Radiotherapy for pediatric brain tumors.
Brain tumors in children are a diverse group of diseases that require multidisciplinary and subspecialty expertise. Radiation therapy is an established treatment cornerstone for these pediatric tumors. Basic concepts of radiation biology and physics provide a framework for understanding the ongoing evolution in radiation delivery techniques and current treatment paradigms. Standard techniques of pediatric central nervous system radiotherapy are included in this review, as well as newer techniques including conformal therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. Examples are provided to illustrate differences in treatment approaches. The appropriate application of each technique is discussed, and then outcomes and treatment sequelae are compared.
Buatti
J M
JM
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, USA.
Meeks
S L
SL
Marcus
R B
RB
Mendenhall
N P
NP
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage