Advances in Radiation Therapy in Pediatric Neuro-oncology.
Radiation therapy remains a highly effective therapy for many pediatric central nervous system tumors. With more children achieving long-term survival after treatment for brain tumors, late-effects of radiation have become an important concern. In response to this problem, treatment protocols for a variety of pediatric central nervous system tumors have evolved to reduce radiation fields and doses when possible. Recent advances in radiation technology such as image guidance and proton therapy have led to a new era of precision treatment with significantly less exposure to healthy tissues. These developments along with the promise of molecular classification of tumors and targeted therapies point to an optimistic future for pediatric neuro-oncology.
Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Ranjit S
RS
Bindra
Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA woldens@mskcc.org.
Suzanne L
SL
Wolden
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods
image guidance; image-guided radiation therapy; protons; radiation therapy