Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of pediatric cancer patients

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a novel form of radiotherapy, which has the potential to reduce the amount of radiation unintentionally delivered to normal tissues while maintaining a high radiation dose to the tumor in comparison with standard radiation techniques. In adults, this technology has been implemented in a number of tumor sites, but in children it has been little used. This article will review the current studies in which IMRT has been used in children. It will also discuss possible future applications for IMRT, and anticipated problems with its use.