Radiation therapy works by targeting tumors with targeted radiation beams that damage cancerous cells’ DNA, leading them to stop growing and eventually die off.
Standard treatment typically includes multiple shorter daily radiation treatments administered over an extended period. This technique, known as hyperfractionation, may help alleviate side effects.
Dose
Radiation therapy dosage depends on the type and stage of cancer, with typical curative doses for solid epithelial tumors ranging between 60-80 grays (Gy). Radiation works by killing or slowing cancer cell growth while damaging surrounding healthy tissue causing side effects that must be carefully considered by radiation oncologists when selecting the ideal plan of care for their patient. When selecting treatment plans they take into account factors like size and location of tumors as well as any additional therapies or previous radiation to the area in consideration.
At radiation therapy sessions, a radiation oncologist and medical physicist collaborate to devise an ideal radiation plan for each patient. The radiation oncologist uses CT or MRI scans to pinpoint tumor locations while also identifying healthy tissues nearby; then the radiation physicist creates an exacting X-ray pattern targeting only tumor cells while sparing healthy ones nearby.
Radiation therapy sessions tend to be relatively quick and painless. While you lie on a table while the radiation oncologist positions your body to receive X-rays; they may use molds or masks to secure you during radiation delivery and create simulations of radiation dose to ensure they’re targeting the correct tissues.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and intensity-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) are advanced techniques designed to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects of cancer treatments. IMRT employs computers to track your movements during treatment and adjust your position on the table accordingly to deliver more precise radiation doses. For tumours moving close to vital structures or tissues, imaging mounted onto linear accelerators enables radiation oncologists to observe tumour movements during treatments for maximum accuracy ensuring no missed tumor irradiations occurs nor unnecessary doses reach nearby organs or structures exposed during treatments.
Studies on dose escalation have demonstrated that current standard radiation doses may not be sufficient to achieve local disease eradication, particularly for prostate cancer. Biopsies taken 2 years posttreatment reveal a high rate of biochemical failure as defined by ASTRO and Phoenix criteria even with standard doses between 70 to 78 Gy.
Frequency
Radiation therapy can stop cancer cells from multiplying and destroy those that have already spread, while shrinking tumors or relieving symptoms such as pain. Radiation can be used on its own or combined with chemotherapy treatment plans to help your body fight cancer more efficiently, and reduce side effects from other medicines or surgery treatments.
Radiation treatment comes from outside your body and is directed toward the tumor using a large machine known as a linear accelerator and other equipment. Although radiation can be loud and uncomfortable at first, you will gradually adjust to it over time and feel better once treatment begins and as your body adjusts.
Your radiation oncologist will create a schedule for when and how long your radiation sessions should occur, taking into account both your diagnosis and type of cancer as well as how much radiation exposure your healthy tissue experiences and its sensitivity.
Treatment plans often begin with scans such as CT or MRI to provide a picture of your tumor, which allows medical teams to understand where the mass lies, its size and shape as well as what parts of your body need protection during treatment. Furthermore, these scans allow doctors to create computerized simulation images of both your tumour and its surroundings which typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour to create.
Your radiation oncologist may suggest short treatment courses with higher doses delivered more frequently (accelerated radiotherapy). This plan aims to deliver the same amount of radiation within shorter time span, potentially reducing side effects associated with exposure.
Before beginning radiation treatments, your team will first ensure you are in the appropriate position. They’ll do this using a device similar to a CT scanner that tests different angles and positions for radiation beams. You will be placed on a table, with mask or mould over your body that holds you securely while temporary or permanent markings may also help guide treatment sessions.
Side Effects
Radiation therapy kills cancer cells while also damaging nearby healthy cells, leading to various side effects which vary depending on where in your body it’s applied. Fatigue may become apparent quickly or gradually and other symptoms include redness, bruising, hair loss, mouth issues, skin conditions and changes in appetite; some symptoms can be mitigated or prevented with medication.
As part of treatment, you will lie on a flat table while the radiation machine moves around your treatment area and therapists mark any areas that will be exposed to radiation. Some patients wear body molds or face masks during radiation sessions for added support during therapy. Radiation treatments usually last between 15-30 minutes per session with five scheduled treatments spread out over four to nine weeks – though therapists may alter that number if any problems arise; or use hypofractionation which involves shorter treatment sessions that still add up to equal number overall treatments.
Your doctor can help you understand the risks and possible side effects associated with radiation therapy, and discuss effective methods for dealing with them, such as taking medication or making schedule changes. Some individuals may even be able to work during radiation therapy treatment while others might need medical leave.
Your doctor may be able to arrange multiple radiation treatments at once. He or she will create a schedule with multiple sites and adjust the dosage as necessary for each. There may also be treatments using various forms of radiation therapy – conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are two examples – that use customized radiation beams that precisely target where your tumor lies reducing radiation dose to healthy tissue while helping limit side effects.
Radiation may produce long-term side effects, including problems in the heart and lungs. Sometimes these side effects occur months or even years after treatment has ended due to factors like your age or overall health; some could even be caused by radiation itself!
Recovery
Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells and limits their growth, but can also impact nearby healthy cells and cause side effects like fatigue and nausea. Fatigue is often experienced during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT); it typically builds gradually over several days or weeks due to daily commutes to treatments, stress levels and poor sleeping patterns – often alleviated with rest or napping breaks.
Your radiation team can help you manage side effects from radiation therapy. They may offer advice or prescribe medicines to ease them, and you may have regular appointments at the hospital or over the phone with either your doctor or specialist nurse to check in and discuss any concerns that arise.
Before beginning radiation therapy treatments, a simulation session is scheduled. This ensures you’re in the appropriate position and radiation reaches all desired spots on your body. You will lie on a similar table to those used during treatments; possibly with molds or props fitted for support; the radiation machine makes buzzing sounds and moves in different angles around you from different directions; your radiation therapists are in another room but can see and hear you through windows or video links.
At times during your radiation treatments, you might need to remain still for as much as 30 minutes. Your radiation oncologist will let you know exactly how long this treatment should last; its duration depends on the area being targeted as well as if single or combined modality radiation therapies are being utilized. Palliative radiation or brachytherapy might require shorter courses of therapy treatment.
After each treatment session, your radiation oncologist will perform imaging tests to see how well your cancer has responded and may prescribe additional radiation or try another type of therapy – it is vitally important that you attend all appointments so the therapy works effectively.
