The news briefing will highlight the top cancer studies to be presented at ASTRO's plenary session at 2:00 p.m. on October 17, 2005. ASTRO's chair, Theodore S. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., will be moderating the briefing. These significant study findings are:

• Doctors Can Halve Dose of Radiation and Still Cure Hodgkin's
  Doctors in Germany have determined that patients suffering from early-state Hodgkin's lymphoma can receive a reduced dose of involved field radiation therapy, combined with chemotherapy, and still retain a high survival rate. Presented by Rolf-Peter Mueller, M.D.

• Radiation, Chemotherapy Before Surgery Controls Rectal Cancer
  For patients with rectal cancer, receiving radiation therapy and chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor so it can be more easily removed helps keep the cancer from coming back. Presented by Pascale Romestaing, M.D.

• Radiation, Hormone Therapy After Surgery Cures Breast Cancer
  Doctors in Austria found that radiation therapy combined with hormone therapy after surgery is more effective in keeping the cancer from returning. Presented by Richard Poetter, M.D.

• Radiation After Prostate Cancer Surgery Increases Survival
  Patients with advanced stage prostate cancer who receive radiation therapy immediately after surgery to remove their prostate live longer without their cancer returning than patients who do not receive radiation after surgery. Presented by Gregory Swanson, M.D.

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Contact: Beth Bukata
bethb@astro.org
703-431-2332
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
12-Oct-2005