What is Astro doing to ensure radiation oncologist compliance?
ASTRO strongly encourages all radiation oncologists to work closely with their compliance officers and/or hospital administrators to ensure compliance with all Medicare supervision equirements. CMS is responsible for administering the Medicare program.
What are the Astro practice management resources?
ASTRO Practice Management Resources are developed to provide information to the membership on topics of interest related to coding, reimbursement, coverage and practice management. New articles in this series will be published on a regular basis to inform members of various practice management matters.
Where can I find Astro videos for radiation therapy?
The videos are available for purchase as downloadable files from the ASTRO product catalog. This ten-and-a-half minute video gives a general overview of radiation therapy as used for brain tumors and walks a patient visually through the simulation and treatment process, with explanations of everything involved.
What are the Astro guidelines for cervical cancer treatment?
The guideline—ASTRO's first for cervical cancer—outlines indications and best practices for external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy in the postoperative and definitive settings. Recommendations also address other treatments including chemotherapy and surgery when used in combination with radiation.
What does Astro stand for in radiation oncology?
American Society for Radiation OncologyAbout ASTRO - American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) - American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Use the up and down arrows to select a result.
What is Astro medical?
ASTRO (the American Society for Radiation Oncology) is a professional association in radiation oncology that is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research, and advocacy.
What is simulation treatment?
Listen to pronunciation. (SIM-yoo-LAY-shun) In cancer treatment, a process used to plan radiation therapy so that the target area is precisely located and marked.
How do they prepare you for radiotherapy?
During radiotherapy planning you might have an injection of dye to help show up certain parts of your body. you may have wires put on scars or around lumps. before the scan you may need to drink a liquid containing a dye.
What is the root word for Astro?
-astro-, root. Aerospace, Astronomy-astro-, or -aster-, comes from Greek, where it has the meanings "star; heavenly body; outer space. '' These meanings are found in such words as: aster, asterisk, asteroid, astrology, astronomy, astronaut, astronautics, disaster.
What are radiation side effects?
Specific side effects of radiation therapy that affect parts of the bodyHeadaches.Hair loss.Nausea.Vomiting.Extreme tiredness (fatigue)Hearing loss.Skin and scalp changes.Trouble with memory and speech.More items...•
How long after simulation does radiation start?
How soon after the simulation will I start radiation therapy? Depending on the type of cancer being treated, your radiation therapy team will need 1 to 7 days after simulation to plan your treatment. For complex cases, more time is needed to minimize the radiation dose to vital healthy structures.
What is simulation before radiation treatment?
Before you begin radiation treatment, your radiation therapy team carefully plans your treatment in a process called radiation simulation. Treatment planning usually involves positioning your body, making marks on your skin and taking imaging scans.
What is a simulation visit?
For most types of treatment, a simulation (SIM) appointment will be scheduled. The purpose of this visit is to outline or map the exact area to be treated. A CT scan will be taken to verify the anatomy and assure accuracy. If needed, immobilization devices such as a face mask or a leg mold will be made at this time.
What happens before starting radiotherapy?
Before you start your treatment, it needs to be planned carefully by your radiotherapy team. This is to make sure the radiotherapy is aimed precisely at the cancer, causing as little damage as possible to surrounding tissue. Your team will explain what the treatment involves and will ask you to sign a consent form.
How long does radiation treatment planning take?
Treatment planning They will use the imaging scans from your simulation to plan the angles and shapes of the radiation beams. They will work with other members of your care team to carefully plan and check the details. This takes between 5 days and 2 weeks.
How long is a session of radiotherapy?
In most instances, treatments are usually spread out over several weeks to allow your healthy cells to recover in between radiation therapy sessions. Expect each treatment session to last approximately 10 to 30 minutes.
What is the process of care in radiation oncology?
The “process of care” in radiation oncology provides a conceptual framework for coding and documenting care throughout the course of treatment.
What are the services performed during the treatment management phase?
The professional services performed during the treatment management phase typically include: review of port films; review and changes to dosimetry, dose delivery, and treatment parameters; review of the patient’s setup; and patient examination.
What information does a radiation oncologist use?
The radiation oncologist may use information obtained from the patient’s clinical evaluation at the time of the initial consultation, as well as request additional tests, studies, and procedures that may be required to complete the treatment plan. Tasks performed.
What is radiation treatment management?
Radiation treatment management represents the radiation oncologist’s professional contribution to patient management during the course of treatment. Tasks performed. For the radiation oncologist, radiation treatment management requires and includes a minimum of one examination of the patient by the physician for medical evaluation and management.
How often is radiation delivered?
Delivery codes are normally used each day of treatment, in some instances twice a day.
What is radiation oncology?
The radiation oncology team develops the appropriate dosimetry calculations and isodose plan, builds treatment devices to refine treatment delivery, and performs any other special services required for the precision of dose delivery.
What is the ASTRO guideline?
A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) provides recommendations for radiation therapy to treat patients with nonmetastatic cervical cancer. The guideline—ASTRO's first for cervical cancer—outlines indications and best practices for external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy in the postoperative and definitive settings. Recommendations also address other treatments including chemotherapy and surgery when used in combination with radiation. The guideline is published online in Practical Radiation Oncology.
What is the radiation oncology guideline?
The guideline was based on a systematic literature review of articles published from January 1993 through October 2018; rare histologies, noninvasive disease and palliative treatment were outside the scope of the current guideline. The multidisciplinary panel included radiation oncologists, a gynecologic oncologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncology resident, medical physicist and a patient representative. The guideline was endorsed by the American Brachytherapy Society, Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology, European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology.
How many members does the American Society for Radiation Oncology have?
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the world’s largest radiation oncology society, with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies.
What is the postoperative setting for a radical hysterectomy?
In the postoperative setting following radical hysterectomy, radiation with concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy (chemoradiation) is recommended for patients with high risk factors such as positive margins. Postoperative radiation therapy is recommended for patients with intermediate risk factors such as larger tumors.
Is IMRT a substitute for brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy is strongly recommended for patients receiving definitive radiation or chemoradiation. Neither SBRT nor IMRT is a suitable substitute for brachytherapy .
Is brachytherapy a conditionally recommended treatment?
In the postoperative setting, brachytherapy is conditionally recommended with the presence of positive margin (s). The guideline also addresses optimal dosing, fractionation and technique for EBRT and brachytherapy, including recommendations for image guidance, volume-based treatment planning and strategies to limit radiation spread to organs ...
Radiation Therapy for Brain Tumors Video
This ten-and-a-half minute video gives a general overview of radiation therapy as used for brain tumors and walks a patient visually through the simulation and treatment process, with explanations of everything involved.
Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Video
This nine-and-a-half minute video gives a general overview of radiation therapy as used for breast cancer and walks a patient visually through the simulation and treatment process with explanations of everything involved.
Radiation Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers Video
This ten-and-a-half minute video gives a general overview of radiation therapy as used for gynecologic cancers and walks a patient visually through the simulation and treatment process, including external radiation therapy and brachytherapy, with explanations of everything involved.
Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers Video
This ten-and-a-half minute video gives a general overview of radiation therapy as used for head and neck cancers and walks a patient visually through the simulation and treatment process, with explanations of everything involved.
Radiation Therapy for Lower GI Cancers Video
This 12 ½-minute video shows patients what to expect their doctor chooses radiation therapy to treat their lower GI cancer. The video includescancers of the colon, rectum and anus. Patients will learn about the pretreatment planning and the treatment process.
Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer Video
This nine minute video gives a general overview of radiation therapy as used for lung cancer and walks a patient visually through the simulation and treatment process with explanations of everything involved.
Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Video
This 15-minute video provides an overview of radiation therapy for prostate cancer including external beam, brachytherapy and SABR, and walks a patient visually through the simulation and treatment process.
What is Astro radiation?
ASTRO is the premier radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, ...
What is the ASTRO guideline for oropharyngeal cancer?
The guideline, “ Radiation therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: An ASTRO Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline ,” is available as a free access article in Practical Radiation Oncology, ASTRO’s clinical practice journal.#N#Drawing on data from clinical trials and other prospective studies, recommendations address the use of radiation therapy (RT), also known as radiotherapy, to treat tumors of the oropharynx in a variety of scenarios. The new clinical practice guideline covers optimal radiation dose and fractionation schedules, the integration of chemotherapy with RT and the role of induction chemotherapy.#N#Oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) is rapidly becoming the most commonly diagnosed head and neck malignancy. The demand for radiation oncologists to treat head and neck cancer is projected to increase nearly 20 percent by 2020 over 2010 rates. 1 The profile of the typical OPSCC patient has changed in the past several decades. From 1988 to 2004, the rates of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated OPSCC rose more than 200 percent, while the rates of HPV-negative disease dropped by half. 2 The estimated risk of death for HPV-positive OPSCC patients is 50 percent lower than for those with HPV-negative disease, in large part due to the more favorable biology of HPV-driven disease, but also because these patients tend to be younger and healthier when they are diagnosed. 3#N#“Advances in treatment planning and technology, as well as a shift in the ‘typical’ oropharyngeal cancer patient over the past several decades, have led to a significant improvement in treatment outcomes for these patients,” said David J. Sher, MD, MPH, co-chair of the task force that authored the guideline and a radiation oncologist at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. “Despite these advances, however, treatment in this sensitive and complex region of the head and neck often leads to short-term, long-term and potentially lifelong side effects—which become even more salient as this patient population trends younger.”#N#“Radiation therapy is the most commonly used curative option for the primary treatment of oropharynx tumors,” said Avraham Eisbruch, MD, also co-chair of the task force and a radiation oncologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “We developed the current guideline to address critical topics facing radiation oncologists who treat oropharyngeal cancer, including when to use chemotherapy, as well as appropriate dose and fractionation schedules for definitive and post-surgical RT settings.”#N#The guideline first addresses the addition of chemotherapy to curative RT for oropharyngeal cancer, recommending concurrent chemoradiation for patients with stage IV disease or stage III disease with large-volume tumors, but not for patients with stage I-II disease. Recommendations by disease stage are as follows:
What is the radiation oncology society?
As the leading organization in radiation oncology, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research, and advocacy.
When to use altered fractionation?
Altered fractionation also should be used for patients with T3 N0-1 disease not receiving concurrent chemoradiation, and it may be used for patients with T1-2 N1 or T2 N0 disease at high risk for recurrence.
Can cisplatin be given weekly?
Weekly cisplatin may be delivered to post-operative patients who are unable to tolerate high-dose cisplatin. Post-operative patients who are unable to tolerate cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy should not routinely receive concurrent chemotherapy.
Is RT recommended for high risk patients?
Post-operative, or adjuvant, RT is recommended for patients who show pathologic risk factors for disease recurrence, such as positive surgical margins or positive lymph nodes following surgery, although concurrent chemoradiation is strongly recommended only for high-risk patients.
What is Astro practice management resource?
ASTRO Practice Management Resources are developed to provide information to the membership on topics of interest related to coding, reimbursement, coverage and practice management. New articles in this series will be published on a regular basis to inform members of various practice management matters.
What is the process of care in radiation oncology?
The “process of care” in radiation oncology provides a conceptual framework for coding and documenting care throughout the course of treatment.
What are the services performed during the treatment management phase?
The professional services performed during the treatment management phase typically include: review of port films; review and changes to dosimetry, dose delivery, and treatment parameters; review of the patient’s setup; and patient examination.
What information does a radiation oncologist use?
The radiation oncologist may use information obtained from the patient’s clinical evaluation at the time of the initial consultation, as well as request additional tests, studies, and procedures that may be required to complete the treatment plan. Tasks performed.
What is prehabilitation?
Traditionally, cancer rehabilitation happens after treatment to help patients recover from the effects of their treatment. Prehabilitation is a concept that focuses on supporting you before your treatment. The better you feel before any treatment starts, the easier your journey will be, and your recovery after treatment will be quicker too.
What does prehabilitation involve?
Prehabilitation is an opportunity for you to focus on your health and wellbeing. It is a chance to get stronger and fitter as you prepare for your treatment. It is also a chance to take some time-out to focus on your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Further support and help
The advice on these pages is designed to help you prepare for the treatment ahead and support you through to recovery. If you are awaiting surgery, further information on preparing for your operation can be found here.
Consultation
Preparing For Treatment
- This phase in the process of care includes clinical treatment planning and simulation services. Clinical Treatment Planning What is it? Clinical treatment planning is the initial step in preparing for radiation oncology treatment. The planning stage is a very important phase in the process of care. The radiation oncologist may use information obtai...
Radiation Treatment Delivery
- What is it?Radiation treatment is delivered using either a type of external beam radiation or brachytherapy, and includes various methods, modalities, and complexities. Delivery codes are normally used each day of treatment, in some instances twice a day. Energy level and complexity of treatment determine the appropriate treatment delivery CPT code to report. Tasks performed.The physician is responsible for verification and documentation o…
Radiation Treatment Management
- What is it?Radiation treatment management represents the radiation oncologist’s professional contribution to patient management during the course of treatment. Tasks performed.For the radiation oncologist, radiation treatment management requires and includes a minimum of one examination of the patient by the physician for medical evaluation and management. The professional services performed during the treatment management p…
Follow-Up Care Management
- Follow-up care is the last phase in the process of care for a radiation therapy patient. Continued care is appropriately provided by the radiation oncologist to monitor the patient for tumor recurrences. Medicare will not pay for routine follow-up care during the three months after completion of external beam therapy, since this is considered part of the treatment management.
Recommendations: Radiation Therapy For Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer
Covid-19 and Cervical Cancer
- The guideline was completed before the pandemic and therefore does not address COVID-19. Dr. Viswanathan and Dr. Chino also expressed concern about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on patients with cervical cancer. "Cervical cancer is one of those cancers where you just can't wait. You need to treat it right away in order to have the greatest chance of cure," said Dr. Viswanathan. "I worry about women not coming in at a time when e…
Treatment-Related Side Effects
- Treatment for cervical cancer can be a challenging experience for patients, given the proximity of the cervix to other critical organs in the pelvis and the combination of multiple therapies. "Irrespective of the techniques used, radiation therapy for cervical cancer causes side effects for many patients, most commonly fatigue and complications in the bowel and bladder. Newer radiation technologies can significantly reduce these complicati…
About The Guideline
- The guideline was based on a systematic literature review of articles published from January 1993 through October 2018; rare histologies, noninvasive disease and palliative treatment were outside the scope of the current guideline. The multidisciplinary panel included radiation oncologists, a gynecologic oncologist, medical oncologist, radiation on...