Radiotherapy Reduces The Risk Of Cancer Recurrence By Using High-Energy Particles For Killing Cancerous Cells

 

Radiotherapy 

Radiotherapy is uses high-energy particles to kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat many types of cancers, and it has the added benefit of reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. There are three main types of radiation therapy, mainly external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), image-guided radiotherapy and proton radiotherapy. Each technique uses a different type of particle that targets the cancer and does not damage the surrounding healthy tissue.

External beam Radiotherapy can involve multiple short visits to the treatment center over a few days or weeks. A machine called a linear accelerator rotates around the patient, delivering a small dose of radiation every time it goes around.

The dose of radiation delivered to the cancer is based on a plan carefully created by the health care team. The plan will be based on the location, size and shape of the cancer and will depend on the type of cancer. Radiation can also be used to make cancer sensitive to other treatments, such as chemotherapy or targeted therapies. Some drugs called radiosensitizers can increase the ability of cancer cells to absorb radiation, allowing doctors to give higher doses of treatment.

In case of cancer with a large number of cells, such as a brain tumour, doctors may use a technique called stereotactic radiotherapy. This aims to target all cancerous cells in the area of the tumor with the aim of destroying them by a process called ablation, rather than just killing them through a process of repeated apoptosis.

Another way that cancers can be treated with radiation is using a technique called intraoperative radiotherapy. This is used before surgery to shrink the size of a cancer so that it can be removed with minimal risk. It can also be used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that are left behind.

Doctors may also use Radiotherapy to treat a symptom such as pain or breathing problems. During this type of treatment, doctors may also take special tests to check the response to the treatment. When the cancer is close to a vital organ, doctors might use a technique called image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). This involves performing a CT scan before each radiotherapy treatment so that the radiation will be directed to the right place.

IGRT is often used with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) to deliver more precisely shaped doses to the tumor and minimize exposure to healthy tissues nearby. It is a highly effective method for treating some cancers, including prostate, lung and stomach.

Some other specialized forms of external beam radiation therapy include volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), which delivers multiple radiation beams that are shaped to the exact size and shape of the tumor, and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), which more precisely controls the amount of radiation delivered to the tumor.

In June 2022, RefleXion Medical is using biology-guided radiation (BgRT)*. Their first symposium was focussing on using cancer biology for direct treatment planning and delivery for personalized radiotherapy for all stages of cancer.