Pediatric Radiation Oncology
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memphis, TN USA Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2018
- 462 Pages
Includes References
Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the Western world. In the United States in 2014, it is estimated that 15,780 children and adolescents from birth to the age of 19 years will be diagnosed with cancer and 1960 will die of the disease (Ward et al. 2014). In 1975, only barely above 50% of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived more than 5 years (Ries et al. 1999). Since then results have greatly improved such that in 2004–2010 more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived at least 5 years (Howlader et al. 2014, National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov). Childhood malignancies include a great variety of different tumor types for most of which multidisciplinary management with a combination of local and systemic treatments is required for optimal outcomes; for many patients, radiation therapy as local treatment is an integral component of the therapeutic strategy. Pediatric malignancies are a challenge for the radiation oncologist due to their rarity, the great variability of histological subtypes, and the complexity of treatment concepts that undergo constant modification. Radiation therapy technologies also undergo a continuous process of optimization and modern technologies (e.g., intensity-modulated radiotherapy, proton therapy, inclusion of modern imaging in treatment planning, and use of imaging to precisely guide treatment delivery) are rapidly becoming essential in the management of children and teenagers with malignancies. This book addresses the most recent developments in radiation therapy with respect to the different types of childhood malignancies and the use of modern treatment technologies. The chapters also address specific issues in the field of anesthesia, palliative radiation therapy, and quality of life. The book is therefore designed to provide a comprehensive overview of current and future treatment concepts with emphasis on radiation therapy. Special attention is paid to experiences on past and present trials worldwide With the increase of the childhood population in low and middle income countries, specific demands will be put on the management of childhood cancer in an environment with limited access to modern technologies. This book therefore also addresses aspects for low and middle income countries. Ries LAG, Smith MA, Gurney JG, et al (eds) (1999) Cancer Incidence and survival among children and adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975–1995. National Cancer Institute, SEER Program. NIH Pub. No. 99-4649. Bethesda, MD Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al (eds) (2014) SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2011, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http:// seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2011/, based on November 2013 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site