Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most feared and devastating diseases affecting mankind. Radiation is recognized as one of the agents causing cancer via a complex and multi-step process. Radiation Therapy is a highly effective, non-invasive and well established treatment for many types of cancers. The three different methods by which radiation is delivered are External Beam Radiation, Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy) and Systemic Radiation. The choice of therapy depends on the type, stage, location, size of the tumor and the general health of the patient. All these modes of therapy are the primary mechanisms that seek to kill cancer cells by destroying their cell DNA. Radiation Therapy offers several benefits pertaining to cancer treatment; it shrinks or destroys tumors before and after surgery while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue. It alleviates symptoms, improves quality of life, while reducing metastasis, recurrence and early stage cancer. Although Radiation Therapy has saved thousands of lives, it is not free from stigma. Some side effects of Radiation Therapy are nausea, fatigue, and vomiting. It may be used in non-cancerous conditions such as benign tumors as well. Although great progress has been made in Radiation Therapy, there is still room for improvement. Radiation Therapy is most effective when combined with Surgery, Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy. Additionally, a new school of thought has emerged in the use of Antioxidants during and after Radiation Therapy. Most recently, a focus on the bi-modal approach of using Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy to treat cancer is now at the forefront.