What Is Radiotherapy Treatment?

Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a medical treatment that uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy abnormal or cancerous cells in the body. This process damages the DNA of these specific cells, stopping them from growing and multiplying. Radiotherapy is primarily used to treat cancer, either by itself or alongside other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy. It is typically delivered over several sessions and can be applied externally or internally, depending on the type and location of the cancer. The goal is to eliminate cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy surrounding tissue.

Types Of Radiotherapy Treatment

Radiation therapy is mainly divided into two primary types: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and internal radiation therapy (also known as brachytherapy).

External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)

External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) uses high-energy X-ray or photon beams produced by a linear accelerator. These beams are directed from outside the body and accurately focused on the tumor. EBRT is highly versatile and can be used to treat many different cancers, either in early stages or as part of palliative care when cancer is advanced. Several advanced techniques are available within EBRT to maximize precision while protecting healthy tissue. These include Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT).

Internal Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy)

Brachytherapy entails inserting radioactive sources directly within or close to the tumor. These sources emit radiation to treat the cancer from within the body. Brachytherapy is frequently used for cancers in areas where external radiation therapy may not be as effective or where it's essential to spare nearby healthy tissues. Brachytherapy can be categorized into two primary types: Low-Dose Rate (LDR) and High-Dose Rate (HDR).

• In Low-Dose Rate (LDR) brachytherapy, radioactive seeds or sources are implanted into the body and remain there for an extended period (ranging from days to months). This technique is commonly used for prostate cancer.

  
  

  High-Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy involves temporarily placing highly radioactive sources near the tumor for a short time during each treatment session. HDR brachytherapy is frequently used to treat gynecological, head and neck, and breast cancers.

• HDR brachytherapy involves temporarily placing highly radioactive sources for a short duration during each treatment session. This approach is frequently utilized in the treatment of gynecological cancers, head and neck, and breast cancers.

Radiotherapy For Cancer

Radiotherapy for cancer plays a vital and multifaceted role in cancer care, contributing significantly to the management of the disease. There are three main approaches to radiotherapy treatment for cancer: primary treatment, adjuvant treatment, and neoadjuvant treatment.

Primary Treatment

In certain situations, radiotherapy is used as the main treatment for cancer. This is especially the case when surgery is not possible, or when the tumor is highly sensitive to radiation.

Adjuvant Treatment

Radiotherapy can also be used after surgery as an adjuvant treatment to destroy any remaining cancer cells that may have been missed. The main goal of adjuvant radiotherapy is to lower the risk of cancer coming back in the area where surgery was performed.

Neoadjuvant Treatment

On occasion, radiotherapy is given before surgery. This neoadjuvant approach is employed to shrink large or locally advanced tumors, making them more manageable to remove surgically. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy can improve surgical outcomes and increase the likelihood of a complete tumor resection.

You might have inquiries such as how long after radiotherapy will I feel better? You may reach out to us with such questions and be informed.

Radiotherapy Vs Chemotherapy

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are two primary cancer treatment modalities in Istanbul, each with distinct mechanisms and applications. Radiotherapy utilizes high-energy radiation to target and damage cancer cells, specifically in the treatment area, offering high precision and minimal collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It is typically applied for localized cancer, with the potential to be curative or palliative.

In contrast, chemotherapy is a systemic approach that uses drugs circulating through the bloodstream to attack rapidly dividing cancer cells at both primary and distant sites. Chemotherapy's systemic effects can result in a wider range of side effects, making it suitable for systemic and palliative treatment, especially in advanced or metastatic cancer.

The choice between radiotherapy and chemotherapy is influenced by factors such as the cancer type, stage, location, and the overall health of the patient, and in many cases, they are used together to achieve the most effective treatment outcomes.

Effectiveness Of Radiotherapy

To learn more about how radiotherapy might benefit you, please contact us for more information about treatments for different conditions..

Radiotherapy's precision, achieved through advanced techniques, minimizes side effects by targeting the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. Radiotherapy is a vital tool in cancer management, offering curative potential, symptom relief, and enhanced long-term outcomes when combined with other treatments and personalized to each patient's needs.

You can connect with us to learn about the advantages of radiotherapy treatments for various diseases.

Radiotherapy Side Effects

Like many medical treatments, radiotherapy can cause side effects. These effects vary depending on factors such as the type of cancer, location being treated, radiation dose, and individual patient characteristics. Common radiotherapy side effects include:

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  • Skin redness, itching, and dryness
  
  
  • Blistering or peeling of the skin
  
  
  • Fatigue
  
  
  • Hair loss
  
  
  • Nausea and vomiting
  
  
  • Changes in taste or appetite
  
  
  • Swelling
  
  
  • Altered breast sensation (especially after breast radiotherapy)
  
  
  • Difficulty swallowing
  
  
  • Changes in bowel habits
• Blistering and peeling of the skin
• Fatigue
• Hair fall
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in taste and appetite
• Swelling
• Changes in breast sensation (late effects of breast radiotherapy)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Changes in bowel habits

* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .