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. 

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