radiotherapy (redirected from radiotherapists)

radiotherapy /ra·dio·ther·a·py/ (-ther´ah-pe) treatment of disease by means of ionizing radiation; tissue may be exposed to a beam of radiation, or a radioactive element may be contained in devices (e.g., needles or wire) and inserted directly into the tissues (interstitial r.), or it may be introduced into a natural body cavity (intracavitary r.) .

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ra·di·o·ther·a·py (rd--thr-p)

n.

Treatment of disease with radiation, especially by selective irradiation with x-rays or other ionizing radiation and by ingestion of radioisotopes.

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radi·o·thera·pist n.

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Radiotherapy

The use of ionizing radiation, either as x rays or radioactive isotopes, to treat disease.

Mentioned in: Goiter

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radiotherapy

[-ther′əpē]

Etymology: L, radiare, to emit rays; Gk, therapeia, treatment

the treatment of neoplastic disease by using x-rays or gamma rays to deter the proliferation of malignant cells by decreasing the rate of mitosis or impairing DNA synthesis.

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radiotherapy,

n the treatment of neoplastic disease by using roentgen rays or gamma rays to prevent or slow the proliferation of malignant cells by decreasing the rate of mitosis or impairing deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. See therapy, radiation.

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radiotherapy

the treatment of disease by ionizing radiation. The purpose of radiation therapy is to deliver an optimal dose of either particulate or electromagnetic radiation to a particular area of the body with minimal damage to normal tissues. The source of radiation may be outside the body of the patient (external radiation therapy) or it may be an isotope that has been implanted or instilled into abnormal tissue or a body cavity. Called also radiation therapy.

Modern radiation therapy primarily uses high-energy x-rays or gamma rays with peak photon energies above 1 MeV. This is called 'supervoltage' or 'megavoltage' therapy. These high voltages are produced by linear accelerators or by cobalt-60 teletherapy units. Megavoltage radiation is more penetrating than lower energy radiation. It produces less damage to the skin at the entry port, is absorbed less in bone, and is scattered less, thus reducing the exposure to tissues outside the x-ray beam. Low-energy x-rays that do not penetrate are used for treatment of superficial skin lesions.

Internal radiation therapy can involve the implantation of sealed radiation sources in or near cancerous tissue. Isotopes, such as radium-226, cesium-137, iridium-192 and iodine-125, are introduced either temporarily or permanently into body tissues (interstitial application) or body cavities (intercavitary application). Permanent sources have a short half-life so that the dose received by the patient is limited. Another form of internal radiation therapy is the administration of radioactive materials into the bloodstream or a body cavity.

See also radiation, external beam therapy, orthovoltage, brachytherapy.

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external beam radiotherapy

see teletherapy.

fractionated radiotherapy

the full dose is divided and given as a number of separate small treatments.

intraoperative radiotherapy

the use of radiotherapy during a surgical procedure, usually in the treatment of diffuse neoplasia that cannot be totally removed by surgical methods alone.

supervoltage radiotherapy, megavoltage radiotherapy

the use of energy in excess of 500 keV.

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Patient discussion about radiotherapists.

Q. What is radiotherapy? My Grandfather had a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on his cheek. He now needs to undergo radiotherapy. What is this? what are its side effects?

A. Generally, radiotherapy causes tiredness and sore, red skin in the area being treated. This is a bit like sunburn. Radiotherapy to the neck can damage the thyroid gland. Other side effects include: a sore throat- due to mouth ulcers, pain on swallowing,
a dry mouth- due to damage caused to the salivary glands (which are in charge of making the saliva), taste changes, a hoarse voice and effect on the sense of smell.

Q. What problems my sister may face if radiation therapy is not given to her? My sister will have her radiation therapy by next week. Two weeks before she had her chemotherapy treatment. She is feeling good if not great. After her diagnosis of breast cancer she had her mastectomy and soon she was given chemotherapy treatment. I was wondering whether the radiation therapy has many serious side effects associated with it. So can we avoid this treatment? What problems my sister may face if radiation therapy is not given to her?

A. Radiation therapy is used to clear the surgical area with any leftover cancer cells. These cancer cells can again return with the cancer if left inside the body. This can also pass through the blood to other areas of the body and can develop into a cancer in other areas of the body. To stop the chances of cancer reoccurrence this radiation therapy is helpful. Avoiding this treatment may be harmful as the future occurrence may be more serious. Hence it is better to go with the treatment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mDWk0KV6jI&eurl=http://www.imedix.com/health_community/v8mDWk0KV6jI_breast_cancer_treatment_alternative_hyperthermia?q=radiation%20thera&feature=player_embedded

Q. I am pregnant and my mother is having radiotherapy for breast cancer, Will it affect me or my unborn child? I married my close relative last month and there is a 8-year difference in our. I am healthy enough to take care of my family. Now I am pregnant and my mother is having radiotherapy for breast cancer, can I be around her? Will it affect me or my unborn child?

A. Congrats! There is definitely no problem with radiotherapy for breast cancer. This is to with external high energy x-rays which pass straight through. People need to be careful with radioactive iodine for thyroid problems or treatment for similar diseases... hope this helps you. Take care of your mom. Have a healthy baby soon and let me know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW6TDaotL_o&eurl=http://www.imedix.com/health_community/vJW6TDaotL%5Eo_breast_cancer?q=breast%20cancer&feature=player_embedded