Radiation Oncology
This article was medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Türkoğlu
What is Radiation Oncology?
Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that focuses on the use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. Radiation oncologists are doctors who specialize in using radiation therapy to manage and treat various types of cancer. The primary goal of radiation therapy is to destroy cancer cells or inhibit their growth while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from reproducing and causing them to die. It can be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Radiation oncologists work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific type of cancer and stage.
Types of Radiation Oncology
Medical oncology treatments aim to eliminate cancer, slow its progression, or relieve symptoms caused by the disease. The main types of treatments used in medical oncology include:
- Chemotherapy:
- Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. It can be administered orally, intravenously, or through other methods, depending on the type and stage of cancer. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy.
- Hormonal Therapy:
- Hormonal therapy is used to treat cancers that are sensitive to hormones, such as breast and prostate cancer. This treatment works by blocking the body’s natural hormones or lowering their levels to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy:
- Targeted therapy involves drugs or other substances that specifically target and attack cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells. This type of therapy is based on the unique genetic and molecular characteristics of the cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy:
- Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. This treatment helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
- Biologic Therapy:
- Biologic therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines, enhance the body’s natural defenses to combat cancer. These therapies can target specific molecules involved in cancer growth and progression.
- Combination Therapy:
- Often, multiple types of treatments are combined to increase effectiveness. For example, chemotherapy may be combined with targeted therapy or immunotherapy to improve outcomes.
- Supportive Care:
- Supportive care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. This may include medications to control pain, nausea, and other side effects, as well as nutritional support and psychological counseling.
Medical oncologists continually evaluate new treatment options and clinical trials to provide the most effective and cutting-edge therapies for their patients.
Treatments of Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncology encompasses various treatment techniques and modalities to effectively target and treat cancer. The main types of radiation therapy include:
- External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT):
- Conventional EBRT: This involves directing high-energy X-rays or gamma rays at the tumor from outside the body using a linear accelerator. It is typically administered over several sessions.
- 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT): This technique uses imaging technology to shape the radiation beams to match the shape of the tumor, allowing for more precise targeting.
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): IMRT delivers radiation in varying intensities across the tumor, allowing for higher doses to the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): IGRT uses imaging techniques such as CT scans or X-rays during treatment to ensure accurate targeting of the tumor.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT):
- SRS: A highly precise form of radiation therapy used to treat small tumors, particularly in the brain, with a single high-dose radiation session.
- SBRT: Similar to SRS but used for tumors outside the brain, SBRT delivers very high doses of radiation over a few sessions, targeting tumors with extreme precision.
- Proton Therapy:
- Proton therapy uses protons instead of X-rays to treat cancer. Protons release their maximum energy directly at the tumor site, potentially reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- Brachytherapy:
- Internal Radiation Therapy: This involves placing radioactive sources directly inside or near the tumor. It is commonly used for cancers of the prostate, cervix, and breast.
- High-Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy: Delivers high doses of radiation in short bursts through catheters or applicators placed near the tumor.
- Low-Dose-Rate (LDR) Brachytherapy: Involves placing small radioactive seeds in or near the tumor, which emit radiation over an extended period.
- Systemic Radiation Therapy:
- Involves the use of radioactive substances, such as radioactive iodine, that travel through the bloodstream to target and treat cancer cells throughout the body.
- Combination Therapy:
- Radiation therapy is often combined with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy to enhance effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.
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FaQ – Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that uses high-energy radiation to treat cancer, with the goal of destroying cancer cells or inhibiting their growth while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Radiation therapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from reproducing and causing them to die. It targets the cancer cells with high-energy radiation.
Types of radiation therapy include external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), proton therapy, brachytherapy, and systemic radiation therapy.
Common side effects include fatigue, skin irritation, and localized side effects depending on the treatment area, such as nausea, hair loss, or difficulty swallowing. Side effects vary based on the individual and treatment specifics.
Yes, radiation therapy is often combined with other treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy to improve effectiveness and outcomes for cancer patients.
The duration of radiation therapy varies depending on the type and stage of cancer, the specific treatment plan, and the individual patient. Treatments can range from a single session (as in SRS) to several weeks of daily sessions
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