Radiation Therapy – Definition and Overview
Radiation therapy is a medical treatment that uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells or inhibit tumor growth, and is one of the most important methods in oncology.
Things worth knowing about "Radiation Therapy"
Radiation therapy is a medical treatment that uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells or inhibit tumor growth, and is one of the most important methods in oncology.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy or irradiation) is one of the most important treatment methods in oncology. It uses high-energy rays – typically X-rays, gamma rays, or particle beams – directed precisely at tumor tissue to destroy cancer cells or prevent them from multiplying. Radiation therapy can be used with curative intent (to cure) or palliatively (to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life).
Mechanism of Action
Ionizing radiation damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. Healthy cells generally have more effective DNA repair mechanisms and recover more quickly from radiation damage than tumor cells. Treatment is typically delivered in multiple sessions (fractions) over a period of several weeks to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects.
Indications
Radiation therapy is used to treat a wide range of cancers, including:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Brain tumors
- Cervical cancer
- Head and neck cancers
- Lymphomas
In addition, radiation therapy may be used in non-cancerous conditions such as keloid scars or certain vascular malformations.
Types of Radiation Therapy
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
In external beam radiation, beams are directed at the tumor from outside the body. Modern techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery allow for very precise dose delivery, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources directly inside or next to the tumor, as used for prostate or cervical cancer. This allows a high radiation dose to be delivered locally while sparing surrounding tissue.
Systemic Radiation Therapy
Radioactive substances (e.g., radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer) are administered into the body, where they selectively accumulate in specific tissues and destroy tumor cells from within.
Combination with Other Treatments
Radiation therapy is frequently combined with other treatments:
- Chemoradiation: simultaneous use of radiation and chemotherapy to enhance therapeutic effect
- Neoadjuvant radiation: given before surgery to shrink the tumor
- Adjuvant radiation: given after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells
Side Effects
Side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area being treated and the dose received:
Local Side Effects
- Skin redness, dryness, or sensitivity in the treatment area
- Mucositis (inflammation of mucous membranes) in head and neck radiation
- Hair loss in the irradiated area
- Difficulty swallowing or dry mouth
General Side Effects
- Fatigue is one of the most common side effects
- Nausea when the abdominal area is treated
- Long-term effects such as fibrosis (scarring) in the treated tissue
Advances in radiation technology have significantly reduced side effects by enabling highly targeted dose delivery.
Treatment Planning
Before radiation therapy begins, a detailed treatment planning process is carried out. Using CT or MRI scans, the tumor area is mapped in three dimensions. A medical physicist and a radiation oncologist work together to determine the optimal radiation dose, beam angles, and number of treatment fractions. Small skin markings are often placed on the patient to ensure precise positioning at every session.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Cancer – Radiotherapy. www.who.int/health-topics/cancer
- National Cancer Institute (NCI): Radiation Therapy to Treat Cancer. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy
- Joiner M, van der Kogel A (eds.): Basic Clinical Radiobiology. 4th edition. Hodder Arnold, London, 2009.
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