Radiation therapy utilizes a high beam of energy to destroy cancer cells. One key approach within this field is precision radiation oncology, which focuses on treating patients with radiation therapy, depending on their condition. Dr. Joydeep Ghosh, a leading medical oncologist, provides comprehensive medical oncology care.
Read on further to learn the types of radiation therapy and how it can help you treat cancer.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) uses high-energy X-rays directed from outside the body to target and destroy cancer cells. It is important in cancer treatment because it accurately focuses on tumours.
Types of External Beam Radiation Therapy
3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)
This technique uses imaging technology to create a 3D image of the tumour and the organs surrounding it. This precision radiation oncology method allows oncologists to direct laser beams precisely at cancerous tumours, reducing the chance of damaging the nearby organs.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
This type of radiation therapy directs beams of different lengths and intensity towards cancerous cells. This is considered a more advanced type of external radiation therapy.
It targets nearby cells that are not cancerous but might carry the risks. The doses are designed to target cancerous cells and reduce the effect of radiation outside the target cells.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
SBRT uses multiple beams of energy to kill the growth of cancer cells that grow anywhere in the body. Depending on the growth, the intensity of the beams is adjusted. It is used to treat specific types of tumours in the lungs, spine and liver. Precision radiation oncology techniques like Stereotactic Radiotherapy success rates range from 80 to 90 per cent.
Proton Therapy
Proton radiation therapy is used to target cancerous tumours located in different body parts. Some of the target areas include brain tumour, spinal cord, head and neck cancer, brain cancer, liver, prostate and lung.
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
Internal radiation therapy is also known as Brachytherapy. This procedure involves placing radioactive capsules inside the cancerous cells to destroy them. It is used to treat various types of cancer like breast, liver, and prostate.
Systemic Radiation Therapy
This is a type of radiation therapy that uses drugs to destroy or shrink cancer cells. It involves swallowing a radioactive substance that moves through the body to locate and destroy cancerous cells.
Conclusion
Precision Radiation Oncology treatments method like radiation therapy remains advantageous for each patient depending on the severity of their case. With advancements in technology, treatments are becoming more precise and effective.