%0 Journal Article
%T Technological Progress in Radiation Therapy for Brain Tumors
%A Frederik Jozef Vernimmen
%A Kathy Rock
%J Journal of Cancer Therapy
%P 38-43
%@ 2151-1942
%D 2014
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jct.2014.51005
%X <p>
	<span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">To achieve a good therapeutic ratio the radiation dose to the tumor
should be as high as possible with the lowest possible dose to the surrounding
normal tissue. This is especially the case for brain tumors. Technological advancements
in diagnostic imaging, dose calculations, and radiation delivery systems,
combined with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of brain tumors ha</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">ve</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> led to improvements in the therapeutic results. The widely used
technology of delivering 3-D conformal therapy with photon beams (gamma rays)
produced by Linear Accelerators has progressed into the use of Intensity
modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Particle beams have been used for several
decades for radiotherapy because of their favorable depth dose characteristics.
The introduction of clinically dedicated proton beam therapy facilities has
improved the access for cancer patients to this treatment. Proton therapy is of
particular interest for pediatric malignancies. These technical improvements
are further enhanced by the evolution in tumor physiology imaging which allows
for improved delineation of the tumor. This in turn opens the potential to
adjust the radiation dose to maximize the radiobiological effects. The advances
in both imaging and radiation therapy delivery will be discussed.</span> 
</p>
%K Brain Tumors
%K Radiotherapy
%K Proton Therapy
%K Functional Imaging
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=41686