With respect to the technical aspects of radiation therapy, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for external therapy have been implemented (Zelefsky et al, 2001; Hanks et al, 2002).
Technical innovations in radiation oncology eg, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and particle therapy can be developed rapidly and introduced into the clinic even when costs associated with their use are much higher than those for conventional radiotherapy.
However, technical developments of radiation therapy such as three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy have gradually expanded their role from a palliative to a curative intent, whereby high-dose radiation can be delivered to the tumor more safely without affecting the liver function.
They started to ask questions about technical issues, including radiation measurement procedures, and raised concerns about differences in risk perception toward radiation with their spouses.
Considerable technical advances in radiation delivery have been achieved over the past two decades, including the introduction of 3D conformal techniques.
The experimental scenario was reproduced in the Laboratories of ENEA Casaccia, Technical Unit of Radiation Biology and Human Health (UT-BIORAD).
During the past decades, technical developments in radiation therapy have enabled us to decrease the dose in organs surrounding the tumour that in many situations has reduced severe radiation-induced toxicities.
Due to technical problems, solar radiation was not recorded at the study site but it was documented at every sampling point whether the sun was visible or was covered with clouds (cloudiness).
Specimens can be imaged by micro-CT at a resolution starting at 1 μm, but in vivo human imaging is restricted to a voxel size of 82 μm (with actual spatial resolution of ~ 130 μm) due to technical limitations and radiation dose considerations.
Lay terms were chosen to replace more technical terms, such as "Radiation Doctor" instead of "Radiation Oncologist" and "removal of entire breast" instead of "mastectomy".
Radiotherapy outcomes are improving because of technical developments allowing better radiation delivery to reduce the amount of normal tissue irradiated.
