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Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of radiotherapy?
What is the primary goal of radiotherapy?
What type of radiotherapy uses a machine outside the body to direct radiation beams at the tumor?
What type of radiotherapy uses a machine outside the body to direct radiation beams at the tumor?
Which type of radiotherapy involves placing a small amount of radioactive material inside the body, near the tumor?
Which type of radiotherapy involves placing a small amount of radioactive material inside the body, near the tumor?
What is a common acute side effect of radiotherapy?
What is a common acute side effect of radiotherapy?
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What is a benefit of radiotherapy?
What is a benefit of radiotherapy?
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What is a late side effect of radiotherapy?
What is a late side effect of radiotherapy?
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What is the purpose of individualized treatment planning?
What is the purpose of individualized treatment planning?
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What is an advantage of radiotherapy?
What is an advantage of radiotherapy?
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What type of radiotherapy delivers high doses of radiation in a few fractions?
What type of radiotherapy delivers high doses of radiation in a few fractions?
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What is a benefit of radiotherapy in terms of pain management?
What is a benefit of radiotherapy in terms of pain management?
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Study Notes
Definition and Purpose
- Radiotherapy: a cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or slow their growth
- Also known as radiation therapy
- Goal: to cure cancer, relieve symptoms, or improve quality of life
Types of Radiotherapy
-
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT):
- Uses a machine outside the body to direct radiation beams at the tumor
- Can be further divided into:
- 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT): uses CT scans to create 3D images of the tumor
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): uses multiple beams of varying intensity to target the tumor
- Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT): delivers high doses of radiation in a few fractions
-
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy):
- Involves placing a small amount of radioactive material inside the body, near the tumor
- Can be temporary or permanent
-
Systemic Radiotherapy:
- Uses radioactive substances that travel through the bloodstream to reach the cancer cells
- Examples: radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer, radiolabeled antibodies for lymphoma
Side Effects and Risks
-
Acute Side Effects:
- Fatigue
- Skin changes (redness, dryness, itching)
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
-
Late Side Effects:
- Infertility
- Secondary cancers
- Organ damage (e.g., heart, lung, or kidney damage)
-
Individualized Treatment Planning:
- Helps minimize side effects and risks
- Takes into account the patient's medical history, tumor location, and overall health
Benefits and Advantages
-
Effective in Treating Various Cancers:
- Brain, breast, lung, prostate, and cervical cancers, among others
-
Pain Relief:
- Can help alleviate cancer-related pain
-
Non-Invasive:
- Does not require surgery or hospitalization
-
Concurrent with Other Treatments:
- Can be used in combination with chemotherapy, surgery, or hormone therapy
Radiotherapy Overview
- Definition: a cancer treatment using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or slow their growth
- Also known as radiation therapy
- Goal: to cure cancer, relieve symptoms, or improve quality of life
Types of Radiotherapy
- External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) uses a machine outside the body to direct radiation beams at the tumor
- EBRT subtypes:
- 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT) uses CT scans to create 3D images of the tumor
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) uses multiple beams of varying intensity to target the tumor
- Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) delivers high doses of radiation in a few fractions
- Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy) involves placing a small amount of radioactive material inside the body, near the tumor
- Systemic Radiotherapy uses radioactive substances that travel through the bloodstream to reach the cancer cells
- Examples of Systemic Radiotherapy: radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer, radiolabeled antibodies for lymphoma
Side Effects and Risks
- Acute Side Effects:
- Fatigue
- Skin changes (redness, dryness, itching)
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Late Side Effects:
- Infertility
- Secondary cancers
- Organ damage (e.g., heart, lung, or kidney damage)
- Individualized Treatment Planning helps minimize side effects and risks by considering the patient's medical history, tumor location, and overall health
Benefits and Advantages
- Effective in treating various cancers, including brain, breast, lung, prostate, and cervical cancers
- Provides pain relief by alleviating cancer-related pain
- Non-invasive, does not require surgery or hospitalization
- Can be used in combination with chemotherapy, surgery, or hormone therapy
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Description
Learn about radiotherapy, a cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Understand its types, including External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) and its subtypes.
