Recent advances in radiation therapy Journal Article
| Authors: | Gerber, D. E.; Chan, T. A. |
| Article Title: | Recent advances in radiation therapy |
| Abstract: | Recent advances have improved the effectiveness, decreased the complications, and expanded the implications of radiation therapy. These advances include three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and radioimmunotherapy. Each of these modalities has improved radiation targeting, thereby limiting radiation exposure of healthy tissues. The way radiation therapy is administered has also changed. Although traditional external beam radiation therapy is administered daily over several weeks, stereotactic radiotherapy may be administered as a one-time treatment. Radioimmunotherapy is administered intravenously. Contemporary radiation techniques also have distinct toxicity profiles. The high radiation doses employed during stereotactic radiotherapy have been associated with obliteration or obstruction of tubular structures, such as bronchi and bile ducts, limiting its use near these tissues. Radioimmunotherapy may be complicated by anaphylactic reactions during and following infusions. As more patients are diagnosed with cancer and as these patients live longer, primary care physicians will increasingly care for those who have received radiation therapy. Copyright © 2008 American Academy of Family Physicians. |
| Keywords: | fatigue; review; intensity modulated radiation therapy; diarrhea; bone metastasis; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; pancreas cancer; radiation dose; follow up; methodology; endometrium cancer; neoplasm; neoplasms; breast cancer; erythropoietin; bone marrow suppression; esophagitis; lung disease; mucosa inflammation; nausea; oxygen therapy; skin cancer; vagina disease; vaginal dryness; lung cancer; bone pain; kidney failure; radiation injury; bladder cancer; infertility; radiation exposure; radiation response; dose-response relationship, radiation; pneumonia; prostate cancer; sarcoma; lymphedema; lung tumor; dysphagia; patient care; iodine 131; kidney tumor; radiotherapy, intensity-modulated; urine incontinence; stroke; colon cancer; stomach ulcer; glioblastoma; uterine cervix cancer; liver tumor; prostate tumor; pancreas tumor; radiosurgery; pentoxifylline; xerostomia; brachytherapy; scar formation; physician; oropharynx cancer; stomach cancer; cataract; thyroid cancer; antiemetic agent; loperamide; alpha tocopherol; bile duct obstruction; stereotactic treatment; stereotactic radiosurgery; meningioma; radiotherapy, conformal; external beam radiotherapy; hydrocortisone; hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism; lidocaine; corticosteroid; motor dysfunction; speech therapy; cystitis; radioimmunotherapy; radiation induced emesis; anus cancer; computer assisted radiotherapy; esophagus cancer; alopecia; anaphylaxis; rectum cancer; lung fibrosis; granulocyte colony stimulating factor; larynx cancer; coronary artery disease; speech disorder; amnesia; esophagus stricture; blindness; physiotherapy; bone necrosis; seminoma; thyroid hormone; sildenafil; impotence; male genital system surgery; acoustic neurinoma; radiation necrosis; liver injury; heart surgery; small intestine obstruction; arthropathy; brain edema; analgesic agent; pericarditis; cyberknife; paralysis; rectum hemorrhage; alpha adrenergic receptor blocking agent; spine tumor; optic neuritis; retina macula degeneration; dental caries; urethra stricture; hyperbaric oxygen; bronchus obstruction; tamsulosin; urinary tract obstruction; urinary dysfunction; bladder spasm; tooth infection; myelitis; proctitis; pilocarpine; samarium 153; strontium 89; coronary stent; muscle exercise |
| Journal Title: | American Family Physician |
| Volume: | 78 |
| Issue: | 11 |
| ISSN: | 0002-838X |
| Publisher: | American Academy of Family Physicians |
| Date Published: | 2008-12-01 |
| Start Page: | 1254 |
| End Page: | 1262, 1263 |
| Language: | English |
| PUBMED: | 19069018 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 4" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: AFPYA" - "Source: Scopus" |
