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Radiotherapy, also called radiation therapy, is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It works by damaging the genetic material of cancer cells, making it difficult for them to continue growing and dividing. Radiotherapy can be used alone or along with chemotherapy, surgery or other cancer treatments depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is.
Types of Radiotherapy
There are different types of radiotherapy options available based on the unique requirements of each patient’s cancer treatment plan.
External Beam Radiotherapy
External beam radiotherapy is the most common and important type of radiotherapy. It involves delivering precise beams of high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation from a machine outside the body called a linear accelerator. The radiation beams are targeted at the tumor to destroy cancer cells while doing minimal damage to surrounding normal tissues. Intensity modulated radiation therapy or IMRT and stereotactic radiosurgery are advanced forms of external beam radiotherapy used to treat some cancer types.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiotherapy, involves placing radioactive implants or seeds inside or close to the cancer site. This allows high doses of radiation to be delivered to a localized area around the tumor with less effect on normal tissues beyond the radiation range. Brachytherapy is often used in conjuntion with external radiotherapy for certain cancers of the breast, cervix, prostate and other organs.
Systemic Radiotherapy
Systemic radiotherapy or unsealed source radiotherapy involves administering radioactive substances into the body on their own. The radiation travels through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells in other parts of the body that may not be localized. Radiopharmaceuticals containing radioactive isotopes are injected intravenously for treating certain types of cancer including thyroid cancer, bone metastases and neuroendocrine tumors.
Benefits of Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy offers several potential benefits as a cancer treatment option either alone or combined with other modalities.
Precise Targeting of Tumors
Radiation therapy technologies like IMRT allow precise targeting of tumors using imaging scans to locate cancer cells. This spares surrounding healthy tissues from getting unnecessary radiation exposure.
Effective Pain Relief
Radiation therapy can effectively reduce pain, bleeding, cough and other symptoms caused by advanced cancerous tumors. This improves quality of life for cancer patients.
Organ-Preserving Surgery
In some cancer cases, using radiotherapy prior to or after surgery can reduce the extent of surgery needed and help preserve more of the affected organ. For example, breast-conserving surgery.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Radiotherapy does not require surgery or general anesthesia making it a more convenient outpatient treatment option for many cancers.
Effectiveness across Ages
Radiotherapy is considered a very useful treatment for a wide range of cancers affecting people of all ages- from children to older adults. It plays a vital role in cancer care.
Long-Term Disease Control
Radiotherapy alone or with other treatments provides long-term control and management of cancer when a cure is not possible. This includes preventing cancer recurrence or spread.
Side Effects of Radiotherapy
While radiotherapy is very effective for cancer, it may cause some side effects depending on the treatment area, dose and each person’s individual tolerance. Side effects are usually temporary and resolvable.
Fatigue
Fatigue or tiredness is a common side effect felt by most patients undergoing radiotherapy. It may persist for several weeks after treatment ends. Getting extra rest is recommended.
Skin Reactions
The skin in the treated area may become red, dry, itchy or hard. It usually resolves once treatment is over but may lead to long-term skin color changes. Skin care is important.
Nausea/Vomiting
Nausea or vomiting may occur in few patients especially with radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis. Anti-nausea medications help manage this side effect.
Hair Loss
Hair loss affecting the treated area is possible but limited to the exposed skin and hair follicles only. Head hair grows back once treatment finishes.
Other less common side effects can include diarrhea, loss of appetite, sore mouth and throat, and sexual issues. Proper management helps minimize side effects from radiotherapy. Patients should report any persistent or severe symptoms to their doctor.
Latest Advancements in Radiotherapy
Continuous research and technological improvements are helping modernize radiotherapy treatment planning and delivery over the past decades. Better outcomes are being achieved.
IMRT & IGRT
Advanced precision techniques like intensity modulated radiotherapy and image-guided radiotherapy utilize imaging scans and computer calculations to customize treatment to the unique shape of each patient’s tumor. This enhances targeting accuracy.
Proton Beam Therapy
This innovative form of external radiotherapy uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. Due to the physical characteristics of protons, this modality allows further dose conformation for some deep-seated tumors near vital organs.
MRI-Guided Radiotherapy
The integration of magnetic resonance imaging in radiotherapy units allows tumor visualization and tracking in real-time without radiation exposure. This improves treatment position accuracy.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
SBRT delivers very high ablative radiation doses using specialized techniques to precisely target tumors anywhere in the body, including lung, liver and bone cancers normally not amendable to surgery.
In summary, radiotherapy is a crucial cornerstone of modern cancer treatment. It offers cure or long-term control for many cancer types either alone or combined with other modalities. Improved radiotherapy technologies enhance outcomes and benefit more patients every day. With ongoing advancements in precision and personalization, radiotherapy will continue to revolutionize cancer care.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
