Advances in Palliative Radiotherapy

Dear Colleagues,

Palliative-intent radiotherapy comprises 30-50% of the total Radiation Oncology (RO) departmental workload for high-income countries. In low-income countries, it comprises up to 70%. For many patients, advanced techniques such as SRS/SBRT/SABR are not feasible. Consequently, hypofractionated external beam radiation remains a relevant, accessible and pragmatic management strategy. Palliative radiation therapy (PRT) delivery often coincides with transition points of a cancer journey, such as disease progression or cessation of systemic therapy. Patients requiring PRT may have complex physical symptoms, psychosocial concerns or practical challenges. RO-based teams are therefore uniquely positioned to provide primary Palliative Care, including activation of the wider interdisciplinary supportive care team. One strategy for providing holistic care to large (and growing) patient volumes has been the development of palliative radiation oncology programs (PROP). A PROP broadly defined includes any type of program focused on the use of effective PRT. The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the first PROP in Canada; others in Australia/New Zealand, Europe, the US and Asia followed. PROPs tend to have common elements and share similar aims, but team composition, logistics and infrastructure typically evolve to serve the local context.

For this Special Issue, I welcome manuscripts describing recent advancements in patient-centred palliative radiotherapy, particularly those describing innovative care delivery models which address practical challenges through interdisciplinary teamwork. Manuscripts including advanced practice roles, such as advanced practice therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists, nurse practitioners and prescribing pharmacists are of particular interest, as are those including international perspectives. I also welcome systematic, narrative or scoping reviews, original research, and cost-effectiveness studies.

I look forward to receiving your contributions and thank you in advance for your collaboration.

Dr. Alysa Fairchild
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Radiation is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• palliative radiotherapy
• palliative radiation oncology program
• interdisciplinary team
• radiotherapy delivery model
• patient-reported outcomes
• advanced practice
• therapeutic radiographer
• nurse practitioner