Recently added articles from Radiation Therapist: The Journal of the Radiation Oncology Sciences:

Does the U.S. need an advanced practice initiative?

Sep 22, 2007; Morris, Benjamin J. ... This paper summarizes the motivating factors behind the creation of advanced practice initiatives for radiation therapy in Canada and the United Kingdom and for diagnostic radiology in the United States. Three major factors appear to have driven the development of advanced practice: a ...

Pediatric bone tumors.(CONTINUING EDUCATION)(Report)

Sep 22, 2007; Minigh, Jennifer ... Although pediatric bone cancer has a low incidence, the implications of the disease are staggering. Given an overall 5-year survival rate of approximately 65% for pediatric patients, malignant bone tumors must be diagnosed and treated rapidly and accurately. This article discusses various ...

IGRT's influence on patient care.(GUEST ESSAY)

Sep 22, 2007; Gregory, Jason A. ... With the adaptation and application of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), current patient care procedures must be examined and improved so that they will integrate properly with the present and future trends in the radiation oncology field. IGRT is no stranger to radiation ...

Patient communication and technology.(IN THE CLINIC)(Report)

Sep 22, 2007; Kaufman, Bernadette M. ... The cancer care process can be confusing and frightening to many patients. The anxiety and stress that oncology patients feel can cause them to forget important information, such as details about prognosis, risks and benefits of therapy, surgical options and alternative therapy. This ...

Colon cancer.(CONTINUING EDUCATION)(Case study)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007; Furlow, Bryant ... This Directed Reading reviews the genetics, biology, epidemiology and treatment of colon cancer. In addition, the article reviews modalities used to image colon cancer and discusses the role of radiation therapy in treatment. ********** After completing this article, ...

The need for a computer-based dosimetry teaching resource.(PROFESSIONAL ISSUES)

Sep 22, 2007; Adams, Robert D. ... Radiation therapy is a technology-driven field, and it is important that students have both current and comprehensive tools with which to train. One way to widely distribute such tools is through the Internet. However, few venues have computer-based medical dosimetry teaching tools for ...

Epidermal growth factor receptor treatment.(STUDENTS SPEAK)

Sep 22, 2007; Rolandson, Cassandra ... Imagine a life without communication. Something as simple as choosing "paper or plastic" while checking out at the grocery store or explaining why an individual should receive radiation vs chemotherapy could not occur without communicating thoughts to other people. Communication serves a ...

LA welcomes radiation therapists.(CALENDAR)(Calendar)

Sep 22, 2007 ... This journal regularly publishes a calendar of educational events that may be of interest to members of the radiation therapy community. To announce a meeting, conference, course or workshop, e-mail dfreeman@asrt.org. Notice must be received at least 3 months prior to publication date. ...

Advanced practice in radiation therapy.(SPECIAL REPORT)(Report)

Sep 22, 2007; Martino, Sal ... The continuously changing health care system demands the highest level of practice from professionals. (1) Today's radiation therapists are pushing at traditional boundaries for their profession, and some have expressed the desire for professional advancement opportunities. (2,3) ...

Chemotherapy improves lung cancer patients' survival.(INNOVATIONS)(Report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... An initial course of chemotherapy improves survival in certain patients with lung cancer who receive concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy, according to a study in the July 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. Concurrent ...

PET predicts patient response to chemotherapy.(INNOVATIONS)(Report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... Positron emission tomography (PET) helps predict which esophageal cancer patients will respond to chemotherapy, according to recent research from Germany. Researchers said the findings point the way to tailoring treatment based on cancer tumor biology. Although chemotherapy is ...

Compact system targets cancer more precisely.(INNOVATIONS)

Sep 22, 2007 ... A new compact radiation therapy system that relies on proton beams can target cancer more precisely than conventional methods, according to the technology's developers. Researchers said the compact machine is far less expensive than full-scale equipment. Proton therapy is an ...

Cancer risk from CT angiography highest in young women.(INNOVATIONS)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... Younger women have a higher lifetime risk of cancer associated with radiation exposure from computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), according to a study in the July 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The development of 64-slice CT scanners has ...

New imaging biomarker could detect cancer cell proliferation.(INNOVATIONS)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... A new molecular imaging biomarker that is entering clinical trials could help monitor the proliferation of cancer cells and enable physicians to quickly determine the effectiveness of treatment. The biomarker, fluorine 18 3-fluoro-3-deoxythymidine (FLT) could allow researchers ...

Cranial irradiation slows lung cancer spread.(INNOVATIONS)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... Patients with a certain type of lung cancer should receive preventive radiation therapy to their brain, according to a study that appeared in the August 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that cranial irradiation helped prevent cancer spread to ...

Boron therapy effective an recurrent head and neck cancers.(INNOVATIONS)(Brief article)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... A new radiation therapy treatment developed for head and neck cancer patients can target large doses of radiation to the tumor using a well-tolerated boron compound, according to a study from Finland. Head and neck carcinomas that recur locally after conventional irradiation ...

Segmentation tool improves radiation therapy planning.(INNOVATIONS)(Brief article)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... A radiation therapy planning tool helps reduce the amount of time needed to plan advanced treatments such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), according to the manufacturer. The new Smart Segmentation feature from Varian Medical Systems of Palo Alto, California, is ...

New chemical probe could improve MRS.(magnetic resonance spectroscopy)(INNOVATIONS)(Brief article)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... A new chemical compound that works with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) could reduce the need for patients to undergo invasive diagnostic tests. MRS is a technique that allows for the measurement of chemicals within the body and brain without removing tissue or blood ...

The importance of IT in radiation therapy.(VIEWPOINT)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007; Lausser, Brandon ... The world of radiology, and especially radiation therapy, is extremely dynamic in nature. Much like the Bronze, Silver and Industrial Ages, today's world of medicine has undergone rapid technological change so quickly that this time period may deserve its own name--perhaps the Medical ...

Radiation therapy and mouth care/La terapia de radiacion y el cuidado de su boca.(PATIENT PAGE/PATIENT PAGE En Espanol)(Clinical report)

Sep 22, 2007 ... This patient education page provides general information concerning radiation therapy and cancer treatment. The ASRT suggests that you consult your physician for specific information concerning your treatment and medical condition. Health care professionals may reproduce these pages for ...