Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to target as well as destroy cancer cells. It can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with surgery and chemotherapy to increase treatment effectiveness. The main objective of radiation therapy is to damage and kill cancer cells without causing damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. Know about the types of radiation therapy used in cancer treatment below.
Types of Radiation Therapy
Some of the common types of radiation therapy treatments include-
- External Beam Radiation
External Beam Radiation is one of the most common radiation therapy types used in cancer treatments. In this treatment, the radiation gets directed from outside the body towards the cancerous areas. Patients usually receive precise doses of radiation to the tumour. This type of radiation therapy is mainly used in the treatment of brain, breast, lung and prostate cancers.
This is a non-invasive treatment and requires multiple sessions, often over several weeks. Each session lasts for around 10-30 minutes and patients are positioned carefully so that they receive radiation precisely to the tumour site.
- Internal Beam Radiation
Internal Beam Radiation, also known as brachytherapy, involves placing an implant inside the body or extremely close to the tumour site. It enables the radiation to be delivered to the tumour directly, sparing the healthy tissues from exposure. This treatment is recommended by doctors mostly for cancers of the prostate, breast, cervix and skin. When the tumour is confined to a specific area, internal beam radiation is used for a more targeted treatment. To know more about this treatment, you can reach out to Dr. Mukti Mukherjee, a radiation oncologist in Kolkata.
- Systemic Radiation Therapy
Systemic Radiation Therapy is a type of radiation therapy in which radioactive substances are delivered via the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells in the body. In comparison to external beam radiation that only targets specific areas, this type of radiation travels throughout the body. This is an effective treatment for cancers that have spread or are hard to reach with traditional treatments. This type of radiation is mostly used in combination with other cancer treatments like surgery and chemotherapy.
Advantages of Radiation Therapy
Some of the advantages of radiation therapy for cancer are as follows.
1. It is effective for targeting localized tumours
2. It can be used with other cancer treatments
3. It reduces the risk of cancer recurrence
4. It treats metastatic cancer
Conclusion
Radiation therapy not only improves survival rates but also the quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment. If you want to know more about the different types of radiation therapy used in cancer treatment, you can consult Dr. Mukti Mukherjee, a radiation oncologist in Kolkata.