External Beam Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is an important modality in the management of cancer. It may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the type, stage, and location of the cancer. The main goal of radiation therapy is to destroy cancer cells and minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs, thereby maintaining normal body functions, and improving the patient's quality of life.

It utilizes high-energy radiation, such as x-rays, gamma rays, or charged particles, to attack and destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, inhibiting their ability to grow and divide, ultimately leading to cell death.

It is used across various cancer types and stages, either as a primary treatment modality, adjuvant therapy following surgery, or palliative care to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Radiotherapy planning involves precise localization of the tumor, determination of optimal treatment parameters, and customization of the treatment plan to minimize radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

The various techniques of radiation therapy include 3D, 3D CRT (Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy), IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), and further advanced techniques like IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy), VMAT (Volumetric Arc Therapy), SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy)