Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a medical treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, and prevent cancer from spreading. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, making it impossible for them to grow and divide.
How Radiation Therapy Works
- High-energy radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, or proton beams) is directed at the cancer cells.
- Radiation damages the DNA inside cancer cells, preventing them from multiplying.
- The cancer cells die over time, and the body naturally removes them.
- Healthy cells nearby may also be affected, but they can typically repair themselves better than cancer cells.
Types of Radiation Therapy
| Type | How It Works | Example Uses |
|---|---|---|
| External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) | A machine directs radiation beams at the tumor from outside the body. | Treats brain, breast, prostate, lung cancer. |
| Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy) | Radioactive implants (seeds or rods) are placed inside or near the tumor. | Used for prostate, cervical, and breast cancer. |
| Systemic Radiation Therapy | Radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) are injected or swallowed to target cancer cells. | Used for thyroid cancer (Radioiodine I-131) and some bone cancers. |
| Proton Therapy | Uses proton beams instead of X-rays for precise targeting, reducing damage to nearby healthy tissue. | Used in pediatric cancer, brain tumors, and lung cancer. |
When Is Radiation Therapy Used?
✔ Primary Treatment: Used alone to destroy cancer cells.
✔ Adjuvant Therapy: Given after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
✔ Neoadjuvant Therapy: Given before surgery to shrink a tumor.
✔ Palliative Care: Used to relieve symptoms in advanced cancer stages.
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
⚠ Common Side Effects (Depend on Treatment Area):
- Fatigue – The body uses energy to repair healthy cells.
- Skin Irritation – Redness, dryness, or peeling (like a sunburn).
- Hair Loss – Only in the treated area (e.g., head radiation causes scalp hair loss).
- Nausea or Digestive Issues – If treating stomach or pelvic areas.
- Difficulty Swallowing – If treating the throat or chest.
🔹 Long-Term Effects:
- Fibrosis (tissue scarring) in treated areas.
- Risk of secondary cancers (very rare, but possible).
- Infertility if reproductive organs are exposed.
Precautions for Patients & Others
✔ External Beam Radiation Therapy → No risk to others (patients are not radioactive).
✔ Internal & Systemic Radiation Therapy → Temporary precautions may be needed, such as:
- Avoiding close contact with pregnant women and young children.
- Using separate bathrooms (radioactive waste excretion).
- Following hospital safety guidelines (depends on treatment type and dose).
Why Is Radiation Therapy Important?
✔ Effective for Many Cancers – Used in over 50% of cancer treatments.
✔ Non-Invasive (for External Therapy) – No surgery required.
✔ Can Be Combined with Other Treatments – Works alongside surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
✔ Improves Survival & Quality of Life – Reduces tumors, relieves pain, and controls cancer spread.
Conclusion
Radiation therapy is a powerful cancer treatment that uses targeted radiation to destroy tumors while preserving healthy tissue. While it has some side effects, it remains one of the most effective and widely used cancer therapies today.
Additional note: For systemic radiation therapy (radioisotope therapy), medical personnel may need to take precautions when handling the patient and radioactive materials. However, the level of protection depends on the type of radiopharmaceutical used, the dose, and the exposure risk.
Protective Measures for Medical Personnel
✔ Lead Shields and Distance Precautions
- Staff may use lead aprons or portable shields when handling high-dose radioactive patients (e.g., those receiving radioiodine (I-131) therapy).
- They maintain maximum distance whenever possible to minimize exposure.
✔ Dosimeters (Radiation Badges)
- Personnel wear dosimeters to monitor their radiation exposure over time.
✔ Gloves and Protective Clothing
- If handling bodily fluids (urine, sweat, saliva, or vomit), staff may use:
- Gloves to prevent skin exposure.
- Disposable gowns if prolonged patient care is required.
- This is especially important for radioactive iodine (I-131) and lutetium-177 (Lu-177) treatments, where some radiation is excreted through body fluids.
✔ Time Restrictions (ALARA Principle – As Low As Reasonably Achievable)
- Minimize time spent near the patient to reduce cumulative exposure.
- Limit unnecessary close contact while ensuring proper patient care.
✔ Proper Waste Disposal
- Bodily fluids containing radioactive material require special disposal procedures in designated radioactive waste containers.
Do Medical Personnel Need Full Radiation Suits?
🚫 No, full radiation suits (like in nuclear plants) are usually not needed.
- Low-dose treatments (like permanent radioactive implants) require little to no special precautions.
- High-dose systemic radiation therapy (e.g., I-131 for thyroid cancer) may require gloves, shields, and short exposure times but not full hazmat suits.
Can Medical Personnel Be Exposed to Harmful Levels of Radiation?
- In a controlled hospital setting, exposure is minimal if safety measures are followed.
- Long-term exposure is monitored using radiation badges.
- Pregnant healthcare workers may be reassigned to avoid unnecessary exposure.
Conclusion
Medical personnel take necessary precautions (lead shields, gloves, dosimeters, time limits) when handling radioactive patients or materials but typically do not need full protective suits. The goal is to minimize exposure while ensuring patient care.