Volume de-escalation in radiation therapy: state of the art and new perspectives

Abstract

Purpose: New RT techniques and data emerging from follow-up for several tumor sites suggest that treatment volume de-escalation may permit to minimize therapy-related side effects and/or obtain better clinical outcomes. Here, we summarize the main evidence about volume de-escalation in RT.

Method: The relevant literature from PubMed was reviewed in this article. The ClinicalTrials.gov database was searched for clinical trials related to the specific topic.

Results: In Lymphoma, large-volume techniques (extended- and involved-field RT) are being successfully replaced by involved-site RT and involved-node RT. In head and neck carcinoma, spare a part of elective neck is controversial. In early breast cancer, partial breast irradiation has been established as a treatment option in low-risk patients. In pancreatic cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy may be used to dose escalation. Stereotactic radiosurgery should be the treatment choice for patients with oligometastatic brain disease and a life expectancy of more than 3 months, and it should be considered an alternative to WBRT for patients with multiple brain metastases.

Conclusion: Further clinical trials are necessary to improve the identification of suitable patient cohorts and the extent of possible volume de-escalation that does not compromise tumor control.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Head and neck cancer; Hodgkin’s lymphoma; Pancreatic cancer; Stereotactic body radiotherapy; Target volume de-escalation.