What Is Radiation Therapy? Know The Role It Plays In Cancer Treatment And Management

Radiation therapy is a crucial aspect of cancer treatment, as approximately 60% of cancer patients undergo it at some point during the course of the disease.

Radiation therapy refers to high-energy waves like X-rays, gamma rays, or protons.

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By Dr Kampra Gupta

Significant innovations have been achieved in modern times in comprehending the original factors that lead to cancer growth and its treatment. Despite this, the increasing number of malignancy cases poses an extensive challenge for medicinal specialists in the 21st century. The therapy arsenal against cancer involves radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Radiation therapy is a crucial aspect of cancer treatment, as approximately 60% of cancer patients undergo it at some point during the course of the disease. It accounts for 40% of successful cancer treatments. The primary objective of radiation therapy is to hinder the ability of cancer cells to divide and replicate.

Radiation therapy refers to high-energy waves like X-rays, gamma rays, or protons. These beams, aimed at cancerous tissue, damage the DNA within, eventually leading to cell death and deterring tumor growth. Radiation therapy can be delivered externally, where an instrument directs the beams towards the targeted area, or internally, by implanting radioactive sources near the malignant tumour.

How Radiation Therapy Is Applied 

Radiation therapy holds substantial value in healing various cancers, including:

Brain: A reliable method for combating cancerous tumours and managing conditions like arteriovenous malformations with care.

Breast: Often utilised alongside surgery or chemotherapy in the early stages of breast cancer or as a preventative measure against recurrence.

Lung: Can provide a potential cure for early-stage lung cancer or help manage symptoms in advanced cases.

Prostate: An established approach for treating prostate cancer, often effective in early stages or when combined with other treatments for advanced cases.

What Is The Radiation Therapy Procedure?

The radiation therapy procedure is a carefully planned process for successful treatment. Using advanced imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRIs, medical professionals create thorough maps of the tumor and its neighboring anatomy. This crucial step allows for a tailored approach to treatment, maximizing tumour dose exposure while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. 

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): This conventional approach delivers radiation from the external body using a linear accelerator (linac) machine.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): IMRT takes precision to the next level by adjusting the strength of radiation rays to conform to the shape of the tumor, sparing nearby healthy tissue from unnecessary exposure. 

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): This highly precise technique delivers high doses of radiation in fewer sessions, often used for smaller tumours.

The author is Consultant, Radiation Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Jaipur.

[Disclaimer: Information provided in this article is for general guidance only. Individual results may vary. It is important to consult a healthcare professional, who knows your body type and medical history, before implementing the suggestions and information provided herein.]