Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy beams such as X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, and protons to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, making it difficult for them to multiply and grow. Many cancer types including breast, lung, prostate, and more can be treated with radiotherapy. It is used to either cure or control cancer depending on the situation.
Types of Radiotherapy
There are a few main types of radiotherapy used to treat cancer patients:
External Beam Radiotherapy
This is the most common type used in cancer treatment. A machine directs high-energy beams of radiation towards the tumor site from outside the body. Treatments are usually given over several weeks on an outpatient basis. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are two advanced forms of external beam radiotherapy.
Internal or Implant Radiotherapy
Sometimes small radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires or catheters is placed directly into or near the tumor for a short time. This is known as internal, interstitial or implant radiotherapy. Brachytherapy is a common form of implant radiotherapy.
Systemic Radiotherapy
In systemic radiotherapy, radioactive substances are swallowed, injected or inserted into the body in liquid or capsule form to target cancer cells throughout the body. Radioisotope therapy is an example.
Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT)
IORT involves delivering a single large dose of radiation to the tumor bed during surgery. The treatment is focused directly on the area at highest risk.
How Radiotherapy Works
When high-energy radiation beams are directed at a tumor, they damage the DNA inside cancer cells. This interrupts the cancer cells’ ability to multiply and grow uncontrollably. Radiation damages some normal cells surrounding the tumor as well, but most can recover. The goal is to kill the cancer cells completely or damage them enough so that any surviving cells are less aggressive.
Sessions & Treatment Plans
A full course of radiotherapy is usually given in short, daily sessions (treatments), either once or twice per day, over several weeks. The total dose is divided up to allow normal cells time to recover between treatments. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient depending on the cancer type, size and location. Factors like dosage, frequency, number of treatments and radiation beams used can all vary per individual plan. Most patients require external beam radiation over 4-8 weeks.
Effectiveness of Radiotherapy
When combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy, radiotherapy can cure cancers such as breast, rectal and prostate. For other common cancer types, it helps control tumor growth and relieve symptoms when a cure is not possible. Recent advances have improved radiotherapy’s precision, allowing higher doses to be safely delivered and increasing its effectiveness. The technology continues advancing to benefit more patients.
Side Effects
While radiotherapy destroys cancer cells, it can also damage some nearby healthy cells and tissues. Most side effects are mild to moderate, temporary and go away once treatment ends. Potential side effects depend on the treatment area and individual patient, but may include fatigue, skin irritation, hair loss, nausea, diarrhea and more. Modern radiotherapy techniques are enabling doctors to spare more healthy tissue and reduce side effects. Patients often tolerate treatments well with supportive care.
Brachytherapy for Cancer Treatment
Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiotherapy, is a special technique where radioactive seeds or pellets are placed inside or near the tumor site. Some key aspects of brachytherapy include:
– Higher doses of radiation can be delivered to the tumor compared to external beam radiotherapy, while sparing surrounding healthy tissues.
– It is often used as the sole treatment method or combined with external beam radiotherapy.
– Implants are temporary or permanent depending on the material used. Temporary implants deliver a high radiation dose for just a short time.
– Common uses are treating prostate cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer and others.
– Treatments are typically performed as outpatient procedures under anesthesia or sedation.
– Side effects are usually minimal and related to the treatment area like fatigue, skin irritation and bladder/bowel issues.
– Brachytherapy provides a high chance of cure or good disease control when used appropriately for certain cancers.
– Newer techniques like high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy allow treatment in fewer sessions with less time needed for each implant.
So in summary, brachytherapy provides an effective internal radiotherapy option focused precisely on the tumor site with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissues. Its customizable treatment plans offer advantages in many cancer cases.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
