Nasopharyngeal cancer around the Mediterranean area: role of newer radiation techniques.
Primary radiotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment of patients with nondisseminated nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Novel techniques, such as intensity modulated and image guided radiotherapy has the capability to generate steep dose gradients, leading to an improved therapeutic index, especially in NPC. Although it is widely accepted as the treatment of choice in NPC in the modern world, in developing countries the financing of these innovative delivery systems still continues to be a major problem. The purpose of this article is to discuss the difficulties one may experience during the transition from 2D way of thinking to the 3D conformal era and to review the clinical outcome and toxicity profile of these promising new radiation techniques.
Turkan
Sedat
S
Department of Radiation Oncology, İstanbul University, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.
Iğdem
Sefik
S
D006801:Humans; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011881:Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D061089:Radiotherapy, Image-Guided / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods