Siemens Artis Machine
- One of the most advanced radiotherapy devices
- Equipped with an MLC (Multi Leaf Collimator) system
- Capable of delivering IMRT and equipped with a Portal Vision system for simultaneous imaging of the treatment area
Siemens Artis Machine
- One of the most advanced radiotherapy devices
- Equipped with an MLC (Multi Leaf Collimator) system
- Capable of delivering IMRT and equipped with a Portal Vision system for simultaneous imaging of the treatment area
Radiation therapy is one of the effective methods for treating cancer, using high-energy particles or waves such as X-rays, gamma rays, or electron beams to stop the growth and division of cancer cells. These rays, passing through tissues, cause ionization, creating positive and negative ions that gradually shrink and destroy cancer cells. The primary goal of radiation therapy is to eliminate cancer cells with the least possible damage to healthy cells. However, sometimes these rays also damage nearby healthy cells or, by destroying their DNA, prevent their growth and division. Despite this, most healthy cells have the ability to repair and recover from the effects of radiation.
Radiation therapy can be used as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan, for example, to prevent the recurrence of tumors after surgery for early-stage malignant tumors (such as breast cancer). Additionally, radiation therapy can enhance the effects of chemotherapy and, in sensitive tumors, be used before, after, or concurrently with chemotherapy.
Understanding the Differences Between Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy is widely used in cancer treatment due to its ability to control the growth of cancer cells. Ionizing radiation damages the DNA of tissues exposed to it by producing positive and negative ions, ultimately leading to cell death. Since many cancerous tumors are located deep within the body, radiation must pass through healthy tissues to reach the cancerous tissue. To protect these healthy tissues (such as the skin or organs in the path of radiation), the rays are directed at the tumor from different angles to ensure the maximum dose reaches the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
In some cases, the treatment area includes not only the tumor but also nearby lymph nodes, especially if there is evidence of their involvement. Additionally, due to uncertainties in patient positioning and internal body movements (such as breathing or bladder filling and emptying), a margin of healthy tissue is included in the treatment area. These uncertainties may arise from internal body movements or shifts in surface skin markers used to determine the tumor's location.
Damage to the DNA of tumor cells has a significant impact on cancer treatment. This damage is caused by one of two types of energy: photons or charged particles. DNA damage can affect the DNA chain either directly or indirectly. In photon therapy, the effect of radiation is primarily achieved through the production of free radicals and damage to DNA. Since cells have mechanisms to repair single-strand DNA damage, double-strand DNA damage is recognized as a key technique for inducing cell death. Cancer cells that are undifferentiated and resemble stem cells typically proliferate more than healthy, differentiated cells and have a limited ability to repair damage. DNA damage is transferred to new cells during cell division, and this damage can lead to cell death or a reduction in their proliferation rate.
What are the Goals of Radiation Therapy?
The primary goals of radiation therapy (radiotherapy) include therapeutic, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative treatments, depending on the type of tumor, its location, the stage of the disease, and the patient's overall condition. Total Body Irradiation (TBI) is used in radiotherapy to prepare the body for bone marrow transplantation. Brachytherapy, another method, involves placing a radiation source inside or near the target area to reduce damage to healthy tissues in the treatment of cancers such as prostate, endometrial, and breast cancer.
Radiation therapy also has several applications in the treatment of non-malignant diseases, including trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuroma, pterygium, thyroid-related eye diseases, pigmented villonodular synovitis, and the prevention of keloid scar growth, vascular restenosis, and heterotopic ossification. However, the use of radiotherapy in non-malignant diseases is highly restricted due to potential risks and the increased likelihood of radiation-induced cancer.
Radiation therapy is one of the effective methods for treating cancer, using high-energy particles or waves such as X-rays, gamma rays, or electron beams to stop the growth and division of cancer cells. These rays, passing through tissues, cause ionization, creating positive and negative ions that gradually shrink and destroy cancer cells. The primary goal of radiation therapy is to eliminate cancer cells with the least possible damage to healthy cells. However, sometimes these rays also damage nearby healthy cells or, by destroying their DNA, prevent their growth and division. Despite this, most healthy cells have the ability to repair and recover from the effects of radiation.
Radiation therapy can be used as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan, for example, to prevent the recurrence of tumors after surgery for early-stage malignant tumors (such as breast cancer). Additionally, radiation therapy can enhance the effects of chemotherapy and, in sensitive tumors, be used before, after, or concurrently with chemotherapy.
Understanding the Differences Between Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy is widely used in cancer treatment due to its ability to control the growth of cancer cells. Ionizing radiation damages the DNA of tissues exposed to it by producing positive and negative ions, ultimately leading to cell death. Since many cancerous tumors are located deep within the body, radiation must pass through healthy tissues to reach the cancerous tissue. To protect these healthy tissues (such as the skin or organs in the path of radiation), the rays are directed at the tumor from different angles to ensure the maximum dose reaches the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
In some cases, the treatment area includes not only the tumor but also nearby lymph nodes, especially if there is evidence of their involvement. Additionally, due to uncertainties in patient positioning and internal body movements (such as breathing or bladder filling and emptying), a margin of healthy tissue is included in the treatment area. These uncertainties may arise from internal body movements or shifts in surface skin markers used to determine the tumor's location.
Damage to the DNA of tumor cells has a significant impact on cancer treatment. This damage is caused by one of two types of energy: photons or charged particles. DNA damage can affect the DNA chain either directly or indirectly. In photon therapy, the effect of radiation is primarily achieved through the production of free radicals and damage to DNA. Since cells have mechanisms to repair single-strand DNA damage, double-strand DNA damage is recognized as a key technique for inducing cell death. Cancer cells that are undifferentiated and resemble stem cells typically proliferate more than healthy, differentiated cells and have a limited ability to repair damage. DNA damage is transferred to new cells during cell division, and this damage can lead to cell death or a reduction in their proliferation rate.
What are the Goals of Radiation Therapy?
The primary goals of radiation therapy (radiotherapy) include therapeutic, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or palliative treatments, depending on the type of tumor, its location, the stage of the disease, and the patient's overall condition. Total Body Irradiation (TBI) is used in radiotherapy to prepare the body for bone marrow transplantation. Brachytherapy, another method, involves placing a radiation source inside or near the target area to reduce damage to healthy tissues in the treatment of cancers such as prostate, endometrial, and breast cancer.
Radiation therapy also has several applications in the treatment of non-malignant diseases, including trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuroma, pterygium, thyroid-related eye diseases, pigmented villonodular synovitis, and the prevention of keloid scar growth, vascular restenosis, and heterotopic ossification. However, the use of radiotherapy in non-malignant diseases is highly restricted due to potential risks and the increased likelihood of radiation-induced cancer.