The Advantages of Rotational Radiotherapy
If you are facing cancer treatment, you may be wondering what type of radiation therapy is right for you. There are different types of radiation therapy available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, one type of radiation therapy that is becoming increasingly popular is rotational radiation therapy. This blog post will discuss the Advantages of Rotational Radiotherapy and help you decide if it is the right choice for you.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy like x-rays, protons or other types of energy to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can treat many different types of cancer.
It acts by damaging cells by destroying the genetic material that controls how cells grow and divide. It can also be used in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and/or surgery.
The two broad types of radiation therapy that doctors use to treat cancers are internal and external. The most common type of radiation treatment for cancer is External beam radiation, in which energy beams come from a machine outside the body.
In contrast, in Internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, the doctor places an implant containing radiation in or near the cancer site. The implant can be in different shapes like wire, tube, capsule, seeds or pellets.
Why people receive radiation therapy
A doctor may recommend radiation therapy for several purposes, such as reducing or curing early-stage cancer, stopping cancer from spreading to another part of the body, treating cancer that has returned and relieving symptoms of advanced cancer.
Rotational Radiotherapy
Rotational radiotherapy is a type of external beam radiation therapy that uses multiple radiation beams to target cancerous cells. It is the latest technological improvement, where one single rotation of the treatment machine is used to confirm the dose delivery to the target and spare organs at risk, requiring less than 2 min of beam-on time per treatment fraction.
In addition, the radiation beams rotate around the patient, providing a more targeted and effective treatment. Rotational radiotherapy has many advantages over other types of radiation therapy, including:
- Increased accuracy: Rotational radiotherapy can target the cancerous cells more accurately than other types of radiation therapy. This results in less damage to healthy tissue and fewer side effects.
- Fewer side effects: Because rotational radiotherapy is more accurate, it also causes fewer side effects. This is especially beneficial for patients already dealing with the side effects of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy.
- Shorter treatment time: The treatment time for rotational radiotherapy is shorter than other types of radiation therapy. This is because the beams of radiation can be turned on and off very quickly, allowing for a more efficient treatment.
If you consider radiation therapy as part of your cancer treatment, rotational radiotherapy is an excellent option to consider. It is more accurate and causes fewer side effects than other types of radiation therapy. In addition, the shorter treatment time may be more convenient for patients who are already dealing with a busy schedule.
Cancer is a devastating disease that claims the lives of millions of people each year. While there is no cure, early detection and treatment can dramatically improve the chances of survival. Talk to your doctor about whether rotational radiotherapy is suitable for you.
We hope you found this blog informative. Thanks for reading! 🙂