Radiation therapy

This chapter details the history of radiation therapy, identifies essential components to a modern department of radiation therapy, and focuses on salient areas of improvement in patient outcome for the next generation of cancer patients. Tumor is more sensitive to radiation in an oxygenated environment; therefore a larger oxygen component to the tumor microenvironment should have a direct positive effect on tumor cell kill. The science of radiation biology continues to expand as radiation therapy continues to increase in demand as a patient care option. Brachytherapy can be used as a sole modality of care for patients with low risk factors for recurrence and as part of an integrated care plan combined with external radiation therapy for patients with intermediate and high risk features for tumor recurrence. Radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy are important areas of research as cell kill from high dose therapy may be exceptionally proficient.