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Radiosensitivity of Ocular and Orbital Structures

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Radiotherapy of Intraocular and Orbital Tumors

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Radiat Oncol))

Abstract

Radiation therapy carries a love-fear relationship in the management of tumors of the eye and orbit, and of nearby structures. Its ability to control tumors with preservation of function and cosmesis earns respect, but it is feared because it is known to have caused disfigurement, loss of vision, and structural necrosis. The authors believe that judicious use of irradiation as primary treatment or as an adjunctive therapy is well established and that many strong contrary opinions are based upon adverse clinical circumstances and an unfortunate choice of technical radiotherapeutic variables. Clinically, it is important to know the nature of the tumor, its location and extent in relation to the sensitive structures of the eye, the tumor control results and adverse consequences of each applicable therapy, and what best suits an individual patient’s circumstances. Technically, the radiation oncologist must choose between several varieties of external beam therapy and brachytherapy, the dose-time fractionation scheme, the size and direction of fields, and the use of shielding blocks, always balancing the best tumor control probability against the risk of radiation damage while knowing what treatment is available to salvage a tumor recurrence or a complication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    R. H. Sagerman MD, FACR

  2. Universität Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    W. E. Alberti MD

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  1. R. H. Sagerman MD, FACR
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  2. W. E. Alberti MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Robert H. Sagerman MD, FACR (Professor) (Professor)

  2. Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    Winfried E. Alberti MD (Professor) (Professor)

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Sagerman, R.H., Alberti, W.E. (2003). Radiosensitivity of Ocular and Orbital Structures. In: Sagerman, R.H., Alberti, W.E. (eds) Radiotherapy of Intraocular and Orbital Tumors. Medical Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-55910-5_27

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