The Fourth Edition of this landmark work features nine new chapters and has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect contemporary findings. It is the only text that covers every important aspect of radiation oncology - from basic cancer biology, radiation biology, and radiation therapy physics to state-of-the-art treatment regimens for all cancer sites and tumor types and discussions of results. "Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology" is designed to provide a better understanding of the natural history of cancer, the physical methods of radiation application, the effects of irradiation on normal tissues, and the most judicious ways in which radiation therapy can be employed in the treatment of cancer patients.This encyclopedic text places greater emphasis on the use of radiation oncology in palliative and supportive care, in addition to therapy. Included in the new edition are: chapters on molecular biology and physiology, technology assessment and cost benefit, combined chemotherapy and irradiation in head and neck cancer, breast: stage Tis, pancreas, leukemias (adult and childhood), retinoblastoma, unusual tumors in childhood, and endovascular brachytherapy. This edition also features expanded coverage of new 3-D techniques and IMRT and a greater emphasis on pediatric concerns.

Table of Contents:
Section 1: Overview and Basic Science of Radiation Oncology 1 Overview Part A: Cancer Biology 2 Biologic Basis of Radiation Therapy 3 Molecular Biology and Physiology 4 Molecular Tumor Pathophysiology Part B: Medical Radiation Physics 5 Principles of Radiologic Physics, Dosimetry, and Treatment Planning 6 External Beam Dosimetry and Treatment Planning (Photons) 7 Physics and Clinical Applications of Electron Beam Therapy 8 Three-Dimensional Conformal Irradiation, Physics Treatment Planning, and Basic Clinical Aspects 9 Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, Physics, and Treatment Planning Section 2: Techniques, Modalities, and Modifiers in Radiation Oncology 10 Clinical Trials in Altered Fractionation 11 Late Effects of Cancer Treatment on Normal Tissues 12 Methodology of Clinical Trials 13 Magna Field Irradiation 14 Stereotactic Irradiation 15 Intraoperative Radiation Therapy 16 Particle Beam Radiation Therapy: Physics and Clinical Applications 17 Physics and Biology of Brachytherapy 18 Clinical Applications of LDR Brachytherapy 19 Physics and Dosimetry of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy 20 Clinical Aspects of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy 21 Non-sealed Radionuclide Therapy 22 Radioimmunoglobulins in Cancer Therapy 23 Response Modulation of Radiation (Enhancers, Biological Modifiers, Radioprotectors) 24 Hyperthermia 25 Basic Concepts of Chemotherapy and Irradiation Interaction Section 3: Clinical Radiation Oncology Part A: Skin Cancer 26 Skin Part B: AIDS-Associated Malignancies 27 Malignant Neoplasias in Classic and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Including Kaposi's Sarcoma Part C: Central Nervous System Tumors 28 Brain, Brain Stem, and Cerebellum in Adults 29 Pituitary 30 Spinal Cord 31 Eye Part D: Head and Neck Tumors 32 Ear 33 Combined Chemotherapy and Irradiation in Head and Neck Cancer 34 Nasopharynx 35 Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses 36 Salivary Glands 37 Oral Cavity 38 Tonsillar Fossa, Faucial Arch, and Base of Tongue 39 Hypopharynx 40 Larynx 41 Unusual Nonepithelial Tumors of the Head and Neck 42 Management of the Neck Including Unknown Primary Metastatic Nodes 43 Thyroid Part E: Thoracic Tumors 44 Lung 45 Mediastinum and Trachea 46 Esophagus 47 Heart and Blood Vessels Part F: Breast Tumors 48 Breast: Stage Tis 49 Breast: Stage T1 and T2 Tumors 50 Breast: Locally Advanced (T3 and T4) and Recurrent Tumors Including Postmastectomy Irradiation Part G: Gastrointestinal Tumors 51 Stomach 52 Pancreas 53 Liver and Hepatobiliary Tract 54 Colon and Rectum 55 Anal Canal Part H: Urinary Tract Tumors 56 Kidney, Renal Pelvis, and Ureter 57 Bladder Part I: Male Genitourinary Tumors 58 Prostate 59 Testis 60 Penis and Male Urethra Part J: Gynecologic Tumors 61 Uterine Cervix 62 Endometrium 63 Ovary 64 Fallopian Tube 65 Vagina 66 Female Urethra 67 Vulva Part K: Adrenal and Retroperitoneal Tumors 68 Retroperitoneum 69 Adrenal Gland Part L: Lymphoma and Hematologic Malignancies 70 Hodgkin's Disease 71 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas 72 Cutaneous T-Cel