20 May 2019 Radiotherapy treatments, which may be for curative or palliative purposes, are widely used in cancer. They focus on cells that reproduce and grow rapidly , which happens in tumour cells rather than normal cells. The ability of normal cells to recover from the effects of radiotherapy is greater than that of tumour cells. In cancer, radiotherapy may be the only treatment used or it may be associated, simultaneously or not, with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery. How is radiotherapy delivered? Different types of radiation and administration are used. They differ from each other in a number of ways: Their power of penetration; The ability to control their application to the target. There are two forms of administration in radiotherapy: The most common is external radiation therapy in which equipment outside the body directs ionising radiation at the treatment site; Internal radiation or brachytherapy in which radioactive material is placed inside the body. The medical decision to perform radiotherapy treatment and the choice of type of energy, form of administration, dose and duration of treatment depend on a number of factors , including: The type, size and location of the tumour; The patient’s general health; Other treatments they may be receiving. The evolution of radiotherapy In the last 20 years, radiotherapy has experienced great innovation, mainly due to the inclusion of new developments: In imaging technologies; In computer science with the treatment units. ncreasing the precision and accuracy of radiation has led to a reduction in the toxicity of treatments and the possibility of better control of tumours. This article was written with the support of physicians and other clinical professionals from the Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
