Radiation Therapy refers to the use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The radiation may come from a machine outside the body known as external-beam radiation therapy, or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells which also known as internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy.
THE RADIATION ONCOLOGY TEAM:
The core radiation oncology team will consist of the following members:
- Radiation Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer
- Dosimetrist: Technologist who plans the treatment
- Medical Physicist: Individual who makes sure that the treatment plan and equipment delivers the right amount of radiation
- Radiation Therapist: Individual who gives the radiation treatment
STEPS OF THE RADIATION THERAPY PROCESS:
- Consultation
- Treatment Planning
- Simulation: The radiation oncologist uses a process called simulation to define where to aim the radiation. During simulation, the patient lies very still on a CT scanner. Other imaging studies such us MRI and PET CT help the Dosimetrist plan how to direct the radiation
- Confirmatory Simulation: This is the step were we confirm that the adequate area is included as per treatment planning
- Treatment: Time spent under the beam. It depends on the type of radiation and it can range from minutes to half an hour.
- Follow-Up: After the course of treatment is completed, the patient will be asked to come back for periodic follow ups with the radiation oncologist.
For greater detail on the Radiation Therapy process please click here
RADIATION THERAPY TREATMENT TECHNIQUES:
There are many different types of radiation therapy available. All of them have different advantages but your radiation oncologist will be able to select the method that is best suited for you.
Three-dimensional 3-D conformal radiation therapy: Click for more information
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): Click for more information
Brachytherapy