Intro to cancer and RT

Question 1

Common cancer in males in Australia

Answer 1

lung, bowel and prostate

Question 2

Common cancer in females in Australia

Answer 2

breast, bowel and lung cancer

Question 3

What is Carcinoma

Answer 3

Cancer derived from the lining cells of an organ

Question 4

4 types of epithelium

Answer 4

 Glandular (prostate, colon and breast
 Squamous (oesophagus, skin)
 Transitional (kidney, bladder, ureter, urethra)
 Pseudostratified (trachea)

Question 5

Sarcoma

Answer 5

o Cancer derived from the soft tissues of the body
 Fat, muscle, nerves and CT
 Includes bone and cartilage

Question 6

Lymphoma

Answer 6

o Cancer derived from the WBC that are present in the lymphoid tissues in the body, nodes and spleen
o May arise from any organ and body side

Question 7

Melanoma

Answer 7

o Cancer derived from melanocytes
 Mole in a benign growth of melanocytes
 Mole may turn malignant to become melanoma

Question 8

Spread of cancer

Answer 8

• Primary Cancer
  o Cancer in situ – localised
  o Invasive – invades surrounding tissues
• Secondary Cancer / Metastasis
  o Cells move away from original primary invade other organs and bones

Question 9

Routes of cancer spread

Answer 9

• Vascular (via the blood stream)
• Lymphatic (e.g., breast to axillary nodes)
• Body cavities (e.g., lung into the pleura)
• Natural passages (renal cancer to bladder via ureter)
• Inoculation/surgical contamination

Question 10

Cancer treatments

Answer 10

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Immunotherapy, targeted therapies

Question 11

Delivery method - radiotherapy

Answer 11

-	Superficial 
o	Short distance, external
o	Energies (10kV – 150kV)
o	Peak Energy (10 – 1150keV) 
-	Orthovoltage 
o	Energies (100 - 500kV)
o	Peak Energy (100 – 500 keV)
-	Linear Accelerator 
o	High energy x-rays ‘long’ distance 
o	Photons (6MV to 21MV) 
-	Brachytherapy
o	Uses a radiation source 
o	‘Short’ distance, internal

Question 12

Site Specific Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

Answer 12

• Head and Neck (mucositis, xerostomia, oesophagitis)
• Abdomen (vomiting, diarrhoea)
• Brain (headaches, oedema, alopecia)
• Breast (skin reaction, possible lymphoedema)

Question 13

Purpose of Planning in Radiation Therapy

Answer 13

• Decide how to direct radiation to the tumour
• Ensure normal tissue don’t receive too much dose
• Ensure critical structures are safe

Question 14

Palliative Radiation Therapy

Answer 14

• Aims to improve quality of life by relieving symptoms without causing unacceptable side effects
• Good for patients with metastatic disease or large primary tumours where cure is not possible
• Involves delivering lower doses, often to larger volumes of tissue

Question 15

Roles of Radiation Therapist

Answer 15

• Simulates the patient prior to the planning CT scan
• Creates the computer plan for the patient
• Deliver RT
• Ensure safety and accuracy
• Provide support and care

Question 16

Duty of Positioning Patient-Stabilisation Devices (Immobilisation Devices)

Answer 16

• Are designed to keep the patient in the stable position
• Limiting movement
• Reproducibility

Question 17

MRI

Answer 17

• Large magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce an image
• Ability to display detailed anatomic information
• CT Fusion
  o Soft tissue imaging

Question 18

Patient Pathway from Radiation Therapy

Answer 18

• Monitor the patient side effects
• Provide advice or refer for medication
• Weekly appointments with radiation oncologist and nursing staff
• Support from Cancer care coordinators