The series "Medical Radiology - Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology" is the successor to the well known "Encyclopedia of Medical RadiologyjHandbuch der medizinischen Radiologie". This international handbook with its unique compila tion of data in more than fifty volumes lags behind the fast developing knowledge in radiology today. "Medical Radiology" brings the state of the art on special topics in a timely fashion. The first volume of the series was "Lung cancer", edited by Scarantino. This volume "Innovation in Radiation Oncology", edited by H.R. Withers and L.J. Peters, presents data on the development of new therapeutic strategies in different oncologic diseases. 57 authors wrote 32 chapters covering a broad range of topics. The innovations are at various levels of development, but were all chosen with the practicing radiation oncologist in mind. Perhaps not all of the innovations will survive the test of time, others have now become well established standard procedure in some centers. Also discussed is the assessment of the effectiveness of standard treat ment and how it effects the quality of a patient's survival. The contributions have been grouped into 9 broad sections as outlined in the table of contents. We think the second volume, as the whole series, will provide valuable reading for the general community of radiation oncologists.

The series "Medical Radiology - Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology" is the successor to the well known "Encyclopedia of Medical RadiologyjHandbuch der medizinischen Radiologie". This international handbook with its unique compila tion of data in more than fifty volumes lags behind the fast developing knowledge in radiology today. "Medical Radiology" brings the state of the art on special topics in a timely fashion. The first volume of the series was "Lung cancer", edited by Scarantino. This volume "Innovation in Radiation Oncology", edited by H.R. Withers and L.J. Peters, presents data on the development of new therapeutic strategies in different oncologic diseases. 57 authors wrote 32 chapters covering a broad range of topics. The innovations are at various levels of development, but were all chosen with the practicing radiation oncologist in mind. Perhaps not all of the innovations will survive the test of time, others have now become well established standard procedure in some centers. Also discussed is the assessment of the effectiveness of standard treat ment and how it effects the quality of a patient's survival. The contributions have been grouped into 9 broad sections as outlined in the table of contents. We think the second volume, as the whole series, will provide valuable reading for the general community of radiation oncologists.

- Summarizes the state of the art in the most relevant areas of medical physics and engineering applied to radiation oncology - Covers all relevant areas of the subject in detail, including 3D imaging and image processing, 3D treatment planning, modern treatment techniques, patient positioning, and aspects of verification and quality assurance - Conveys information in a readily understandable way that will appeal to professionals and students with a medical background as well as to newcomers to radiation oncology from the field of physics

Radiation therapy is in the process of continual change, fueled by advances in computer technology, but also aided by the contributions of several disciplines such as physics, mathematics, radiological diagnostics, neurosurgery, and mechanical and electrical engineering. Based on the 3D imaging techniques CT and MRI, a complete change from the 2D consideration of the radiotherapy problem has taken place, leading to 3D treatment planning and to completely new treatment delivery systems. A 3D approach allows for a dramatic rethinking of the following central therapy issues: positioning, targeting, and dose and risk calculation. Major advances have been made in recent years in conformal or stereotactic techniques, in dosimetry, the target volume concept as well as clinical studies. The advances are reflected in the papers collected here from the international symposium '3D Radiation Treatment: Technological Innovations and Clinical Results' held in Munich in March 1999. The reports present the newest technical developments and clinical applications. New conformal and stereotactic technologies are discussed. Clinical results are presented in the treatment of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and brain tumors. The role of growth factors and cytokines in the pathogenesis of radiation injury is examined as are mechanisms in the development of normal tissue damage and their significance for understanding tolerated radiation dose. Included are reports on endovascular brachytherapy and new tools of 3D brachytherapy. This timely book will be of particular interest to radiation oncologists and related clinical practitioners, biologists and physicists.

This book concentrates on the technical innovations, molecular biology, and genetics that have impacted clinical practice in radiation oncology in the past and that will continue to do so in the future. This text, with contributions from over 30 renowned physicians, includes such topics as three-dimensional treatment planning, biochemical modifiers, radiosurgery, photodynamic therapy, total lymphoid irradiation, and genetics of radiation resistance.

This book concisely reviews important advances in radiation oncology, providing practicing radiation oncologists with a fundamental understanding of each topic and an appreciation of its significance for the future of radiation oncology. It explores in detail the impact of newer imaging modalities, such as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and other novel agents, which deliver improved visualization of the physiologic and phenotypic features of a given cancer, helping oncologists to provide more targeted radiotherapy and assess the response. Due consideration is also given to how advanced technologies for radiation therapy delivery have created new treatment options for patients with localized and metastatic disease, highlighting the increasingly important role of image-guided radiotherapy in treating systemic and oligometastatic disease. Further topics include the potential value of radiotherapy in enhancing immunotherapy thanks to the broader immune-stimulatory effects, how cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment influence response, and the application of mathematical and systems biology methods to radiotherapy.

Recent advances in radiation oncology have depended upon and are intertwined with subsequent scientific discoveries and the development of new techniques in the fields of radiation and molecular biology, physics, electrical engineering, surgery, and medical oncology. This volume describes how some of the recent discoveries in the radiological sciences have influenced the way radiation oncology is practised. As there are many advances in this field, the Editors have chosen to concentrate on selected topics in clinical radiotherapy, radiation physics and biology, and technical innovations that have had a major impact on radiation oncology in the past twenty years. It is hoped that the techniques described in this volume will increase tumor control and prolong patient survival and at the same time decrease radiation-induced side effects and complications.

Radioimmunotherapy, also known as systemic targeted radiation therapy, uses antibodies, antibody fragments, or compounds as carriers to guide radiation to the targets. It is a topic rapidly increasing in importance and success in treatment of cancer patients. This book represents a comprehensive amalgamation of the radiation physics, chemistry, radiobiology, tumor models, and clinical data for targeted radionuclide therapy. It outlines the current challenges and provides a glimpse at future directions. With significant advances in cell biology and molecular engineering, many targeting constructs are now available that will safely deliver these highly cytotoxic radionuclides in a targeted fashion. A companion website includes the full text and an image bank.

Today, the arsenal of “high-precision” or “targeted” radiotherapy includes a variety of techniques and approaches that, like the pieces of a puzzle, need to be put together to provide the prostate cancer patient with high-level optimized radiation treatment. This book examines in detail the role of these innovative radiation techniques in the management of prostate cancer. In addition, a variety of current controversies regarding treatment are carefully explored, including whether prophylactic treatment of the pelvic lymphatics is essential, the magnitude of the effect of dose escalation, whether a benefit accrues from hypofractionation, and what evidence exists for the superiority of protons or heavy ions. Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer: Innovative Techniques and Current Controversies is intended for both radiation oncologists and urologists with an interest in the up-to-date capabilities of modern radiation oncology for the treatment of prostate cancer.