Radiotherapy techniques

Radiotherapy, is a treatment modality performed by means of ionized radiation used mostly in cancer patients and some non-malignant diseases, alone or combined with other treatment methods such as surgery, and chemotherapy. Also it is a discipline where biological and physical basis of therapeutic radiation is evaluated. The goal of RT is to deliver a well calculated dose of radiation to a defined treatment volume; causing the least damage to surrounding healthy tissues, and to create eradication in tumor cells or to prevent the growing rate; in order to increase quality of life and survival of cancer patients. Radiation types used in radiotherapy are electromagnetic (X and Gamma Rays),and particles (electrons, protons and neutrons). Due to therapy technique external treatments performed from a distant source (such as X, Gamma Rays and electron particles mostly) and brachytherapy treatments performed by contact ways or closer distances, such as applying the sources directly to skin, body parts or cavities using Gamma Rays and Beta particles by the help of afterloading systems