Q. What conditions or cancers can be treated with radiotherapy?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Radiotherapy is a versatile and widely used treatment modality that can be employed to manage various cancers and some non-cancerous medical conditions. The specific cancers and conditions that can be treated with radiotherapy include, but are not limited to:
1. Cancer Types:
- Breast Cancer: Radiotherapy is often used after breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or as part of the treatment plan for advanced breast cancer.
- Prostate Cancer: Radiotherapy can be used as a primary treatment or in combination with surgery or hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
- Lung Cancer: It can be used in curative intent for early-stage lung cancer or palliatively to relieve symptoms in advanced cases.
- Colorectal Cancer: Radiotherapy is used for rectal cancer, either before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant).
- Head and Neck Cancers: Cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, and other head and neck regions can be treated with radiotherapy.
- Gynecological Cancers: This includes cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers, where radiation can be used in different stages of treatment.
- Brain Tumors: Radiotherapy may be used for both primary brain tumors and metastatic brain tumors from other sites.
- Skin Cancer: Superficial skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma can be treated with radiation therapy.
- Bone Cancer: Radiation therapy can help relieve pain and control bone tumors.
2. Non-Cancerous Conditions:
- Benign Brain Tumors: Non-cancerous brain tumors, such as meningiomas or acoustic neuromas, may be treated with radiation therapy.
- Non-Cancerous Blood Disorders: Conditions like polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis, and essential thrombocythemia can be managed with radiation therapy.
- Hypertrophic Scars/Keloids: Radiation can be used to prevent the recurrence of excessive scarring.
- Hyperthyroidism: Radioactive iodine therapy is used to treat an overactive thyroid gland.
The decision to use radiotherapy and the specific approach taken depend on factors such as the type and stage of the disease, the location of the tumor or condition, the patient's overall health, and the goals of treatment (curative, palliative, or adjuvant). Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy to achieve the best treatment outcome.
It's important to note that the availability and appropriateness of radiotherapy for a particular condition should be determined by a medical oncologist or radiation oncologist after a thorough evaluation of the patient's individual case.