Handbook of Palliative Radiation Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

Authored by Candice Johnstone MD MPH and Stephen Lutz MD MS, the Handbook of Palliative Radiation Therapy is a groundbreaking resource for healthcare professionals in the field of radiation oncology. This book serves as a practical guide to palliative care, focusing on the planning and administration of single-fractionated, hypofractionated, and conventional radiation therapy for end-of-life cancer care.

Understanding the Background and Efficacy of Palliative Radiation Therapy

The handbook begins with several chapters dedicated to the background and efficacy of palliative radiation therapy. These introductory chapters provide crucial information on patient selection, assessing life expectancy, and the benefits of palliative care in improving the quality of life for patients with advanced stage and end-of-life cancer.

Site-Specific Malignancies and Treatment Plans

The bulk of the book consists of chapters on site-specific malignancies, each containing comprehensive literature reviews, treatment plans, toxicity information, and symptom management strategies. More than 20 color figures enhance the chapter text, illustrating best practices and providing visual aids for healthcare professionals.

Delivering Quality Care with Short Course Regimens

Written for radiation oncologists, physicists, and other members of the radiation therapy team, this indispensable text explains how short course regimens can be used to provide better quality care, increase quality of life and convenience, and relieve pain and suffering for advanced stage and end-of-life cancer patients.

Tools for Assessing Life Expectancy

The handbook discusses various strategies for delivering radiation to patients with significant symptoms, such as bleeding, dysphagia, airway obstruction, and other painful and debilitating side effects. It also reviews tools for assessing life expectancy, including Recursive Partitioning Analysis, the TEACHH tool, and other predictive models such as the Number of Risk Factors score.

Combining Palliative Radiation Therapy with Analgesics

Furthermore, the book explains appropriate considerations when combining palliative radiation therapy with analgesics, providing healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively manage patient symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

A Valuable Resource for Healthcare Professionals

The Handbook of Palliative Radiation Therapy is an essential resource for healthcare professionals working in radiation oncology. With its focus on practical applications, comprehensive reviews, and visual aids, this book serves as a valuable guide for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in the field of palliative radiation therapy.