Do not define a treatment program that includes radiation therapy without the involvement of the radiation oncologist from the beginning (usually, at time of the tumour first diagnosis) in the definition of the program.

Do not define a treatment program that includes radiation therapy without the involvement of the radiation oncologist from the beginning (usually, at time of the tumour first diagnosis) in the definition of the program.

Type of practice

Other treatments

Age

Adult, Geriatric, Pediatric

Topic Area

Radiotherapy

Modern oncology is represented by surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapies (hormone therapy, chemotherapy, target therapy, immunotherapy). Radiation oncologists are able to manage radiations when used as elective treatment and/or together with systemic therapies. The radiation oncologist is the medical doctor specialised and entitled to prescribe radiation treatments. Nowadays, most of therapeutic approaches are represented by multimodal treatments, with various integrations. Radiation therapy is used in almost 70% of tumours so that not involving a radiation oncologist from the beginning in defining the whole therapeutic program may cause significant errors in terms of recommendations, correct evaluation of side effects and/or timing of sequential treatments. Unfortunately, such mistakes are commonly not recoverable by the subsequent therapeutic choices and may affect clinical outcomes.

Sources

1. Valentini V, Bourhis J, Hollywood D, ESTRO 2012 Strategy Meeting: Vision for Radiation Oncology. Radiotherapy and Oncology 103 (2012) 99–102
2. NCCN guidelines at http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp
3. Kozower BD, Larner JM, Detterbeck FC, et al. Special treatment issues in non-small cell lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2013 May;143(5 Suppl):e369S-99S.
4. van de Velde CJ, Aristei C, Boelens PG et al. EURECCA colorectal: Multidisciplinary Mission statement on better care for patients with colon and rectal cancer in Europe. Eur J Cancer. 2013 Sep; 49(13): 2784-90.
5. https://mariecurielegacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Radiotherapy_seizing_the_opportunity_in_cancer_care.pdf. Accessed 25th April 2021

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Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.