Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 24
Therapeutic Applications of Ionizing Radiations
Marıa Elena Sanchez-Santos
Abstract
The aim of radiation therapy is to deliver a precisely measured dose of
radiation to a defined tumour volume with minimal damage to the surrounding
healthy tissue, resulting in the eradication of the tumour, a higher quality of
life with palliation of symptoms of the disease, and the prolongation of survival
at competitive cost. Together with surgery and pharmacology, radiotherapy is
presently one of the most important therapeutical weapons against cancer. This
chapter provides an overview of the clinical use of radiation, with emphasis on
the optimisation of treatment planning and delivery, and a top level summary of
state-of-the-art techniques in radiation therapy.
24.1
Radiation Oncology as a speciality in medicine
Radiation oncology is the medical speciality dealing with the use of ionizing
radiations in the treatment of patients with malignant neoplasms (only occasionally
those with benign conditions), alone or combined with other modalities. The aim of
radiation therapy is to deliver a precisely measured dose of radiation to a defined
tumour volume with minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, resulting in
the eradication of the tumour, a higher quality of life with palliation of symptoms of
the disease, and the prolongation of survival at competitive cost.
