Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a treatment method that uses high doses of radiation (beams) to destroy cancer cells. The primary goal is to damage the DNA of cancer cells so that they stop growing and dividing. This method is widely used in oncology and can be applied as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapies such as surgery and chemotherapy.

Advantages of radiation therapy

Targeted action: Radiation is directed precisely at the tumor, minimally affecting the surrounding healthy tissues.
Effectiveness: Helps to significantly reduce the tumor size or even completely eliminate it.
Versatility: Can be used for various types of cancer and at different stages of the disease.
Painless procedure: Radiation therapy sessions do not cause pain for the patient.

Radiation therapy has proven effective in various clinical situations. For example, in early-stage breast cancer, the combination of surgery and radiation therapy results in over 90% five-year survival rates. In prostate cancer, radiation therapy can provide long-term disease control in 80-90% of patients.

Types of radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is divided into several types depending on the method of delivery and the type of radiation used:

	External beam radiation therapy	Brachytherapy (Internal RT)	Proton therapy	Stereotactic radiation therapy (CyberKnife, GammaKnife)
Description	The most common type of radiation therapy. Radiation comes from a machine that directs beams at the tumor from outside the body.	Radioactive materials (e.g., capsules or seeds) are placed directly inside or near the tumor.	A form of external beam radiation therapy that uses protons instead of X-rays. Protons deliver radiation more precisely, focusing on the tumor.	A form of external beam radiation that delivers very high doses of radiation precisely to a small, well-defined area.
Indications	Used to treat most types of cancer, such as breast, lung, prostate, brain cancer, and others. Suitable for tumors that can be accurately localized.	Effective in treating prostate cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, and other localized tumors.	Used for tumors located near vital organs such as the brain, spinal cord, or eyes. Also applied in pediatric oncology.	Used to treat small tumors or metastases in the brain, lungs, liver, and other organs. Especially effective for cases where traditional surgery is contraindicated.

The choice of radiation therapy type depends on the tumor’s type and location, the patient’s overall condition, and other factors. In international clinics, the decision is typically made by a multidisciplinary tumor board based on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s condition and tumor characteristics.

In every case, the goal of radiation therapy is to destroy or reduce the tumor with minimal side effects and help achieve remission.