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A new phase II trial finds that a combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy led to encouraging survival outcomes and acceptable toxicity for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The combination of radiation and pembrolizumab may offer a new treatment option for patients who are ineligible for cisplatin chemotherapy, part of standard treatment for the disease. Findings will be presented at the 2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently welcomed H. Timothy Hsiao, Ph.D., as its new Director of Scientific Affairs, where he will provide strategic leadership to advance the impact of research and innovation in radiation oncology through ASTRO's research funding, fellowships, workshops and scientific collaborations with public and private partners.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has been awarded a new one-year contract from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop quality indicators (QI) for radiation treatments provided to veterans with head and neck, breast and gastrointestinal cancers.

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A study published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics finds that patients who celebrate the end of cancer treatment by ringing a bell report more distressful memories of treatment than those who finish without ringing a bell.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today that Robert Amdur, MD, will become the new Editor in Chief of Practical Radiation Oncology, ASTRO's clinical practice journal. Dr. Amdur, a professor of radiation oncology at the University of Florida College of Medicine, will begin his five-year term on January 1, 2021.

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Numerous studies have shown that monitoring physical activity promotes better health – from reducing body mass index to watching for signs of hypertension, for example. A new study suggests step counters could play yet another role: predicting outcomes for people undergoing chemoradiation therapy for lung cancer.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) applauded the U.S. Senate for voting today to confirm radiation oncologist Stephen Hahn, MD, FASTRO, as the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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A new clinical guideline from ASTRO provides recommendations on the use of radiation therapy to treat patients diagnosed with the most common types of skin cancers. The guideline details when radiation treatments are appropriate as stand-alone therapy or following surgery for BCC and cSCC, and it suggests dosing and fractionation.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) expressed its support after the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted today to approve the nomination of radiation oncologist Stephen Hahn, MD, FASTRO, as the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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One in three adults treated for cancer may experience side effects from treatment they wish they had known more about, according to a new survey published in the Journal of Oncology Practice. The national survey of more than 400 U.S. adults, which was sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), also found that nine in 10 patients felt they made the right treatment decision despite the desire for more information about treatment side effects.

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Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle issued a series of oversight letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in recent months to urge the Agency to adjust its proposed radiation oncology advanced alternative payment model (RO Model). CMS is expected to issue its final determination before the end of 2019.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today expressed strong support for the nomination of radiation oncologist Stephen Hahn, MD, FASTRO, as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Hahn served on the ASTRO Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018.

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Two new studies support and inform the use of proton radiation therapy to treat patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common but often fatal type of liver cancer for which there are limited treatment options. The studies were published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics, the flagship scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recently released seven updated practice parameters for medical providers who use radiation therapy to treat patients with cancer. The updated practice parameters synthesize the clinical best practices that describe recommended procedures and considerations for the safe delivery of radiation in specific areas of clinical practice.

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The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recognized the recipients of its 2019 Gold Medal awards and other high-profile honors at the 61st ASTRO Annual Meeting in Chicago. View/download photos from the September 17 awards ceremony online.

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Treating high-risk heart patients with a single, high dose of radiation therapy can dramatically reduce episodes of rapid, abnormal heartbeats for more than two years, offering hope to patients who have exhausted other treatment options. Findings were presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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A new analysis of survival data for the randomized, phase III PACIFIC trial finds adding the immunotherapy cancer drug durvalumab to radiation and chemotherapy significantly decreased the recurrence of lung cancer both in the chest area and in distant sites outside the chest. The update, which provides greater insight into the landmark study that changed the standard of care for patients with stage 3 unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), were presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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A randomized clinical trial of targeted, high-dose radiation for men with oligometastatic prostate cancer has shown the treatment to be an effective and safe option for patients who wish to delay hormone-suppression therapy. The phase II trial found that radiation therapy can generate an immune system response not previously believed possible in this type of cancer. Findings were presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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Whole breast radiation and partial breast radiation following a lumpectomy yield similar cosmetic outcomes for women diagnosed with early stages of cancer who wish to preserve their breasts. Findings of the new analysis from a phase III clinical trial were presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

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Adding precisely aimed, escalated doses of radiation after patients no longer respond to immunotherapy reinvigorates the immune system in some patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), increasing progression-free survival (PFS). Findings of the phase II randomized trial were presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).