The study is published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology has found its intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) radiation is more effective and safer mesothelioma after surgery. Mesothelioma is a rare tumor protective lining of the lungs, heart, chest and abdomen, which is almost entirely due to the long-term exposure to asbestos. Many oncologists and researchers believe that the most effective treatment for mesothelioma cancer is surgical removal of cancer cells as possible, even after chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
"Local control is still weak, although the inclusion of conventional care trimodal adjuvant radiotherapy, the study said. "This can improve the delivery of adjuvant IMRT."
The authors of the study, a research team from Tucson-based University of Arizona, assessed the outcomes of cases of mesothelioma in the world who have used radiotherapy in the treatment. They found that one of the drawbacks with current conventional radiotherapy is that mesothelioma tumors tend to be irregularly shaped, large and close to sensitive organs like the lungs and heart. But with IMRT, a form of radiotherapy that moderate intensity of radiation to the shape of tumors, to achieve better local tumor control than other forms of radiation.
However, IMRT is far from a perfect system. Unless it is managed by an experienced team who keep low doses of radiation, IMRT destroys the tissues of healthy organs. It is particularly dangerous for patients receiving chemotherapy.
"Serious pulmonary toxicity can be avoided by setting strict dose constraints for the contralateral lung. This can be aided by technological development, "the study concludes that recommend PET for a reliable monitoring.
"Local control is still weak, although the inclusion of conventional care trimodal adjuvant radiotherapy, the study said. "This can improve the delivery of adjuvant IMRT."
The authors of the study, a research team from Tucson-based University of Arizona, assessed the outcomes of cases of mesothelioma in the world who have used radiotherapy in the treatment. They found that one of the drawbacks with current conventional radiotherapy is that mesothelioma tumors tend to be irregularly shaped, large and close to sensitive organs like the lungs and heart. But with IMRT, a form of radiotherapy that moderate intensity of radiation to the shape of tumors, to achieve better local tumor control than other forms of radiation.
However, IMRT is far from a perfect system. Unless it is managed by an experienced team who keep low doses of radiation, IMRT destroys the tissues of healthy organs. It is particularly dangerous for patients receiving chemotherapy.
"Serious pulmonary toxicity can be avoided by setting strict dose constraints for the contralateral lung. This can be aided by technological development, "the study concludes that recommend PET for a reliable monitoring.
