title: The role of radiation therapy in benign diseases.
abstract: Although adequate prospective data are lacking, radiation therapy seems to be effective for many benign diseases and remains one of the treatment modalities in the armamentarium of medical professionals. Just as medication has potential adverse effects, and surgery has attendant morbidity, irradiation sometimes can be associated with acute and chronic sequelae. In selecting the mode of treatment, most radiation oncologists consider the particular problem to be addressed and the goal of therapy in the individual patient. It is the careful and judicial use of any therapy that identifies the professional. With an understanding of the current clinical data, treatment techniques, cost, and potential detriment, the goal is to provide long-term control of the disease while minimizing unnecessary treatment and potential risks of side effects. The art lies in balancing benefits against risks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio/Cancer Therapy and Research Center, 7979 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. Tyeng@pol.net
authors.forename: Tony Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Boersma
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Luh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siddiqi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007627:Keloid / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D016727:Orbital Pseudotumor / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011625:Pterygium / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*