High Precision External Beam Radiotherapy
High-precision external beam radiotherapy is a standard cancer treatment and the prevailing method of radiation therapy that employs a machine to emit energy beams targeting tumours. Notably, the machine operates without physical contact with the body. This therapy, relying on advanced technology, intricately designs radiation treatments to eradicate cancer cells while mitigating harm to adjacent healthy tissue.
At Apollo Cancer Centre, Hyderabad, high-precision external beam radiotherapy offers patients a wider range of treatment choices and greatly improved results. Our dedicated doctors are focused on providing personalised medical care, using advanced technology to speed up recovery and support overall health.
Why Choose High Precision External Beam Radiotherapy?
Radiation therapy has existed in various instances for more than a century, serving multiple purposes such as eradicating cancer cells, impeding tumour progression, preventing cancer recurrence, and alleviating symptoms. Progress in radiation therapy, enabling energy beams to target tumours from diverse angles, has rendered it a safer, more accurate, and more efficacious treatment option.
Pre-Operative Care For High Precision External Beam Radiotherapy
- During the planning phase, known as simulation, for your EBRT treatment, several important steps are taken to ensure everything is prepared for your first session.
- You will be positioned as you would during treatment, and imaging scans like CT, MRI, or PET scans will be taken to locate the tumour precisely. This information is used to design radiation beams to target cancer cells effectively.
- You will also receive small marks on your skin to outline where the radiation should be delivered during each session, and you may be fitted for accessories like a mask or cast to help maintain your position during treatment.
- With this information, your radiation oncology team will design your treatment plan over the following days or weeks.
What Happens In High Precision External Beam Radiotherapy
- In high-precision external beam radiotherapy, precise radiation beams are aimed at cancer tumours from outside the body. Before treatment, a planning session called simulation is done. During simulation, scans like CT, MRI, or PET are taken to find the tumour’s exact location.
- Using these scans, doctors create a personalised treatment plan to target the cancer while protecting healthy tissue. Small marks may be put on the skin to guide the radiation during treatment. Patients may also wear masks or casts to stay still.
- During treatment, patients lie on a table while the radiation machine sends radiation to the tumour. The machine stays outside the body and doesn’t touch the patient. Treatment sessions can last 15 to 60 minutes. Afterwards, patients can usually go home and resume normal activities.