¿Es importante el momento de inicio de la radioterapia adyuvante? / Is it important the begining time of adjuvant radiotherapy?

RESUMO

The timing of adjuvant radiotherapy is suject of debate at clinical and administrative levels and of concern for the treating physician and also the patient. There is a lack of randomized studies dealing with this point and it is highly unlikely thet they could be carried on. However there is evidence coming from the laboratory and retrospective clinical studies which could be of help. Data from the la boratory tell us thet the Tpot (potential doubling time) of a solid tumor is brief, which means that a tumor can grow easily while the patient waits for treatment. This means that will be an increase in the risk of local and distant relapse. Clinical evidence coming from studies of head and neck cancer, breast cancer and small cell lung cancer suggests that delay should be limited only to a few weeks. In conclusion, radiotherapy should be started as soon as possible