Radiation Oncology - Overview - Mayo Clinic

radiation therapy Albuquerque is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. This treatment can be used alone or in combination with other treatments like chemotherapy or surgery.

 What is radiation therapy Albuquerque:

  radiation therapy Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to several radiation therapy centers, each offering different types of radiation therapy options to cancer patients. In this article, we will explore the different types of radiation therapy available in Albuquerque, how they work, and their potential side effects.

External Beam Radiation Therapy:

radiation therapy Albuquerque External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It delivers radiation from a machine outside the body that targets the cancer cells. The radiation passes through the skin and other tissues to reach the cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy is used to treat different types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, and head and neck cancer.

In Albuquerque, there are several external beam radiation therapy centers that use advanced technology to deliver radiation more precisely to the cancer cells, reducing the risk of damage to healthy tissues. One such center is the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, which uses intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) to deliver radiation more accurately to the tumor. These technologies allow the radiation oncologist to sculpt the radiation beam to the shape of the tumor, minimizing the exposure to healthy tissues.

Side effects of external beam radiation therapy may include fatigue, skin changes, and hair loss. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if the radiation is directed towards the abdomen.

Brachytherapy:

Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy that involves placing a radioactive source inside the body, close to the cancer cells. The radiation is delivered directly to the tumor, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. Brachytherapy is used to treat different types of cancer, including prostate, cervical, and breast cancer.

In Albuquerque, the New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants offer brachytherapy for prostate cancer. The procedure involves inserting small radioactive seeds into the prostate gland. The seeds remain in place permanently, delivering a low dose of radiation to the prostate gland over several months.

Side effects of brachytherapy may include difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and bowel problems. Patients may also experience fatigue and skin irritation at the site of the radiation.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery:

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a type of radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation to a small area of the body in a single treatment session. SRS is used to treat brain and spinal cord tumors, as well as other types of cancer that have spread to the brain or spinal cord.

In Albuquerque, the New Mexico Cancer Center offers SRS using advanced technology like the CyberKnife system. The CyberKnife system uses a robotic arm to deliver radiation to the tumor, while tracking the patient's breathing and movement to ensure that the radiation is delivered accurately.

Side effects of SRS may include fatigue, headaches, and nausea. Patients may also experience swelling and irritation in the brain or spinal cord.

Radiation Therapy Side Effects:

Like any other cancer treatment, radiation therapy has potential side effects that patients should be aware of. The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the type of radiation therapy, the dose of radiation, and the location of the tumor.

Common side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue, skin changes, and hair loss. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if the radiation is directed towards the abdomen. Side effects of radiation therapy usually go away after treatment is complete, but some side effects may persist.

Radiation therapy can also cause long-term side effects, depending on the location of the tumor and the dose of radiation. For example, radiation therapy

 

radiation therapy Albuquerque How Its Work?

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from dividing and growing. Radiation therapy can be delivered to the cancer cells either from a machine outside the body or by placing a radioactive source inside the body, close to the cancer cells.

External Beam Radiation Therapy:

External beam radiation therapy is the most common type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It delivers radiation from a machine outside the body that targets the cancer cells. The radiation passes through the skin and other tissues to reach the cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy is used to treat different types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, and head and neck cancer.

During external beam radiation therapy, the radiation oncologist will carefully plan the treatment to ensure that the radiation is delivered precisely to the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. This planning involves using imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRI scans, to create a 3D image of the tumor and surrounding tissues. The radiation oncologist will use this image to determine the exact location and size of the tumor, as well as the optimal angle and dose of radiation.

The radiation is delivered to the tumor using a machine called a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator generates high-energy X-rays or electrons that are directed towards the tumor. The radiation beams are shaped and aimed using special equipment, such as multi-leaf collimators or dynamic wedges. These devices allow the radiation oncologist to shape the radiation beam to the shape of the tumor, minimizing the exposure to healthy tissues.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) are advanced technologies that can be used during external beam radiation therapy to deliver radiation more accurately to the tumor. IMRT uses computer algorithms to adjust the intensity of the radiation beams in different parts of the tumor, while IGRT uses imaging tests to track the position of the tumor during treatment.

Brachytherapy:

Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy that involves placing a radioactive source inside the body, close to the cancer cells. The radiation is delivered directly to the tumor, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues. Brachytherapy is used to treat different types of cancer, including prostate, cervical, and breast cancer.

During brachytherapy, the radiation oncologist will insert a small radioactive source into or near the tumor. The source may be a small metal capsule or seed, or a liquid that is injected into the body. The source will remain in place for a specific period of time, depending on the type of cancer being treated and the dose of radiation required.

The radioactive source delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor over a short period of time. This allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the tumor, while minimizing the exposure to healthy tissues. The radioactive source may be removed after a short period of time, or it may remain in place permanently.

Cancer Treatment in New England - Radiation Oncology Associates


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Stereotactic Radiosurgery:

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a type of radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation to a small area of the body in a single treatment session. SRS is used to treat brain and spinal cord tumors, as well as other types of cancer that have spread to the brain or spinal cord.

During SRS, the radiation oncologist will use advanced imaging tests, such as MRI scans or CT scans, to create a 3D image of the tumor and surrounding tissues. The radiation oncologist will use this image to determine the exact location and size of the tumor, as well as the optimal angle and dose of radiation.

SRS uses advanced technology like the CyberKnife system to deliver radiation to the tumor. The CyberKnife system uses a robotic