Combined treatment with radiation and anti-cancer drugs

This paper discusses the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with malignant tumors. The main aims of this combined treatment approach are to increase the control of primary tumors and to eradicate microscopic metastases. The authors describe experimental results for combined treatments with cisplatin and X-rays, concentrating mainly on results obtained in their laboratory, in order to illustrate some general principles of combined modality therapy. This is followed by an evaluation of clinical trials in which the combination of irradiation and chemotherapy has been investigated