Abstract: |
Radiation oncology, commonly known as radiation therapy (RT), is a specialized application of medical imaging used to treat cancers as well as several benign diseases, such as non-cancerous tumors, heart disorders, and thyroid problems. It is estimated that nearly two thirds of all cancer patients will receive RT as part of their treatments. In terms of delivery technique, RT can be divided into external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy. To maximize patient survival, it is now more common to combine RT with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or hormone therapy. This chapter discusses some recent developments and future trends in RT. |