Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncology
Among the different medical specialties involved in the treatment of cancer patients; There are 3 directly linked to all cases:
- Medical Oncology; who is responsible for controlling and monitoring the entire treatment scheme, the intervention of the rest of the specialists and the patient’s evolution.
- surgical oncology; which intervenes in the programming and execution of any surgery that must be carried out for the benefit of the cancer patient, whether for therapeutic or curative purposes.
- Oncological Radiology; which specializes in the application of treatments with controlled ionizing radiation, to combat cancer cells (radiotherapy).
In particular, through radiation oncology or radiation oncology, the patient receives precise doses of radiation that are pre-programmed in quantity and duration.
In this way, through specific cycles; Malignant cells are attacked, without severely affecting healthy cells. However, there are some benign tumors that can also benefit from the application of radiotherapy.
Objectives of Radiation Oncology
- Improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
- Increase the effectiveness of other treatments, applying radiation in conjunction with these regimens (basically; chemotherapy, immunotherapy).
- Kill cancer cells that have remained in the patient after chemotherapy or surgery (adjuvant therapy).
- Destroy cancer cells in order to stop the growth of a tumor; before removing it with elective surgery.
- Attack the tumor to shrink it; so that this favors the relief of the symptoms presented by a patient in an advanced and/or terminal stage (palliative therapy).
What types of radiation therapy are there?
As with any other type of treatment; Radiotherapy offers different alternatives that the specialist can administer depending on the type of cancer, its location, staging, general conditions in which the patient is, or other treatments that the patient has received.
That is why, among the main types; We can list the following:
- Internal radiation therapy
It is also known as brachytherapy and consists of implanting radioactive isotopes inside the patient’s body, so that they emit higher intensity radiation in a smaller area.
In this sense, there are 2 types:
- Interstitial brachytherapy. It is a technique that locates the source of the radiation inside the tumour itself.
- Intracavitary brachytherapy. In this case, the implant is placed inside a body cavity where the tumor has developed or very close to it.
In addition to being a more direct technique; The implant may be placed temporarily or permanently. To do this, an applicator is used, which can also be removed or not, depending on each case.
- External radiation therapy
First, the doctor performs a physical examination and verifies the results of the different tests to which the patient has been subjected; determining the exact place where radiation should be applied (simulation process).
Obviously, this is the most common form of radiotherapy; in which the patient receives the rays in a focused manner, while in a resting position sitting or lying down.
Likewise, the dose of application of the therapy is adjusted according to the type of cancer and the ultimate purpose of the therapy (curative, adjuvant, palliative). From there, the most common thing is to do a daily session, 5 days a week, for a period that can be between 6 – 8 weeks.
In the same way, there are other types of radiotherapy; Including:
- Systemic radiation therapy.
- Intraoperative radiation therapy
- Radiosensitizers/radioprotectors.
What safety measures should I take against radiation?
Even when controlled radiation involves some risks for the patient; It is important to know that the external treatment will in no way affect your family environment, since the radiation remains in the physical space where it was administered.
However, internal radiotherapy does turn the person into a radiation emitter; which is why it is important to take into account the following recommendations so as not to affect family members or close friends of the patient under treatment:
- The patient’s personal hygiene items and kitchen utensils should be separated from the rest.
- If possible, the patient should be given plenty of fluids after treatment. This will help more easily remove radioactive material that remains in your body.
- During the visit or accompaniment, try not to extend the stay in the room for more than 30 minutes a day.
- Avoid visitors if you’re pregnant or suspected of being pregnant and keep children away.
- Avoid getting too close and in the case of couples; You should avoid any kind of sexual intercourse for some time.
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"My greatest motivation as a Surgical Oncologist in Panama is to have the opportunity to help each patient find multiple reasons to keep fighting."
- Dr. Roberto García
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