Radiology Treatment For Cancer: Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment using high doses of radiation. It’s aimed at killing cancer cells and reducing tumors. This high level of radiation kills or slows cancer cell growth by damaging their DNA. Cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing or die.
There are two main forms of radiation therapy: external beam and internal. With external therapy, a machine directs radiation at the cancer. Meanwhile, internal therapy places a radiation source near or in the tumor. Systemic radiation therapy involves radioactive drugs that circulate in your body to attack cancer cells. Radiation can be a standalone treatment or used with surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. The choice depends on cancer type and stage, tumor size and position, and the patient’s health.
Key Takeaways
- Radiation therapy is a common and effective cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy).
- Radiation therapy may be used alone or combined with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy.
- The type of radiation recommended depends on factors like the cancer type, tumor size and location, and the patient’s overall health.
- Radiation therapy can cause side effects, but advancements have allowed doctors to more precisely target the cancer while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Introduction to Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy fights cancer using powerful doses of radiation. It kills cancer cells and makes tumors smaller. This happens by breaking the DNA in cancer cells, stopping them from growing or dividing. So, when the DNA in these cells is badly damaged, they can’t survive and die.
Definition and Purpose of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses high-energy waves like x-rays or protons to treat cancer. Its main goal is to shrink or remove tumors. By doing this, it boosts a patient’s chance of getting better and staying well over time.
How Radiation Therapy Works
Healthy cells can sometimes recover from the DNA damage done by radiation. Unlike them, cancer cells can’t fix themselves. This means they will eventually die. But, they don’t die right away. It takes a few weeks for radiation to work completely. Even after treatment, dying cancer cells can still be eliminated over the following weeks or months.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy is a common way to treat cancer with radiation and this radiation therapy kills cancer cells. external beam radiation therapy uses A machine outside the body sends high-energy beams at the tumor. This method is a local treatment. It only affects the part of the body with cancer.
Types of External Beam Radiation
External beam radiation has many types, each with special uses:
- 3D-Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT): It uses detailed images to shape beams to the tumor’s size. This reduces harm to healthy tissue.
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): IMRT refines 3D-CRT by adjusting beam intensity and angles. It increases accuracy in targeting tumors.
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): Also called SABR, it treats small, clearly defined tumors with high doses over a few sessions, usually three to five.
Cancer Types Treated with External Beam Radiation
Many cancers can be treated with external beam radiation:
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Head and neck cancers
- Gastrointestinal cancers like colorectal, pancreatic, and esophageal
- Gynecological cancers including cervical, uterine, and ovarian
- Skin cancer
- Brain and spinal cord tumors
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
Internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, is different from external therapy. It puts a radiation source inside the body, near the tumor. This way, it gives high radiation doses to the cancer but protects healthy tissues.
What is Brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy places tiny radioactive implants in or near the tumor. It uses seeds, ribbons, or capsules filled with a radioactive material. These are inserted into the body during a simple outpatient procedure.
The implants stay in for a while and are then removed. This lets them deliver high radiation where it’s needed.
Types of Brachytherapy Implants
The common brachytherapy implants are:
- Radioactive seeds: They are as small as rice and go directly into the tumor.
- Ribbons or strands: Thin, flexible materials with radioactive seeds attached.
- Applicators: They are like hollow tubes to hold radioactive sources near the tumor.
Cancers Treated with Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy treats cancers of the head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate, and eye. It focuses radiation on the tumor. By doing this, it spares the healthy tissues around it.
This therapy can work well for many cancer types. It is often used with other treatments like external radiation or surgery.
Systemic Radiation Therapy
Systemic radiation therapy is a type of internal radiation treatment. It involves either taking or being injected with a special radioactive substance. This substance then spreads throughout your body to find and destroy cancer cells. Most of the radioactive substance goes to the area with the tumor, so it mainly affects the cancer and not other body parts.
Types of Systemic Radiation Therapy
There are different types of systemic radiation therapy for cancer. These treatments include:
- Radioactive iodine (I-131) therapy for thyroid cancer
- Targeted radionuclide therapy for advanced prostate and neuroendocrine cancers
In these methods, the radioactive substance is given by mouth or through a shot. It moves all over your body but targets the tumor for treatment. This way, it gives the cancer cells a focused dose of radiation.
| Type of Systemic Radiation Therapy | How it Works | Cancers Treated |
|---|---|---|
| Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy | The patient takes the radioactive iodine by mouth. It finds its way to the thyroid gland. There, it emits radiation and destroys the thyroid cancer cells. | Thyroid cancer |
| Targeted Radionuclide Therapy | A radioactive substance is put into you through a shot. It binds to certain proteins on the cancer cells. This allows it to give off radiation directly at the tumor. | Advanced prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors |
radiology treatment for cancer
Radiation Therapy as a Curative Treatment
Radiation therapy fights early-stage cancers to cure them. It can shrink tumors significantly. This treatment is often combined with surgery or chemotherapy for best results. It targets cancer cells, stopping them from multiplying.
Radiation Therapy to Prevent Cancer Recurrence
After visible cancer is gone, radiation can stop it from returning. Adjuvant radiation aims to destroy any leftover cancer cells. This reduces the chance of the disease recurring.
Radiation Therapy for Advanced Cancer
For advanced cancers without a cure, radiation still helps. It makes tumors smaller, easing pain and other symptoms. Even though it may not get rid of the cancer, it makes life better for patients.
Radiation Therapy Planning and Delivery
Radiation therapy starts with thorough planning. It includes simulation and treatment planning. This ensures the radiation hits the cancer spot accurately, avoiding healthy parts.
Simulation and Treatment Planning
For external beam radiation therapy, the skin gets marked to show where beams will go. A custom body mold might be made to keep the patient still. This ensures the beams hit the right spot every time. In brachytherapy, a catheter places the radioactive implant close to the tumor.
What to Expect During Treatment
In external beam radiation therapy, the patient lies under a machine. This machine sends radiation beams without causing pain. Patients can talk with the therapist during the treatment. In brachytherapy, a radioactive implant near the tumor is placed temporarily or permanently.
The team and the patient work closely together. They make sure the radiation treatment is just right and comfortable. The goal is to kill cancer cells as effectively as possible with minimal side effects.
Side Effects and Risks of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy helps fight cancer, but it can also have risks. Patients must know about these before starting treatment. It’s important to talk with your doctor or the team handling your treatment.
Common Side Effects
Feeling tired, not wanting to eat, or having red skin where you got radiation are common. Rest enough, eat well, and use skin care items can usually help. Tell your care team about any side effects right away.
Risk of Secondary Cancer
There’s a small risk of getting a secondary cancer from radiation treatment. Though not common, this is something to consider, especially for younger patients. Regular check-ups can catch new cancer early.
Effects on Fertility and Pregnancy
Radiation may affect the ability to have children for both men and women. It can hurt a baby if a woman is pregnant. Men in particular might have trouble after pelvic radiation. Talk to your team about preserving fertility if needed.
The good from radiation treatment usually is more than the bad. Still, it’s crucial to discuss everything with your healthcare team. Together, you can choose the best plan for you.
Radiation Therapy Team
A group of highly skilled healthcare experts makes up the radiation therapy team. They create and use a personalized cancer treatment plan together. This team has a radiation oncologist, radiation physicist, dosimetrist, radiation therapist, and a radiation therapy nurse. Each team member’s job is important in treating cancer with radiation.
Roles of Different Healthcare Professionals
The radiation oncologist leads the radiation therapy team. They create the treatment plan, decide the radiation dose, and keep track of the patient’s health during the treatment.
The radiation physicist makes sure the radiation equipment works right. They help the dosimetrist make the treatment plan better.
The dosimetrist finds the exact radiation dose the patient needs. They make sure the treatment plan targets just the tumor, protecting healthy tissues.
The radiation therapist runs the radiation machine. They also help position the patient correctly for treatment, making sure the radiation dose is just right.
The radiation therapy nurse supports the patient. They help with any physical or emotional needs that come up during the treatment.
Other healthcare workers like dietitians, physical therapists, and social workers might help too. They all work together to support the patient’s wellbeing during radiation therapy.
Also Read: Skin Healthcare Essentials for Radiant Skin
Conclusion
Radiation therapy is now a strong and effective way to treat cancer. It uses powerful radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. There are two main types: external beam and brachytherapy. Doctors may use it alone or with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy, depending on the cancer’s type and the patient’s health.
Although radiation therapy can have side effects, recent progress makes it safer and more focused. A team of experts works together to create a treatment plan just for the patient. This team includes oncologists, physicists, and nurses. They ensure the radiation hits the cancer while sparing healthy tissues.
With advancements in cancer research, radiation therapy’s role will likely become more significant. It brings hope and better results to many people fighting cancer.
FAQs
Q: What types of radiation therapy are used to treat cancer?
A: There are several types of radiation therapy used to treat cancer, including external beam therapy, conformal radiation therapy, proton therapy, intracavitary/interstitial therapy, and intraoperative radiation therapy.
Q: How is radiation therapy used to treat cancer?
A: Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer by delivering targeted radiation to the tumor site to kill cancer cells or prevent their growth.
Q: Who can receive radiation therapy for cancer treatment?
A: People with various types of cancer may receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan, depending on the specific type and stage of cancer.
Q: What is the goal of radiation therapy in treating cancer?
A: The goal of radiation therapy in treating cancer is to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors, relieve symptoms, or prevent cancer from recurring.
Q: What are the common side effects from radiation therapy?
A: Common side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, skin changes, nausea, hair loss, and potential damage to nearby healthy tissues.
Q: How are people with prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy?
A: Prostate cancer patients may receive radiation therapy as a primary treatment or in combination with surgery, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy to target and eliminate cancer cells in the prostate.
Q: How is radiation therapy used in treating cancer that has spread?
A: Radiation therapy can be used to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, targeting specific areas to relieve symptoms, slow the spread of cancer, or improve overall quality of life.
