Interdisciplinary Approach Toward Reirradiation of Cancer Patients

Abstract

As systemic therapies, alongside radiation, for cancer treatment continue to evolve, the radiation oncology community is facing an increasing number of reirradiation (re-RT) of tumor sites subject to recurrences. There are multiple factors associated with choosing re-RT as a treatment option for a previously irradiated site. The factors include the site of previous radiotherapy (RT), the current extent of the disease, the nature of recurrence, the technique used for previous irradiation, and the previous RT details including dose and dose fractionation. There is a persistent heterogeneity in the workflow and decision-making in cancer care centers worldwide. The current review is an attempt to dive into the practices of decision-making for re-RT, interdisciplinary attention given to the re-RT patients, and acceptable doses to the organ at risk (OAR) deduced from the understanding of previous RT and radiobiology of the tumor and sites evidence of better techniques for effective execution.