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Latest Medical Physics research

The 10 most useful medical physics studies published this week, chosen from Q1 journals and graded on the Oxford CEBM evidence hierarchy. Each paper links to a short summary and the original on PubMed. Updated 7 November 2026.

Top 10 this week

Week of 1 November 2026

  1. 1

    Efficacy and safety of curative-intent intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for inoperable, locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review

    Journal of cancer research and therapeutics · Q2 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 29 October 2026

    This review included 936 patients in randomized trials and 1,093 in non-randomized studies; none directly compared intensity-modulated radiotherapy with 3D-CRT for locally advanced lung cancer. Standard-dose treatment appeared safe and was associated with less severe pneumonitis and lower heart doses, but varied evidence limits certainty, and intensifying treatment warrants caution in patients with large targets, major blood-vessel involvement, or significant coughing of blood.

  2. 2

    Model-Based Normal Tissue Complication Probability Comparison Between Proton and Photon Therapies for Brain Tumors Complying With Planning Study Guidelines

    Advances in radiation oncology · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 19 October 2026

    In planning comparisons for 66 patients, proton therapy had lower estimated risks of cataracts, memory problems, hearing impairment, tinnitus, and secondary brain cancer than intensity-modulated radiation therapy; 31 patients had at least one difference exceeding the study's threshold for clinical importance. Proton plans also showed higher estimated risks of hair loss, blindness, and brain necrosis, and whether these modeled differences translate into patient outcomes remains unknown.

  3. 3

    Prospective evaluation of an optimized low-dose CT enterography protocol for patients with Crohn's disease

    European journal of radiology · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 23 October 2026

    Randomized evaluation of CT dose reduction and image quality

  4. 4

    Is full re-optimization necessary in adaptive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer? A systematic review of dosimetric and clinical outcomes

    Journal of cancer research and therapeutics · Q2 journal · SR of cohorts · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 29 October 2026

    Across nine studies of head and neck cancer, adaptive radiotherapy consistently improved tumor target coverage and sparing of nearby organs. Effects on local control, survival, toxicity, and quality of life were inconsistent, and the studies used varied methods. The review found no direct evidence that every patient needs full re-optimization, leaving the best approach and timing uncertain.

  5. 5

    Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: An ASTRO Clinical Practice Guideline

    Practical radiation oncology · Q1 journal · Guideline · Evidence level 1 (High) · 27 October 2026

    The guideline recommends moderate hypofractionation over conventional radiation for all risk groups, with randomized evidence showing comparable cancer control, toxicity and quality of life in less treatment time. Very short schedules are a standard option for low- and intermediate-risk disease, but their role in high-risk cancer remains less certain; patients with significant urinary problems may be better suited to moderate schedules.

  6. 6

    Ultrafast brain MRI at 3 T for suspected acute ischemic stroke: interchangeability of the ultrafast and standard protocols

    Japanese journal of radiology · Q2 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 31 October 2026

    In 100 patients with suspected acute stroke, the ultrafast 3 T MRI protocol took 1 minute 43 seconds instead of 4 minutes 29 seconds, while matching the standard protocol for detecting lesions, affected vascular territories and relevant secondary findings. Image quality scores were slightly higher, but the work-in-progress diffusion imaging algorithm still needs further validation.

  7. 7

    Clinical outcomes and dosimetric factors associated with local control after two-fraction radiosurgery for brain metastases

    Radiation oncology journal · Q2 journal · Cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 30 October 2026

    In this retrospective study of 193 brain metastases, local failure reached 17.9% at 12 months after two-fraction radiosurgery. Lower dose coverage of nearly the entire target was independently associated with more local failures, while distant brain failure reached 50.2% by one year. The findings link target dosing to local control, but do not establish a specific dose threshold.

  8. 8

    AAPM Medical Physics Practice Guideline 18.a: Superficial radiation therapy using low-energy kilovoltage x-rays

    Journal of applied clinical medical physics · Q2 journal · Guideline · Evidence level 1 (High) · 1 November 2026

    The medical physics guideline outlines commissioning and daily, monthly, and annual quality checks for superficial radiation therapy using low-energy x-rays. It also covers treatment planning and delivery, regulatory requirements, shielding, and staff monitoring to support consistent, safe practice. The report sets minimum standards, but does not assess whether treatment improves patient outcomes.

  9. 9

    CERVICAL CANCER: NATIONAL CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FROM THE FRENCH CERVICAL CANCER GUIDELINES GROUP

    Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction · Q2 journal · Guideline · Evidence level 1 (High) · 27 October 2026

    A multidisciplinary panel produced 158 recommendations across cervical cancer care, based on evidence review and validation by 87 independent reviewers; 71 clinical questions had insufficient evidence for a recommendation. Key updates include avoiding minimally invasive hysterectomy from stage IB1 and using image-guided brachytherapy after chemoradiotherapy, but care choices still depend on the evidence gaps.

  10. 10

    Nursing radiation-protection compliance and 30-day wound and pin-site adverse events after supracondylar humerus fracture fixation in children

    Frontiers in pediatrics · Q2 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 15 October 2026

    Among 256 children having fracture fixation, 21% in the low-compliance group had a wound or pin-site event within 30 days, compared with 11% in the high-compliance group. After adjustment, the association weakened and was statistically imprecise, so compliance is an exploratory marker of perioperative quality, not an established predictor or cause.

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For healthcare professionals. Summaries are generated by AI from the published abstract and are not medical advice. Read the original paper before changing practice.