The Great Doctor is here
In this episode of "The Big Doctor is Coming".
Invited
Department of Radiation Oncology, Gansu Hospital, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Executive Director: Huang Xiaoyan
ask
What role does radiation therapy play in cancer treatment today?
Radiation therapy plays a vital role in the modern cancer treatment system. It is currently one of the three main means of treating malignant tumors, alongside surgery and chemotherapy, bringing new hope to many patients. Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill tumor cells or control the growth of tumor cells, which occupies an irreplaceable position in tumor treatment because of its wide range of indications and remarkable efficacy. Available statistics show that about 70% of patients with malignant tumors require radiotherapy at different stages of disease development. According to the World Health Organization, about 45% of malignant tumors can be cured, of which radiotherapy accounts for 18%, which is enough to show the importance of radiotherapy in cancer treatment.
Radiotherapy can be used as a radical means to treat some tumors such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other head and neck tumors, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, etc. At the same time, it can also be used as a palliative treatment to alleviate the suffering of patients with advanced tumors and improve their quality of life. With the continuous advancement of medical technology, the technology and equipment of radiotherapy are constantly being updated, providing more accurate, safe and effective treatment methods for cancer patients.
Therefore, it can be said that radiotherapy plays a pivotal role in modern cancer treatment and is one of the important means to light up the life of patients.
ask
What types of tumors is radiation therapy commonly used for?
Radiation therapy has a wide range of applications in the treatment of tumors, and in fact, it can be considered for almost all types of solid tumors. Common tumors suitable for radiotherapy include but are not limited to nasopharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer of the head and neck; lung, esophageal, and breast cancers of the chest; liver cancer and pancreatic cancer in the abdomen; and prostate cancer in the pelvis, cervical cancer, etc. In addition, radiation therapy plays an important role in the treatment of lymphoid tumors, such as lymphoma, as well as certain bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Radiation therapy is also an important treatment for brain tumors, such as gliomas and meningiomas. Depending on the type and stage of the tumour and the individual condition of the patient, radiotherapy can be used as the primary treatment or as an adjunct to other treatment modalities such as surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy plays a key role in controlling disease progression and improving patients' quality of life and survival, making it an indispensable and important tool in cancer treatment.
ask
What are the advantages of radiation therapy?
First of all, radiation therapy is a local treatment that precisely targets tumor tissue with high doses of irradiation to maximize the killing of cancer cells while causing relatively little damage to surrounding normal tissue. This precision gives radiation therapy a significant advantage in preserving the patient's organ function and reducing the side effects of the treatment.
Secondly, radiation therapy is non-invasive. Compared with surgery, it does not require surgery, avoids the risk of trauma and infection associated with surgery, and also reduces recovery time and has less impact on the patient's quality of life. Especially for tumors with high risks for surgery, radiation therapy is particularly important.
Furthermore, radiation therapy can be combined with other treatments, such as adjuvant therapy before and after surgery, or concurrently with chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes. This integrative treatment strategy can more effectively control disease progression and reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis.
In addition, radiation therapy can also be used to relieve symptoms of patients with advanced tumors, such as pain, bleeding, etc., and improve the quality of life of patients. Radiotherapy plays an indispensable role in the modern cancer treatment system, and its unique advantages lie in its precision, non-invasiveness, and ability to integrate well with other treatment modalities. These advantages make radiation therapy an important treatment option for many cancer patients, lighting up their lives.
ask
How does radiation therapy work best?
Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy in the treatment of tumors to achieve the best treatment results. This integrative treatment strategy is able to target different aspects of the tumor, increasing cure rates and reducing recurrence.
1. Coordination with surgery:
o Preoperative radiotherapy: In some cases, preoperative radiotherapy can shrink the tumor, making it easier to remove surgically and reducing the risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications.
o Postoperative radiation therapy: After surgery, radiation therapy is often used to kill cancer cells that may remain and reduce the likelihood of local recurrence. For example, radiation therapy is often given after breast conserving surgery for breast cancer to reduce local recurrence.
2. Combination with chemotherapy:
o Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is given before radiotherapy to reduce the size of the tumour and make it more effective. This strategy is particularly useful for locally advanced or large tumors.
o Concurrent chemoradiotherapy: Simultaneous radiotherapy and chemotherapy can increase the killing effect on tumors. Chemotherapy drugs can make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation, while radiation therapy can enhance the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs.
o Sequential treatment: Sometimes radiation therapy and chemotherapy are given sequentially, i.e. chemotherapy is given for a period of time followed by radiation therapy, or vice versa. This sequential treatment can adjust the treatment plan based on how well the tumor responds to treatment and how well the patient tolerates.
o Adjuvant chemotherapy: Chemotherapy given after radiation therapy can kill microscopic metastases that may have spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, thereby reducing the risk of distant metastases.
o Combination of radiotherapy and targeted therapy: For some tumors with specific genetic mutations, such as lung cancer with EGFR mutations, a combination of targeted therapy drugs and radiation therapy can be used. Targeted therapy specifically inhibits the growth of tumor cells, while radiotherapy provides intensive treatment for local lesions.
The key to comprehensive treatment is to rationally arrange the sequence and combination of various treatment methods to maximize the treatment effect and minimize the toxic side effects. This requires a multidisciplinary team working closely together to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to the patient's specific situation.
ask
Are there any side effects and risks associated with radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy, as a local treatment, does pose some side effects or risks while killing tumor cells, but these are usually predictable, manageable, and controllable. Common side effects include skin reactions such as redness, swelling, peeling, or inflammation of local tissues. In addition, radiation therapy may affect surrounding normal tissues, causing specific symptoms such as dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, but these symptoms usually resolve gradually after treatment ends.
In addition to local reactions, radiation therapy may also have certain effects on the whole body, such as fatigue and loss of appetite. However, most of these side effects are temporary and can be relieved with proper medication and care.
It is important to note that although there are side effects of radiation therapy, the therapeutic benefits are usually significant. During the course of treatment, we closely monitor the patient's response and adjust the treatment plan according to the situation to minimize side effects and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
At the same time, radiation therapy also carries certain risks, especially when treating tumors near vital organs, requiring extra care to ensure precision and safety. Our team uses advanced medical physics techniques and equipment, such as image-guided radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, etc., to improve the accuracy of treatment and reduce risk.
Overall, although there are side effects and risks associated with radiation therapy, with the scientific management of a professional medical team and the support of advanced technology, we can effectively control these effects and ensure that patients can benefit from the treatment.
ask
How do medical physicists plan for radiotherapy treatment?
The daily work of a medical physicist mainly includes the establishment of new radiotherapy technologies, the development of radiotherapy plans, the dose verification of patient plans, the measurement and calibration of radiation dosimeters, and the quality control of radiotherapy equipment and processes. We need to make sure that every patient receives accurate and safe treatment.
When developing a radiation treatment plan, we take into account a number of key factors. First of all, the team of doctors will analyze the patient's clinical data and medical imaging data in detail to accurately delineate the structure of the tumor target area and surrounding vital organs. This step is crucial because it gives us the underlying data for the treatment.
Next, the goals and strategies for treatment are determined based on the type, size, and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health. Your doctor will make specific treatment requirements, including the expected lethal dose of the tumor and the tolerated dose of normal tissue, to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
The physicist will select the appropriate radiation energy and irradiation technology according to the doctor's requirements and the specific situation of the patient. In this process, we use a variety of advanced planning systems and optimization algorithms to design a treatment plan that can effectively kill tumor cells and maximize the protection of normal tissue.
In addition, close collaboration with doctors and treatment teams is an integral part of developing a treatment plan. We hold regular multidisciplinary workshops to review and discuss the treatment plan to ensure that the final plan is scientific and feasible. In this way, we are able to provide our patients with the most optimal radiation treatment plan for the best possible outcome.
The host Da Chun took a group photo with the guest Huang Xiaoyan
Source: Gansu Rural Radio
Editor: Wang Ruoya
Editor-in-charge: Wang Yujue
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