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14th October, 2009
European Survey on Standards of Care in paediatric oncology centres. J. R. Kowalczyk, M. Samardakiewicz, K. Pritchard-Jones, R. Ladenstein, S. Essiaf, E. Fitzgerald, G. Petrarulo, G. Vassal - EJC , Volume 61, pp 11-19
8th December, 2014
The purpose of this website is to provide good and clear information about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and to refer to the various late-effects outpatient clinics (LATER outpatient clinics) that exist in the Netherlands.
8th September, 2015
Cancer in young people is rare, but it is still a major health issue in Europe. Each year, more than 6,000 young people in Europe die of cancer. There are more than 300,000 European childhood cancer survivors (in 2020, they will be nearly half a million): two-thirds of them have some late side effects of treatment, that are severe and impact on the daily life of half of those affected.
Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It can be delivered externally by a machine that targets the affected area, or internally through the insertion of radioactive material into the body. It’s designed to kill cancerous cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
The fascinating field of radiotherapy carries enormous potential in harnessing the power of radiation for treating diseases. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the subject, offering an in-depth look into its dynamics, uses, benefits, and risks.
Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a method of treating various diseases, notably cancer, using high-energy radiation. The ionizing radiation damages and destroys the DNA of cancer cells, thereby inhibiting their ability to divide and grow. It is a potent weapon in the medical arsenal, utilized either independently or alongside other treatments like chemotherapy and surgery.
The roots of radiotherapy trace back to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895 and radium by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898. However, the true potential of these breakthroughs began emerging in the early 20th century when radiation started being used to combat cancerous growths. Over the decades, technological advancements have refined radiotherapy techniques, heightening their precision and efficacy.
Radiotherapy works by exploiting the different ways healthy and cancer cells respond to damaged DNA. While healthy cells can repair and recover, cancer cells lack this ability. These cells, when exposed to radiation, incur irreparable damage leading to cell death. Care is taken to minimize the exposure of normal cells to radiation during treatment planning.
Typically, radiotherapy treatment initiates with a thorough consultation where the doctor explains the process, potential side effects, and expected outcomes. This is followed by a planning session where scans are obtained to identify and map the region needing treatment. The actual treatment is conducted over several sessions, usually 1-2 minutes each, spread over weeks.
This is the most common type of radiotherapy. A machine called a linear accelerator delivers high-energy beams to the tumor, ensuring minimal harm to surrounding healthy cells.
In brachytherapy, radioactive material is implanted directly inside or near the tumor. While high-dose-rate brachytherapy involves temporary implantation, low-dose-rate treatment might require permanent placement.
Here, the radioactive substance is given orally or via injection, allowing it to circulate throughout the body or target specific areas.
Radiotherapy plays a significant role in combating various cancer types such as breast, lung, prostate, and cervical cancer, either as a primary treatment, as adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence, or in palliative care to alleviate symptoms.
Beyond cancer, radiotherapy is also effective in managing conditions like Trigeminal neuralgia (a painful facial condition), Graves’ disease (an immune system disorder affecting the eyes), and Dupuytren’s contracture (a hand deformity).
Often, radiotherapy is a highly effective, non-invasive method that can be customized to the individual’s disease state and convenience. It either treats diseases or significantly improves patients’ quality of life by managing symptoms.
Radiotherapy, though beneficial, is not without its side effects, which largely depend on the treatment site, dosage, and individual health conditions. Common side effects include fatigue, skin changes, and localized pain. However, contemporary techniques continuously work to reduce these risks.
Radiotherapy leverages radiation’s therapeutic potential seamlessly, annihilating diseases from within and improving patient outcomes. With different modalities like external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and systemic radiotherapy, it caters to diverse patient needs.
As technology gallops forward, radiotherapy also continues to evolve. New techniques for more precise radiation delivery, cutting-edge imaging capabilities, and increasingly personalized treatments all point towards a promising future.
Radiotherapy is a technique that uses high-energy radiation to treat various diseases, primarily cancer, by damaging or destroying the DNA of cancer cells and impeding their growth.
Radiotherapy works by damaging cancer cells’ DNA under the influence of radiation, inhibiting their ability to divide and grow. The treatment aims to expose as few healthy cells as possible to radiation.
The primary types of radiotherapy are external beam radiotherapy, where radiation is delivered externally using a machine, internal radiotherapy or brachytherapy, where a radioactive material is directly placed inside or near the tumor, and systemic radiotherapy, where a radioactive substance is given orally or via injection.
Yes, radiotherapy can treat non-cancerous conditions like Trigeminal neuralgia, Graves’ disease, and Dupuytren’s contracture.
Common side effects of radiotherapy include fatigue, skin changes, and pain. However, these largely depend on the treatment site, dosage, and individual health conditions.
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