Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is an advanced and effective method for treating various types of cancer, particularly breast cancer and prostate cancer. This method utilizes high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. While X-rays are commonly used, doctors may also employ gamma rays, protons, high-energy electrons, or heavy particles. The precise targeting of cancerous cells in radiotherapy minimizes damage to healthy tissues, distinguishing it from chemotherapy. Fortunately, in Gorgan, specialized radiotherapy centers equipped with advanced technology provide efficient and safe treatment for cancer patients.
What is Radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy, or radiation therapy, is an effective cancer treatment used at different stages of the disease. It is particularly beneficial in the early stages when cancer is localized and has not yet spread to other organs. In such cases, radiotherapy can serve as the primary treatment. Beyond its use as an initial therapy, it is often combined with surgery and chemotherapy. For instance, if surgery is required to remove a tumor, doctors may recommend preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and improve surgical outcomes. Additionally, post-surgical radiotherapy in Gorgan is highly effective in eliminating any remaining cancer cells and reducing the risk of recurrence. The primary goals of this treatment include complete cancer eradication in the early stages, minimizing the chances of relapse, and alleviating symptoms when other treatments prove ineffective. If you require more detailed consultation, you can seek online medical advice or visit an internal medicine specialist for further evaluation.
Radiotherapy or Radiation Therapy: A Historical Overview
Radiotherapy, as one of the cancer treatment methods, has a long history dating back to the early 20th century. The first attempts to use ionizing radiation for therapeutic purposes date back to 1896 when Victor Despeignes used X-rays to treat stomach cancer. Although this attempt was unsuccessful, it marked an important step toward the advancement of this treatment method.
In 1922, with the invention of 200-kilovolt equipment, radiotherapy entered a new phase. That same year, Austrian surgeon Leopold Freund demonstrated the first treatment of a mole using X-rays to the Vienna Medical Association. These advancements increased interest in radiotherapy.
In the following decades, treatment methods improved. In the first two decades of the 20th century, specialists used two-dimensional (2D) methods to design radiation portals. However, in the early 1990s, with the introduction of three-dimensional (3D) treatment planning systems, these methods were replaced. The new systems could accurately simulate the precise volume of tumors and at-risk organs, significantly improving treatment accuracy.
How Radiotherapy is Performed in Gorgan
In radiotherapy, energy beams specifically target the DNA of cancer cells. DNA is the genetic material responsible for controlling cell division, and by damaging it, cancer cells lose their ability to grow and multiply, eventually leading to their destruction. Depending on the type of cancer, tumor location, and disease stage, the oncology specialist prescribes the most suitable radiotherapy method for the patient. This treatment is generally performed in three main types:
External Beam Radiotherapy (Teletherapy)
External beam radiotherapy, or teletherapy, is one of the most common types of radiation therapy, where the radiation-emitting device is positioned outside the patient’s body and directs radiation toward the tumor. In this method, the patient lies still on a treatment table, while the device moves around their body, delivering radiation doses from different angles. The doctor carefully adjusts the size and shape of the radiation to achieve the best results while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
This technique usually continues for several weeks, and the doctor may schedule the treatment so that the patient receives radiotherapy even twice a day on different days. This method is particularly effective for treating various types of cancers and, due to its high precision, causes minimal damage to the healthy tissues surrounding the tumor.
Internal Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy)
In internal radiotherapy, or brachytherapy, the radioactive source is implanted inside the body, close to the tumor. This implant can be in the form of a capsule, needle, wire, or balloon. The goal of this technique is to deliver high doses of radiation directly to the cancerous tumor with greater precision and effectiveness. This method reduces damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor, as the radiation is focused solely on the targeted area.
Implant placement often requires surgery, where the doctor may use general or local anesthesia depending on the patient’s condition. To determine the exact implant location, the doctor may use imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to ensure optimal placement.
The duration of the implant’s presence in the body depends on the type and location of the cancer. This duration can range from a few minutes to several hours or even days. Once the treatment is completed, the doctor removes the implant from the body. This method is considered one of the most effective options for treating certain types of cancers, such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and neck cancer.
Systemic Radiotherapy
Systemic radiotherapy is a type of internal radiotherapy where the radioactive drug is introduced into the patient’s body as a liquid and travels through the bloodstream to reach cancerous tissues and destroy cancer cells. This radioactive drug can be administered orally or intravenously. Since the radioactive drug circulates through the blood, some of the patient’s bodily fluids, including urine, sweat, and saliva, may remain radioactive for a while after treatment. Therefore, special precautions are taken to prevent potential risks to individuals in contact with the patient.
Several factors influence the type and method of radiotherapy, including:
- Type of cancer
- Tumor size
- Tumor location in the body
- Overall health and medical history of the patient
- Proximity of the tumor to sensitive and healthy tissues
The function of radiotherapy is to use radiation to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This method is particularly effective in treating cancers that have spread widely throughout the body.
How to Prepare for External Radiotherapy?
Before starting radiotherapy in Gorgan, the doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination during the first session and collect complete health information. After that, a session called “simulation” will be held. In this session, the patient must lie completely still on the treatment table, and the area that will receive radiation therapy is marked using “pointing.” These marks serve as guides for determining the precise angle of radiation beams during treatment and help the doctor deliver the appropriate radiation dose to the targeted area.
On the day of treatment, the patient must wear special clothing called a “gown” and remove all jewelry. When placed under the radiotherapy machine, glowing points appear on the body, and the patient must remain completely still at this time. After that, the radiotherapy machine starts rotating, and during this process, only the sound of the machine’s movement will be heard. It should be noted that this technique is completely painless, and each radiotherapy session typically lasts between half an hour to an hour.
Function and Mechanism of Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA of tumor cells. This DNA damage can be caused by two types of energy: photons or charged particles. The damage can affect the DNA strand through direct or indirect ionization. In photon therapy, the effectiveness of radiation mainly occurs through the production of free radicals, which ultimately lead to DNA damage. Cancer cells generally have limited ability to repair DNA damage, especially when both DNA strands are affected, resulting in cell death or a reduction in their proliferation rate.
Objectives of Radiotherapy
The primary goal of radiotherapy depends on the type of tumor, its location, the stage of cancer, and the patient’s overall health. Radiotherapy can be performed for the following purposes:
- Treating or shrinking cancer in its early stages
- Preventing cancer recurrence (relapse)
- Treating symptoms caused by advanced cancer
- Treating recurrent cancers
Radiotherapy can be used as an adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy after chemotherapy) or palliative therapy to reduce symptoms in advanced cancers. Additionally, radiotherapy is effectively combined with surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy for treating various types of cancer.
Best Radiotherapy Clinic in Gorgan
If you are looking for the best radiotherapy services in Gorgan, Shafa Clinic is an outstanding option. This clinic, equipped with advanced devices such as the Tomotherapy machine and Siemens Artis system, provides high-quality treatment services for cancer patients. Radiotherapy at this center is performed with high precision using the latest techniques to ensure effective and safe treatment. As a reputable center in Gorgan, Shafa Clinic utilizes modern methods to help alleviate symptoms and treat cancer.
Side Effects of Radiotherapy
One common question is whether radiotherapy has side effects.
Radiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for various cancers, but like any treatment, it may have side effects. These side effects depend on several factors, including the type of cancer, radiation dose, treatment site, and the patient’s overall health condition. For more details about all radiotherapy (radiation therapy) side effects, you can click on the related link.
Why Does Radiotherapy Have Side Effects?
Radiotherapy aims to target and eliminate cancer cells, but in this process, healthy body cells may also be exposed to radiation. This exposure can lead to side effects, which vary in severity among individuals. Some may experience no side effects at all, while others may have more severe reactions.
Common Side Effects of Radiotherapy
- Fatigue and weakness
- Skin reactions
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Tumor Resistance to Radiation
One of the main limitations of photon radiotherapy is that some tumors become more resistant to radiation therapy due to oxygen deficiency (hypoxia). In such cases, tumors form new blood vessels to compensate for the lack of oxygen, which interferes with the treatment process and reduces the effect of the radiation. Various studies and techniques have been developed to address these challenges, including the use of high oxygen pressure or specific drugs that increase the tumor’s sensitivity to radiation therapy.
Innovations in Radiation Therapy
Currently, research is being conducted on the use of charged particles such as protons, boron, and carbon, which can directly damage the DNA of cancer cells without the need for oxygen to be effective. These methods, such as proton therapy, can minimize damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor and are particularly effective for treating tumors located in sensitive areas like the head and neck.
Effects of Radiation Therapy on Children
Radiation therapy for children can carry more risks as they are still growing, and their body cells are more sensitive to radiation. Therefore, using radiation therapy for children requires more care and should only be done when necessary and under the supervision of a specialist doctor. Despite these risks, radiation therapy remains one of the most effective cancer treatments, and with scientific advances in fields like proton therapy, these side effects have been significantly reduced.
Does Insurance Cover the Costs of Radiation Therapy?
Many insurance companies cover part or all of the costs of radiation therapy. However, the coverage conditions may vary depending on your insurance type and contract. For more precise information about your insurance coverage, it is advisable to contact your insurance company directly. The good news for residents of Gorgan and other cities in Golestan and even other provinces is that; at Shafa Clinic, some patients with specific conditions can receive free radiation therapy in Gorgan. For more information, you can contact the number provided on the website.
Insurance Plans Covered at Shafa Clinic for Radiation Therapy
At Shafa Clinic in Gorgan, various insurance plans cover radiation therapy services. Patients covered by the following insurances can benefit from free radiation therapy services:
- Health Services Insurance
- Social Security Insurance
- Armed Forces Insurance
- Rural Insurance
For more information and to learn about the specific conditions of each insurance, please contact us.
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