Fortunately, mortality rates for some cancers are on the decline in the economically developed world. This is the result of reductions in smoking, improvement in cancer screening rates (particularly for colorectal cancer), and better treatment. Unfortunately, 60% of the patients who die of, or with cancer, have persistent locoregional tumors. A substantial portion of the resources in cancer care are devoted to control of the locoregional tumor, and we should optimize use of radiation therapy in these patients. The management of the cancer patient involves a complex and close integration of biological and physical sciences in conjunction with sound clinical principles to obtain the best possible therapeutic results. The fifth edition of Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology is designed to provide the reader with a definitive, authoritative, and comprehensive review of the subject.
The addition of two new editors to the fourth edition of the book, Rupert K. Schmidt-Ullrich, M.D., and Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., engendered a review of the mission and vision of the text. A thorough restructuring of the chapters, their subject matter, and their authorship was undertaken and appeared to meet with the approval of our worldwide readership.
There has been a general evolution of our basic biologic understanding of ionizing radiation and its interactions with living tissue. Increasingly, the discipline of radiation biology has become embedded into a more catholic view of the role of radiation within the field of fundamental cancer biology. The fifth edition addresses the basic science of oncology with updated chapters on molecular cancer biology, radiation biology, and the pathophysiology of solid tumors.
In addition to updated treatments of the standard topics of photon and electron beam dosimetry and treatment planning, new material has been added which comprehensively addresses three-dimensional conformal therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment planning, image-guided radiation therapy, brachytherapy, and radiation modifiers.
The chapters concerning techniques, modalities, and modifiers in radiation oncology have been updated. Entirely new treatments of stereotactic irradiation outside the central nervous system, photodynamic therapy, and oncologic imaging have also added along with updated chapters on particle therapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, and hyperthermia.
The fifth edition provide a totally revised treatment of clinical radiation oncology. The chapters discussing disease by anatomic site cover relevant background information on each tumor, including epidemiology, pathology, diagnostic workup, prognostic factors, treatment techniques, applications of surgery and chemotherapy, end results of treatment, and pertinent clinical trials. This edition was extensively revised to include updated reports on new treatment techniques and results. There is a great deal of individuality in the techniques of irradiation. Descriptions of various technical approaches, leaving to the reader the critical task of selecting the most appropriate one for the particular patient under consideration have attempted to include. The comprehensive and rigorous assessment of each tumor site set forth in this text provides the foundation for proper application of radiation therapy techniques and multimodal programs in the treatment of patients with cancer. The old chapters on breast cancer have been replaced with a more complete treatment in three chapters with new authors. Similarly, prostate cancer is addressed in two chapters with new authors. The treatment of head and neck cancer is covered by a combination of new and previous contributors. A fine new chapter on radiotherapy of benign disease has been provided by contributors from Germany.
The constantly evolving treatment of lymphoma, hematologic malignancies, and pediatric cancers has received particular attention. An outstanding revised chapter on Hodgkin's disease compliments this edition of the book as well as an exhaustive revised chapter on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. New to the fifth edition are a series of chapters on palliative and supportive care and quality of life assessment.
Consistent evolution of our field called for other chapters which have not appeared in prior editions. Chapters on the economics of radiation oncology and radiation oncology in developing countries have added.
The new edition of Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology will continue to advance clinical care, research, and teaching in your discipline. This new edition will contribute to the amelioration and control of cancer disease which causes suffering for many and engenders fear among even more.
About the Editors
- Edward C. Halperin MD, MA : Dean of the School of Medicine, Ford Foundation Professor of Medicine Education; Professor of Radiation Oncology, Pediatrics, and History, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
- Carlos A. Perez MD : Professor Emeritus, Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
- Luther W. Brady MD : Distinguished University Professor, Hylda Cohn/American Cancer Society Professor of Clinical Oncology; Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.