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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.

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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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