The radiation oncology community is increasingly more optimistic about winning the battle against breast cancer. This ...

It is based on decades-old tomogram technology; even more surprising is the concept behind it is inspired in part by formulas conceived by a mathematician on a blackboard at the turn of the 20th century.

Radiation oncologists are faced with the ongoing challenge of very accurately delivering dose to lesions, often in difficult to reach areas such as the head and neck, lungs and prostate. But clinicians may be overcoming that obstacle as new advances in IMRT technologies offer unprecedented improvements in the speed and accuracy of radiation therapy.

Many of our readers are wondering how the federal health policy to require a 10.6 percent cut in Medicare’s physician reimbursement rates on July 1, 2008, and an additional 5 percent on January 1, 2009, will affect capital equipment purchases, technology and staffing.

Portable ultrasound devices have become the hot item in emergency rooms, ICUs, CCUs, prenatal care and outpatient settings. These techy gadgets have captured the interest of radiologists, cardiologists and other specialists alike. And, manufacturers are driven to bring the best devices to market for enhanced clinical decision-making and improved patient care. Mini-Market Gets Bigger

The recent OTech Webcast on career opportunities in PACS and healthcare IT drew not only hundreds of attendees but also a very animated discussion from the audience, addressing the technical and clinical backgrounds of PACS administrators, the value of experience and new opportunities in clinics and smaller institutions. Audience questions included: