Radiation Oncology

Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology is a medical specialty used to treat cancer. It uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells or control their growth. Radiation oncologists plan, implement and manage radiation therapy. 

Radiation oncology can be used in combination with other methods of treating cancer, such as surgery and chemotherapy, or independently. The treatment plan is determined depending on the patient's type of cancer, the location and stage of the tumor. Radiation therapy aims to minimize damage to healthy tissues while trying to shrink or destroy tumors by stopping the growth or killing cancerous cells. 

Radiation therapy can be delivered externally (external) or internally (internal). External radiation therapy uses an external device (e.g. a linear accelerator) to send high-energy beams to the tumor site. In internal radiation therapy, radioactive substances are placed in or near the tumor. 

Methods Used in Radiation Oncology

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) 

In this method, high-energy rays are sent to the cancerous area from outside. These beams cause damage to the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dying or multiplying. EBRT tries to have minimal side effects by focusing on the areas where the cancer has been detected and around it. Treatment can last for several weeks, usually in daily sessions.

Internal radiotherapy (Brachytherapy) 

In this method, radioactive sources are placed directly into or near the cancerous tumor. In this way, high doses of radiation are delivered directly to the cancer cells, while damage to surrounding healthy tissue is minimized. Brachytherapy is commonly used for certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer and cervical cancer.

New Radiotherapy Techniques 

With advancing technology, many new techniques have been developed in radiation oncology. These include techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). These techniques allow cancer cells to be focused more precisely and healthy tissue to be spared.

Radionuclide therapy 

In this method, cancer cells are targeted with radioactive drugs. These drugs are usually given intravenously and circulate through the body, lodging in the cancer cells, which then emit radiation to kill them.

Proton therapy 

This method uses high-energy protons to focus directly on cancer cells. Unlike other radiotherapy methods, protons give off less energy when they penetrate the tumor, resulting in a more intense radiation effect on the tumor.

Carbon dioxide laser therapy 

In this method, carbon dioxide laser light is focused on cancer cells and used to destroy them.