Latest news from American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) on News en-us Copyright 2025 News 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/astro-emphasizes-need-for-medicare-payment-stability-as-dr-mehmet-oz-confirmed-as-cms-administrator/?sc=rsin /articles/astro-emphasizes-need-for-medicare-payment-stability-as-dr-mehmet-oz-confirmed-as-cms-administrator/?sc=rsin Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:00:58 EST The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from Howard M. Sandler, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors in response to Dr. Mehmet Oz's confirmation as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): "ASTRO congratulates Dr. Mehmet Oz on his confirmation as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/rocr-act-2025-congress-takes-step-toward-patient-centered-value-based-cancer-care-with-bipartisan-plan/?sc=rsin /articles/rocr-act-2025-congress-takes-step-toward-patient-centered-value-based-cancer-care-with-bipartisan-plan/?sc=rsin Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:20:00 EST The Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Payment Program Act of 2025 (S.1031), sponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), would protect access to high quality cancer care and improve outcomes for patients nationwide, while generating savings for Medicare. The ROCR Act provides a patient-centered solution to modernize how Medicare reimburses radiation therapy services. By shifting away from the current quantity-based, per-treatment system to patient-focused, episode-based payments, ROCR prioritizes the quality and value of care provided -- rather than the number of treatment visits. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/astro-issues-its-first-clinical-guideline-on-radiation-therapy-for-anal-cancer/?sc=rsin /articles/astro-issues-its-first-clinical-guideline-on-radiation-therapy-for-anal-cancer/?sc=rsin Thu, 27 Feb 2025 09:05:04 EST 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 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal and anal margin. The guideline, ASTRO's first for anal cancer, is published in Practical Radiation Oncology. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/new-astro-survey-finds-that-prior-authorization-delays-lead-to-serious-harm-for-people-with-cancer/?sc=rsin /articles/new-astro-survey-finds-that-prior-authorization-delays-lead-to-serious-harm-for-people-with-cancer/?sc=rsin Wed, 04 Dec 2024 09:00:00 EST A new nationwide survey of more than 750 radiation oncologists confirms that prior authorization harms people with cancer by causing treatment delays, abandoned treatments, hospitalizations and patient deaths. Findings also make clear that the problem of prior authorization is growing worse, with patients now experiencing longer radiation therapy treatment delays than during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/astro-issues-update-to-clinical-guideline-on-radiation-therapy-for-rectal-cancer/?sc=rsin /articles/astro-issues-update-to-clinical-guideline-on-radiation-therapy-for-rectal-cancer/?sc=rsin Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:05:38 EST The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued today an updated clinical guideline for physicians who use radiation therapy to treat patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. This update incorporates new data on patient selection and best practices from several practice-changing clinical trials published since the prior guideline was issued in 2020. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/astro-celebrates-contributions-to-radiation-oncology-with-2024-gold-medals-and-other-awards/?sc=rsin /articles/astro-celebrates-contributions-to-radiation-oncology-with-2024-gold-medals-and-other-awards/?sc=rsin Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:05:36 EST The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recognized the recipients of its 2024 Gold Medal awards and other high-profile honors during an awards ceremony during the 66th ASTRO Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Photos of the awardees and the ceremony are available online. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/astro-2024-meeting-wire/?sc=rsin /articles/astro-2024-meeting-wire/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 11:05:03 EST ASTRO 2024 Meeting Wire Sent American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/spiritual-themes-distrust-may-factor-into-black-patients-reluctance-to-participate-in-cancer-clinical-trials/?sc=rsin /articles/spiritual-themes-distrust-may-factor-into-black-patients-reluctance-to-participate-in-cancer-clinical-trials/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:55:00 EST Surveys from two Baltimore medical centers shed light on what may be fueling enrollment declines American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/existing-standard-chemoradiation-superior-to-deintensification-approaches-for-hpv-related-oropharyngeal-cancer2/?sc=rsin /articles/existing-standard-chemoradiation-superior-to-deintensification-approaches-for-hpv-related-oropharyngeal-cancer2/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:00:00 EST An accelerated course of radiation therapy does not increase complications for patients who undergo breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, new research shows. Findings of the large, phase III RT CHARM trial (Alliance A221505) will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/imrt-and-proton-therapy-offer-equally-high-quality-of-life-and-tumor-control-for-people-with-prostate-cancer/?sc=rsin /articles/imrt-and-proton-therapy-offer-equally-high-quality-of-life-and-tumor-control-for-people-with-prostate-cancer/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:00:00 EST People with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with either of two types of contemporary radiation therapy -- proton beam therapy or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) -- achieved equally high rates of tumor control with no differences in patient-reported quality of life, according to a first-of-its-kind phase III clinical trial comparing the two technologies. Findings of the PARTIQoL trial will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/existing-standard-chemoradiation-superior-to-deintensification-approaches-for-hpv-related-oropharyngeal-cancer/?sc=rsin /articles/existing-standard-chemoradiation-superior-to-deintensification-approaches-for-hpv-related-oropharyngeal-cancer/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:00:00 EST Researchers looking to de-intensify radiation treatments for people with early-stage, HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer to prevent long-term side effects halted a large, randomized phase II/III trial after patients in the control arm reached a record high, two-year progression-free survival rate of 98%. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/timing-matters-when-adding-immunotherapy-to-chemoradiation-for-patients-with-limited-stage-small-cell-lung-cancer/?sc=rsin /articles/timing-matters-when-adding-immunotherapy-to-chemoradiation-for-patients-with-limited-stage-small-cell-lung-cancer/?sc=rsin Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:00:00 EST People with limited-stage small cell lung cancer may benefit from adding immunotherapy to chemoradiation, but not if both treatments are given at the same time, new research finds. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/people-who-experience-side-effects-from-cranial-radiation-therapy-may-recover-full-neurocognitive-function-within-months/?sc=rsin /articles/people-who-experience-side-effects-from-cranial-radiation-therapy-may-recover-full-neurocognitive-function-within-months/?sc=rsin Sun, 29 Sep 2024 17:05:00 EST Analysis of three large, phase III clinical trials finds more than 40% of brain metastases patients completely reversed cognitive losses American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/radiopharmaceutical-therapy-offers-promise-for-people-with-tough-to-treat-meningioma-brain-tumors/?sc=rsin /articles/radiopharmaceutical-therapy-offers-promise-for-people-with-tough-to-treat-meningioma-brain-tumors/?sc=rsin Sun, 29 Sep 2024 13:00:00 EST A radiopharmaceutical therapy that has successfully extended progression-free survival for patients with neuroendocrine tumors shows early promise for delivering similar benefits to patients with difficult-to-treat meningioma, a type of brain tumor. Findings of the nonrandomized phase II study will be presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/additional-research-highlights-from-the-2024-astro-annual-meeting/?sc=rsin /articles/additional-research-highlights-from-the-2024-astro-annual-meeting/?sc=rsin Sun, 29 Sep 2024 08:00:00 EST In addition to the studies featured on the press program (details here) for the 2024 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, the following studies were recommended by ASTRO experts and may be of interest to journalists. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/astro-awards-early-career-radiation-oncology-scientists-with-research-grants-and-fellowships/?sc=rsin /articles/astro-awards-early-career-radiation-oncology-scientists-with-research-grants-and-fellowships/?sc=rsin Wed, 18 Sep 2024 08:25:27 EST The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) today announced the recipients of its 2024 research grants and fellowships, including awards co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the LUNGevity Foundation, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the RTOG Foundation/NRG Oncology and AstraZeneca. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/radiation-oncology-research-and-clinical-trial-results-to-be-featured-at-astro-s-annual-meeting-in-washington/?sc=rsin /articles/radiation-oncology-research-and-clinical-trial-results-to-be-featured-at-astro-s-annual-meeting-in-washington/?sc=rsin Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:15:38 EST The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) announced today the seven studies to be highlighted in the 2024 ASTRO Annual Meeting press program. Researchers will discuss their findings in news briefings held September 30 and October 1 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and via live webcast. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/dr-neha-vapiwala-voted-president-elect-of-the-american-society-for-radiation-oncology-astro/?sc=rsin /articles/dr-neha-vapiwala-voted-president-elect-of-the-american-society-for-radiation-oncology-astro/?sc=rsin Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:30:31 EST The members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently elected five new officers to ASTRO's Board of Directors: Neha Vapiwala, MD, FASTRO, as President-elect; Jean Wright, MD, FASTRO, as Clinical Affairs & Quality Council Vice Chair; Andrea Ng, MD, MPH, FASTRO, as Education Council Vice Chair; Christopher Corso, MD, PhD, as Government Relations Council Vice Chair; and Malika Siker, MD, FASTRO, as Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (HEDI) Council Vice Chair.聽The officers will begin their terms October 1 at ASTRO's 66th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.聽 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/astro-urges-legislative-action-as-reimbursement-cuts-continue-in-proposed-fy25-mpfs/?sc=rsin /articles/astro-urges-legislative-action-as-reimbursement-cuts-continue-in-proposed-fy25-mpfs/?sc=rsin Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:45:05 EST The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) issued the following statement from Jeff M. Michalski, MD, MBA, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors, in response to the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): "The declines in reimbursement for radiation therapy services for people with cancer under the Medicare physician fee schedule are disappointing. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) /articles/radiation-oncology-leaders-awarded-astro-fellow-designation4/?sc=rsin /articles/radiation-oncology-leaders-awarded-astro-fellow-designation4/?sc=rsin Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:30:38 EST The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) selected 48 distinguished members to receive the ASTRO Fellow (FASTRO) designation for its 2024 class of Fellows. These physician leaders will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, October 1 during ASTRO's 66th Annual Meeting. The ASTRO Fellows program recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to the Society and to the field of radiation oncology through research, education, patient care and service to the field. American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)