Radiation therapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a medical treatment that uses controlled radiation to destroy or damage cancer cells. The goal of radiotherapy is to stop the growth of cancer cells, slow their spread or shrink tumors while trying to spare healthy tissue as much as possible.
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, to damage cancer cells at the DNA level. When cancer cells become damaged, they have trouble dividing and growing, which can eventually cause them to die. Healthy cells usually have a better repair capacity than cancer cells, so the goal of radiotherapy is to destroy the tumor cells with minimal damage to normal tissues.
Radiotherapy can be given in several ways:
External beam radiotherapy (teletherapy): This is the most common form of radiotherapy. It involves directing beams of radiation from an external source, such as a linear accelerator, onto the tumor tissue from the outside.
Internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy): In brachytherapy, radioactive sources are placed directly in or near the tumor tissue. This is often used for tumors in the pelvic area, breast or neck.
System therapy: Radioactive substances can also be administered to the patient through the bloodstream so that they can spread throughout the body and reach distant cancer cells. This form of radiotherapy is sometimes referred to as systemic radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy can be used as a primary treatment to cure cancer or as an adjunctive treatment after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. It can also be used to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.
Radiotherapy is prescribed and administered by a team of specialist medical professionals, including radiotherapists, medical physicists and radiotherapy nurses. The treatment plan is individually tailored to each patient's needs, taking into account the type and stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor, and other factors.
It is important to note that radiotherapy, like other forms of cancer treatment, can cause side effects. These side effects vary depending on the area treated and the patient's overall health. The treatment team will carefully guide and support the patient to manage any side effects and achieve the best treatment outcome.