Use of Technologically Advanced Radiation Oncology Techniques for Palliative Patients

With the availability of newer technologies, more patients are increasingly treated with palliative radiation therapy using advanced techniques because of the perceived advantage of better symptom control and normal tissue sparing. This chapter provides an overview of clinical applications of technologically advanced radiation therapy in the palliative setting. Most of the data from literature on the use of advanced radiation therapy techniques for palliation of symptoms pertain to intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for brain, spinal, and bone metastases. The chapter also discusses toxicities associated with palliative radiotherapy using advanced technologies.