Written By Cancer treatment is challenging and risky since it requires a wide range of methods to reduce symptoms. Radiotherapy is one such treatment that has shown great success in recent years (also known as radiation therapy). It has swiftly become an essential tool in the arsenal of cancer drugs supplied to patients as it has led to significant advancements in the management and treatment of the disease. This page will serve as a primer on radiation, its use in cancer therapy, and the ways in which it interacts with other treatments. We’ll also discuss why radiotherapy is such an integral part of cancer care.
What is radiation, exactly?
Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy waves or particles to kill cancer cells. Promising outcomes have been seen in the treatment of cancer both as a standalone therapy and in combination with others, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. Radiation therapy can be delivered either externally (using a machine) or endoluminally (via a tube put inside a blood vessel) (from radioactive material placed inside the body).
Radiation therapy is effective against numerous types of cancer. It does this by wreaking havoc on the DNA of cancer cells, rendering them unable to replicate and thus rendered harmless. Radiation therapy has been shown to be effective in either destroying cancer cells or stopping them from multiplying and spreading. Using cancer treatment in conjunction with other strategies has been shown to increase its efficacy.
There are a number of different types of radiation therapy available for treating cancer, each tailored to a certain treatment target and disease type.
During external beam radiation therapy, radiation is directed to the tumor from outside the body using a machine; this technique is sometimes used to treat cancer. This type of radiation therapy is the most common one used today.
Internal beam radiation therapy is effective against cancers that have spread to internal organs. This type of radiation therapy is also known as brachytherapy.
The goal of systemic radiation therapy is to eradicate any remaining cancer cells across the entire body by delivering radiation either orally or intravenously. Systemic radiation therapy is sometimes known as whole-body irradiation.
Break down how radiation works.
Radiation therapy is frequently used to treat several forms of cancer. During radiotherapy, cancer cells are exposed to high-energy radiation in order to kill them. It is the type of cancer being treated that determines the specific apparatus used to transmit the waves.
Radiation therapy comes in a variety of ways, the most prevalent of which being external beam and internal beam. High-energy waves in the most common type of radiation therapy, called “external beam radiotherapy,” originate outside the body. As the name implies, internal beam radiotherapy involves bringing the radiation source inside the body and placing it in close proximity to the cancer cells.
Radiotherapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy, for cancer. Radiation as main treatment requires extended exposure over several weeks. It is common practice to shorten the total duration of radiation treatment when it is used in combination with other therapies.
Some side effects of radiation therapy are permanent while others diminish as the tumor decreases in size. Drowsiness, hypersensitivity, and hair loss are the most commonly reported side effects. Some of the rarer but more serious side effects include organ damage and eventual cancers.
Radiation therapy comes in a wide variety of forms.
Both external beam (EBRT) and internal beam (IBR) radiation therapy are viable options (IBRT). By targeting the tumor from without, radiation can be delivered more precisely during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). For IBRT, radioactive material is introduced into the tumor itself.
As a rule, EBRT is the form of radiation treatment used. It can be used to treat practically every type of cancer. IBRT is exclusively used to treat localized cancers, such as those of the head and neck or pancreas.
There are two types of radiation therapy that can be used to treat tumors, and they are determined by the tumor’s size and location.
With 3D conformal radiation therapy, the radiation beams are shaped to fit the contours of the tumor in space (3D-CRT). As a result, the radiation dose to the tumor is increased while the dose to surrounding healthy tissue is decreased.
With intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), doctors may direct radiation beams to precise locations and adjust to changing conditions. This increases the radiation dose delivered to the tumor while minimizing collateral harm to healthy tissue. Due of their proximity to important tissues, tumors in the head and neck frequently necessitate IMRT.
Using images as a guide, IGRT allows for radiation to be delivered precisely where it needs to be to destroy cancer cells without harming any healthy tissue in the process. I
Radiotherapy has many benefits.
Radiation has many benefits for oncology nurses and other medical personnel. Because it can be targeted specifically while conserving healthy tissue, this treatment is effective for containing malignant growths. It’s important to note that radiotherapy can be used in conjunction with other therapies such as surgery and chemotherapy to provide more comprehensive care.
Radiotherapy is a treatment option in palliative care for alleviating the pain caused by cancer. Prior to surgery, radiotherapy can be used to shrink tumors, making the incision smaller and reducing the likelihood of problems. Radiation therapy, in the end, is a versatile treatment that may be applied in a variety of settings to improve the lives of cancer patients.
Doctor Gil Lederman’s Radiosurgical Cancer Center
Radiation therapy, often known as radiotherapy, is extensively used by oncologists in the treatment of cancer. External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy. In this method, radiation is emitted from a machine rather than being injected directly into the patient.
Brain tumors, lung cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer are just few of the many cancers that have responded well to radiation therapy. To treat various forms of cancer, it can be used either alone or in combination with other treatments.
The benefits of radiation treatment are several. This technique is often used when a tumor is too large to be removed surgically or when surgery is not an option. Prior to surgery, tumors can have their size decreased by radiation therapy. This allowed for the removal of the tumor with minimal harm to surrounding healthy tissue.
To a lesser extent than other cancer treatments, radiation therapy has the potential to be highly effective. After finishing treatment, many patients report that their unpleasant symptoms have vanished. Common side effects include feeling weak, experiencing skin irritation, and losing hair. Significant bad effects include possible problems with the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
The Dr. Gil Lederman Radiosurgery Cancer Treatment Centre at Stony Brook University Hospital is state-of-the-art and offers superior treatment to patients receiving radiation therapy. The Centre has access to a pair of linear accelerators, which are used to deliver radiation therapy with pinpoint accuracy. Our patients receive radiation therapy that is customized to their specific needs for this reason.
Where do you think radiation might be most useful?
Cancer cells are killed or their growth is slowed with the help of radiotherapy, which employs high-energy radiation. This can be combined with a wide variety of different cancer treatments, including as surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Radiotherapy works best on cancers that are quite close to their treatment site. Unlike external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), in which radiation is delivered from an external equipment, internal beam radiotherapy (IBRT) involves inserting radioactive material within the body in close proximity to the cancer cells.
Radiotherapy, when used in conjunction with other treatments, can be effective against cancer at any stage. In some cases, this method may be the only one that is effective. Radiotherapy is able to decrease some of the unpleasant side symptoms of cancer, such as bone pain, which commonly occur as the disease advances.
What are the potential dangers of radiation exposure?
Cancer patients may undergo radiotherapy, a therapeutic modality that involves the administration of high-intensity beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. This approach has helped a lot of people with their problems, but it’s not risk-free.
Radiation’s most common side effects are tiredness, skin irritation, and hair loss. Most people experience weariness, which can last for weeks or months after treatment has stopped. Minor and transient skin pain is the norm. Transient hair loss is common during the second and third week of therapy and usually resolves itself before the end of the process.
Radiation therapy also carries the risk of the following less common side effects:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lymphedema, incontinence or pain while urinating, swelling around the treatment area, and pain or trouble urinating are all possible negative reactions (swelling caused by fluid build-up)
In most cases, after treatment is stopped, side symptoms disappear. Consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms prior to starting therapy, while undergoing therapy, or after finishing therapy.
Managing the Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Having an idea of what to expect in terms of radiation’s probable adverse effects will make coping with them much easier. The most common side effects include hair loss, skin problems, and fatigue.
Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation therapy that can significantly lower a patient’s quality of life. Resting regularly and gently is also crucial throughout treatment. You might also benefit from cutting back on your daily physical activities and getting more sleep.
Skin reactions are also a possibility during radiation therapy. Skin irritation, redness, dryness, itching, and even peeling and blistering might occur. Maintaining clean, moisturized skin that is shielded from the sun and other sources of UV light is essential for skin health.
Hair loss can also occur as a result of radiation therapy. This most often happens in the area that was treated, although it can happen anywhere. Although hair loss is usually very temporary, it can nevertheless be distressing for people experiencing it. Wigs and scarves, for example, can be worn to hide thinning hair.
Radiation could have further unfavorable impacts. If you’re worried about possible side effects, it’s best to talk to your doctor about it.
