Radiation oncology

Article Abstract:

Radiation oncology involves the use of radiation to treat cancer. Radiotherapy is generally used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. Often, radiation is used to eliminate small clusters of spreading cancer cells, which might have been missed when the primary tumor was surgically removed. The principle behind radiation therapy has remained essentially unchanged for many years, but the techniques for optimal radiotherapy are constantly undergoing revision. For many cancers, the success of controlling tumor recurrence in its original site, that is, local control, is the determining factor in the patient's survival. In diseases such as cervical cancer, still a major killer of women, oncologists are finding that radiotherapy following surgery should be expanded to include a wider area. Cancerous cells frequently spread to the lymph nodes near the aorta in the lower part of the body, and these para-aortic lymph nodes should be included in the field of radiation. Radiation has potentially severe side effects, and much research in radiation oncology is directed towards preserving therapeutic effectiveness, while minimizing side effects. One way of accomplishing this may be through the use of hyperfractionation therapy. The radiation dose deadly for cancer cells is virtually never given all at once, but is spread out over many days. In hyperfractionation therapy, the individual doses of radiation are even smaller, but they are given two or more times a day over the treatment period until the same total dose is reached. In some cases, hyperfractionation is combined with acceleration, and a greater number of smaller doses is given to reach the effective total dose in a shorter period of time. These improvements provide the patient with the best chances of survival currently possible, while limiting as far as practical the undesirable side effects of radiotherapy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Cancer treatment, Radiotherapy

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Reimbursement policies constrain the practice of oncology

Article Abstract:

Insurance companies may not reimburse doctors who prescribe drugs that are not approved for the treatment of certain cancers, and cancer patients could suffer the consequences. A 1990 survey of 681 oncologists - specialists who treat cancer - found that over half of their 2,018 patients received at least one drug not approved for their cancer. The oncologists used these drugs more frequently to treat cancers with no standardized treatments and poor prognoses. They also used these drugs more often when treating patients with advanced cancer. Half of the oncologists said insurance companies had not reimbursed them for these treatments. Eight percent reported changing their preferred treatment to one that they knew would be reimbursed. Almost 40% of the oncologists treating patients with advanced colon cancer reported changing their preferred treatment.

Drugs, Economic aspects, Dosage and administration, Chemotherapy, Drug administration and dosage

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Establishment of a pediatric oncology program and outcomes of childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a resource-poor area

Article Abstract:

The effects of a multidisciplinary team approach and protocol based therapy on the event-free survival of children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in an area with limited resources. The treatment of childhood ALL in a dedicated pediatric oncology unit using a comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach, protocol-based therapy and funding would improve the outcomes in a resource-poor area.

Science & research, Research, Interdisciplinary research, Acute lymphocytic leukemia

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