[Hippocampus, brainstem and brain dose-volume constraints for fractionated 3-D radiotherapy and for stereotactic radiation therapy: Limits and perspectives]

Cancer Radiother. 2017 Oct;21(6-7):636-647. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2017.08.108.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Cerebral radiation-induced toxicities after radiotherapy (RT) of brain tumors are frequent. The protection of organs at risk (OAR) is crucial, especially for brain tumors, to preserve cognition in cancer survivors. Dose constraints of cerebral OAR used in conventional RT, radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) are debated. In fact, they are based on historical cohorts or calculated with old mathematical models. Values of α/β ratio of cerebral OAR are also controversial leading to misestimate the equivalent dose in 2Gy fractions or the biological equivalent dose, especially during hypofractionated RT. Although recent progresses in medical imaging, the diagnosis of radionecrosis remains difficult. In this article, we propose a large review of dose constraints used for three major cerebral OAR: the brain stem, the hippocampus and the brain.

Keywords: Brain; Brainstem; Conformational radiotherapy; Dose constraints; Doses de tolérance; Encéphale; Hippocampe; Hippocampus; Organ at risk; Organe à risque; Radionecrosis; Radionécrose; Radiothérapie conformationnelle; Radiothérapie stéréotaxique; Stereotactic radiation therapy; Tronc cérébral.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / radiation effects*
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Brain Stem / radiation effects
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Hippocampus / radiation effects*
  • Humans
  • Organs at Risk / radiation effects*
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries / prevention & control
  • Radiosurgery* / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy, Conformal* / adverse effects