Radical Radiotherapy

1. What is radical radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy works via high-energy rays for cancer treatment by eliminating remaining cancer cells not removed under the primary treatment, like surgery. Radical radiotherapy mainly focuses on cancer in the prostate glands.

In radical radiotherapy, it is important to mention that regular cells also eliminate due to exposure to high-octane radiation beams. Besides other areas, a team of experts in radical radiotherapy for head and neck cancer carefully plans out external/internal beam radiotherapy.

2. What is radical cancer treatment?

Radical cancer treatment is mainly related to radical prostatectomy. It occurs for male patients who have a high accumulation of cancer cells in their prostate glands. Doctors remove the entire organ if the cells are present within one region. Multiple patients undergo different surgical procedures like lymph node removal for recurrent or advanced prostate cancer treatment.

Two common types of radical cancer treatment include:

• Open radical prostatectomy.
• Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

After the primary treatment, doctors perform radical radiotherapy prostate cancer.

3. What is radical radiotherapy for lung cancer?

If chemotherapy fails or is not compatible with a patient, doctors suggest radical radiotherapy for lung cancer. This procedure is effective in locally advanced and inoperable lung cancer.

This type of procedure is known as external radical radiotherapy. Breast cancer patients are also familiar with it. The x-rays are directed outside the patient’s chest. Another type of treatment here is brachytherapy; where in the radioactive source is inserted near the tumour.

4. What is the difference between radiotherapy and radical radiotherapy?

Like with radical vs palliative radiotherapy, differences are available between radiotherapy and radical radiotherapy specifically. The latter focuses on radical prostatectomy, where doctors surgically remove the prostate gland. Radical radiotherapy for bladder cancer is not standard, but radiotherapy targets cancer cells in different organs.

That involves the application of radiation externally on the affected region to exterminate cancer cells. It is a long-running therapy process. Before prescribing either option to patients, doctors check:

• Their age.
• Cure possibility.
• Progression rate.

5. What are the side effects of radical radiotherapy?

The short-term radical radiotherapy side effects include the following:

• Changes in bowel movements – proctitis (rectal pain and discomfort), mucous or blood in stools, diarrhea.
• Sore and red/darkened skin around the anus and legs.
• Changes in regular bladder functioning, like slowed urine output and bleeding.
• Sickness.
• Lethargy.
• Loss of appetite

Long-term side effects include:

• Sexual changes like erectile dysfunction.
• Enhanced bowel problems.
• Severe/moderate problem with urinary leakage and other bladder issues.
• Swollen scrotum/legs.
• Inflammation of heart lining.

6. Why choose Yashoda Hospitals for radical radiotherapy?

Yashoda Hospitals include some of the best cancer specialists and radiology experts in the medical field, spread across its different branches. They completed years in training, studied theoretical reports on radical radiotherapy, and have practical experience with the treatment process.

The doctors available keep up-to-date with studies and reports centered on radical radiotherapy and related procedures for optimal patient care and health improvement. Expect a faster recovery rate and a high treatment success potential at the hospitals.