Journal of Medical Physics and Applied Sciences

Description

Radiation oncology is a specialized field within oncology that utilizes targeted radiation to treat cancer. It is a crucial component of cancer therapy, often employed alongside surgery and chemotherapy to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. This branch of medicine involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining the expertise of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Radiation oncology operates on the principle that high-energy radiation can effectively kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth. Radiation therapy aims to deliver precisely controlled doses of radiation to specific areas of the body, where tumours are located. This treatment modality can be administered externally or internally, depending on the type, location, and stage of cancer.

Beam radiation therapy

This is the most common form of radiation therapy. It involves directing radiation from a machine outside the body towards the cancerous tumour. The treatment is carefully planned to minimize damage to healthy surrounding tissue. In this approach, radioactive sources are placed inside the body, either temporarily or permanently, close to the tumour. This method allows for a higher concentration of radiation to be delivered directly to the cancerous cells. Before initiating radiation therapy, a comprehensive treatment plan is developed. The patient undergoes imaging scans to precisely map the tumour and surrounding anatomy. This information is used to plan the treatment fields and determine the appropriate radiation dose. Radiation oncologists work with medical physicists and dosimetrists to calculate the optimal radiation dose and beam angles to target the tumour while sparing healthy tissues. Radiation therapy sessions are typically scheduled daily over several weeks. Each session is brief, lasting only a few minutes. Advanced technologies like intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy ensure accurate delivery of radiation to the tumour site.

Role of radiation oncologists

Radiation oncologists are specialized physicians who oversee the entire radiation treatment process. They work closely with other members of the cancer care team to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for each patient. Key responsibilities of radiation oncologists include, meeting with patients to discuss treatment options, potential side effects, and expected outcomes. Collaborating with medical physicists and dosimetrists to design personalized treatment plans. Monitoring patients during treatment to assess response and manage any side effects. Providing long-term follow-up to monitor for recurrence and address any late effects of radiation therapy. Recent advancements in radiation oncology have significantly improved treatment precision and outcomes for cancer patients. Some notable developments include delivering high doses of radiation to small tumours with extreme precision, often requiring fewer treatment sessions. Using protons to target tumours with greater accuracy and reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissues. Combining radiation therapy with immunotherapy to enhance the immune system's response against cancer cells. Radiation oncology plays a vital role in the comprehensive management of cancer. It offers an effective, localized treatment option for many types of cancer and is continually evolving with technological advancements. As research progresses and techniques become more refined, radiation oncology continues to contribute to improved cancer survival rates and enhanced quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment.