What is the outer beam radiation therapy?
Therapy with external radiation therapy or teleletherapy is a technique for supplying high -cost X -rays from an external radiation source to cancer using a linear accelerator or cobalt machine. Doctors focus exactly on the dose of radiation to destroy tumor cells while saving normal tissues near cells. Patients usually undergo treatment once a day, five days a week, approximately two to nine weeks. The therapy does not include the use of implanted radioactive plaques or other internal radiation sources. This form of radiotherapy is effective in the treatment of various cancer, including breast cancer, brain tumor, prostate cancer and lung cancer. Electrons come from radioactive isotopes such as cobalt-60 or Iridium-192. The electrons move at high speeds and bombard the tungsten alloy, leading to rapid slowing. This generates high-energy monochrome photon rays, called gamma rays. The energy levels achieved differ according to the usedHo isotope.
The procedure for the therapy of the outer beam passes in three stages, which consists of simulation, planning and supplying treatment. The simulation includes the determination of the best position of the patient for treatment, obtaining computer axial tomography (CT) scanning the target organ with the patient in this position, and creating pads and equipment that maintain the patient in this position during each treatment. Therapists place signs on the patient to lead the location and put a small brand into the target organ or tumor. Planning by a team of dosimetists, oncologists and physicists of radiation physicists determines the exact zones to be irradiated and avoided, calculating the tumor volume and the correct dose of radiation to be delivered. Treatment can begin after simulation AJsou completed the planning phase.
During the radiation therapy, the patient folds the treatment couch in the position prescribed during the simulation. Boun't compensation signs and lasers help radiačThe therapist at precisely the placement of the patient. Once the correct arrangement is verified by an X -ray or scanning, a linear accelerator is activated. The treatment lasts between 10 and 30 minutes a day, with most of the time to achieve accurate alignment. The exact duration of therapy depends on the dose and supply method.
Patients do not live pain during external beam radiotherapy. Many patients hear a mild hum during treatment. Ozone released by linear accelerator can cause electrical odor during the session. Occasionally, some patients, especially those who receive brain treatment, notice color lights.