IMRT for Anal Cancer Reduces Worst Radiotherapy Toxicities

January 27, 2011

FEATURED SEARCH: rectal cancer

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has proven its worth in head and neck cancer, greatly reducing swallowing problems. A study reported at last week's ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers meeting finds that it minimizes the most serious toxicity among anal cancer patients, compared with standard radiotherapy. Doctors from Boston University compared the experience of IMRT-treated patients with results from the earlier Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 98-11 trial.

RESULT: IMRT Cuts Severe Toxicity in Anal Cancer
MedPage Today | Jan 19, 2010 (FREE FULL TEXT)

A recent pair of reviews in Oncology discuss the toxicities and disease-related outcomes of IMRT for this malignancy, in the context of historical treatments. Even several months before the Boston University report, the targeted radiation technique was promising fewer side effects.

RESULT: Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Anal Cancer: Toxicity versus Outcomes
Oncology | Aug 24, 2010 (FREE FULL TEXT)

RESULT: Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Anal Cancer: An Obvious yet Complicated Transition
Oncology | Aug 24, 2010 (FREE FULL TEXT)

Currently used staging techniques should be reconsidered, and a "wait-and-see" approach for patients with a clinically complete response is not justified after successful chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer, conclude the authors of this study who confirm previous evidence that (with a few exceptions) imaging is poor at staging rectal cancers. (For free full text , click on the link at the bottom of the SearchMedica abstract and then on the publisher's link in the right column of the PubMed version.)

RESULT: Prospective assessment of imaging after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer
Surgery (PubMed) | Jan 1, 2011 (FREE FULL TEXT)

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