model to be successful. ... This delay creates a critical window of opportunity for Congress to address the RO Model’s flaws."

CMS 2022 final rules: ASTRO deeply concerned and disappointed, emphasizes need for legislative solution

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement today from Laura Dawson, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, in response to the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) final rules announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Prior authorization costs radiation oncology clinics more than $40 million each year, study estimates

The time required to secure prior authorization approvals for radiation therapy treatments equates to a financial impact of more than $40 million annually for academic medical centers, according to a new study. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.

Senators and representatives unite to call on CMS to protect patient access to high-quality radiation treatments

Members of Congress have joined together to issue bipartisan, bicameral oversight letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that call on the Agency to scale back severe cuts to radiation therapy services in the proposed Radiation Oncology Model (RO Model) and 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).
 

ASTRO backs bipartisan Congressional bills to reduce prior authorization burdens and treatment delays for people with cancer

On behalf of the nation's radiation oncologists and the more-than one million people with cancer they will treat this year, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) expressed strong support for today's Senate introduction of bipartisan federal legislation that would rein in restrictive prior authorization practices that delay patient access to critical cancer treatments.

ASTRO submits comments to CMS: Stop the draconian cuts that will harm cancer patient care

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) submitted two comment letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) today urging the agency to reconsider policy changes that will result in $300 million in Medicare cuts for radiation therapy services starting January 1, 2022.

ASTRO issues clinical guideline on radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcoma in adults

A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Radiation oncologists urge Congress to reverse proposed CMS cuts and create more equity in access to cancer treatments

A record number of radiation oncologists met with congressional leaders and staff last week as part of the largest American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Advocacy Day in the Society's history.

ASTRO responds to troubling Medicare cuts and Radiation Oncology Model update

In response to consecutive weeks of proposed Medicare payment cuts to radiation oncology cancer care, Thomas J. Eichler, MD, FASTRO, Chair of American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), issued the following statement.

ASTRO survey: Fewer patient visits despite enhanced COVID-19 safety measures for radiation oncology clinics

Despite facing challenges such as limited access to PPE during the COVID-19 outbreak, radiation oncology clinics quickly implemented safety enhancements that allowed them to continue caring for cancer patients, according to a new national survey from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). All 222 physician leaders in the survey collected April 16-30 said their practices continued to provide radiation therapy, yet 85% also reported declines in patient visits, by an average of one-third.

ASTRO applauds new prior authorization legislation to reduce cancer patient burden and delays

On behalf of the nation’s radiation oncologists and the more-than one million cancer patients in their care this year, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) applauded today’s introduction of bipartisan federal legislation that would rein in restrictive prior authorization practices that unnecessarily delay patient access to critical cancer treatments.

Prior authorization obstacles unnecessarily delay patient access to cancer treatments, physician survey finds