Intensity-modulated radiation therapy reduces radiation exposure to heart and lungs in NSCLC patients

Results from a long-term secondary analysis of the NRG Oncology-RTOG 0617 Phase III study, with a median follow-up of 5.2 years, revealed that patients receiving IMRT had a more than two-fold reduction in severe lung inflammation compared to those who received 3D-conformal radiotherapy , 3.5% versus 8.2%.

IMRT spared more normal tissue than 3D-CRT, which translated into a clinically meaningful benefit to patients. Despite historical concerns of IMRT generating a low-dose radiation bath to a large area of normal lung tissue, we found no excess cancers, increased adverse events or survival detriment over the long term related to this approach." For decades, 3D-CRT has been the standard of care for locally advanced lung cancer when surgery is not an option.

Related StoriesAlthough patients treated with both techniques had similar survival rates, closer inspection of the data demonstrated a correlation between survival and radiation exposure to the heart. IMRT treatment plans achieved significantly lower cardiac radiation doses.

Education Education Latest News, Education Education Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy provides long-term benefits to patients with locally advanced lung cancerIntensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) should be the preferred choice when treating patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as it reduces radiation exposure to the heart and lungs, according to researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Source: medical_xpress - 🏆 101. / 51 Read more »