Radiation therapy, also known as radiation therapy, is one of the key treatments for cancer. Using radiation, it is possible to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing. It is estimated that radiation therapy is used to treat about 50% of all cancer patients, often in combination with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.
How does radiation therapy work?
Radiation therapy works by destroying the DNA of cancer cells. Radiation creates small cracks in the DNA that prevent cancer cells from repairing and reproducing. Importantly, the radiation is designed to minimize the impact on healthy cells as much as possible.
Radiation therapy is so precise that doctors can target radiation directly to the area of the body where the cancer is located, thus minimizing radiation exposure to healthy cells. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Types of radiation therapy
There are several different types of radiation therapy, including:
External radiotherapy is the most common form of radiotherapy, during which the radiation source is outside the body. The patient is placed on a special couch, and a machine that emits radiation is directed at a specific area of the body.
Internal radiotherapy, or brachytherapy, involves placing small sources of radiation directly into the patient's body, usually in or next to a tumor. Radiation is emitted over short distances, making it possible to treat small areas with a high dose of radiation.
Systemic radiotherapy uses radioisotopes that are introduced into the patient's body by injection or orally. These substances spread throughout the body and accumulate in cancer cells, delivering radiation to them.
Application of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy can be used at various stages of cancer treatment. Sometimes it is used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor and facilitate its removal. In other cases, radiation therapy may be used after surgery to destroy any residual cancer cells that might remain in the body.
Radiation therapy is also often used in a palliative context, that is, to relieve pain and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.
Side effects
As with any treatment, radiation therapy is associated with some side effects, which vary depending on the type and site of radiation therapy. Among the most common are fatigue, sunburn-like skin reactions and loss of appetite. Many patients also experience problems with concentration and memory.
Despite the side effects, radiation therapy remains one of the most important tools in the fight against cancer. Further research and technology development is aimed at making radiation therapy more precise and effective, while reducing its side effects.
In summary, radiation therapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer that, in the hands of experienced medical personnel, is able to destroy cancer cells and contribute to recovery. Further research into its application and effectiveness continues, with the goal of further understanding and utilizing this technology in cancer treatment.
