Philip Rubin - Böcker

The rapid advances in radiation oncology, radiation biology, and radiation therapy physics have led to an accumulation of information on the interactions of radiation with other therapeutic modalities, such as the wide array of chemotherapeutic agents being employed in combination with radiation therapy, as well as the multiple biologic response modi? ers that are being used in combination with radiation therapy. It is now recognized that they have a signi? cant impact on normal tissue toxicities. The radiation doses customarily deemed safe on the basis of past experience have now, when combined with other modalities, led to severe late effects in different vital organs. The previously de? ned radiation tolerance dosages remain as valuable guides, but their applicability has changed signi? cantly. The emphasis is now placed on the volume of the organ irradiated, as well as the dose being used. New constructs rel- ing global (whole organ) and focal (partial volume) injury as a function of the dose volume histogram emerge as a signi? cant predictor of late effects on normal tissues. There are now mathematical models such as the model on standard dose, time–dose factors, and accumulated radiation effects that have been supplanted by linear-q- dratic equations using the alpha/beta ratio and its clinical applicability to normal tissue complications. This volume presents contemporary data relating to late effects on normal tissues.

The literature on the late effects of cancer treatment is widely scattered in different journals since all major organ systems are affected and management is based on a variety of medical and surgical treatments. The aim of "ALERT -- Adverse Late Effects of Cancer Treatment" is to offer a coherent multidisciplinary approach to the care of cancer survivors. Volume 1 of this two-volume work focuses on the general concepts and principles relevant to late effects and on the dynamic interplay of molecular, cytologic and histopathologic events that lead to altered physiologic and metabolic functions and their clinical manifestations. Chapters are also included on legal issues, economic aspects, nursing, psychological issues and quality of life. It is anticipated that this textbook will become the gold standard in providing information on the late effects of cancer treatment and that, in its digitized form, it will be referenced in cancer survivorship guidelines.

Multimodal treatment lies at the heart of the improvement in cancer cure rates. However, the more aggressive the treatment, the more adverse effects in normal tissues can be anticipated. Against this background, a major paradigm shift has taken place in that there is a new focus on cancer survivorship and quality of life: the life worth saving must be worth living. This volume is based on the CURED II conference held in May 2007, which was attended by scientists from many leading institutions. The volume comprises 18 chapters by leading experts who address a variety of important topics relating to late treatment effects, such as mechanisms and evolution of injury, risk factors, the role of screening, options for interventions, second malignancies, and prevention. It is hoped that it will assist the reader in understanding how to prevent and treat the long-term side-effects of irradiation, thus improving the quality of life of long-term survivors of cancer.

The rapid advances in radiation oncology, radiation biology, and radiation therapy physics have led to an accumulation of information on the interactions of radiation with other therapeutic modalities, such as the wide array of chemotherapeutic agents being employed in combination with radiation therapy, as well as the multiple biologic response modi? ers that are being used in combination with radiation therapy. It is now recognized that they have a signi? cant impact on normal tissue toxicities. The radiation doses customarily deemed safe on the basis of past experience have now, when combined with other modalities, led to severe late effects in different vital organs. The previously de? ned radiation tolerance dosages remain as valuable guides, but their applicability has changed signi? cantly. The emphasis is now placed on the volume of the organ irradiated, as well as the dose being used. New constructs rel- ing global (whole organ) and focal (partial volume) injury as a function of the dose volume histogram emerge as a signi? cant predictor of late effects on normal tissues. There are now mathematical models such as the model on standard dose, time–dose factors, and accumulated radiation effects that have been supplanted by linear-q- dratic equations using the alpha/beta ratio and its clinical applicability to normal tissue complications. This volume presents contemporary data relating to late effects on normal tissues.

Multimodal treatment lies at the heart of the improvement in cancer cure rates. However, the more aggressive the treatment, the more adverse effects in normal tissues can be anticipated. Against this background, a major paradigm shift has taken place in that there is a new focus on cancer survivorship and quality of life: the life worth saving must be worth living. This volume is based on the CURED II conference held in May 2007, which was attended by scientists from many leading institutions. The volume comprises 18 chapters by leading experts who address a variety of important topics relating to late treatment effects, such as mechanisms and evolution of injury, risk factors, the role of screening, options for interventions, second malignancies, and prevention. It is hoped that it will assist the reader in understanding how to prevent and treat the long-term side-effects of irradiation, thus improving the quality of life of long-term survivors of cancer.

The literature on the late effects of cancer treatment is widely scattered in different journals since all major organ systems are affected and management is based on a variety of medical and surgical treatments. The aim of "ALERT – Adverse Late Effects of Cancer Treatment" is to offer a coherent multidisciplinary approach to the care of cancer survivors. The Volume focuses on the general concepts and principles relevant to late effects and on the dynamic interplay of molecular, cytologic and histopathologic events that lead to altered physiologic and metabolic functions and their clinical manifestations. Chapters are also included on legal issues, economic aspects, nursing, psychological issues and quality of life. It is anticipated that this textbook will become the gold standard in providing information on the late effects of cancer treatment and that, in its digitized form, it will be referenced in cancer survivorship guidelines.