When the doctor tells you or a loved one that you have cancer, you may have heard the word "radiation therapy" when talking about the next treatment. Hearing this name, you may have felt a little scared and nervous. "Will this hurt?", "What will happen to the body?", "Is this dangerous?" You may have many questions in your mind. It is very normal. But if we know exactly and simply about this treatment method, we can eliminate that unnecessary fear. So today, let's talk about this radiation therapy.
Simply put, what is radiation therapy?
Radiotherapy is a very effective method of treating cancer. It uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Think of it like a laser beam that selectively removes only the bad cells in our body.
Sometimes this treatment is given alone. Other times it is given in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. A radiation oncologist will decide whether this treatment is right for you, how it is given, and how much to give. He or she will plan the treatment to target only the cancer cells, minimizing damage to your healthy cells.
Remember, the main goal of this treatment is to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to your healthy cells.
What are the radiation treatments?
There are two main types of radiation therapy. Both have the same goal: to destroy the DNA that tells a cancer cell to grow and divide. When those instructions are lost, the cancer cells die and the tumor shrinks.
1. External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): This is the most commonly used method. Here, a large machine outside your body targets radiation beams only where the cancer is.
2. Internal Radiation Therapy: Here, a radioactive substance is placed inside your body, very close to the cancer cells.
Let's look at these two methods in a little more detail.
1. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) - treatment given from outside
In this, nothing hits you in the body. The machine moves around you and focuses the rays only on the right spot. This method is now very advanced. That's why it can be treated very precisely, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
| EBRT treatment type | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy | A CT scan creates a three-dimensional (3D) model of the cancer and directs the radiation beams precisely to it. |
| Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) | This is an even more advanced method. It uses beams of different intensities to deliver more radiation to the cancer and less to the surrounding healthy tissue. |
| Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) | Before each treatment, a small X-ray or CT scan is taken to confirm the exact location of the cancer and then the radiation is delivered. This makes the accuracy much higher. |
| Stereotactic Radiosurgery (eg Gamma Knife) | This is as precise as surgery, but without any incisions. It uses a very high dose of radiation to destroy small tumors in the brain. |
| Intraoperative Radiation (IORT) | This is done during surgery. After a tumor is surgically removed, if there are any very small cancer cells that could not be removed, radiation is given at the same time to destroy them. |
2. Internal Radiation Therapy - Treatment given from the inside
This method is used for small cancers in areas such as the head, neck, breast, and cervix. It is also given in two ways.
- Brachytherapy: This involves placing a tiny "seed" containing a radioactive substance inside or very close to the tumor. Some of these release radiation slowly over weeks. Others release a high dose in a matter of minutes. Some of these are temporary, while others remain in the body permanently (their radioactivity fades over time).
- Systemic Therapy: This involves giving a radioactive substance as a liquid. It can be given as a liquid to drink or as an injection through a vein (IV). The substance travels through the bloodstream, finds cancer cells, attaches to them, and destroys them.
What happens before and during treatment?
Before EBRT treatment, there is a planning meeting called a "simulation". During that meeting, you will:
- Positioning you: You will be positioned on the treatment table. You may be given a mold or mask to help keep your body still. Then, the exact area to be treated will be marked.
- Scans: A CT scan or MRI is done to see exactly where the cancer is. The medical team uses this information to develop a treatment plan.
On the day of your treatment, you will lie on the same table as you did in the simulation. The radiation machine will move around you, but it will never hit you. A radiation therapist will operate the machine in a separate room. You can talk to them at any time through an intercom. You will not feel any pain during the treatment.
In internal treatments, anesthesia is used to administer the radioactive material, so there is no pain involved.
Are there any side effects after treatment?
Yes, like any treatment, there are some side effects. But don't worry. These side effects usually only affect the part of the body being treated. Also, since the treatment is not given continuously but is given in several sessions every few days, your healthy cells have time to recover. This greatly reduces the side effects.
Some of the most common side effects are:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Skin changes at the treatment site (redness, dryness, itching)
- Mouth sores
- Pain when swallowing
- Appetite
- Burning when urinating or a frequent need to urinate
Report any discomfort like this to your doctor immediately. He or she will provide you with the necessary instructions and medications to manage the side effects.
Is there a risk to others after treatment?
- In external beam radiation therapy (EBRT): None. There is no radiation left in your body after treatment. You can go home normally, be with your family, and interact with small children. There are no risks.
- For internal radiation therapy: Since there is a radioactive substance inside the body, you will need to follow certain precautions for a short time. For example, small amounts of radiation can be released through sweat and urine. Therefore, your doctor may advise you to limit close contact with pregnant women or young children for a while. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Take-Home Message
- Radiation therapy is a very effective and advanced treatment used to destroy cancer cells. Don't be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- You will not feel any pain during the treatment.
- After external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), you pose no risk to others.
- Side effects of treatment are temporary and can be managed. Talk openly with your doctor about any discomfort you may be experiencing.
- Some people can continue with normal activities during treatment, while others need rest. Listen to your body.
- It is your right to ask and clarify any questions, fears, or doubts you may have with the medical team before treatment.
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