Abstract Body

We all have witnessed remarkable technological, physical and biological developments in the field of radiation oncology resulting in improved treatment effectiveness and reduced complication rates thanks to the high-precision in tumor identification, localization and dose delivery. However, these improvements in local control and survival do not apply to all clinical situations. A significant percentage of oncologic patients still remains hopeless, like those affected by very large, unresectable bulky tumors that are unsuitable for the conventional radio-chemotherapy.
These patients are predestined to palliative or best supportive care. From that the need to improve treatment outcomes for this patient population arises. In order to present and to discuss the currently available data in regard to novel, unconventional radiotherapy techniques, this teaching lecture will focus on emerging spatially fractionated radiotherapy approaches with potential to increase the radiation therapeutic ratio. Rational, indications and clinical outcomes behind the spatially fractionated radiotherapy approaches: will be discussed. The goal is to foster learning, understanding, inspiration and wonder, provoking conversations that matter.