Radiotherapy

Abstract

With improvements in staging, surgery, and systemic therapies, the role of radiation treatment in children has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Improved cure rates as demonstrated in sequential clinical trials have shifted the focus from cure alone to cure with best long-term function and quality of life. This has particular implications for radiotherapy where the long-term consequences are well recognized. Over the same period pediatric radiotherapy has become more refined as a result of improvements in techniques for both planning and delivery of treatment. Whenever radiation therapy is being considered for a child the indications should be very carefully thought through and the role of radiotherapy in that child’s management continually appraised.