Dr Sridhar P S

FAQS

Q1. What is radiation therapy?

Ans. Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment option available. It focuses on treating cancer cells using high-energy rays. It is a targeted treatment for tumour growth that is mainly used alone or in conjunction with the other treatment options for cancer, which include surgery and chemotherapy.

Q2. How does radiation therapy work?

Ans. Radiation therapy is a treatment that destroys or harms cancer cells by causing damage to their DNA. When DNA is harmed, a cell cannot survive or be repaired. Notable examples of these methods are proton therapy and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). These advanced techniques are designed to reduce damage to the healthy tissues around the tumour by accurately directing high-energy beams at the tumour itself.

Q3. Is radiation therapy painful?

Ans. Radiation therapy is usually not painful, but some people may experience discomfort and side effects afterwards. The effects of therapy on patients have been greatly reduced, enhancing the general quality of cancer care thanks to developments in cancer treatment technology and techniques like Cyberknife.

Q4. How long does radiation therapy take?

Ans. The duration of radiation therapy is often influenced by the type and treatment plan for that cancer. One treatment session usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, and the whole treatment process might last from one week up to a few weeks. Using special pictures to see inside the body is crucial for treating these tumours accurately and well.

Q5. What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

Ans. Common side effects include fatigue, skin irritation, and local discomfort. The frequency and length of these changes depend on several factors, such as the treated area and the size of the radiation dose. The time an individual takes to recover from such after-effects also varies, and most effects wear off once the treatment is over.

Q6. What types of cancer can be treated with radiation therapy?

Ans. Depending on the location and stage of the tumour, radiation therapy is used to treat a variety of cancers, including those of the brain, breast, prostate, lung, and neck tissues.

Q7. How is a radiation treatment plan created?

Ans. A radiation oncologist develops a treatment plan that utilises advanced imaging techniques, such as PET scans, to precisely target the tumour with high doses of radiation aimed at destroying it while also making efforts to safeguard the surrounding healthy tissue.

Q8. What is image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)?

Ans. IGRT is a technique in which advanced imaging modalities are included at the time of treatment to direct radiation delivery to the tumour in the most appropriate and precise way, limiting radiation therapy side effects.

Q9. What is CyberKnife radiosurgery?

Ans. CyberKnife is a noninvasive, ultra-precise medical technology that allows targeted radiation therapy of tumours. This ensures minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, offering an alternative to conventional surgery.

Q10. What are the benefits of CyberKnife over traditional radiation therapy?

Ans. The benefit of using CyberKnife is that the number of sessions and the side effects associated with this kind of treatment are less severe since the treatment is more precise. This also enhances the general perception of the CyberKnife technology.

Q11. Is CyberKnife suitable for all types of cancer?

Ans. CyberKnife is suitable for various tumour treatments, especially in difficult-to-reach areas. However, the question of its appropriateness can only be answered by the size, location, and type of the tumour. Therefore, one has to consult a radiation oncologist.

Q12. How many CyberKnife treatments are typically required?

Ans. Patients need to receive between 1 and 5 sessions of CyberKnife treatments based on the tumour's size, location, and complexity. Patients would lie comfortably for approximately one hour per session, administering painless radiation beams with robotic precision. Cyberknife is more convenient than conventional radiotherapy in terms of time spent by each patient visiting this form of therapy.

Q13. Will radiation therapy affect my fertility?

Ans. The effect of radiation therapy on fertility depends on the site being treated and the dose used. Patients with potential risks should discuss options for fertility preservation with a radiation oncologist before the start of cancer treatment.

Q14. Can radiation therapy cause secondary cancers?

Ans. Although radiation therapy carries a slightly increased risk of developing cancer later in life, the benefits of accurately targeting the cancer usually outweigh this issue.

Q15. Is radiation therapy safe for children?

Ans. When radiation treatment is well planned, it is usually safe for children and carries few risks. The paediatric radiation oncologist deploys techniques like proton therapy to protect healthy tissues from radiation exposure needlessly.