Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
08:34
Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies
Published on: February 6, 2019
Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
Indranil Mallick1, John N Waldron
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave.,Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Seminars in Oncology Nursing
|July 29, 2009
Summary
Modern radiation therapy (RT) precisely targets head and neck cancers, sparing healthy tissues. Advances in RT techniques and understanding of radiation effects are continuously evolving for better patient care and toxicity management.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Cancer Treatment
Background:
- Head and neck cancers require precise treatment strategies.
- Radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone in managing these malignancies.
- Evolving RT techniques offer improved tumor targeting and normal tissue sparing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
- To discuss dose-fractionation and concurrent systemic treatments.
- To examine acute and chronic treatment toxicities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published peer-reviewed research articles.
- Inclusion of technical documents and patient management guidelines.
Main Results:
- Modern RT techniques enable precise tumor targeting while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- Technical advances have significant implications for treatment planning and predicting toxicities.
- Continuous evolution in understanding radiation effects on tumor and normal tissues.
Conclusions:
- Advances in RT enhance precision and normal tissue sparing in head and neck cancer management.
- Ongoing research refines our understanding of radiation effects and optimal patient care.
- Nurses require updated knowledge on RT principles and toxicity management for effective patient counseling and supportive care.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:35Mutations
Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
01:17Radiation: Applications
The average temperature of Earth is the subject of much current discussion. Earth is in radiative contact with both the Sun and dark space; it receives almost all its energy from the radiation of the Sun and reflects some of it into outer space. Dark space is very cold, about 3 K, so Earth radiates energy into it. For instance, heat transfer occurs from soil and grasses, the rate of which can be so rapid that frost can occur on clear summer evenings, even in warm latitudes.
The average...
The average...