What is radiotherapy?

The full name of radiotherapy is radiation therapy. It is a common treatment method and is often used to treat tumors. It is a local treatment for tumors. The radiation includes radioactive isotopes. The radiation produced kills cancer cells. Through radiotherapy, about 40% of cancers can be cured. At present, the use of radiation therapy is also a relatively common method in the entire cancer treatment process.

Indications

1. Digestive system

Early surgery and radiotherapy have the same therapeutic effect on oral cancer, but some parts are more suitable for radiotherapy, such as cancer at the root of the tongue and tonsil cancer. Preoperative radiotherapy is the best option for mid-term comprehensive treatment. Palliative radiotherapy can be used in late stages. In the early stage of esophageal cancer, surgery is the main treatment, while in the middle and late stages, radiotherapy is the main treatment. In addition, cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancers are generally treated with radiotherapy due to the difficulty of surgery and poor quality of life after surgery. Cancers of the liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum are mainly treated with surgery. Surgery may be more beneficial than radiation therapy for colorectal cancer. The efficacy of intracavitary radiation therapy for early rectal cancer is the same as that of surgical treatment. Radiotherapy for liver and pancreatic cancer has a certain palliative effect.

2. Respiratory system

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is mainly treated with radiotherapy. Maxillary sinus cancer is best treated with radiotherapy before surgery. Those who cannot undergo surgery can undergo radiotherapy alone, and some of them can be cured. Early stage laryngeal cancer can be treated with radiotherapy or surgery, while middle and late stage laryngeal cancer can be treated with a combination of radiotherapy and surgery. Lung cancer is mainly treated by surgery. Those who are not suitable for surgery and have no distant metastasis can undergo radiotherapy, and a few can be cured. Small cell undifferentiated lung cancer requires radiotherapy plus chemotherapy.

3. Urogenital system

Renal clear cell carcinoma is mainly treated with surgery, and radiotherapy after surgery has certain benefits. In the early stage of bladder cancer, surgery is the main treatment. In the middle stage, radiotherapy before surgery has certain benefits. In the late stage, palliative treatment can be done. Nephroblastoma is best treated with surgery or a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Testicular tumors should be treated with surgery first, followed by postoperative radiotherapy. Surgery and radiotherapy have the same therapeutic effects on early stage cervical cancer. For stage II and above, only radiotherapy alone can be used, and the therapeutic effect is better. It is better to treat uterine cancer with radiotherapy before surgery, and those who cannot undergo surgery can also receive radiotherapy.

4. Breast cancer is mainly treated with surgery

Patients with stage I or II breast cancer whose tumor is located in the outer quadrant and whose axillary lymph nodes are negative do not need radiotherapy after surgery. Patients with stage I breast cancer whose tumor is located in the inner quadrant or stage II breast cancer all need radiotherapy after surgery. There are also benefits of irradiation before stage III surgery. For early breast cancer, "breast-conserving surgery" followed by radiotherapy to the breast and lymphatic drainage area is also very effective.

5. Nervous system tumors

Most brain tumors require surgery followed by radiotherapy. Myeloid blasts should be treated with radiotherapy as the mainstay. Neuroblastoma surgery should be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Pituitary tumors may be treated with radiation therapy or surgery followed by radiation therapy.

6. Malignant tumors of skin and soft tissue

For skin and mucous membranes (including the penis and lips), surgery or radiotherapy can be performed in the early stage, and radiotherapy can also be performed in the late stage; for melanoma and other sarcomas, surgery should be the main treatment. Radiotherapy may also be considered.

7. Bone malignancy

Osteosarcoma is mainly treated with surgery, but radiotherapy can also be performed before surgery. Bone reticulum cell sarcoma and Ewing tumor can be treated with radiotherapy supplemented by chemotherapy.

8. Lymphoma

Radiotherapy is the main treatment for stages I and II, while chemotherapy is the main treatment for stages III and IV, and local radiotherapy may be added.