2023 News Releases
Dr. Rachel Jimenez named editor-in-chief of Advances in Radiation Oncology, ASTRO’s open access journal
Wednesday, December 06, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today that Rachel Jimenez, MD, will become the new editor-in-chief of Advances in Radiation Oncology, ASTRO's gold open access journal. Dr. Jimenez, an associate professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School and the chair of quality and safety in radiation oncology at Mass General Cancer Center, will begin her five-year term in March 2024. Dr. Jimenez will succeed Robert C. Miller, MD, MBA, FASTRO, who has served as editor-in-chief since the journal was founded in 2015.
ASTRO applauds appointment of Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell as National Cancer Institute director
Thursday, November 30, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today expressed its support for President Joe Biden’s intended appointment of W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, as director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), with the following statement from Jeff M. Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors.
ASTRO issues patient-centered clinical guideline on partial breast irradiation for early-stage invasive breast cancer and DCIS
Wednesday, November 15, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued today a clinical guideline on partial breast irradiation for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). For the guideline, experts in breast cancer compiled evidence—including several recently published large, randomized clinical trials—to provide guidance on which patients can benefit from partial breast radiation, as well as best practices to deliver the treatment effectively.
ASTRO and ESTRO call for action: Maintaining the cycle of innovation in radiation oncology
Monday, November 06, 2023Joint statement from ASTRO and ESTRO on the importance of technological innovation in radiation oncology, the differences in development cycles for drugs and technology, and the potential risks of unsuccessful innovations for radiation therapy. The societies also issue a call for action to safeguard patient care and innovation in radiation oncology.
Medicare physician payment final rule cements more cuts to radiation oncology, underscores need for legislative fix
Thursday, November 02, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement in response to the final 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) released today: “ASTRO is deeply disappointed that CMS finalized an additional 2% cut to reimbursement for radiation therapy in today’s MPFS final rule. The consistent decline in Medicare reimbursement for radiation oncology threatens to undermine patients’ access to vital cancer care across the country. The time has come for Congress to intervene with reform legislation to ensure short-term stability and long-term viability."
ASTRO celebrates contributions to radiation oncology with 2023 Gold Medals and other awards
Thursday, October 26, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recognized the recipients of its 2023 Gold Medal awards and other high-profile honors during an awards ceremony at the 65th ASTRO Annual Meeting in San Diego. Photos from the ceremony are available online.
ASTRO statement in response to the attack on Israel by Hamas
Friday, October 13, 2023The ASTRO Board of Directors is unified in condemning the recent attack on Israel by Hamas. We deplore and mourn for the loss of life and the impact on critically needed medical facilities. Our Society members across the globe stand ready to support any efforts to ensure people with cancer have access to needed care. Our heartfelt support goes to our health care colleagues and all people affected including those who require urgent access to life-saving care. War always harms human health; as physicians, our goal is always to promote human health. We stand in solidarity with those who seek peace and a swift resolution.
Liquid biopsy may help identify which patients with non-small cell lung cancer will benefit most from radiation
Monday, October 02, 2023A novel liquid biopsy test may help determine which patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread beyond the lungs are most likely to benefit from targeted, high-dose radiation, rather than drug-based therapy, a new study suggests. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting and published in npj Precision Oncology.
Short-course radiation as effective as standard treatment for patients who opt for breast reconstruction after mastectomy
Monday, October 02, 2023In a first-of-its-kind study, people with breast cancer who underwent implant-based breast reconstruction immediately following a mastectomy reported that getting fewer, higher doses of radiation was just as effective as standard radiation, did not increase side effects and saved them time and money. The FABREC study is the first prospective randomized study comparing quality-of-life and clinical outcomes following accelerated versus conventional radiation therapy specifically for patients with post-mastectomy implant- or tissue-based breast reconstruction. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Accelerated radiation treatment could reduce head and neck cancer patient burden in low- and middle-income countries
Monday, October 02, 2023A type of head and neck cancer predominantly diagnosed in people who reside in low- and middle-income countries may be treated effectively with fewer, but higher doses of radiation, a large new international study suggests. The study – a randomized phase III clinical trial involving 10 countries across four continents – found delivering a course of radiation in 20 rather than 33 treatment sessions was just as effective at controlling cancer for patients with alcohol and tobacco-related, locally advanced disease, without increasing side effects. Findings from the HYPNO (HYPo- versus NOrmo-fractionated accelerated radiotherapy) trial will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Using recent diagnostic scans can substantially cut time to treatment for patients needing urgent palliation
Monday, October 02, 2023Using previously taken diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scans in place of CT simulation scans to plan simple palliative radiation treatments can substantially reduce the time some people spend waiting for urgent treatment, improving the patient experience, a new study suggests. Patients who may benefit from this expedited process typically are experiencing pain or other debilitating symptoms, such as an airway blockage. Relying upon existing, recent scans instead of taking new ones reduced the time these patients spent at a cancer treatment center, from nearly five hours to under 30 minutes, on average, providing a pathway for expedited care. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
High-dose radiation offers new treatment option for older patients with inoperable kidney tumors
Sunday, October 01, 2023Older adults diagnosed with kidney tumors that are not suitable for surgery may benefit from targeted, high-dose radiation, a new study from Australian and Dutch researchers suggests. A multi-institutional phase II study – TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) FASTRACK II – found 100% local control and cancer-specific survival for longer than three years among patients who were treated non-invasively for inoperable kidney cancer with stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR). Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Liquid biopsies can rapidly detect residual disease following cervical chemoradiation, study finds
Sunday, October 01, 2023Two liquid biopsy tests that look for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the blood accurately identified patients with a high risk of cervical cancer recurrence after the completion of chemoradiation, a new study confirms. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Precision medicine navigators increase genomic testing rates for Black patients with prostate cancer
Sunday, October 01, 2023The presence of a clinical navigator to act as a liaison between people with prostate cancer and the health care system greatly increases the likelihood that patients, especially Black patients, will receive advanced testing that can help predict the severity of their disease and guide treatment, a new study suggests. The study showed patients seen by a precision medicine navigator were substantially more likely to receive genomic testing than those not seen by the navigator. Black patients, whose genomic testing rates traditionally are much lower than white patients, experienced a six-fold increase if they were seen by a navigator. Findings will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Sexual activity and vaginal dilation associated with fewer side effects after cervical cancer treatment
Sunday, October 01, 2023People who engage in sexual activity or vaginal dilation after chemoradiation treatment for cervical cancer are at lower risk for long-term side effects, according to a new study from researchers in Austria. Findings of the EMBRACE study will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
High cure rate, low toxicity maintained with shortened radiation treatment for intermediate risk prostate cancer, study finds
Friday, September 29, 2023People with intermediate risk, localized prostate cancer can be treated as effectively using fewer and higher doses of radiation therapy delivered over five treatment sessions as they can with lower doses delivered over several weeks, a new phase III randomized trial suggests. The findings, which are the latest from a series of studies investigating the benefits of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for people diagnosed with prostate cancer, will be presented Monday at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.
Winners of the ASTRO-Sumitomo Pharma-Pfizer Alliance new combination therapy challenge announced
Wednesday, September 27, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today announced the three winning research proposals for the 2022 ASTRO-Myovant Sciences (now known as Sumitomo Pharma)-Pfizer Alliance New Combination (Relugolix-Radiation) Therapy Challenge. The Challenge aims to identify research that addresses ways prostate cancer treatments can be improved with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist relugolix in patients who received radiation therapy.
Radiation oncology research and clinical trial results to be featured at ASTRO’s Annual Meeting in San Diego
Wednesday, September 13, 2023ASTRO announced today the 10 studies to be highlighted in the 2023 ASTRO Annual Meeting press program. Researchers will discuss their findings in news briefings held October 2 and 3 at the San Diego Convention Center and via live webcast. Reporters can register to attend the briefings and join the Annual Meeting virtually or in person at www.astro.org/annualmeetingpress.
ASTRO President to speak at President’s Cancer Panel meeting about radiation oncology’s critical contributions to national goals
Thursday, September 07, 2023ASTRO President Jeff Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, will join today’s first stakeholder meeting of the President’s Cancer Panel. Dr. Michalski was invited to share how ASTRO and the radiation oncology community are contributing to the National Cancer Plan. Radiation therapy contributes to 40% of global cancer cures, and more than a million Americans receive radiation treatments for cancer each year.
Radiation oncology leaders awarded ASTRO Fellow designation
Wednesday, July 19, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) selected 29 distinguished members to receive the ASTRO Fellow (FASTRO) designation for its 2023 class of Fellows. These physician leaders will be recognized at an awards ceremony in San Diego on Tuesday, October 3 during ASTRO’s 65th Annual Meeting.
Dr. Sameer Keole voted President-elect of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
Wednesday, July 19, 2023The members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently elected three new officers to ASTRO’s Board of Directors, including Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, as President-elect; Wendy Woodward, MD, PhD, FASTRO, as Science Council Vice Chair; and Vivek S. Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO, as Health Policy Council Vice Chair.
New proposed rule continues cuts to Medicare reimbursement; Legislative remedies needed to protect patients’ access to care
Thursday, July 13, 2023ASTRO issued the following statement from Geraldine M. Jacobson, MD, MBA, MPH, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, in response to the proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): “Another year brings another round of cuts to radiation therapy services for people with cancer under the proposed Medicare fee schedule..."
ASTRO statement on recent SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action
Thursday, July 06, 2023The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action comes at a time when we need to better diversify the oncology workforce. ASTRO has been - and continues to be - committed to the recruitment, training and retention of a diverse group of radiation oncologists to meet the health care needs of patients and address cancer health disparities.
PROSPECT trial expands treatment options for patients with resectable rectal cancer
Wednesday, June 07, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Resource Panel issued the following statement today regarding the PROSPECT clinical trial for patients with rectal cancer.
Widespread staff shortages exacerbate pressures facing radiation oncology clinics; ASTRO Advocacy Day calls for action
Tuesday, May 23, 2023More than 9 in 10 radiation oncologists report that their practices face clinical staff shortages, according to a new national survey from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). More than half (53%) of the doctors said the shortages are creating treatment delays for patients, and 44% say they are causing increased patient anxiety. Radiation oncologists from across the country are in Washington, D.C. today to advocate for policies to help alleviate stresses on cancer clinics and increase access and equity in cancer care, as part of ASTRO’s Advocacy Day.
American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to host Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 1-4
Thursday, May 18, 2023Registration opens today for the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 65th Annual Meeting, which will be held at the San Diego Convention Center, October 1-4, 2023. Led by ASTRO President Jeff Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, the conference is expected to attract thousands of oncologists, clinicians, researchers and other health care professionals from around the globe. ASTRO's
ASTRO strongly supports nomination of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to lead the NIH
Monday, May 15, 2023ASTRO today expressed its strong support for President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s nomination of Monica Bertagnolli, MD, as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with the following statement from Geraldine M. Jacobson, MD, MBA, MPH, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors.
ASTRO and ESTRO issue clinical guideline on local therapy for oligometastatic lung cancer
Tuesday, April 25, 2023A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) provides guidance on the use of definitive local therapy — including radiation and surgery — to treat patients with oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The guideline is published in Practical Radiation Oncology.
ASTRO supports CMS’ prior authorization reform for Medicare Advantage plans
Thursday, April 06, 2023The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from Geraldine M. Jacobson, MD, MBA, MPH, FASTRO, Board of Directors Chair, in response to yesterday’s final rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that revises the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process.
Radiation oncology workforce expected to remain stable through 2030
Wednesday, March 08, 2023A new analysis of the U.S. radiation oncology workforce projects a relative balance between the supply of radiation oncologists and the demand for radiation therapy services through 2030. The report was produced by Health Management Associates (HMA), a consulting firm commissioned by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). It accompanies a review commentary from the ASTRO Workforce Task Force published as an article-in-press today in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics.
Support for Turkish and Syrian communities impacted by the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes
Monday, February 27, 2023In light of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, ASTRO extends our continued sympathy and support to the Syrian and Turkish people as they endure and begin to recover from this tragedy. ASTRO Board Chair Dr. Geraldine Jacobson comments on the situation and ways to help.
Immunotherapy costs drive increase in Medicare spending for outpatient cancer care at the end of life
Monday, February 27, 2023A new study finds that recent increases in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of patients’ lives were driven almost entirely by a type of treatment given to fewer than one in five patients. The study is published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), ASTRO's flagship scientific journal.
Research alert: Study finds large gap in breast cancer treatment recommendations for patients aged 70 vs. 69
Tuesday, January 31, 2023Age-based heuristics can lead to large differences in breast cancer treatment based on small differences in chronologic age, according to a new analysis of more than 500,000 patient records. Patients aged 70 were nearly twice as likely to be passed over for standard-of-care radiation as those aged 69. There were no similar gaps between other age pairs. The study is among the first to demonstrate an age cutoff heuristic in oncology.
