Radiotherapy Surgery And Immunotherapy

The history of the development of cancer therapy has been marked by a recurring pattern, one of initially exciting and encouraging results as new methods were introduced, followed by dismaying failures. The extremity of the disease and its high mortality have dictated that each means of damaging tumor cells would be rapidly explored and exploited as a mode of therapy, long before the correspond ing theory and technique were completely understood and perfected. Thus radiation was used as an antitumor agent almost immediately following recogni tion of its cytodestructive capability. Equally constant, following the rapid utilization of new therapeutic methods, has been a period of significant technical improvements. This second aspect of the pattern is also illustrated by the field of radiotherapy. New radiation sources, new methods of dosimetry, use of high-energy radiation, and other new techniques allowed the therapist to better focus upon the tumor and to improve the geometry of exposure. Thus, with each technical advance, the "reach" of radiotherapy was increased and damage to normal tissues was decreased. Inevitably, however, a limit was reached, a point at which clinicians and researchers realized they could go no further without returning to a more fundamental search, one based on the biology of the tumor cell itself.

The history of the development of cancer therapy has been marked by a recurring pattern, one of initially exciting and encouraging results as new methods were introduced, followed by dismaying failures. The extremity of the disease and its high mortality have dictated that each means of damaging tumor cells would be rapidly explored and exploited as a mode of therapy, long before the correspond ing theory and technique were completely understood and perfected. Thus radiation was used as an antitumor agent almost immediately following recogni tion of its cytodestructive capability. Equally constant, following the rapid utilization of new therapeutic methods, has been a period of significant technical improvements. This second aspect of the pattern is also illustrated by the field of radiotherapy. New radiation sources, new methods of dosimetry, use of high-energy radiation, and other new techniques allowed the therapist to better focus upon the tumor and to improve the geometry of exposure. Thus, with each technical advance, the "reach" of radiotherapy was increased and damage to normal tissues was decreased. Inevitably, however, a limit was reached, a point at which clinicians and researchers realized they could go no further without returning to a more fundamental search, one based on the biology of the tumor cell itself.

Treating cancer has always been a major challenge. Although great strides in treatment have taken place in recent years, all too often current treatments are less than effective, or patients relapse. Newer methods of cancer treatment, namely targeted therapy and immunotherapy have generated great excitement in the scientific community. These newer methods of cancer treatment hold promise for patients who otherwise may have few options. Using the principles of health literacy, this updated edition includes many new therapies and describes the essential features of cancer treatments available to the general public in an engaging and stimulating manner. A simple, question/answer format and the use of illustrations, tables, charts, and boxes that highlight definitions, facts, and website links provide more detailed information. Features: Provides questions and answers about the characteristics of cancer, diagnosis, classifications, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, adoptive cell therapy, new developments, and more Cites many new therapies and includes numerous in-text Web links to information at the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, journals, and other online sources Uses animations, practical tips, charts and tables, figures, and photos to explain topics under discussion.

In this issue, guest editors bring their considerable expertise to this important topic. Contains 13 relevant, practice-oriented topics including Current State and Future Directions of Radiation Therapy for Pancreas Adenocarcinoma; A Review of Advances in Radiotherapy in the Setting of Esophageal Cancers; The Emerging Role of Radiotherapy in Oligoprogressive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer; Modern Radiation for Hematologic Stem Cell Transplantation; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on current topics in the advances in radiotherapy, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

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.

Adjuvant treatment is administered prior to or as follow up to surgical procedures for breast cancer. Proven success in using medical therapies allowing for breast conserving procedures or reducing risk of occurrence. Although there has been much progress towards a cure, including the introduction of new targeted therapies, metastasizing cancer remains highly incurable.

This is an open access book. With a wealth of exciting data emerging in this rapidly evolving field this book will review the state-of-the-art knowledge with emphasis on multidisciplinary decision and management of head and neck cancer. The book provides significant detail on a wide range of topics including: the role of new targets for treatment, immunotherapy, resistance mechanisms, standardizing molecular profiling programs, and new methods to guide therapeutic approaches. In addition different disease situations are addressed including different treatment approaches in primary disease and in recurrent and/or metastatic disease as well as new developments in pathology, surgery and reconstruction techniques, new systemic therapies in salivary gland cancer, and supportive care and follow-up. All disciplines involved in the treatment of head & neck cancer are covered with a focus on translation into daily practice. The 8th-THNO is designed for medical oncologists, head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, otolaryngologists, and other medical professionals involved in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer.