Radiation oncology is a medical speciality that involves the controlled use of radiation to treat cancer. Seven out of ten patients show indications for radiation therapy before or after surgery or chemotherapy or as a palliation. Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery.
Radiation therapy kills or damages cancer cells by using high doses of radiation to damage the DNA (genetic material) of these cells. Radiation therapy either damages DNA directly or creates charged particles within the cells that can in turn damage the DNA. When the DNA of these cells is damaged beyond repair, they stop dividing or die and are eliminated by the 's natural processes. Doctors that treat cancer with radiation are called radiation oncologists.
The decision to choose radiation therapy depends on several factors including type, size, and location of cancer, your general health, and age. It is used to meet any of the following goals:
- Cure cancer - when radiation destroys cancer cells to the point that cancer can no longer be detected in your
- Control cancer - when radiation keeps cancer from spreading or slows its
- Ease symptoms - when radiation shrinks tumours that are causing pain or pressure or bleeding
Radiation is used in some non-malignant or benign conditions. Sometimes radiation is also employed to reduce the size of the tumour before it is fully removed in surgery.
There are two methods of administering radiation:
- External Beam Radiation - A machine outside your (similar to a CT scan or MRI machine) aims radiation at cancer cells. This method is also called as Teletherapy.
- Internal Radiation - Source of radiation is placed close to the tumour i.e., inside your body and then radiation is delivered as planned by radiation oncologist. This method is otherwise called as Brachytherapy.
The choice of how to administer radiation is made based on the organ that the tumour is in.
At Cancer Clinics, we include radiation therapy in our end-to-end treatment plans and get our patients treated by the best names in radiation oncology using state-of-the-art technology. Our multi-disciplinary tumour board works together to devise the radiation therapy plan including the appropriate dosage and duration of treatment. We decide this based on the individual patient and their personalised treatment plan.
Our focus on integrative care helps patients manage side effects of radiation therapy with coaching, counselling, and advice on nutrition.
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FAQs
Want to find out more about the treatment? The answer to your questions can be found below.
What does a radiation oncologist do?
Radiation oncologists provide radiation therapy treatment to cancer patients. They also determine if the patient requires the therapy and analyse the appropriate amount of radiation to be given. They collaborate with cancer treatment staff to oversee the therapy and provide comprehensive care to patients.
What question should you ask a radiation oncologist?
Patients must ask questions related to their medical conditions, including the underlying symptoms, potential threats, life-threatening conditions, and other associated risks. They should also know the treatment process, instructions and guidelines to follow, treatment duration, potential benefits of radiation therapy, and post-treatment symptoms to consider.
What are the most common types of conditions that radiation oncologists treat?
Expert radiation oncologists in Hyderabad at Aster Prime treat a wide range of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. They also provide radiation therapy when patients suffer from bone cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma, and non-cancerous diseases, like Arteriovenous malformations, brain tumours, and spinal cord tumours.
When should I consider seeing a radiation oncologist?
You must consider seeing a radiation oncologist in Hyderabad when you experience a persistent cold and cough or breathing shortness; this could be a sign of lung cancer. Further, if you encounter breast pain or a lump in the breast or underarm area, seek an appointment with medical specialists of Aster Prime, as it could be a symptom of breast cancer.
What is the role of a radiation oncologist in a patient's treatment journey?
Radiation oncologists at Aster Prime Hospital provide the utmost preventive care and treatment to cancer patients, considering their medical reports and physical examinations. They also develop personalised treatment plans to prevent patients from life-threatening cancer symptoms and conditions.
How does a radiation oncologist decide on a treatment plan?
They examine patients’ medical conditions through physical examinations and imaging tests like CT scans and X-rays. They also review patients’ previous test results and reports to thoroughly understand their health or repeat these tests to identify the current underlying threats and symptoms. Therefore, they proceed with a treatment plan after getting patients' consent.
What advancements or technologies are utilised by radiation oncologists?
Aster Prime Hospital in Hyderabad houses top-notch facilities and medical devices for cancer patients. These range from diagnostic tools like CT scanners and X-ray machines to delivery techniques like Linac, IMRT, IGRT, SRS, and SBRT. The hospital also leverages the Treatment Planning System to analyse test images to gain detailed insights into patients’ health conditions.
What documents should I carry on my first visit to a radiation oncologist?
Patients must carry medical documents related to their previous test results and cancer treatments. They are also supposed to provide a list of medications they consume and specific symptoms they encounter currently.
How should I prepare for my first visit to a radiation oncologist?
You must prepare by providing complete medical details to the medical staff of Aster Prime, including your medicine prescriptions. Further, make a list of questions you’d like to consult with specialists and reach the hospital before your appointment time to ensure medical protocol is followed hassle-free.
