Radiation oncology--linking technology and biology in the treatment of cancer.

Technical advances in radiation oncology including CT-simulation, 3D- conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivery techniques, and brachytherapy have allowed greater treatment precision and dose escalation. The ability to intensify treatment requires the identification of the critical targets within the treatment field, recognizing the unique biology of tumor, stroma and normal tissue. Precision is technology based while accuracy is biologically based.

Modifying normal tissue damage postirradiation. Report of a workshop sponsored by the Radiation Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, September 6-8, 2000.

Late effects that develop in normal tissues adjacent to the tumor site in the months to years after radiotherapy can reduce the quality of life of cancer survivors. They can be dose-limiting and debilitating or life-threatening. There is now evidence that some late effects may be preventable or partially reversible.

Low-grade follicular lymphoma of the small intestine.

Background: Although the gastrointestinal tract is the most common site of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), primary small intestine lymphomas remain relatively rare, especially localized low-grade follicular B-cell lymphomas. When lymphomas do occur at this site, most are high grade and require aggressive therapy. We report three cases of small intestinal follicular lymphoma diagnosed on endoscopic biopsy and review the clinical history, pathologic features, and treatment outcome.