Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy involves exposing cancerous tissues to high-energy radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, or charged particles. This radiation inflicts damage to the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from replicating and ultimately causing cell death. Normal tissues can also be affected by radiation, but they generally have a greater capacity to repair themselves than cancer cells. Treatment planning is crucial to maximise the dose delivered to the tumour while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Radiation therapy can be delivered using various methods. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) involves directing radiation from a source outside the body towards the tumour. Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources directly inside or near the tumour. Systemic radiation therapy uses radioactive substances that circulate throughout the body to target cancer cells. Radiation therapy is applied to treat a wide range of cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, and brain tumours. It can be used as a primary treatment, before surgery to shrink tumours, or after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells. It also plays a significant role in palliative care, relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): Uses external radiation sources.
Brachytherapy: Involves internal radiation sources.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): Highly precise radiation for tumours, using multiple beams from different directions to reduce damage to healthy tissue.

Prostate Cancer Treatment: EBRT and brachytherapy are common treatments for prostate cancer.
Breast Cancer Treatment: Radiation therapy is often used after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Lung Cancer Treatment: Radiation therapy can be used to treat both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.
Palliative Care:Radiation therapy can relieve pain and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.

Radiological risks associated with radiation therapy primarily involve the potential for unintended exposure of healthy tissues to ionising radiation. This can lead to acute and late side effects, depending on the dose and location of radiation. Acute side effects may include skin irritation, fatigue, and nausea, while late side effects can include tissue fibrosis, secondary cancers, and organ damage. Careful treatment planning, precise delivery techniques, and rigorous quality assurance are essential to minimise these risks.

Deployment risks associated with radiation therapy include the high cost of equipment and infrastructure, the need for highly trained personnel, and the challenges of ensuring consistent quality and safety standards. Integrating radiation therapy into existing healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited settings, requires careful planning and investment.

Proliferation risks associated with radiation therapy are generally low. The use of medical linear accelerators and radioactive isotopes is subject to strict regulatory controls and international safeguards to prevent their diversion for unauthorised purposes. The potential for the misuse of medical technology is mitigated through robust security measures and international cooperation.