Thoracic Radiotherapy
Thoracic Radiotherapy - Related Videos
11:38
Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy
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Cited by 48 •
2014
The current priority in breast cancer radiotherapy is to reduce cardiac doses without compromising target tissue coverage. The voluntary breath-hold technique described here is a simple, inexpensive solution to this problem and capable of being instituted widely without the need for specialized equipment.
11:24
Stem Cell Transplantation Strategies for the Restoration of Cognitive Dysfunction Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
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Cited by 10 •
2011
Brain tumor patients routinely undergo cranial radiotherapy, and while beneficial, this treatment often results in debilitating cognitive dysfunction. This serious unresolved problem has at present, no clinical recourse, and has driven our efforts to devise stem cell based therapies for the recovery of radiation-induced cognitive decrements.
08:02
Combination Radiotherapy in an Orthotopic Mouse Brain Tumor Model
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Cited by 9 •
2012
The purpose of this article is to describe the use of an orthotopic glioblastoma model for chemoradiation studies. This article will go though cell processing, implanting, and radiotherapy of the mouse using an intracranial model.
06:57
Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
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Cited by 3 •
2020
Here, we present a protocol of the transaxillary resection of the first rib for treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome caused by compression of the brachial plexus, subclavian vein and artery.
01:15
Thoracic Aorta
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2024
The thoracic section of the aorta begins at the T5 vertebra and extends to the T12 level at the diaphragm, initially progressing through the mediastinum to the left of the spinal column. Throughout its course in the thoracic segment, the thoracic aorta emits various offshoots known collectively as visceral and parietal branches. The branches that predominantly supply blood to visceral organs are termed visceral branches and include bronchial, pericardial, esophageal, and mediastinal arteries,...
FAQs
Its ionizing radiation harms tumor-cell DNA in two related ways: it can produce direct DNA damage or generate reactive molecules that prevent tumor cells from accurately replicating and dividing. This molecular effect limits continued tumor-cell proliferation and explains why treatment plans focus radiation on tumor tissue while accounting for nearby healthy structures.
Fractionation divides the prescribed radiation into carefully planned portions rather than delivering it as a single exposure. The schedule is tailored to the tumor’s location and the patient’s anatomy, helping clinicians shape treatment around structures in the chest. This approach supports the balance between tumor control and limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissues.
Tumor location and patient anatomy determine how radiation can be aimed and distributed through the chest. Planning must account for nearby healthy tissues, including the heart and lungs, because limiting their exposure is a central treatment consideration. Research therefore focuses on improved image guidance, dose planning, and tissue-sparing strategies to make delivery more precise.
A thoracic radiotherapy workflow begins with evaluating tumor location and patient anatomy, then designing a dose plan and fraction schedule that target the tumor while limiting exposure to nearby tissues. Image-guidance approaches are being improved to support this process. The plan also reflects whether treatment aims to control disease or relieve symptoms.
Thoracic radiotherapy may be used alone or integrated with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other treatments. Combining modalities places radiation within a broader cancer-care strategy, while the intended role may be control of localized disease, reduction of recurrence risk, or symptom relief. Cancer research also seeks to improve the precision of these treatment approaches.
It can support control of localized disease, reduce the risk of recurrence, or relieve symptoms, depending on how it is used. Because the heart and lungs lie near many thoracic targets, treatment planning emphasizes limiting radiation to these organs and other healthy tissues. Current research addresses this challenge through better image guidance, dose planning, and tissue-sparing strategies.