Radiation therapy for cancer

Brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy) is a type of radiation therapy.⁴ It involves placing a tiny amount of radioactive material into, or next to the tumour.^1,3 Depending on the type of cancer being treated, material may be inserted using a very thin needle or wire, an applicator, or radioactive beads or ‘seeds’.¹

Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a simple technique used to help treat cancer in the breast or chest wall.⁵ It’s precisely targeted and intended to cause less damage to the heart.⁵

External beam radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells.^1,3 Before your treatment begins, imaging scans are done to establish the precise shape, size and location of the tumour.¹ If your treatment is after tumour removal surgery, scans are usually taken to examine the area where the tumour was removed.

Gamma knife radiosurgery uses computer-guided radiation to treat intracranial cancers.^6,7 Gamma knife radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy technology which can deliver large doses of targeted radiation, thereby helping to minimise radiation to the surrounding healthy cells.^6,7

IGRT uses X-rays and scans before, and during, your treatment.¹ This means radiation beams are shaped to surround the treatment area, with the aim to avoid damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.¹

The scans show any changes in the anatomy and location of the tumour.⁸ We can then make tiny adjustments to precisely target the treatment area.

IGRT can target cancers that move during, or between, treatment sessions.¹ For example, lung cancers that move as you breathe.¹

IMRT is a ‘conformal’ radiation therapy.¹ This means radiation beams are shaped to surround the treatment area, so it avoids damaging surrounding healthy tissue.¹

The magnetic resonance image-guided radiation therapy (MR-Linac) technology combines high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning offering improved soft-tissue visualisation, daily real-time imaging and the opportunity for adaptive radiation therapy to adjust for any anatomical changes that take place during treatment.⁹ The MR-Linac can be used to treat a range of tumours.⁹

Palliative radiation therapy’s aim isn’t to cure cancer. The focus is on giving patients quality of life by helping control symptoms.

SABR uses modern 3D camera technology aiming to target and help kill cancer cells. The aim of SABR is to target tumours in the body with high doses of radiation therapy. It helps to destroy cancer cells with minimum damage to surrounding healthy tissues;¹⁰

• It’s often used to treat small tumours of the brain
• It’s accurate to within one to two millimetres

SRS is a non-surgical treatment for some types of cranial cancers. It aims to deliver high doses of targeted radiation therapy which helps to reduce damage to nearby healthy tissue.^1,11

• It’s often used to treat small tumours of the brain
• It is very accurate as it can be tailored very precisely

SGRT uses sophisticated 3D camera technology to accurately target and kill cancer cells.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a type of IMRT.¹ VMAT aims to be both accurate and offers the opportunity to maximise radiation to the tumour.¹ The surrounding healthy tissue receives a lower dose, and this can help to reduce the risk of side-effects.¹

VMAT delivers a continuous beam of radiation therapy in an arc that moves around the tumour and is usually administered daily, over a set period of time.¹  VMAT can be used when the tumour is close to critical organs. It helps them avoid being damaged by radiation.¹

1. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Understanding Radiation Therapy. Last updated Dec. 2021 [cited Sept. 2023]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
2. Walter and Miller's textbook of radiotherapy : radiation physics, therapy and oncology. Symonds, Paul (R. Paul); Walter, J. (Joseph). Edinburgh ; New York : Churchill Livingstone; 2012
3. Majeed H & Gupta V. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls Publishing LLC [Internet]. Adverse Effects of Radiation Therapy. Treasure island (FL). Last Update: Sept. 2022 [Cited July 2023]. Access from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563259/
4. Chaput C. Can Fam Physician. 2021; 67(10): 753–57
5. Bergom, C. et al. Front Oncol. 2018;8:87.
6. Farris JC, et al. Head Neck. 2022;44(11):2571-2578
7. Monaco EA, et al. Expert Rev Neurother. 2012;12(4):437-45.
8. Dang, A et al. Transl Androl Urol. 2018 Jun; 7(3): 308–20.
9. Hneke, LE et al. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2018;30(11):720-27
10. Freislederer, P et al. Radiat Oncol. 2020 Jul 31;15(1):187.
11. Harris L & Das, J. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls Publishing LLC [Internet]. Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Treasure island (FL). Last Update: July. 2023 [Cited July 2023]. Access from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542166/
12. Yartsez S, et al. Biomed Imaging Interv J. 2007 Jan-Mar; 3(1): e16.
13. NSW Government. Health South Western Sydney Local Health district. Cancer Services; radiation therapy. Page last updated July 2022 [cited Sept 2023]. Access from: https://www.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/cancer/rt.html
14. Dilalla V, et al. Curr. Oncol. 2020; 27(2): 107–12.