Radiation Therapy

1. What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy uses carefully planned high-energy radiation to treat cancer and certain other medical conditions.

It may be used:

• As the main treatment
• Before surgery to shrink a tumour
• After surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence
• Along with chemotherapy or other systemic treatments
• To control symptoms in advanced cancer

The treatment is planned individually by a radiation oncologist.

2. When Is Radiation Therapy Recommended?

Radiation therapy may be recommended for many types of cancer, including:

• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Lung cancer
• Brain tumours
• Cervical cancer
• Rectal and other gastrointestinal cancers
• Lymphoma
• Selected bone and soft-tissue tumours

The recommendation depends on the type, location, stage and biological characteristics of the cancer.

3. How Is the Patient Evaluated Before Radiation Therapy?

Evaluation may include:

• Radiation oncology consultation
• Biopsy and pathology review
• CT, MRI or PET-CT imaging
• Cancer staging
• Previous surgery and treatment review
• General medical assessment
• Radiation planning assessment

A specialised planning scan called a simulation CT is commonly performed before treatment.

4. What Does the Radiation Therapy Process Involve?

The general treatment pathway includes:

Cancer diagnosis → Pathology review → Staging investigations → Radiation oncology consultation → Simulation and immobilisation → Treatment planning → Radiation therapy → Regular treatment review → Completion of treatment → Follow-up

Advanced computer-based planning is used to target the treatment area as accurately as possible.

5. What Types of Radiation Therapy Are Available?

Depending on the cancer and treatment centre, options may include:

• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
• 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for selected conditions
• Brachytherapy
• Other specialised radiation techniques

The radiation oncologist recommends the most appropriate technique.

6. How Long Does Radiation Therapy Take?

The duration varies according to the cancer type and treatment protocol.

Typical considerations include:

• Planning and simulation: several days before treatment
• Individual treatment session: usually a few minutes
• Treatment course: may range from a few sessions to several weeks
• Follow-up: continues after treatment completion

Most external radiation treatments are performed on an outpatient basis.

7. What Are the Expected Benefits and Outcomes?

Depending on the cancer, radiation therapy may:

• Destroy cancer cells
• Shrink tumours
• Reduce the risk of cancer recurrence
• Help preserve organs in selected cancers
• Control cancer growth
• Relieve pain, bleeding or other cancer-related symptoms

Outcomes depend on the cancer type, stage, radiation dose and overall treatment plan.

8. What Are the Side Effects or Considerations?

Side effects depend on the body area treated and radiation technique and may include:

• Fatigue
• Skin irritation or redness
• Hair loss in the treated area
• Temporary swelling or inflammation
• Nausea in some treatment areas
• Mouth or swallowing problems for head and neck treatment
• Bowel or bladder symptoms for pelvic treatment
• Long-term tissue changes in some patients

The radiation oncology team monitors and manages side effects throughout treatment.

9. Why Consider Radiation Therapy in India?

India has specialised cancer centres offering:

• Experienced radiation oncologists
• Advanced linear accelerators
• IMRT and IGRT
• SBRT and SRS for selected cancers
• Brachytherapy services
• Multidisciplinary cancer treatment planning
• Integrated medical and surgical oncology support

10. How Can Medavelle Help and What Should the Patient Do Next?

Medavelle can assist with:

Medical-record review → Radiation oncology specialist coordination → Hospital selection → Diagnosis and staging review → Treatment planning → Cost estimation → International patient arrangements.

Next step: Share pathology & imaging reports → Radiation oncology evaluation → Cancer staging and treatment planning → Simulation → Personalised radiation therapy → Treatment monitoring → Follow-up.