Restrictive prior authorization practices cause unnecessary delays and interference in care decisions for cancer patients, according to a new survey of nearly 700 radiation oncologists — released by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

California Protons Cancer Therapy Center announced two major efforts representing significant steps forward in breast cancer treatment research involving its noninvasive, targeted proton therapy. Current California Protons patients as of Feb. 4, 2019, are invited to enroll in the Proton Collaborative Group (PCG) Registry of more than 13,000 patients. Separately, the PCG BRE007-12 Partial Breast Irradiation in early-stage breast cancer clinical trial will enroll around five to eight females per year.

Philips announced IntelliSpace Radiation Oncology, an intelligent patient management solution to manage complexity, improve efficiency and enable operational excellence in radiotherapy departments. IntelliSpace Radiation Oncology, which is considered a work in progress and not available for sale, provides a harmonized way of working, integrating applications and automating workflow to help reduce the amount of time it takes from receiving a patient referral to the start of their treatment. The solution is being unveiled at the European Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ESTRO) 38th Annual Meeting, April 26-30 in Milan, Italy.

April 24, 2019 — Imaging Technology News (ITN) was recently named the 2019 Jesse H. Neal Award winner in the Best ...

Non-small cell lung cancer is a common cancer for both men and women. Many people who are diagnosed with this type of cancer are not candidates for surgery due to heart disease from a history of tobacco use. For these patients who cannot have a surgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a safe, effective and convenient treatment. Over the years, several published dose guidelines for this radiation treatment have been used by physicians. But a common dose schedule has not previously existed.

The Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund, which funds Medicare Part A, will only be able to pay full benefits for Medicare beneficiaries until 2026, according to the 2019 annual report from the Medicare Board of Trustees. The Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund, which funds Medicare Part B and D, is expected to be adequately financed in all years, but the aging population and rising healthcare costs are projected to grow SMI costs from 2.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 to approximately 3.7 percent of GDP in 2038.