Radiation Oncology and Radiotherapy

Once diagnosed with Cancer, it becomes essential to destroy the multiplying cancer cells before they spread to other body parts. Radiation Oncology, or Radiotherapy, is a medical speciality that deals with damaging these cancer cells and tumours with high-energy Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, protons, neutrons, and carbon ions.

Radiotherapy is given alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy to treat various types of cancer. The high-precision radiation oncology provided by Medicover Hospitals is aided by innovative techniques and standard protocols that bring high-satisfying results.

What is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation Therapy is a commonly used modality of cancer treatment in which cancer cells are killed by damaging the DNA. It uses high-energy waves delivered by a linear accelerator. Your doctor may use radiation therapy to kill malignant cells or to shrink tumours before performing surgery or chemotherapy for more effective results.

Radiation oncology in India offers advanced treatments for cancer, utilizing precise techniques to target tumours while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Patients undergoing radiation therapy may experience side effects such as skin irritation and fatigue, which are carefully managed by medical teams to ensure comfort and effective treatment outcomes.

Radiation therapy can be recommended based on the type and stage of your cancer.

Radiotherapy vs. Radiation Oncology

Radiotherapy

• Refers specifically to the treatment of cancer and other diseases using targeted radiation.
• Involves the use of high-energy radiation to destroy or damage cancer cells.
• Focuses on the practical application and techniques of delivering radiation treatments.

Radiation Oncology

• A medical speciality that encompasses the study, research, and practice of treating cancer with radiation.
• Includes not only the administration of radiotherapy but also the overall management of cancer patients.
• Involves the expertise of radiation oncologists who plan and oversee the treatment, ensuring it is integrated with other aspects of cancer care.

In summary, radiotherapy is the actual treatment process using radiation. In contrast, radiation oncology is the broader medical field that includes the administration of radiotherapy along with the comprehensive care and management of cancer patients.

Radiation Therapy for Various Types of Cancer, Including

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Colon and rectal Cancer
• Gynecologic Cancer
• Head and Neck Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Bowel Cancer
• Uterine Cancer
• Skin cancers

Radiation Oncology Procedures

• IMRT: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a type of advanced radiation therapy to treat cancer and noncancerous tumours. IMRT uses technology to shape photon and proton radiation beams to conform to the shape of a tumour.
• IGRT: Image-guided RapidArc radiotherapy is a type of radiation therapy in which imaging techniques are used during each radiotherapy session to make the treatment more precise and accurate.
• IG-Rapid Arc: Image-guided rapid Arc is a technology that provides a speedy and accurate form of image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy. It conforms closely to the 3D shape of your tumour.
• SGRT: Surface-guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) is a technology used to improve radiation treatment accuracy. It is used to treat nearly every type of cancer.
• SABR: Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiosurgery is a technique for delivering highly focused doses of radiation to a very small area of the body.
• TBI: Total body Irradiation is when radiation is delivered in such a way that it covers the entire body.
• TSE: Turbo-spin-echo (TSE) imaging is a quick technique that provides true spin-echo contrast in significantly less time.
• BrachyTherapy: Brachytherapy, also known as internal radiation therapy, involves the placement of radioactive material directly inside or near the tumour. It is the treatment that only treats a specific area of your body.
• Functional Radiosurgery Gating: Respiratory gating is a technique that uses advanced technology to direct radiation delivery as a patient breathes. It is used when a tumour is in an area that is naturally in motion, such as the lungs, chest, or abdomen.

Benefits of Radiation Oncology Treatment

• Useful in reducing or removing tumors, especially in localized cancers.
• It may supplement surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy to improve treatment results.
• Risks Minimally invasive; lower risk than surgery and may be appropriate for patients who are not surgical candidates.
• Can relieve symptoms of advanced cancers, such as by shrinking tumors that put pressure on or cause pain in the body.

Frequently Asked Questions