Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy or Radiation therapy (RT) uses ionizing radiation to kill or control cancer cells. Delivered by a machine called a linear particle accelerator, it can cure localized cancers and prevent recurrence after surgery. It's often combined with chemotherapy to enhance effectiveness. This treatment is planned and overseen by specialists in radiation oncology, known as radiation oncologists. Radiation therapy is crucial in treating many cancers, working either alone or with other treatments to manage and eradicate malignant cells.
Why Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer because it effectively kills or controls cancer cells. About half of the 1.2 million cancer cases in the US in 2022 received radiation therapy. It works well for cancers like leukaemias and lymphomas that are highly sensitive to radiation. For other cancers, higher doses are needed. Even for cancers resistant to radiation, it can still help relieve symptoms. Combining radiation with immunotherapy shows promise for treating some cancers.
Some types of cancer where radiotherapy is commonly used:
- Bone
Cancer:
treatment uses radiation beams (EBRT or brachytherapy) to target and destroy cancer cells, often with surgery and chemotherapy.
- Lung
Cancer:
treatment with radiotherapy utilizes high-energy beams to target and eliminate cancer cells. This includes external (EBRT) or internal (brachytherapy) radiation, sometimes combined with surgery and chemotherapy for comprehensive care.
- Blood
Cancer:
treatment with radiotherapy employs high-energy beams to target and destroy cancerous cells. This may involve external (EBRT) or internal (brachytherapy) radiation, often combined with other therapies like chemotherapy.
- Prostate
Cancer:
treatment with radiotherapy uses high-energy beams or radioactive seeds to target and kill cancer cells. It includes external (EBRT) or internal (brachytherapy), often combined with hormone therapy for comprehensive treatment. This approach offers precise targeting and minimal side effects, ensuring effective treatment.
- Ovarian
Cancer:
treatment with radiotherapy involves using high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. This can include external radiation (EBRT) or internal radiation (brachytherapy), sometimes combined with other therapies like chemotherapy. Radiotherapy aims to effectively treat ovarian cancer with targeted precision and minimal side effects, providing comprehensive care for patients.
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Oral Cancer:
treatment with radiotherapy uses high-energy beams to target tumors, often with surgery and chemotherapy for comprehensive cancer management and care.
Side Effects of Radiotherapy :
- Radiation therapy is painless. Low doses usually have few side effects, but higher doses can cause short-term, long-term, or cumulative side effects, including temporary pain due to swelling.
- Radiation side effects are usually localized to the treatment area, like mild sunburn-like skin irritation and fatigue. Higher doses in areas like the head and neck can lead to other complications, managed through modern techniques to minimize discomfort.
Summary to radiotherapy :
- Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells with precision. It's crucial for prostate, ovarian, oral, lung, and bone cancers, often combined with surgery and chemotherapy for comprehensive care.
- Common side effects include localized skin irritation and temporary fatigue. Higher doses may lead to complications like cardiovascular issues or thyroid dysfunction, managed through modern techniques to minimize discomfort.
- Technologies like IMRT and SRS improve treatment accuracy and outcomes, offering non-invasive alternatives to surgery and effective palliative care. Radiotherapy plays a vital role in multidisciplinary cancer treatment, enhancing survival rates and quality of life for patients.