Radiation Therapy Techniques and Treatment Planning for Breast Cancer ― A Practical Guide on Treatment Techniques

This book addresses the day-to-day treatment planning issues that radiation oncologists are likely to encounter during the treatment of breast cancer patients and provides numerous practical “tips” that will assist in navigation of the treatment planning process, from delineation of the tumor boundaries to discrimination of adjacent normal tissues and critical structures at risk of radiation injury. Differences in target delineation and treatment planning according to technique are emphasized, with coverage of conventional radiation therapy and advanced techniques including cardiac-sparing approaches, e.g., using active breathing control, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, proton beam therapy, and electron beam therapy post mastectomy. Individual chapters also focus on radiation setup and verification techniques and radiation treatment planning systems. The book, which is part of the Springer series Practical Guides in Radiation Oncology, is designed for hands-on use by radiation oncology residents/fellows in training and practicing radiation oncologists.

Dr. Bellon is an associate professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School, and director of breast radiation at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her research centers on the optimal integration of radiation and systemic therapy in high-risk patients, and on innovative ways to improve treatment safety.

Dr. Wong is a radiation oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and an assistant professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School. Her clinical practice is devoted to the care of patients with breast cancer. Her research focuses on the management of ductal carcinoma in situ, and reconstruction after mastectomy. 

Dr. MacDonald is an associate professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School, and chief of the breast cancer division in the department of radiation oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Her research focuses on the optimal use of proton radiotherapy for both breast and pediatric malignancies.

Dr. Ho is a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Ho's clinical practice is dedicated exclusively to the care of breast cancer patients. Her research is primarily focused on developing innovations that permit effective delivery of radiation to the breast and regional lymph nodes while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure to healthy organs.