What is Radiation Oncology?

Radiantion oncology is a potential medical profession, if you have cancer. In this branch of medicine, cancer cells are killed by "radiation therapy"—a procedure that directs high-energy waves at your body.Depending on the type and stage of your cancer as well as any other medical concerns you may have, your doctor will determine if it's the best course of action for you.

Who are Radiation Oncologists?

Radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer is a specialty of these doctors. The administration of radiation therapy is supervised by a radiation oncologist. The treatment strategy is developed in close collaboration with the other team members.

Types of Radiation Oncology:

One of the following forms of radiation therapy might be recommended by your doctor:

Therapy using an external radiation beam: Wherever your cancer resides, radiation is directed by a machine outside of your body. A particular area of your body can be targeted by the device by directing the radiation from various angles as it moves around you. It won't get near you.

Radiation treatment administered internally: The radiation source is injected into your body by the doctor. The term "brachytherapy," a form of internal radiation therapy, may be recommended by your doctor. In this treatment, the radiation source is contained in a capsule or other implantable object. Doctors frequently insert the implant into or close to your malignancy using an applicator or a thin, flexible catheter tube. A few minutes, a few days, or even longer could pass before the radiation source leaves your body.

How to prepare ?

• Complete a bowel preparation, if necessary.
• Your bladder might be full or empty.
• Observe the diet's strict rules, such as not eating after a set hour.
• Pre-medicate before your appointment.
• Exercise your breathing.
• Get comfortable remaining motionless or raising your arms above your head.

What to expect?

External beam:

• When you find out you'll require radiation therapy, it's common to feel anxious or even overwhelmed. However, becoming more knowledgeable about this sort of cancer treatment could make you feel more at ease and ready.
• What transpires during your radiation therapy treatment depends on the type of radiation therapy you receive. Radiation from a machine outside the body is delivered by external-beam radiation therapy. The majority of cancer patients receive it through radiation therapy.
• Typically, each session lasts only 15 minutes. When it enters the body, radiation doesn't sting, burn, or cause pain. Throughout the procedure, you may notice clicking or buzzing sounds and a machine odor.
• Five times a week, is the norm for treatment sessions. Depending on your unique treatment plan, this program normally lasts for 3 to 9 weeks.

Internal beam:

• It is also known as brachytherapy when used internally. The installation of radioactive sources at the tumor's location may be both temporary and permanent.
• You will typically receive multiple treatments over a period of days and weeks when using this treatment technique. Perhaps a brief hospital stay is necessary for these procedures. When radioactive sources are inserted into the body, you might need anaesthetic to numb your perception of discomfort. During this treatment, the majority of patients experience minimal to no discomfort. However, the anaesthetic could cause some people to feel weak or queasy.
• To prevent people from being exposed to radiation, you must take safeguards. These guidelines will be given by your radiation therapy team. Such safety measures become unnecessary when:
• Radiation is emitted by the permanent implant.
• It is taken out of the temporary implant.

Conclusion:

With continued work to develop new radiation treatment modes and techniques that continue to increase cancer patients' chances of survival and quality of life, radiation therapy is still a crucial component of the fight against cancer. Radiation therapy-related toxicities are of particular concern now that clinical results for cancer treatment have improved. Through dose fractionation and conformal radiation treatments, the development of mechanistic biology studies and advancements in radiation technology have enhanced the sparing of healthy cells and tissues. In order to further increase the radiation treatment's therapeutic ratio, radiation is also given in conjunction with molecular targeted therapy.