Key Takeaways
- Cancer is the second leading cause of death in America and is a significant public health concern. Patients feel comfort when their providers understand common implications and treatment methods.
- Two commonly used radiation therapies are external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
- Internal and external radiotherapy aims to kill cancer cells while sparing as much normal, healthy tissue as possible.
- Radiation can be delivered as the sole treatment modality or with other therapies to eradicate cancer cells.
- Common side effects depend on the location of the tumor. However, there are some general side effects that most patients experience.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in America. In 2023, approximately 2 million people (about the population of Nebraska) received a new cancer diagnosis. For many of these individuals, their primary care provider (PCP) first verbalized concern. For others, an orthopedic doctor, dermatologist or OB/GYN provider recognized the need for further evaluation.
These physicians are vital in cancer prevention and care. They are typically the first line of defense against cancer and the source of ongoing support. Because almost two-thirds of cancer patients receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment, providers having a general understanding of radiotherapy comforts patients and builds trust.
Two types of radiation therapy used to treat cancer are external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy. Both types of radiation therapy utilize intense energy beams to kill cancer cells. One type emits energy externally, while the other type radiates from within.
Regardless of type, both treatment modalities precisely aim a beam of energy at cancer cells, obliterating the genetic makeup of these destructive cells. Oncologists commonly rely on radiation therapy because it kills the cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue.
Unlike chemotherapy, external beam radiation therapy is a localized cancer treatment. This method targets the affected area with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue. Typically, medical providers use linear accelerators (LINAC) to aim the high-intensity energy beams at a specific location.
As the patient lies flat, the LINAC machine moves around the patient’s body to target and terminate cancer cells from multiple angles. This outpatient procedure usually requires five days of therapy a week for several weeks. Each session generally lasts about 30 minutes.
There are several types of EBRT, but they all aim to deliver the highest radiation dose while sparing healthy tissue. Some common types of external beam radiation therapies are the following:
Most radiation devices use X-rays or gamma rays as an energy source. Negatively charged particles (electrons) can treat superficial cancers like skin cancer. Energy from protons shows promise but is not commonly used.
Your patients may wonder if they will be radioactive after treatment. They will not. They can safely be around people, even pregnant women, children and babies.
Brachytherapy, or internal radiation, uses a small radioactive implant placed in or near the cancer to emit radiation. This method allows for higher radiation dosages when compared to the EBRT method. Since the implant is internal, brachytherapy directs energy more precisely, lowering the risk of damaging healthy tissue.
Oncologists often use brachytherapy to treat cancers in the head, neck, breast, cervix, prostate and eye. Using a catheter or applicator, the doctor inserts radioactive seeds, ribbons or capsules to the affected site.
The radiation implant may be used for a few minutes, days or permanently. The length of time that the implant stays in the body depends on the type of radiation, the location of the tumor and your patient’s overall health. The three primary types of internal radiation are these:
With internal implants, your patients will produce radiation. They must talk to their oncologist about safety measures to protect friends, family and staff.
Providers use radiotherapy with other treatment modalities and at different times throughout the process. The oncology team may recommend radiotherapy delivered in the following ways:
Radiation therapy directs its destruction mainly on the cancer cells. However, it can also affect normal, healthy cells surrounding the treated area. Side effects of radiotherapy often depend on the part of the body that received radiation.
Not everyone experiences negative manifestations of radiation therapy. Symptoms vary based on dosage and location of radiation. Common side effects, regardless of treatment location, are the following:
Late side effects can develop after treatment, but most symptoms organically resolve after treatment cessation.
Cancer is one of the foremost public health concerns. However, cancer care and treatment quality have radically improved over the years. Radiation therapy is one weapon we use to win the war against cancer.
“CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Cancer statistics, 20223.” American Cancer Society, 2023, Cancer statistics, 2023 – Siegel – 2023 – CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians – Wiley Online Library.
“External Beam Radiation Therapy for Cancer.” NIH: National Cancer Institute, 2018, External Beam Radiation Therapy for Cancer – NCI.
“Brachytherapy to Treat Cancer.” NIH: National Cancer Institute, 2019, Brachytherapy for Cancer – NCI.
“Radiation Therapy Side Effects.” NIH: National Cancer Institute, 2022, Radiation Therapy Side Effects – NCI.
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