Deep understanding of oncology radiotherapy and how it contributes to fighting the disease
What is oncology radiotherapy
Oncology radiotherapy is a common cancer treatment that uses radiation (usually high-power X-rays) to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy can be used independently or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Radiation oncologists specialize in radiation therapy. The radiation oncologist will determine whether radiation therapy will benefit you.
If so, they will determine the best type of radiation therapy for the type of cancer you have. They also design a radiation therapy plan with a radiation dose that will destroy cancer cells without damaging nearby healthy tissues.
Types of oncology radiotherapy
There are two main types of oncology radiotherapy:
external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and internal radiation therapy. Both types work by destroying the DNA of the cancer cell. Without DNA instructions that tell them to grow and multiply, cancer cells die and tumors shrink.
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
External beam radiation therapy (ebrt) is the most common type of radiation therapy. Using EBRT, the machine directs high-energy rays towards the tumor. The energy may be X-rays (the most common), electrons or protons. Accuracy is important with external radiation therapy. The radiation oncologist will determine a treatment plan to target the tumor with radiation while avoiding healthy tissue.
There are many forms of EBRT which include:
- Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy: uses CT scans and computer programs to create a three-dimensional model of the tumor. Using the model as a guide, the machine directs Rays targeting the cancer site while sparing healthy tissue.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): it is a more advanced form of radiation therapy. IMRT uses several radiation beams that differ in dose intensity. It provides a higher radiation dose for the tumor and lower doses for healthy tissues.
- Arc-based radiation therapy: it is a form of IMRT. It directs energy beams of varying intensity in an arc-like rotational pattern. This method provides radiation faster than conventional IMRT. Volumetric modified arc therapy (VMAT) and TomoTherapy are two forms of Arc-based radiation therapy.
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): is a form of EBRT where the radiation machine gets a low-dose X-ray or small CT scan before each treatment. This image helps to align the treatment site, resulting in more accurate radiation delivery.
- Particle therapy: radiation therapy consisting of protons is used instead of photons (X-rays). For some people, protons can deliver the same radiation dose to the tumor and reduce the radiation dose to healthy tissues.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery: such as Gamma Knife Surgery, where high doses of concentrated radiation are used to destroy small brain tumors with surgical precision. Unlike surgery, it does not require a cut. Usually, such treatment takes from one to five days.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT): uses high doses of focused radiation to destroy tumors outside your brain. Like stereotactic radiosurgery, it eliminates tumors with surgical precision but without actual surgery.
Intraoperative radiation (IORT): radiation during surgery. After the tumor is surgically removed, IORT destroys any remaining cancer cells that are not safe to remove surgically.
Internal radiation therapy
Internal radiation therapy puts radiation inside your body near cancer cells. It treats small tumors in your head, neck, breast, cervix, uterus or prostate.
You can receive internal radiation through a solid source or in liquid form:
- Brachytherapy: a solid radioactive source, or “seed”, is implanted inside or next to the tumor. The source releases radiation to a small area to kill cancer cells. Some implants release low doses for longer periods (weeks). Others may release high doses for shorter periods (minutes). Some implants used in brachytherapy are temporary. Others remain in your body forever.
- Systemic therapy: sends a liquid radioactive substance through your blood to find and destroy cancer cells. Some forms are swallowed. For others, you will receive an injection through the IV vein. Treatments include radionuclide therapy (radiation immunotherapy). With radiation immunotherapy, a radioactive protein recognizes certain cancer cells, attaches to them and then releases radiation to kill them.
Reasons for using radiation therapy
- Radiation therapy kills cancer cells, shrinks tumors and relieves cancer symptoms. It may be your only treatment, or it may be used to treat the following:
- Shrink tumors before other cancer treatments, such as surgery (neoadjuvant therapy).
- Destruction of any cancer cells remaining after surgery (adjuvant therapy).
- Kill cancer cells that return after previous treatment.
- Destruction of benign (non-cancerous) tumors that cause symptoms.
Pre-radiotherapy procedures
For internal radiation therapy, you may need a physical examination and imaging. The radiation oncologist will explain how you can prepare for the day of the procedure based on how the radiation was received.
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) involves a planning appointment called radiation simulation. Simulation is the treatment planning step that personalizes your treatment.
Radiation simulation:
The patient is placed on a table just as it is during treatment sessions. Your radiotherapy team may use a template or mask to hold your body in place.
They will ensure the correctness of your aligners. You may get temporary or permanent marks (small points) showing which parts of the body should receive radiation.
Then you’ll get a CT scan or an MRI that shows the location of the tumor. This information will help your care team customize tumor-targeting X-rays while avoiding healthy tissue.
Simulation allows the radiation oncologist to determine your radiation dose and how you will receive it.
During radiotherapy
External radiation therapy is usually offered using a linear accelerator, a device that directs high-energy radiation towards the body.
The linear accelerator moves around the patient while on the treatment table, directing radiation from multiple angles.
The linear accelerator is adjusted to suit the location of the tumor strictly, providing the exact dose required in accordance with the doctor’s directions.
Radiotherapy sessions are conducted in outpatient clinics over a specified period of time, where an external beam is directed towards the tumor.
The duration of sessions usually varies from five days a week over several weeks. Treatment sessions are usually conducted in a short period of time to allow healthy tissue to recover between sessions.
Each treatment session lasts from 7 to 15 minutes, and in some cases one session can be directed to relieve pain or deal with other side symptoms of advanced tumors.
During the treatment session, the patient is placed in a specific position using molds to stabilize.
The linear accelerator device moves around the patient’s body to achieve radiation beam orientation from different angles, while making sizzling sounds.
The medical team notes that the patient must remain lounging and breathing normally during the treatment session, with means to talk to them if there is any need.
In some cases, the patient may be required to withhold his or her breath to help direct radiation to the target areas.
The medical team remains in the room, with voice and image means of communication, to assist and speak with the patient during the treatment session.
After radiation therapy
With internal radiation therapy, you will usually return home after a short recovery on the same day.
Occasionally, you may need to stay in the hospital while your body gets rid of trace amounts of radiation. After systemic radiation therapy (IV), you can excrete small amounts of radiation through body fluids, such as sweat, urine, and blood.
If you receive intravenous radiation therapy or permanent internal radiation therapy, there is little risk of exposing others to radiation.
Follow the guidelines of your radiation therapy team about how much contact you should have with others after radiation therapy.
You should be able to carry out your normal daily activities before and after external radiation therapy.
Uses of radiation therapy
- Radiation therapy can be used to treat many types of cancer, including:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Blood cancer
- Skin cancer
Advantages of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a reliable and effective treatment for cancer that has existed for more than a century.
Depending on the type of cancer you have, it is a form of treatment that uses concentrated beams of radiation energy to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy has many advantages, including:
- Effectiveness: Radiotherapy can be effective in treating many types of cancer.
- Precision: Radiotherapy can be directed precisely to the tumor, reducing damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
- Accessibility: Radiotherapy is widely available and can be performed in outpatient or hospital.
- Treatment options: Radiotherapy can be used in different ways, allowing doctors to adapt to treatment by individual.
Side effects of radiation therapy
Most people receive radiotherapy spread over multiple treatment sessions so that they do not receive the full dose at once.
The treatment schedule gives you healthy tissue time to recover between sessions. As the healing time minimizes side effects.
However, you may experience side effects which usually these side effects only affect the part of the body that receives radiation directly.
Side effects may include the following:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Skin irritation.
- Dry and itchy scalp.
- Hair loss.
- Mouth ulcers.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Loss of appetite.
- A burning feeling in the throat or chest.
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating.
- The need to urinate frequently (often in small quantities).
- Flatulence or cramps.
How to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy
There are some things that can be done to reduce side effects of radiotherapy, such as:
- Rest: It is important to get enough rest during radiotherapy.
- Healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet can help reduce fatigue and digestive problems.
- Exercise: Light exercise can help reduce fatigue and pain.
- Talk to the doctor: The doctor can help you manage the side effects of radiotherapy.
Turkey Healthcare Group stands out with a team of distinguished medical experts in Turkey, who always strive to provide the best healthcare services to patients. If you are looking for exceptional healthcare or need medical consultation from top doctors, feel free to contact us. We also invite you to view our leading medical staff and get to know their qualifications and experiences up close. We are here to ensure you receive the best possible healthcare.
