The doctor talked about radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer

Radiation therapy, a method that destroys cancer cells using directed radiation, is becoming a key alternative for aggressive forms of tumors or contraindications to surgery. Anastasia Golubkova, chief physician of the Radiotherapy Department of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine in Khimki, JSC "Medicine", told Izvestia on September 4 about the possibilities of this method of fighting cancer.

According to her, modern technologies in radiation therapy make it possible to use radiation with high accuracy, minimizing the impact on healthy tissues.

Radiation therapy is particularly effective in the treatment of small cell lung cancer, which is characterized by rapid spread and metastasis. In such cases, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation is used, and it is critically important to start treatment as early as possible, especially if brain metastases are detected. In non-small cell carcinoma, the most common form of the disease, radiation therapy is prescribed when surgery is contraindicated, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

"The treatment process begins with CT simulation, after which the images are transmitted to the attending physician to determine the amount of radiation and critical organs. A medical physicist calculates a treatment plan, which is checked and adjusted, if necessary, before starting treatment," Golubkova explained.

From a different test: how Russian scientists are changing breast cancer treatment

The country has registered the first domestic test system for the selection of targeted treatment

Radiation sessions are performed daily for several weeks, while the patient is in a fixed position on the treatment table. Modern methods of radiation therapy have significantly reduced the risk of complications, but temporary side effects are possible, including nausea, fatigue, skin irritation and temporary hair loss.

Most of the symptoms go away a few weeks after the end of treatment, if the doctor's recommendations are followed. The specialist emphasizes that the main cause of high mortality in lung cancer is late diagnosis, since fluorography does not detect the disease at an early stage, and low—dose CT is not available in many regions. Regular medical check-ups and attention to one's health increase the chances of early detection and successful treatment.

Earlier, on July 9, Olga Lavrinovich, oncogynecologist and reproductologist, medical consultant to the Khabensky Foundation, spoke about the most common types of cancer during pregnancy. The most common cancers among pregnant women include breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.