Given that treatment with curative intent is possible in only one-half of cancer victims, and that such treatment frequently fails, the majority of patients with cancer will require relief of symptoms and signs caused by their disease. In this book, the specific contribution of radiation therapy to palliation is considered within the context of multidisciplinary management. Individual chapters are devoted to palliative radiation therapy for primary tumours and metastases at different sites. The management of pain is discussed, and chapters are also devoted to end of life care, the management of complications of radiation therapy, and useful medications. This book will prove useful and interesting not only to radiation oncologists but also to medical students of all ages and to doctors from all disciplines who are concerned with the relief or prevention of suffering in patients with cancer.

From the reviews:

"In this book, the specific contribution of radiation therapy to palliation is considered within the context of multidisciplinary management. This book will prove useful and interesting not only to radiation oncologists but also to medical students of all ages and to doctors from all disciplines who are concerned with the relief or prevention of suffering in patients with cancer." (Anticancer Research, Vol. 24, 2004)

"The present book is part of the series 'Medical Radiology' focusing on radiation oncology. The chapters are structured according to diagnosis, prognostic factors, patient management focusing on radiation oncology and treatment. Extensive literature is provided as well. the book is a very useful volume for radiologists and oncologists. It provides extensive information not only for specialists in radiooncology, but also for doctors of all disciplines who have to deal with the prevention or relief of suffering in oncology patients." (A. K. Dixon and T. J. Vogl, European Radiology, Vol. 15 (6), 2005)

Inhalt
1 Introduction.- 2 Management of Pain.- 3 Metastases to Bone.- 4 Intracranial Metastases.- 5 Spinal Cord Compression Syndrome.- 6 Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.- 7 Gastrointestinal Cancers.- 8 Lung Cancer and Pleural Mesothelioma.- 9 Cancer of the Breast.- 10 Gynecological Cancers.- 11 Genitourinary Cancers.- 12 Malignant Tumors of Soft Tissue and Bone.- 13 Cancers of the Head and Neck.- 14 Tumors of the Central Nervous System.- 15 End of Life Care.- 16 Useful Medications.