Radiation Oncology

Thomas J. Eichler, MD, FASTRO, presented data during a media briefing from surveys of radiation oncologists treating patients with cancer through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data published in The Lancet Oncology found that a hypofractionated radiation schedule of 55 Gy in 20 fractions is noninferior to a schedule of 64 Gy in 32 fractions for patients with this disease.

A recent trial investigating the potential for stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy to treat patients with extracranial oligometastatic cancer found improved survival and a manageable safety profile.

Data published in Cancer found adjuvant radiotherapy after distal cholangiocarcinoma resection was associated with a survival benefit for patients, regardless of margin or nodal status.

This study suggested that the racial composition of clinical trials involving radiation therapy does not match that of the overall US population.

“Sexual dysfunction is an unfortunately common side effect of cancer treatment, and there appears to be a large gender disparity in how physicians discuss sexual health with their patients,” said lead study author James Taylor, MD, MPH.

Researchers found there has been a 17% growth in radiation therapy facilities over the last 15 years, with expansion specifically improving for those who already live near such facilities.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy may be superior to conventional palliative radiotherapy in improving the complete response rate for pain related to spinal metastases at 3- and 6-months post-radiation.

When compared with whole brain radiation therapy, researchers discovered highly focused radiation therapy led to less cognitive decline while simultaneously delivering equivalent overall survival rates.

It may soon be possible to get rid of the “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to radiation therapy.