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Introduction
Radiotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for cancer. It is crucial to help patients to fight cancer. It uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. With the improvement in technology, radiotherapy has become more precise, safer, and more effective.
In this post, we’ll try to find answers to what is radiotherapy, how it works, the different techniques and its side effects.
What is Radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is a medical procedure that employs high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors. It damages the DNA inside the cancer cells, stop them from multiplying. Over time, the body naturally eliminates these damaged cells. Radiotherapy acts locally targeting specific areas where cancer is located.
How does Radiotherapy Work?
In radiotherapy for cancer, radiation damages the DNA in cells. Healthy cells often repair this damage; cancer cells are less capable of doing so. This makes cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation. Repeated exposure to radiation weakens and eventually destroys the cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying and growing.
Techniques of Radiotherapy?
There are different techniques of radiotherapy aimed at maximizing the effect and minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
- Electron Therapy
- 2D Conformal Radiation Therapy
- 3D Conformal Radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Rapid Arc
- Image Guided Radiation Theray (IGRT)
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
- Proton Therapy
At our centre, we have Varian’s True Beam STx Linear Accelerator with 6 D couch and respiratory motion management and Varian’s GammaMed plus iX brachytherapy units for radiotherapy treatment, through which we can deliver precise treatment with all types of techniques and lesser side effects.
Side Effects of RadioTherapy?
While radiotherapy is generally localize and safe, it can still cause side effects depending on the patient’s site of radiation. Here are a few common radiotherapy side effects.
- Skin Reaction: Some can experience redness, peeling, or darkening in the treatment area.
- Oral Mucositis & Dysphagia: In head & neck and thoracic malignancies.
- Burning Micturation and Diarrhea: In pelvic malignancies.
- Nausea or loss of appetite: This might be especially when treating the abdomen or brain.
Radiotherapy is absolutely contraindicated in pregnant female.
Most side effects are temporary and manageable, and doctors provide supportive care and advise proper personal hygiene to reduce discomfort.
Conclusion
Radiotherapy is considered a powerful tool to fight cancer. From curing cancer and shrinking tumors to relieving symptoms, it plays an important role in oncology. With advancements in technology and personalized treatment, radiotherapy continues to offer hope and healing to several patients across the globe.
If someone you know is looking for the best cancer hospital in Kanpur, Regency Healthcare Hospital should be their first preference.
Also Read: Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Stages, Treatment & Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the role of radiation in cancer treatment?
Radiation plays a key role in cancer treatment. It can be used to cure cancer, shrink tumors before surgery, destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery, and relieve symptoms in advanced stages. It works by targeting the DNA inside the cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing.
In which stage of cancer is radiotherapy used?
Radiotherapy is used in almost all stages of cancer. In the early stage, it is used to cure small tumors or can also be used after surgery to prevent recurrence or before surgery in Gastrointestinal malignancies to make it feasible for surgery In the II or III stage cancer, radiotherapy is used in combination with chemotherapy to shrink tumors and may be used before surgery to make tumor removal easier. In the last stage, it is used to relieve pain, bleeding, or pressure caused by a tumor.
What is the introduction of radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is a medical treatment that uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors. It is one of the main methods used in cancer treatment along with surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
What cancers are treated with radiation only?
Some cancers can be treated with radiation therapy alone. Cancers like early-stage prostate cancer, early-stage laryngeal (voice box) cancer, early-stage cervical cancer, certain brain tumors, skin cancers, small, localized lung cancers, and lymphomas. Only radiation is effective when the cancer is localized, slow-growing, and accessible.
How many sessions of radiotherapy are normal?
The number of radiotherapy sessions depends upon the type of cancer, its location, stage, and treatment goal. Radiotherapy can vary from just one session to multiple treatments per day over one to eight weeks.
