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Principles of Radiation Therapy for Glioblastoma Patients

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Precision Molecular Pathology of Glioblastoma

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Abstract

Glioblastomas are aggressive tumors with diffusely infiltrating disease and, despite years of ongoing research, patient prognosis remains poor. Glioblastomas tend to recur locally, therefore emphasizing the importance of optimizing local control with radiation therapy. Since the landmark EORTC/NCIC CTG study, the standard of care for the treatment of glioblastomas remains maximal safe resection followed by concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide. While this standard of care treatment has not changed significantly over the years, radiation therapy techniques have evolved with the goal of increasing local control without increasing toxicity. In this chapter, we review the principles of radiation therapy for glioblastoma patients and explain how radiation techniques for glioblastoma patients have evolved. We also address the different approaches that have already been investigated for improving radiation efficacy and minimizing toxicity. Lastly, we discuss the need for more studies identifying novel therapies that may sensitize glioblastoma cells to radiation as well as identifying molecular biomarkers to help predict glioblastoma response to radiation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Arthur G. James Hospital/The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Sasha Beyer & Arnab Chakravarti

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  1. Sasha Beyer
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  2. Arnab Chakravarti
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Correspondence to Arnab Chakravarti .

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  1. Neuropathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    José Javier Otero

  2. Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Aline Paixao Becker

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Beyer, S., Chakravarti, A. (2021). Principles of Radiation Therapy for Glioblastoma Patients. In: Otero, J.J., Becker, A.P. (eds) Precision Molecular Pathology of Glioblastoma. Molecular Pathology Library. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69170-7_6

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