Radiotherapy

Question 1

What is radiotherapy?

Answer 1

Beams of high energy ionising radiation

Question 2

What is the direct action of radiotherapy?

Answer 2

Radiation -> DNA damage -> cell death

Question 3

What is the indirect action of radiotherapy?

Answer 3

Radiation -> free radicals -> DNA damage -> cell death

Question 4

What do you need to check in a patient before radiotherapy?

Answer 4

Hb > 100 so that there is enough oxygen in system to produce free radicals

Question 5

What are the types of radiotherapy?

Answer 5

External beam
Brachytherapy
Systemic treatments

Question 6

What are the different purposes of radiotherapy?

Answer 6

Radical

Palliative

Question 7

What is the aim of radical radiotherapy?

Answer 7

Cure cancer

Question 8

How is radical radiotherapy done?

Answer 8

20-37 daily treatments given over 4-7 weeks

Small field of irradiation

• low daily dose
• high total dose

Question 9

What is the aim of palliative radiotherapy?

Answer 9

Alleviate symptoms

Question 10

What are indications for palliative radiotherapy?

Answer 10

Painful bone mets
MSCC
SVCO 
Pathological fracture
Brain mets
Bleeding

Question 11

How is palliative radiotherapy done?

Answer 11

1-10 daily treatments

Larger field of irradiation

• high daily dose
• low total dose

Question 12

What are the early side effects of radio therapy?

Answer 12

Depend on target area

Hair loss
Fatigue 
N+V
Lymphoedema
Pneumonitis

Question 13

What are late side effects of radiotherapy?

Answer 13

Lung fibrosis 
Bone necrosis 
Mouth ulcers
Cataracts
Infertility 
Bowel adhesions