Radiation therapy – or radiotherapy – is a common cancer treatment that uses radiation (usually high-energy 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 are health care providers who specialize in radiation therapy. Your radiation oncologist will decide whether you will benefit from radiation therapy. If so, they will determine the best type of radiation therapy for your type of cancer.They also plan a radiation treatment with a dose of radiation that will destroy the cancer cells without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.
Types of radiation therapy
There are two main types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and internal radiation therapy. Both types work by destroying the DNA of cancer cells. Without the DNA instructions for their growth and multiplication, cancer cells die and tumors shrink.
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common form of radiotherapy. With EBRT, a machine directs a beam of high-energy radiation at the tumor. The energy can be X-rays (most common), electrons or protons. Accuracy is key with EBRT. Your radiation oncologist will develop a treatment plan to target the tumor with radiation while avoiding healthy tissue.
There are many forms of EBRT
3D Conformal Radiation Therapy – uses a CT scan and computer software to create a 3D model of the tumor. Using the model as a guide, the machine directs a beam of radiation that targets the cancer site while sparing healthy tissue.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – is a more advanced type of radiation therapy. IMRT uses multiple radiation beams that vary in dose intensity. IMT delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor and a low dose to healthy tissue.
Arc-based radiotherapy is a form of IMRT. It directs energy beams of varying intensity in an arc-like rotating pattern. This method delivers radiation more quickly than conventional IMRT.
Particle therapy uses radiation therapy that contains protons instead of photons (X-rays). For some people, protons can deliver the same dose of radiation to the tumor and reduce the radiation dose to healthy tissue.
Internal Radiation Therapy
Internal radiation therapy delivers radiation near the cancer cells inside your body. It treats small tumors in your head, neck, breast, uterus, cervix or prostate.
In brachytherapy, a solid radioactive source, or “seed,” is placed in or near the tumor. The source emits radiation over a small area to kill cancer cells. Some implants release a low dose over a long period of time (weeks). Others may release a higher dose for a shorter period of time (minutes).Some implants used in brachytherapy are temporary. Others live in your body forever. Eventually, they stop emitting radiation.
Systemic therapy sends liquid radioactive material through your bloodstream to find and destroy cancer cells. Some forms are swallowed. For others, you will receive an injection through a vein (IV). Treatment includes radionuclide therapy (radioimmunotherapy). With radioimmunotherapy, a radioactive protein recognizes specific cancer cells, attaches to them, and then releases radiation to kill them.
Advantages of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a reliable and effective cancer treatment that has been around for over a century. Depending on the type of cancer you have, radiation therapy can destroy cancer cells and help other treatments work better. It is also an important part of palliative care. It can relieve cancer symptoms so you can live a fuller and happier life.
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