Introduction to Radiotheraphy

Question 1

It is a medical specialty that involves the treatment
of malignant and benign tumors by the application
of ionizing radiation. It is one of the 3 principal
procedure used in the treatment of cancer
malignancies, tumors, or lesions using cancericidal
doses of ionizing radiation as prescribed by a
Radiation Oncologist. The other principal modalities are Surgery and Chemotherapy.

Answer 1

RADIATION THERAPY OR RADIATION
ONCOLOGY

Question 2

They prescribe the quantity of radiation and determine the anatomic region(s) to be treated and to be monitored

Answer 2

RADIATION ONCOLOGIST

Question 3

They are responsible for calibration and
maintenance of the treatment machine, and they also gives advises to the consultant about dosage
calculations and complex treatment techniques. They also devise a plan for delivering the treatments in a
manner to best meet the consultant’s goal of irradiation the tumor while protecting vital normal structures

Answer 3

MEDICAL PHYSICIST AND/OR MEDICAL DOSIMETRIST

Question 4

They are responsible for obtaining radiographs and/or CT-Scan images that localizes the area to be treated, administering the approved treatment plan, keeping accurate records of the dose delivered each day, and monitoring the patient’s physical and emotional well-being

Answer 4

RADIATION THERAPIST

Question 5

Assisting patients with the side effects of their treatment and makes sure that patient is in good condition during patient’s treatment

Answer 5

RADIOLOGY NURSE

Question 6

AIM OF RADIATION THERAPY

Answer 6

To deliver precisely high dose of radiation to a specific tumor volume With minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue

Question 7

Goal of radiation therapy

Answer 7

Curative, Palliative, Prophylactic

Question 8

There is a probability of long-term survival after adequate therapy, some side effect of therapy although undesirable but may be acceptable

Answer 8

CURATIVE

Question 9

There is no hope of total eradication of
the tumor, done to relieve suffering and to prolong
life

Answer 9

PALLIATIVE

Question 10

Treatment of some parts of the body that is suspected of harboring tumor cell but without any symptoms.

Answer 10

PROPHYLACTIC

Question 11

It is a disease process that involves an
unregulated and uncontrolled replication
of cells. It invades adjacent normal tissues,
destroy and create a mass of tumor cells.

Answer 11

CANCER

Question 12

_______ of cancers arises from _______ and are classified as Carcinomas.

Answer 12

90%, Epithelial Tissue

Question 13

These carcinomas are subdivided into what two?

Answer 13

Squamous Cell Carcinoma – it arises from the surface
(squamous) epithelium of a structure such as oral cavity, pharynx, bronchus, skin and cervix.

Adenocarcinoma – a cancer that develops in a glandular epithelium such as that in the prostate, colon/rectum, lung, breast or endometrium.

Question 14

Stem cells are more radiosensitive; Mature cells are radioresistant.

Answer 14

LAW OF BERGONIE AND TRIBONDUE

Question 15

Methods of radiation Therapy

Answer 15

a. Teletherapy Method or EBRT (External Beam Radiation Therapy) – radiotherapy technique in which the source of radiation is at some distance from the
patient.

b. Brachytherapy – placement of radioactive substance or nuclides in or on
neoplasm to deliver cancericidal dose

Question 16

Treatment For Cancer

Answer 16

CHEMOTHERAPY
* If the disease is systemic. It uses drugs taken by mouth or injected into the patient’s vein. These drugs travel throughout the body working to destroy cancer cells.

RADIATION THERAPY
* adjunction to Chemotherapy and/or Surgery; it is generally used after surgery when a patient is deemed to be at high risk for tumor recurrence in the surgical
bed. (ex. Breast); It uses photons (x-ray, gamma), electron and other sources of radiation to destroy cancer cells

SURGERY
* It may be prescribed when the tumor is small and its margins are well defined. It involves the removal of the tumor plus some surrounding tissues.