Impact of dose and volume on the tolerance of central nervous system.
Radiotherapy still plays a major role in the treatment of brain lesions. Its end-points are not only better survival but especially better disease control that positively impacts on better quality of life. However radiotherapy is not free of both acute and late side-effects. Data on late toxicity are disappointing, for inadequate follow-up time and the absence of cards for collecting information shared by the scientific community in an attempt to acheive a common, universal language. While these treatments should be considered for palliation, the main goal is always the patient with his/her quality of life, and their toxicity should be monitored to optimize therapeutic outcomes and lower the incidence of complications. The monitoring system of late toxicity used by the authors is presented.
Balducci
Mario
M
Cattedra di Radioterapia, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico A: Gemelli, Roma, Italy. mbalducci@rm.unicatt.it
Mattiucci
Gian Carlo
GC
Dinapoli
Nicola
N
Bavasso
Antonella
A
de Renzi
Filippo
F
Marazzi
Fabio
F
Maronta
Daniela
D
Deodato
Francesco
F
D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects*