title: Emerging role of intensity-modulated radiation therapy in anorectal cancer.
abstract: Although radiation therapy has an established role to play in the management of rectal and anal tumors, there are often treatment-related morbidities that negatively impact on patients. There is a long-standing interest in radiation oncology on maximizing treatment efficacy while minimizing treatment-related toxicities, which can be pronounced in the treatment of pelvic malignancies. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is a recently introduced technology that has the potential to increase the efficacy:toxicity ratio. It has been implemented in the treatment of prostate and head and neck tumors with success. This article reviews the rationale for its use in treating anorectal tumors and discusses early clinical data supporting its continued investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3085, Durham, NC 27710, USA. jeffrey.meyer@duke.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Willett
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Czito
mesh_terms: D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005269:Femur / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000528:radiation effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000528:radiation effects