Dr. Michalski on Minimizing Long-Term Consequences of Radiation

Jeff Michalski, MD, professor, vice chair of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center explains the importance of minimizing the long-term consequences of radiation.

Advances in treatment mean that more patients are living longer after cancer, especially those diagnosed young, who could have a prognosis of 30 or 40 years, says Michalski. Quality of life after treatment has become a large concern.

New technologies are now being test across a range of tumor types that reduce the amount of radiation to adjacent organs and structures.

Children and young adults with low-grade curable brain tumors can now receive radiation therapy without losing future cognitive function or mental abilities. There are similar advances in other cancers, including in lung and prostate, which allow vital organs surrounding the tumor to be function properly after radiation.