Radiation Cancer Treatment

Aim for Radiation Cancer Treatment

The aim of radiation therapy is to cure cancer, where possible, whilst maintaining acceptable function and cosmesis. Radiation can be used alone or with chemotherapy or surgery.

Where cure is not possible, the aim is the relief of symptoms (palliation) of cancer, thereby improving the person's well-being. The treatment with radiation is held off until the patient needs it to alleviate pain after the tumor has spread. Radiation may be withheld until it will be most beneficial for the patient's comfort.

Indications for Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is the principal treatment for various skin cancers; cancers of the mouth, nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx; brain tumours and many gynaecological, lung cancers, and prostate cancers.

Radiation therapy plays a leading role in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy in breast cancer, bowel cancer, bladder cancer, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia and lymphomas, thyroid cancer, childhood cancers, gynaecological and testis tumours, as well as many other cancers and certain benign conditions.

Action of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy works by destroying cells, either directly or by interfering with cell reproduction using high-energy X-rays, electron beams or radioactive isotopes. When a radiated cell attempts to divide and reproduce itself, it fails to do so and dies in the attempt.

Normal cells are able to repair the effects of radiation better than are malignant and other abnormal cells. Thus, normal cells are able to recover from exposure to radiation and maintain integrity and viability better than malignant cells.

If the dose and delivery of radiation are well chosen and the disease is localized to the region of treatment, the cancer dies, whereas the normal tissues survive and the patient is made well again.

If fewer than all the cancer cells are killed, improvement may only be short lived and the cancer may regrow. Since normal tissues are less able to withstand the effects of further radiation, repeated treatments at a later date are seldom beneficial.

obtained from BCCA Information Database

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