Radiation Therapy For Sarcomas And Skin Cancers

This practical guide to the use of radiotherapy for the treatment of sarcomas and skin cancers covers a wide range of disease scenarios, identifying which treatment techniques are applicable in particular clinical circumstances. Among the conditions considered are extremity soft tissue sarcomas, retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas, bone sarcomas, uterine sarcomas, chordomas, pediatric sarcomas, squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, melanomas, Merkel cell carcinomas, and cutaneous lymphomas. Detailed attention is devoted to the issues and considerations of relevance in everyday practice when treating these diseases. The use of multiple radiotherapy techniques and procedures, including IMRT, brachytherapy, radiosurgery, and particle therapy, is fully explained, and the role of radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy and emerging therapeutics such as immunotherapy and biologic anticancer agents is also addressed. The book will be of high value for practicing radiation oncologists, medical and surgical oncologists, medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, trainees, and other medical professionals.

Photon Radiation Therapy for Skin Malignancies is a vital resource for dermatologists interested in radiation therapy, including the physics and biology behind treatment of skin cancers, as well as useful and pragmatic formulas and algorithms for evaluating and treating them. Dermatology has always been a field that overlaps multiple medical specialties and this book is no exception, with its focus on both dermatologists and radiation oncologists. It is estimated that between 2010 and 2020, the demand for radiation therapy will exceed the number of radiation oncologists practicing in the U.S. tenfold, which could profoundly affect the ability to provide patients with sufficient access to treatment. Photon Radiation Therapy for Skin Malignancies enhances the knowledge of dermatologists and radiation oncologists and presents them with the most up-to-date information regarding detection, delineation and depth determination of skin cancers, and appropriate biopsy techniques. In addition, the book also addresses radiation therapy of the skin and the skin’s reactions to radiation therapy.

In this book, leading experts in the dermatological and oncological field describe the use of radiation therapy for the treatment of the full range of dermatological malignancies – including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphomas, Kaposi's sarcoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell tumor – as well as those precancerous lesions and non-malignant dermatological disorders which are amenable to radiation therapy. In each case the specific indications for the use of radiotherapy and its application are clearly explained with the aid of numerous high-quality illustrations. In addition, the book provides a concise introduction to physical and radiobiological principles, selection of radiation factors, dose definitions, radiation reactions, and risk assessments. The new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect advances in practical knowledge and clinical practice. It will be an invaluable source of information on the management of skin tumors and related non-malignant disorders for both dermatologists, oncologists and radiation oncologists.

Advanced skin cancer is one that has already metastasized beyond its primary origin, or one that has invaded underlying tissues such that surgical resection either is technically impossible or would lead to an unacceptable functional or cosmetic outcome. These skin cancers present a complex problem that requires the input of multiple specialties to delineate the best management plan. National guidelines utilize the best available data to guide management decisions. However, there is considerable leeway within the guidelines, enabling the ultimate care decision to be molded to best fit each individual patient. This book aims to provide instructional examples of patient cases where the input of the multidisciplinary team is critical in providing the most suitable care plan for the patient. CONTENTS: Melanoma * Squamous Cell Carcinoma * Basal Cell Carcinoma * Cutaneous Lymphoma * Kaposi’s Sarcoma * Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans * Merkel Cell Carcinoma * Rare Cancer Presentations

Radiation therapy of cutaneous cancers and other dermatologic disorders is not covered adequately in many current textbooks of dermatology and radiation oncology. This book is intended to fill that gap. Both text and illustrations are oriented toward the practical aspects of radiation therapy. The beginner will find a concise introduction to physical and biological principles, selec tion of radiation factors, dose definitions, indications for treatment, and radiation seque lae. The experienced dermatologist and radiation oncologist will find a detailed discussion of specific indications for various radiation techniques in different body regions. A special effort was made to add pertinent references to the world literature for those who wish to pursue particular topics still further. We have tried to include all major American and European publications of the last 20 years in our bibliography of more than 500 refer ences, and we also have attempted to review the most important scientific papers on prin ciples and practice of ionizing radiation therapy in a constructive way. We are grateful to Professor Gorson, Dr. Breneman, and Professor Lindel6f, who generously contributed chapters in their areas of expertise despite their many other com mitments.

This book serves as a practical guide for the prevention and treatment of radiation dermatitis. Skin toxicity caused by radiation treatment is common among cancer patients and minimizing the frequency and severity of these reactions improves quality of life and prevents interruptions that can compromise local-regional control. Each chapter is devoted to a specific disease site, such as the head and neck, breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecologic, and central nervous system. Pediatric malignancies and wound care for locally advanced cancers are also discussed. For each topic, the range and frequency of the observed skin reactions, factors influencing these reactions, the typical course of each reaction and its resolution, and the interventions used are presented. This book provides evidence where it exists for the specific interventions and an extensive illustration program depicts the various reactions and their response to treatment protocols. Skin Care in Radiation Oncology: A Practical Guide presents a framework for patient care in an era of advancing technology and systemic and targeted therapies and is a valuable resource for radiation oncologists, dermatologists, and residents.

Cancers of the head and neck are among the most morbid of cancers. Convention al surgery and/or radiation therapy have a high cure rate for patients with early stage disease. However, despite optimal treatment with surgery and radiotherapy, patients with nodal spread or extensive local disease have a low cure rate. Even if a cancer is cured, a patient is often left with long-term debilities from the treatment and/or cancer. The major causes for decreased survival in patients with advanced head and neck cancer include local recurrence, distant metastases, and second primaries. All of these need to be addressed if one is to improve upon the curability of advanced disease. There are several new techniques, surgical and radiotherapeutic, designed to improve local control. Brachytherapy, or interstitial implantation, delivers a high dose of localized radiation with minimal normal tissue injury. This technique as discussed by Goffinet, may be even more efficacious when combined with hyperthermia. New, creative methods of radiation therapy delivery, such as the use of multiple fractions per day, as discussed by Parsons and Million, are also contributing to long-term local control. Laser therapy, discussed by Ossoff and Nemeroff, provides another tool for treatment of local disease.

Based on the 8th International Symposium on Special Aspects of Radiotherapy held in Berlin in 2004, this volume discusses current controversial topics in the management of skin neoplasias with special emphasis on radiotherapeutic and dermatologic strategies. Following an interdisciplinary approach, it presents the latest diagnostic and therapeutic developments for cutaneous lymphoma, basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and malignant melanoma. Two further chapters focus on more uncommon tumors such as Kaposi's sarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. A detailed overview of skin reactions to radiotherapy is given, and new trends in staging procedures are discussed . In summary, this book will not only be a valuable update for dermatologists and radiation oncologists, but will also provide useful insights for anyone involved in the care of patients with skin neoplasias.