The Function of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Leukemia: Review

Dania Dhafer Hameed and Duha Ismail Khalil

Abstract

Radiotherapy has continued to be a significant component of the management of leukaemia as a complementary modality with chemotherapy, targeted therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It is used in total body irradiation (TBI) as part of conditioning regimens before transplantation, in cranial irradiation in instances of the central nervous system (CNS) involvement and in palliative care in palliative care of the disease. The new changes in the radiotherapy techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and total marrow irradiation (TMI) have significantly improved the accuracy of treatment which has consequently led to a higher sparing of healthy tissues without affecting the treatment effectiveness. Moreover, new measures like radioimmunotherapy and proton therapy are part of the future of precision medicine and will reduce toxicity and improve the outcome of treatment among other measures. This review gives a general overview of the changing role of radiotherapy in leukaemia focusing on the current role of radiotherapy, technology and future of radiotherapy integration with systemic and targeted therapies.