
When you have been diagnosed with cancer, your doctor may recommend a type of treatment called radiation therapy. This involves the targeted use of high-dose radiation to eradicate cancer cells in the body without causing harm to surrounding tissues and organs.
Radiation therapy is performed under the supervision of radiation oncologists, who are highly trained experts in radiation. They have years of training and education related to using radiation to treat cancer.
Radiation may be used as a treatment option in several different ways:
More than half of people who have cancer will require some type of radiation therapy. For many common types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer, radiation procedures can be highly effective in eliminating cancer and reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.
There are two main types of radiation treatment:
Your doctor will recommend a specific type of radiotherapy based on your type of cancer, your health needs and the stage of your cancer.
When internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, is used, radioactive material is placed either directly in the cancerous tissue or around it.
These implants take on two different forms—they’re either permanent or temporary:
While internal radiation therapy is delivered to the cancer site internally, external beam radiation therapy delivers targeted radiation from outside the body.
Using a machine called a linear accelerator, the radiation oncologist creates the radiation beam, adjusts the size and shape using specialized software, and then delivers it to the body, targeting the tumor and not healthy tissue.
We use special technology called 3D Conformal Treatment Planning that visualizes and adjusts to match a patient’s unique anatomy, allowing for truly individualized therapy. Treatment can be targeted further as the tumor or cancerous tissue evolves and shrinks over time.
External beam radiation is typically given as an outpatient treatment five days a week, and many patients are able to continue most normal activities.
At Altru, we use the Contura® Multi-Lumen Balloon system for accelerated partial breast irradiation. The Contura system allows us to protect skin, rib, lung and heart tissue more effectively.
Accelerated partial breast irradiation is:
The Radixact System is a non-invasive treatment option developed to deliver image-guided intensity-modulated (IG-IMRT) radiation therapy, an extremely precise form of radiation therapy.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Radiation Surgery
At Altru, we use 4D-CT scanning equipment with respiratory motion management to accurately plan for tumors that move due to breathing.
While every effort is made to spare healthy tissue while using radiation therapy to treat cancer, some radiation side effects can occur.
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of radiation. It can occur when you’re undergoing radiation therapy only, but it’s most common among patients who are having both radiation and chemotherapy.
Other side effects typically relate specifically to the part of the body that’s being treated. You may experience skin problems surrounding the area, including dryness, itching, blistering or peeling. These problems may worsen as treatment continues but typically improve within a few weeks of finishing treatment.
You may also experience other side effects related to the treatment area. If you’re undergoing treatment for breast cancer, for example, you might experience hair loss, swelling or tenderness in the chest.
We know that beginning radiation therapy can be an emotional experience. That’s why our team is here to walk beside you every step of the way.
You will have a highly trained team that will work together to provide you care. Your team will include:
Before you begin your first radiation therapy session, you will meet with your radiation oncologist, who can explain what to expect. The first radiation therapy session is what’s known as a simulation, or a practice run of treatment without actually delivering radiation. You may also receive a small mark on the skin to identify where treatment should be targeted.
Remember that the team at Altru is here for you. If you have questions or concerns at any stage of the process, speak with your patient navigator or another member of your care team.
For more information about cancer treatment options at Altru, please call Altru Cancer Center at 701.780.5400.
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