Radiation Therapy Treatment in the News: Read articles about how new technologies and discoveries are advancing how radiation therapy is useful in treating a variety of cancers.
02/28/2013: Study identifies growth factor essential to the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor
A multi-institutional team led by MGH researchers has identified a molecular pathway that appears to be essential for the growth and spread of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children.
11/02/2012: Toy Box brings joy to children with cancer
Three- year-old Hope Bolster and her sister, Quinn, were always eager for the toy closet to open. Toy day was their reward for making it through another week of Hope’s proton beam therapy, a type of radiation she was receiving to treat her cancer.
11/01/2012: Combining antiangiogenesis and anti-HER2 drugs may improve survival of breast cancer patients with brain metastases
Adding an angiogenesis inhibitor to treatment with a HER2-inhibiting drug could improve outcomes for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who develop brain metastases.
09/28/2012: For 10 years, on-campus proton therapy offers hope
The 10th anniversary of proton therapy on the MGH campus was celebrated Sept. 20.
09/20/2012: Taming physical forces that block cancer treatment
An MGH research team has identified factors that contribute to solid stress within tumors, suggesting possible ways to alleviate it, and has developed a simple way to measure such pressures.
08/06/2012: Crushing Cancer
After their 8-year-old son had a successful brain tumor surgery in their home state of Washington, Joe and Leigh McGraw chose to take Tommy to MassGeneral Hospital for Children's Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center for targeted treatment. The McGraw's share the story of their experience at MGHfC in the letter and video below.
07/17/2012: Massachusetts General Hospital Ranked #1 in the Nation on U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll
Massachusetts General Hospital has moved into the number one spot on the 2012-13 U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” list.
07/16/2012: All’s Quiet on the Lunder Floors
The Lunder Building is leading a noise-reduction revolution. Thanks to careful planning and innovative thinking, patients rest and receive treatment in a quiet healing environment.
04/09/2012: Normalizing tumor blood vessels improves delivery of only the smallest nanomedicines
Combining two strategies designed to improve the results of cancer treatment – antiangiogenesis drugs and nanomedicines – may only be successful if the smallest nanomedicines are used.
08/05/2011: Chronicling two centuries
IN ADDITION TO the hospitalwide history, Something in the Ether: A Bicentennial History of Massachusetts General Hospital, 1811-2011, by father-daughter duo Webster and Martha Bull, several departmental history books have been or will be published this year in honor of the bicentennial.
07/01/2011: Mass. General team identifies new class of antiangiogenesis drugs
MGH researchers have discovered the first of an entirely new class of antiangiogenesis drugs – agents that interfere with the development of blood vessels. The compound, derived from a South American tree, uses a novel mechanism to block blood vessel formation.
02/18/2011: Lunder Building to “Go Live” this summer
MGH Hotline 2.18.11 In preparation for the summertime transition of several hospital programs and services to the Lunder Building, the MGH Go Live Group for the new facility was established under the auspices of Jean Elrick, MD, senior vice president for Administration.
02/16/2011: Enzyme helps prepare lung tissue for metastatic development
An MGH study has identified a new role for an important enzyme in preparing lung tissue for the development of metastases. The findings may help development of strategies to slow or halt the process.
02/04/2011: New radiation oncology technologies in the Lunder Building
MGH Hotline 02.04.11 While the foundation of MGH Radiation Oncology is built upon the expertise, skill and dedication of the department’s staff members, the incorporation of the most advanced technologies helps to support the overall objectives of caregivers who aim to provide the best quality and safest patient care possible.
02/02/2011: Generic drug may improve the effectiveness of cancer nanotherapies
Low doses of an inexpensive, FDA-approved hypertension medication may improve the results of nanotherapeutic approaches to cancer treatment.
12/17/2010: In General 12.17.10
MGH Hotline 12.17.10 In General Awards and Honors
03/16/2010: Increased radiation dose does not increase long-term side effects for prostate cancer patients
Boosting the radiation dose given to prostate cancer patients to a level that cut recurrence in half did not increase the severity of side effects reported by patients up to a decade later. Patients also found the impact of continuing side effects on their quality of life to be less bothersome than would be expected, based on earlier studies.
02/25/2010: Proton beam therapy shows encouraging long-term outcome for patients with locally advanced sinonasal cancers
Proton beam radiation therapy shows encouraging results for patients with locally advanced sinonasal malignancies, according to a study led by Annie Chan, MD, a radiation oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
06/23/2009: Biomarkers Predict Brain Tumor’s Response to Therapy
A report in Cancer Research highlights a new biomarker that may be useful in identifying patients with recurrent glioblastoma who would respond better to antiangiogenesis therapy.
06/05/2009: Employees of the year
MGH Hotline 6.5.09 Though in different departments, the winners of the MGH Cancer Center and the Radiation Oncology Department employee of the year awards have one thing in common: an outstanding ability to treat all patients with respect and kindness.
03/30/2009: Angiogenesis inhibitor improves brain tumor survival by reducing edema
The beneficial effects of anti-angiogenesis drugs in the treatment of the deadly brain tumors called glioblastomas appear to result primarily from reduction of edema – the swelling of brain tissue – and not from any direct anti-tumor effect.
01/29/2009: MGH Cancer Center now offers pencil-beam proton therapy treatment
The MGH Cancer Center has added pencil-beam scanning to the radiation therapy modalities offered at the hospital’s Burr Proton Therapy Center.
01/14/2009: New model system may better explain regulation of body weight
A new mathematical model of the physiological regulation of body weight suggests a potential mechanism underlying the difficulty of losing weight, one that includes aspects of two competing hypotheses of weight regulation.
12/09/2012: The Boston Globe Magazine
Mass General cancer patients signal a good ending
Listen to the sounds of the Mass General Proton Therapy Center "Good Luck Bell".
04/26/2012: RESOLVE New England
A Mind Body Approach to Enhancing Resiliency
In honor of Infertility Awareness Week, Leslee Kagan, MS, FNP of BHI was asked to be a guest blogger. In this article, she talks about the benefits of stress reduction and resiliency training for women struggling with infertility.
01/01/2006: Neuroendocrine Clinical Center Bulletin
Neuroendocrine Clinical Center Bulletin | Effect of Obesity on Growth Hormone Secretion
The Mass General Neuroendocrine Clinical Center Bulletin shares the latest information for health care professionals about clinical and research topics in neuroendocrine conditions.
07/17/2013: Brian D. Silber Memorial Golf Tournament
The 16th annual Brian D. Silber Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on July 17, 2013. Golf Tournament is at The Meadow at Peabody Golf Course, Peabody, MA. Dinner Reception is at the Hilltop Steak House, Saugus, MA.
05/21/2013: Franco Davoli Memorial Golf Tournament
Help support ground-breaking lung cancer research at Mass General and participate in the Franco Davoli Memorial Golf Tournament on May 21st.
01/23/2013: The Morphing of MGH: Architecture Reflects Changing Patterns of Care
The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation Lecture Series Presents "The Morphing of MGH: Architecture Reflects Changing Patterns of Care"
Marcela Del Carmen, MD, talks about your risk of developing cervical cancer, even as you age
Marcela Del Carmen, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center says that the risk for cervical cancer goes up, not down, as you age. Learn about your risk for cervical cancer, and the new guidelines that caution women to continue to get PAP smears into their 60s.
Celebrating 200 Years: 1811 - 2011
Since 1811, people have counted on Mass General for answers, innovations and medical leadership. As our third century dawns, we remain ready to serve.
About Radiation Therapy Treatment at MGH
An introduction to the Department of Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital. An overview of the different processes and procedures to expect in the course of your treatment program. Learn about what radiation is and the different types of radiation used to treat cancer.
