Radiotherapy is also common option of treatment for cancerous tumor. Radiation therapy is usually combined with treatment options, such as surgery or chemotherapy. In addition to this, it is necessary to mention, that radiotherapy is the main procedure which is prescribed before and after surgery with a purpose to kill the cancerous cells as much as possible.
Radiotherapy is suitable for patients having the first stages of tumor including non melanoma skin tumor, head and neck tumor, non-small cell lung tumor, anal tumor, cervical tumor, prostate tumor and some others. The certain tumor reaction to radiotherapy depends on its size, location and patient's medical condition. It is logic that large tumors require longer and stronger radiotherapy than the small ones.
Mechanism of Radiotherapy
The procedure of tumor treatment with radiotherapy is based on using the high energy of x-rays, photons, electrons, protons, neutrons or other ionizing radiation. The radioactive rays affect the DNA of cancerous cells and cause the suicidal or inhibitive effect of them. Radiotherapy can kill cancerous cells or slow down the abnormal proliferation of them.
Classification of Radiotherapies
The treatment with radiotherapy is suitable for patients that require curative or adjuvant cure. By the way, this procedure is also effective as the primary therapy and postoperative care. Depending on some factors, such as type, location and size of tumor, radiotherapies can be divided into main groups including curative, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, therapeutic and palliative. In addition to this, scientists provide another classification of radiotherapies, which is based on the procedure and method of radiation therapy. Radiotherapy can be external beam therapy, brachytherapy and unsealed source radiotherapy.
