Skip to main content
Radiation Therapy
Oncology

Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy Feb 06, 2021
Cancer1 (1) What is radiation therapy? Radiation therapy is basically treatment with X Ray’s and gamma rays, mostly for cancerous conditions, although a few benign conditions are also treated with the help of this modality. How it administered and what are the common types? This treatment can be administered externally from outside the body or internally.The external treatment is administered on sophisticated machines known as linear accelerators or LINACS. The treatment is delivered in small fractions and my last from 2 to 7 weeks. Some patients may undergo internal radiation called brachytherapy. It is a form of treatment in which radiation is administered close to or into the tumor or the body. What to expect? Prior to the treatment, the patient undergoes a special procedure known as radiotherapy simulation. It is one of the most crucial steps and consists of a mould preparation for immobilization of the patient and subsequently a planning CT scan according to the sub site to be treated. The patient may be or may not be given intravenous and/or oral contrast. How is the treatment planned? Once simulation is done, planning is performed on CT simulation scan using a  specialized treatment planning system by a team comprising of radiation oncologists and medical physicists. First,  the tumor,  the areas at risk of tumor spread, and normal organs are marked  on the planning scan and plansaremade/generated by the physicists by using techniques such as 3D CRT, Intensity Modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Rapid Arc, which are then evaluated and the best possible plan where in there is minimal dosage to the critical normal structures with appropriate tumor coverage is chosen. After planning, Quality assurance (QA) checks are performed by the medical physicists team, and when it is confirmed that the plan meets the established QA standards,  the patientbis called for treatment delivery. What are the expected side effects? Like every treatment, radiotherapy treatment also has its set of aide effects,  which are mostly documented and checked weekly. These vary according to the sub site being treated. Most common side effects of various sub sites include: Head & Neck:
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dryness of mouth
  • Changes in taste
  • Mouth ulcerations
Thorax
  • Skin irritation, dryness, and darkening
  • Swelling in the arm (lymphedema)
  • Loss of hair in irradiated area
  • Difficulty swallowing
Abdomen
  • Nausea
  • Loose motions
  • Abdominal cramping
Pelvis
  • Difficulty in passing urine/stool
Most of these effects are reversible and are managed with appropriate medication and interventions.   Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma Senior Consultant- Radiation Oncology

Categories

Clear all

Related Blogs

View all
Breast Onco-Plastic Surgery: The Saving Grace
Oncology

Breast Onco-Plastic Surgery: The Saving Grace

admin Mar 18, 2023
You Don’T Need To Lose Your Breast To Cure Cancer
Oncology

You Don’T Need To Lose Your Breast To Cure Cancer

You Don’T Need To Lose Your Breast To Cure Cancer Nov 18, 2021
Breast Cancer Faqs
Oncology

Breast Cancer Faqs

Breast Cancer Faqs Sep 30, 2021
Taking A Piece of Cancer Is No Piece of Cake!!!
Oncology

Taking A Piece of Cancer Is No Piece of Cake!!!

Dr. Shubham Garg(IOSPL) Feb 02, 2021
Oral Cancer: Other Lesser Known Causes
Oncology

Oral Cancer: Other Lesser Known Causes

Oral Cancer: Other Lesser Known Causes Jan 21, 2021
10 Reasons Why You Should Be Aware About Lung Cancer
Oncology

10 Reasons Why You Should Be Aware About Lung Cancer

10 Reasons Why You Should Be Aware About Lung Cancer Nov 05, 2020
Lifestyle And Cancer
Oncology

Lifestyle And Cancer

Lifestyle And Cancer Aug 13, 2020
Male Breast Cancer: All You Need To Know
Oncology

Male Breast Cancer: All You Need To Know

Male Breast Cancer: All You Need To Know Aug 13, 2020
Reasons Behind Rise of Male Breast Cancer In The Past 10 Years
Oncology

Reasons Behind Rise of Male Breast Cancer In The Past 10 Years

Reasons Behind Rise of Male Breast Cancer In The Past 10 Years Aug 13, 2020
Yes! It Is Posible To Defeat Head & Neck Cancer
Oncology

Yes! It Is Posible To Defeat Head & Neck Cancer

Yes! It Is Posible To Defeat Head & Neck Cancer Aug 13, 2020
barqut

Keep track of your appointments, get updates & more!

app-store google-play
Request callback