Q. What is radiotherapy, and how does it work?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a medical treatment that uses high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It is a common treatment approach for various types of cancer. Radiotherapy works through the following mechanisms:
1. Damaging DNA: High-energy radiation beams, such as X-rays or gamma rays, are directed at the cancerous cells or tumor. When these radiation beams pass through the body, they interact with the DNA inside the cells. This interaction can cause breaks in the DNA strands, preventing the cancer cells from reproducing and ultimately leading to their death.
2. Preventing cell division: Radiation therapy disrupts the cell cycle of cancer cells. Typically, cancer cells divide and grow rapidly, leading to tumor growth. Radiation therapy interferes with the ability of cancer cells to divide and reproduce, slowing down or halting tumor growth.
3. Triggering cell death: Radiotherapy can induce apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death. Cancer cells that have sustained significant DNA damage may undergo apoptosis, leading to their destruction.
4. Damaging blood vessels: In some cases, radiation therapy can damage the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the tumor. This deprives the tumor of essential resources, leading to its shrinkage.
5. Immune system activation: Radiation therapy can stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. This immunomodulatory effect can enhance the body's ability to fight cancer.
Radiotherapy is usually administered in multiple sessions over a period of days or weeks to ensure that the radiation effectively targets cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Treatment planning involves precise calculations to determine the optimal radiation dose, the angle of radiation beams, and the number of sessions needed to achieve the desired outcome.
The choice of radiotherapy as a treatment option depends on various factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the location of the tumor, the patient's overall health, and the potential side effects. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy to provide the best possible outcome for the patient.