How does radiation therapy for cancer work?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by doctors working at Oncology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Radiation therapy is a highly effective treatment for cancer patients, especially those who are not indicated or do not want surgery. Usually patients will be treated once a day and run continuously from Monday to Friday.

1. Radiation therapy for cancer

Radiation therapy is one of the methods to treat cancer by using high-energy beams to target tumors to help destroy and limit the growth of cancer cells.
Radiation therapy can be used alone in treatment or in combination with other methods such as surgery, chemotherapy...

2. Radiotherapy procedure

2.1. Examining and explaining to the patient about the radiotherapy procedure The first examination is extremely important, it will help the doctor accurately diagnose the patient's current condition as well as the tumor to give the appropriate treatment. , making the prognosis of the disease also easier.
Notes when examining the patient:
Pay attention to the medical history. Examine the clinical symptoms carefully. Thoroughly analyze the laboratory test results for accurate diagnosis and prognosis. After examination and treatment consultation, explain to the patient about cancer radiation therapy methods and procedures. Information provided to the patient needs to be complete and accurate:
Time of therapy. Expected number of days of treatment and interval between treatments. Expected date of the first treatment session. Things to prepare for the treatment process. Nutritional diet, care during and after radiation therapy. Complications can occur during radiation therapy. 2.2. Simulated CT scan A simulated CT scan in the treatment position is a scan of the patient's body part that will be radiotherapy on a CT scanner in the position that will be used for radiation treatment of the patient. The purpose of this stage is to provide an accurate three-dimensional image of the patient's body being treated so that doctors and specialists can establish 3D images on the treatment planning system. treat.
Note that during the shooting process, the technician can use supporting accessories such as pillows, masks, tables... to facilitate the shooting to achieve the most accurate results.
The technician may tattoo on the patient's skin a few small tattoo marks to mark as reference points during each patient placement for radiation therapy.

2.3. Building a 3D image of the patient based on the CT image After having the CT film, the specialists will rely on it to establish a 3D image of the patient on the treatment plan system. On this 3D image has been fully drawn and pinpointed the exact location of the tumor with important structures around it. This will help the therapist orient the irradiated area, facilitating the optimal treatment process.
2.4. Treatment Planning Once the images and the exact location of the radiotherapy areas are obtained, the doctor and physical engineers will develop a treatment plan for the patient that includes all aspects of the treatment. patient information, health status, duration of therapy, dose of radiation used and care during therapy. However, to be able to conduct the first session, patients will often have to wait a while after having a CT scan so that doctors and specialists have time to plan the best quality for the patient.
2.5. Conducting therapy Once the treatment plan has been established, the hospital will notify the patient about conducting the first treatment session. The first session is very important and often lasts longer than the sessions that follow. Doctors and specialists need to take measurements and re-examine the patient before conducting radiation therapy.
Note about the radiotherapy points marked by the technician Since this is the first time, it is necessary to closely monitor the patient's reactions after radiation therapy to be able to promptly handle complications happen soon. At the same time, it can help the doctor orientate the next radiotherapy sessions better. The course of radiation therapy is long or short depending on the patient's health condition and the tumor. However, from the beginning, doctors will still predict the course of treatment for a certain time. Usually patients will be treated once a day and run continuously from Monday to Friday.
The course of treatment can last up to several weeks depending on the patient's response to therapy. Radiation therapy sessions are the same, but the first session will usually take longer due to the need to examine and re-examine the patient before the radiation is given.
Note that during treatment sessions, it is necessary to take CT scans of patients and save all record information for convenience in patient care and monitoring. Radiation therapy for cancer is a widely used method in medicine. Currently, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital has successfully applied this method to treat many cancer cases, helping to reduce clinical symptoms and limit cancer metastasis.

Oncology Department at Vinmec Central Park is fully equipped with cancer treatment modalities: From surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, radiation surgery .... pain treatment and palliative care. The diagnosis is made carefully: blood test, X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, myelogram, myelogram, biopsy, immunohistochemistry, biological diagnosis molecule.
The treatment process is closely coordinated with many specialties: Center for Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory Testing, Cardiology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Endocrinology, Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Psychology, Department of Medicine. Nutrition, Pain Treatment and Palliative Care Department, in order to bring to patients the optimal treatment regimen and the most reasonable cost.

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