Oncological Emergencies in Radiotherapy: Dosage, Fractions and Techniques. Narrative Review

Abstract

Oncological emergencies are clinical situations that pose a risk to the life of a patient with advanced or metastatic disease. There is a variety of emergencies, however only few are  treated with radiation therapy. Brain metastases, spinal compression syndrome, bone metastases, superior vena cava syndrome, and hemorrhages produced by malignant tumors are clinical contexts that require immediate radiotherapy treatment. It is very important an efficient and rapid diagnosis and study the prognosis of each patient since the effectiveness of the treatment will depend on it. Some universal doses and fractionations have been established as well as techniques that have presented great therapeutic value have been compared, showing impact on survival and local control.