Radiotherapy

Question 1

What is radiotherapy?

Answer 1

Treatment of disease by ionising radiation

Question 2

How can radiotherapy be used in treatment of cancer?

Answer 2

Shrinking tumour before surgery
Reduce cancer returning after surgery
Control symptoms and reduce pain
Reduce growth of cancer cells

Question 3

What are the 2 types of radiotherapy

Answer 3

External and internal

Question 4

How often is external radiotherapy given?

Answer 4

Over several days or weeks

Question 5

What is 3D conformal radiotherapy?

Answer 5

Use of metal blocks to direct radiation so that it can more accurately target the shape of the tumour. Used in prostate cancer

Question 6

Internal therapy is given how often?

Answer 6

only once or a few times

Question 7

Side effects of radiotherapy depend on…

Answer 7

Area of treatment, dose and physical wellbeing at the time of treatment

Question 8

Side effects of radiotherapy

Answer 8

Tiredness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, sore skin, muscle and joint pain, infertility.

Question 9

Why does radiotherapy help treat graves disease?

Answer 9

It reduces the activity of the thyroid gland by destroying cells and thus less T3 and T4 is released.