Radiation therapy, as one of the most important treatments for cancer, has evolved and expanded with different techniques and methods since its invention. Below we will discuss the main types of radiation therapy used in today's medicine.
External radiotherapy
External radiation therapy, also known as teletherapy, is the most commonly used type of radiation therapy. It is a process in which X-rays are directed at a specific area of the body from outside by a device called a linear gas pedal. It usually takes between 1 and 10 minutes, with the patient himself experiencing no pain.
3D-CRT is a radiation therapy technique that uses CT (computed tomography) images of the patient to create a three-dimensional model of the tumor. Based on this model, doctors can adjust the radiation to fit the exact shape of the tumor.
IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy)
IMRT is an advanced form of 3D-CRT that allows for even greater precision. With IMRT, radiation "maps" can be created that interact with the tumor at different intensities to better match the shape of the tumor.
Internal radiotherapy
Internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, differs from external radiation therapy in that the radiation source is placed inside the body, instead of emitting from the outside.
Brachytherapy
In brachytherapy, small illuminators containing radiation are placed directly in or near the tumor. They can stay there from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the type of cancer and stage of the disease. Brachytherapy is often used to treat cervical, prostate and skin cancer.
Systemic radiotherapy
Systemic radiotherapy is a technique in which radioactive materials are administered orally or intravenously. They are then spread throughout the body, destroying cancer cells.
Radiotherapy with a radioisotope
In radiotherapy with radioisotopes, radioactive substances are administered to the patient intravenously. The radioisotopes then accumulate in the cancer cells, where they emit radiation and destroy these cells. This type of therapy is sometimes used to treat thyroid cancer, among other things.
Radiotherapy with monoclonal antibodies
In this technique, monoclonal antibodies (artificially produced in the laboratory) are combined with radioactive materials. When injected into the patient's body, these antibodies target a specific type of cancer cell, to which they attach and deliver radiation to it.
Radiation therapy is a key component of modern cancer treatment. Each of the types of radiation therapy listed here is used in different situations, depending on the type and stage of the cancer and the patient's overall condition. Which type of radiation therapy is used depends on many factors and is always individually tailored to the patient's needs.
