Progress in radiotherapy for pediatric sarcomas

Pediatric sarcoma includes a diverse group of pathologies classified, based on the cell of origin, as primary bone or soft tissue sarcomas. Radiotherapy plays an integral role in the multidisciplinary approach required for optimal therapy in these patients. The particular challenges faced by the radiation oncologist while treating these patients include the age of the patient and the location of these tumors, as they are very often adjacent to critical or growing organs. Technical advances in radiation oncology, including highly conformal planning and improved tumor delineation, may allow a reduction in radiation related toxicities with excellent tumor control. In this chapter, the role of radiotherapy will be reviewed as well as modern technologies that are currently available and under development, with an emphasis on the application of these strategies in the pediatric and young adult population.