It takes a wide variety of approaches to alleviate the symptoms of cancer, which makes treating the disease difficult and dangerous. One such treatment that has achieved notable success in recent years is radiotherapy (also known as radiation therapy). Providing substantial improvements in the management and treatment of the disease, it has quickly become an indispensable instrument in the arsenal of cancer medicines offered to patients. This article will provide a foundational understanding of radiation, its uses in the treatment of cancer cells, and its interactions with other therapies. We will also talk about why radiotherapy is an important aspect of any cancer patient’s treatment.
Simply put, what is radiotherapy?
High-energy waves or particles are used in radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells. Both by itself and in conjunction with other therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy, it has shown promising results in the treatment of cancer. It’s possible to administer radiation therapy either externally (with a machine) or endoluminally (inside the body) (from radioactive material placed inside the body).
Cancers of many different kinds respond well to radiotherapy. To stop cancer cell growth and division, it damages their DNA. Cancer cells can be killed or prevented from proliferating and spreading by radiotherapy. The effectiveness of cancer treatment can be improved by using it in conjunction with other methods.
Depending on the location being treated and the type of cancer, various forms of radiation exist:
To treat cancer, doctors may use a technique called external beam radiation therapy, in which radiation is aimed at the tumor from outside the body using a machine. The most prevalent form of radiation therapy is this one.
Cancers located inside the body can be treated with internal beam radiation therapy. Brachytherapy is another name for this form of radiation therapy.
Systemic radiation therapy involves ingesting or injecting radiation into a vein so that it circulates throughout the body, killing any cancer cells it encounters along the way. Whole-body irradiation is another name for systemic radiation therapy.
Explain the process of radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy is a widely utilized treatment option for many different types of cancer. High-energy radiation is used in radiotherapy to kill cancer cells. Different equipment is utilized to transmit the waves, and this choice is made in accordance with the type of cancer being treated.
Both external beam and internal beam radiation are common forms of this treatment. The most prevalent form of radiation therapy, known as “external beam radiotherapy,” has the high-energy waves coming from outside the body. In internal beam radiotherapy, the radiation source is brought inside the body and positioned in close proximity to the malignant cells.
It is possible to use radiotherapy alone to treat cancer, or to combine it with other therapies like surgery and chemotherapy. To be effective, radiation as a primary treatment must be administered over the course of several weeks. In conjunction with other therapies, radiation is typically administered for a shorter total time.
Radiation therapy can have a wide range of adverse effects, some of which are permanent, while others fade away as the tumour shrinks. The most frequently encountered adverse effects are drowsiness, skin sensitivity, and hair loss. Organ damage and subsequent malignancies are among the rarer but more serious adverse effects.
Numerous Varieties of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy can be either external beam (EBRT) or internal beam (IBR) (IBRT). External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) involves aiming radiation at the tumor from outside the body. The radioactive substance used in IBRT is inserted directly into the tumor.
Radiation therapy, in general, typically takes the form of EBRT. It’s effective against nearly all cancers and can be used to treat them. Localized malignancies, such as those of the head and neck or pancreas, are the only ones typically treated with IBRT.
Depending on the tumor’s size and location, two distinct radiation methods can be used to treat it:
Radiation beams are tailored to adapt to the tumor’s 3D geometry in a technique known as 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). Therefore, the tumor receives a more intense radiation treatment while the healthy tissue around it receives less radiation.
Intensity-modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) allows for highly targeted and adaptable radiation beams. In doing so, the radiation dose to the tumor can be increased while the damage to healthy tissue is kept to a minimum. Tumors in the head and neck commonly require IMRT because they are so close to vital structures.
With image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), cancer cells are killed by the intended amount of radiation while surrounding healthy tissue is spared. I
Advantages of Radiotherapy
For oncology nurses and other medical professionals, radiation offers various advantages. This treatment method is useful for controlling malignant growths since it may be directed at specific locations while sparing healthy tissue. Also, radiotherapy can be combined with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy for a more thorough approach to care.
As an additional method of relieving cancer-related discomfort, radiotherapy can be utilized in palliative care. Radiotherapy can be used to reduce the size of tumors before surgery, making the operation less invasive and lowering the risk of complications. In the end, radiation is a flexible method that can help cancer patients in many different ways.
Radiosurgical Cancer Center of Dr. Gil Lederman
For the treatment of cancer, doctors often turn to radiation therapy, commonly known as radiotherapy. Radiation therapy typically consists of external beam radiation therapy, in which radiation is delivered from a machine rather than directly into the patient.
Radiation therapy has been successfully used to treat many different kinds of cancer, including brain tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies to treat various malignancies.
Radiation therapy has various advantages. When a tumor is too large to remove surgically or when surgery is not an option, this method is frequently employed. The size of a tumor can be reduced by radiation therapy before surgery. As a result, the tumor could be excised with minimal collateral injury to healthy tissue.
Radiation therapy has the potential to be an efficient cancer treatment with few adverse effects. The majority of unwanted symptoms often disappear once treatment is finished. Weakness, skin irritation, and hair loss are typical adverse reactions. Heart, lung, and kidney issues are among the more significant adverse reactions that may occur.
Stony Brook University Hospital’s Dr. Gil Lederman Radiosurgery Cancer Treatment Centre is equipped with cutting-edge equipment and provides exceptional care to patients undergoing radiation therapy. A pair of highly precise linear accelerators are available at the Centre for administering radiation therapy. Because of this, the radiation therapy we provide to each patient is uniquely suited to them.
Where is radiation most effective?
High-energy radiation is used in radiotherapy to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy are just some of the numerous cancer treatments that can be used with this one.
Localized tumors are ideal candidates for radiotherapy treatment. Internal beam radiotherapy (IBRT) involves placing radioactive material within the body in close proximity to the cancer cells, whereas external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) delivers radiation from a machine outside the body.
When paired with other treatments, radiotherapy can be utilized at any stage of cancer, even early-stage malignancies. It may be the sole treatment necessary in some instances. As cancer progresses, it often causes unpleasant side effects, such as bone pain, which can be alleviated by radiotherapy.
Is radiation risk-free?
Radiotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that employs the use of high-intensity beams of radiation to eradicate cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors. Many people get relief from their symptoms by using this method, but it is not without potential risks.
Fatigue, skin irritation, and hair loss are the most often reported negative effects of radiation. The most common adverse effect is fatigue, which may not go away for weeks or months after therapy ends. In most cases, skin discomfort is temporary and minor. In most cases, hair loss is just transitory, and it normally happens between the second and third week of treatment.
Radiation therapy can also cause the following less common side effects:
Side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lymphedema, difficulty peeing, or pain while urinating, swelling at the treatment site, and discomfort or difficulty urinating (swelling caused by fluid build-up)
The majority of adverse effects disappear as therapy ceases, although some may persist for a while. If you encounter any symptoms before, during, or after therapy, consult your doctor.
How to Cope with Radiation Therapy Adverse Effects
Knowing the potential radiation side effects will help you deal with them more successfully. Hair loss, reactions on the skin, and exhaustion are the most prevalent unwanted effects.
One of the most prevalent negative consequences of radiation is fatigue, which can have a profound effect on a patient’s quality of life. In addition to taking it easy, resting regularly is essential while undergoing therapy. It could also assist to limit your physical activity and get some rest during the day.
Radiation therapy can also cause skin responses. Redness, dryness, itchiness, and even peeling and blistering of the skin are possible side effects. It’s crucial to take care of your skin by keeping it clean and hydrated, and to protect it from the sun and other sources of ultraviolet light.
Radiation therapy can also cause hair loss. This most commonly occurs in the treated area, however it can occur anywhere on the body. Although most cases of hair loss are very temporary, they can nevertheless be upsetting for those affected. The loss of hair can be concealed in a variety of ways, such as with the use of a wig or a headscarf.
There may be other negative effects from radiation. You should discuss your worries with your doctor and then take their advise on how to handle any adverse effects.
