Can it treat tumors in multiple parts of the body? This "invisible scalpel" that kills cancer cells is amazing

Radiotherapy as a treatment for tumors

It has a history of more than 100 years

It has been proven to be an effective treatment

However, many cancer patients and their families still have some doubts

Today we will take a deep dive into tumor radiotherapy

Dispel everyone's doubts

Radiotherapy is a treatment method that uses high-energy rays to kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It can be used at all stages of cancer treatment, and about 70% of cancer patients need radiotherapy.

Image source: Photo Network

However, when it comes to radiotherapy, many people still feel hesitant. After radiotherapy, the whole body is exposed to radiation. Will the tumor be cured, but the person will gradually become useless?

Your impression of radiotherapy is still "using a cannon to kill a mosquito", which is really outdated!

Modern radiotherapy has long entered the "precision" era, and can accurately treat local tumors while reducing damage to surrounding normal tissues . There is no need to worry about "killing one thousand enemies and injuring eight hundred of your own."

The invisible and intangible rays are like an " invisible scalpel " that can penetrate the human body and directly hit tumor cells. The treatment process is non-invasive and painless, with little impact on the whole body and low risks of bleeding and infection.

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Of course, the side effects of radiotherapy that people are most worried about, such as fatigue and skin reactions, do exist, but don't panic! With the advancement of technology, these side effects have been better controlled and managed, which can improve the treatment effect while minimizing the side effects.

Radiotherapy can be used not only alone, but also in combination with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. It is suitable for the treatment of a variety of tumors, such as:

Head and Neck Cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer image source: Photo Network

These include nasopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer, etc. These tumors are usually located in the head or neck. Due to the complex structure of these areas, surgery may be difficult or risky, and radiotherapy can provide a relatively non-invasive treatment option.

Chest tumors

Esophageal cancer Image source: Photo Network

Such as lung cancer, esophageal cancer and breast cancer. These tumors can be treated with radiation therapy to slow disease progression or control symptoms in the early or advanced stages.

Abdominal and pelvic tumors

Colorectal cancer Image source: Photo Network

For example, for some patients with rectal cancer, preoperative radiotherapy can help shrink the tumor and improve the success rate of surgery. Rectal cancer patients can also use radiotherapy as postoperative adjuvant treatment to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence.

Urinary system tumors

Prostate cancer image source: Photo Network

For example, for prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in men, radiation therapy can be used alone, especially in the early stages of the disease, or in combination with hormone therapy.

Gynecological tumors

Cervical cancer image source: Photo Network

Including cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, etc. Radiotherapy is very important in the treatment of gynecological tumors. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence. For inoperable cervical cancer, external radiotherapy and intracavitary afterloading radiotherapy, combined with chemotherapy can be used as radical treatment.

The entire process of radiotherapy is very complex and delicate, with each step closely linked to the next.

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1

Determination of treatment strategy

The doctor will make a comprehensive evaluation based on the patient's medical history, physical examination results, pathological diagnosis, X-rays, CT/MRI/PET examination results, B-ultrasound examination results and SPECT examination results to determine the patient's general condition, disease stage, pathological type, tumor location, tumor range, etc., and formulate a treatment strategy accordingly.

2

Treatment goals and radiotherapy methods are determined

Based on the treatment strategy determined above, the doctor will determine the purpose of radiotherapy (such as radical radiotherapy, palliative radiotherapy, etc.) and the method of radiotherapy (such as external radiotherapy, intracavitary radiotherapy, interstitial radiotherapy, etc.).

In addition, the method of radiotherapy fractionation will also be determined (such as conventional fractionated radiotherapy, hyperfractionated radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, etc.).

3

Determination of body position fixation and positioning method

Each patient has his or her own "personalized" mold, which is used to fix the patient's position and ensure that the patient's position is consistent during each treatment.

The doctor will choose a suitable mold for the patient based on the location of the lesion, such as a head mask for patients undergoing brain radiotherapy, and a head, neck and shoulder mask for patients with lesions in the neck and upper chest.

Positioning methods may include simulator positioning, CT simulator (CT-SIM) positioning, MRI positioning, PET-CT positioning, etc., depending on the specific selection of radiotherapy methods and implementation approaches .

4

Treatment planning

Like an architect, the doctor will design a blueprint for treatment, determine the treatment area (target area) and the protection range of surrounding normal tissues, and develop a detailed radiotherapy plan, including field selection, dose distribution, etc.

5

Plan Verification

Just like checking architectural drawings, before treatment begins, the doctor will perform a simulation to ensure that the planned projections are consistent with the patient's actual treatment. If problems are found, the cause will be investigated and replanning may be necessary.

6

Plan Execution

After the plan is verified, the patient can undergo formal treatment. Each treatment will strictly maintain the same body position, and the image guidance system will be used to verify the irradiation field and irradiation target area, just like the navigation system ensures that we will not go the wrong way, once again ensuring the quality and safety of the patient's treatment.

7

Plan revision and correction

During radiotherapy, the treatment plan is promptly modified and corrected based on the results of each image-guided examination of the patient, and repositioning may be required if necessary.

1. Skin care

70. Avoid rubbing and scratching the skin in the radiation treatment area and keep it clean and dry.

71. Wear soft, loose clothing to reduce skin irritation.

72. Avoid using strong cleaning agents or cosmetics that come into contact with the radiotherapy area.

73. Maintain a balanced diet and eat more high-protein foods such as chicken, fish and beans to enhance your body's resistance.

74. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins and minerals.

75. If you feel a loss of appetite, try eating smaller and more frequent meals .

76. You may feel tired during radiotherapy, so make sure to get enough rest and avoid overwork.

77. Appropriate activities can help maintain physical vitality, but strenuous exercise should be avoided.

78. Radiation therapy may affect oral health, so good oral hygiene should be maintained.

79. If you have problems such as dental caries or periodontitis, you should get treatment before radiotherapy.

80. Strictly follow the doctor's instructions for radiotherapy, and do not change the treatment plan or interrupt the treatment at will .

81. Some side effects may occur during radiation therapy, such as nausea, vomiting, or fatigue. You should observe closely and report any discomfort to your doctor promptly. By following the above precautions, you can minimize the side effects of radiation therapy and improve the effectiveness of treatment. If you have any questions or discomfort during radiation therapy, communicate with your doctor in time.

1

Monitor blood routine

A blood test is required within one week after radiotherapy to observe the white blood cell count. If the white blood cell count is normal, you can go home and rest.

2

Protect local skin

Radiotherapy may cause dryness, redness, swelling, and peeling of the skin in the irradiated area. Keep the skin in the irradiated area dry and clean, avoid using strong detergents, wear loose and soft clothes, and avoid scrubbing vigorously.

3

Regular review

A comprehensive review is recommended one month after the end of radiotherapy to observe the tumor shrinkage. After that, regular review may be required every 3-6 months based on the doctor's advice.

4

Oral Care

Radiation therapy may cause dry mouth and damage to the oral mucosa. It is recommended to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth regularly, use mild oral care products, and increase your water intake.

5

Avoid infection

The patient's immunity may decrease after radiotherapy, so they should try to avoid contact with environments containing pathogens, pay attention to personal hygiene, and wash their hands frequently.

6

Rest and Activities

Although it is a recovery period, you should still avoid excessive fatigue. Appropriate light exercise, such as walking and yoga, can help your body recover.

7

Take medicine on time

Take medications strictly according to your doctor's instructions, including chemotherapy drugs and supportive drugs, and pay attention to possible side effects of the drugs.

8

Dietary modification

Maintain a balanced diet, increase protein and vitamin intake, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

come on

Let’s win the battle against cancer together!

Statement: This article is a medical-related educational popular science article. It does not involve specific treatment methods or medical behaviors and cannot replace hospital visits.

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Map: Eastern Zhou Dynasty