[Modern Treatment Concepts in Radiation Oncology]

Modern Treatment Concepts in Radiation Oncology Abstract. Radiotherapy is a widely used form of therapy that is used in half of all cancer patients. Advances in understanding the fundamentals of tumor and radiation biology, in medical physics and computer science as well as technical developments have continuously improved the effectiveness and healing success of radiotherapy. Patients benefit from new treatment concepts such as hypofractionated radiotherapy for breast and prostate cancer, leading to a reduction in the duration of treatment by several weeks. Selected patients with early stages of breast cancer can be treated with partial breast irradiation with focus on the tumor bed after breast conserving surgery increasing tolerability and comfort. High dose stereotactic radiotherapy over five to six sessions of radiation or only one fraction (radiosurgery) have expanded treatment options for common tumor entities leading to long-lasting tumor control resulting in improved survival and quality of life for those affected. In early lung cancer stereotactic radiotherapy is an alternative to primary tumor surgery. For patients with oligometastatic tumor disease stereotactic radiotherapy allows a curative approach by effectively treating metastases. In patients with brain metastases whole-brain irradiation is replaced by stereotactic irradiation of the individual metastases with fewer side effects. Recently, promising results for improved tumor control with the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy have been presented. Radioimmunotherapy represents a new therapy combination. However, final assessment of its efficacy and side effects profile is still missing. In order to gain therapeutic certainty, further prospective study data are necessary.