Cancer is a major global health challenge, affecting millions of lives each year. Although the burden of cancer has increased by 28% in India over the past two decades, access to cancer treatment remains a major challenge due to difficulties in screening. Among these challenges, radiation therapy is one of the most effective options for cancer treatment. Radiation therapy can be difficult for cancer patients to cope with. However, it is important for patients to understand the treatment process as it can help reduce anxiety.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy, also called radiation therapy, is the established standard treatment for many types of cancer. It uses precisely focused, high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It can be used as monotherapy or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or both. Radiation therapy is given before surgery to shrink tumors (neoadjuvant therapy), or after surgery to stop cancer cells from growing (adjuvant therapy). Radiation therapy can be combined with chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells. For people with advanced cancer, radiation therapy may be used to relieve pain caused by the disease.

Step by step method: The journey begins with a consultation with a radiation oncologist, who will review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and discuss treatment options and goals. After an initial consultation, patients will carefully plan their radiation therapy through a simulation process, which includes imaging scans such as CT or MRI to map the treatment area and create a personalized treatment plan. Technologies such as skin markers, masks or special locators ensure precise localization of cancerous tissue while minimizing exposure to healthy organs.

Types of radiation therapy

Radiation therapy can be given in different ways depending on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor and how far it has spread. External beam radiation therapy is the most common treatment. They are applied to the body by machines, usually in the form of X-rays, but sometimes using particles called protons or other forms of energy. Internal radiation therapy (called brachytherapy) can be given by placing radioactive material within the tumor.

Example of radiation therapy.

Surgical radiation therapy: During surgery, radiation is directed toward the tumor, allowing the surgeon to preserve nearby healthy tissue. This treatment can use external beam radiation or internal beam radiation to deliver high doses to tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy: Uses advanced imaging technology to reach patients and tumors without anesthesia and with minimal side effects. Positron emission tomography (PET) simulators use the technology to select healthy tissue for treatment of various types of cancer, including cancer of the spine, lung, prostate, brain, bladder, esophagus, liver, and bone.

Intensive radiation therapy: Delivers intense radiation to tumors, sparing healthy tissue, increasing chances of recovery and reducing side effects. IMRT uses CT scans to map the tumor, calculate and direct the beam from multiple angles. It can treat a variety of cancers, including prostate, head and neck, lung, brain, liver, breast, lymphoma, sarcoma, and some childhood cancers.

Stereotactic radiotherapy: This is an advanced technique that delivers high doses of radiation to cancer cells with very high precision. The surgery uses the latest imaging technology to localize the tumor in 3D. By targeting the tumor site, radiation precisely targets the cancer cell, increasing its effectiveness and reducing side effects on nearby healthy tissue.

Proton therapy: Proton therapy delivers high doses of radiation to resistant tumors while sparing nearby tissue. Unlike traditional radiation therapy, which uses X-rays, proton therapy uses charged particles called protons to target the tumor, thereby reducing side effects.

Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy): Brachytherapy delivers tiny radioactive particles directly into a radiation chamber in or around the cancer. The seed will initially form a rash around the implant, which may be permanent or temporary and often requires hospitalization. Temporary implants emit radiation for a few minutes and precautions are taken to minimize contact with other people.

From the first consultation, patients undergo complex treatment plans and procedures to target cancer cells and minimize damage to healthy tissue. When patients receive radiation therapy, they may experience a variety of side effects, including fatigue, skin irritation, and appetite changes.

Reference

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cancer-treatment/about/pac-20393344#:~:text=Write%20down%20your%20questions%20before,groups%20in%20person%20or%20online.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-diagnosis/art-20044544

https://uvahealth.com/services/cancer/navigating

https://uvahealth.com/services/cancer/navigating

https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/xplore/2024/Mar/19/navigating-radiation-therapy-what-patients-should-expect#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17262230299093&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2891343/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2022/05/navigating-cancer–step-by-step

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/navigating-cancer-as-a-young-adult–common-issues–body-image-relationships-and-how-to-manage-them.h00-159620223.html

Where to Begin: Navigating Your Cancer Journey

https://www.baptistcancercenter.com/for-patients-and-families/support-and-resources/thrive-survivorship-program/navigating-cancer

https://www.breastcancer.org/news/navigating-follow-up-care