Evidence based radiation oncology with existing technology.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone in cancer management, serving both palliative and curative roles.
• Advanced RT technologies are crucial for curative intent treatments.
• Palliative RT generally requires less sophisticated technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the actual impact of modern radiation therapy (RT) technologies on prevalent cancer types in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.
• To identify specific cancer types that benefit most from advanced RT techniques.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of published evidence was conducted.
• The analysis focused on breast, lung, gastric, gallbladder, colorectal, prostate, and cervix cancers.
• Outcomes assessed included disease control, survival rates, and treatment toxicity, with a focus on Latin America.

Main Results:

• Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D RT) is established as the standard of care for most common cancers in the region.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) shows particular advantages over 3D RT for prostate cancer.
• IMRT improves toxicity profiles and biochemical progression-free survival in prostate cancer patients.

Conclusions:

• Despite technological advancements and increasing access in developing nations, the primary focus should be on elevating the quality of existing radiotherapy facilities.
• Improving the infrastructure and expertise within current radiotherapy departments is essential for maximizing patient benefit.
• Strategic investment in quality improvement is recommended for radiotherapy centers in Latin America.