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Author Spotlight: Improving Radiation Therapy Access with Radiation Planning Assistant
Published on: October 6, 2023
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[Special features of radiotherapy in elderly]
Catherine Durdux1, Aurélia Alati1, Mathilde Gisselbrecht1
1Service d'onco-radiothérapie, Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France.
La Revue Du Praticien
|February 23, 2026
Summary
Radiotherapy is a powerful cancer treatment for older adults. This review focuses on radiation oncology considerations for aging patients, including technical aspects and new technologies.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Cancer predominantly affects older patients, a significant demographic in Western countries.
- Radiotherapy is a primary treatment modality for various cancer types in the elderly.
- Existing research confirms the feasibility of radiotherapy for curative and palliative care in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review radiation oncology principles specifically for aging patients.
- To emphasize logistic and technical aspects of radiation therapy in geriatrics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on radiation oncology in the context of aging.
- Analysis of key technical parameters: dose, irradiated volume, and fractionation.
- Exploration of emerging technologies in geriatric radiation oncology.
Main Results:
- Complete geriatric assessment and multidisciplinary approaches are crucial for effective treatment.
- Feasibility of radiotherapy is well-established across cancer types in older populations.
- Specific technical and logistic considerations are vital for optimizing radiation therapy in the elderly.
Conclusions:
- Radiation oncology can be effectively applied to aging cancer patients.
- Tailoring treatment through geriatric assessment and advanced technologies improves outcomes.
- Further research into new technologies can enhance radiotherapy efficacy for the elderly.
Keywords:
cancer
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