Therapeutics, Radiotherapy and Other Anti-Cancer Treatments Flashcards
1
Q
What are the two types of radiation?
A
NON-IONISING
IONISING
2
Q
What are some types of ionising radiation?
A
- ELECTROMAGNETIC - X-rays and gamma rays
- PARTICULATE - Protons, electrons and neutrons
3
Q
How can radiotherapy be used?
A
- Can be used on its own
- Or to complement/ehance effects of other treatments
4
Q
What is the principle target of ionising radiation?
A
DNA
5
Q
Describe the two types of action in radiotherapy
A
- Direct DNA damage to cause cell death
- Production of free radicals to induce DNA damage
6
Q
Describe gamma rays used in ionising radiation.
A
- Produced spontaenously as certain elements that release radiation as they decompose/decay
7
Q
Describe intensity modulated radiotherapy.
A
- Delivers controlled doses of radiation to malignant tumours
- Targets tumour, protects vital organs and reduce undesirable side effects
8
Q
What are the aims of radiotherapy?
A
- CURATIVE
- PALLIATIVE
9
Q
What are the types of radiotherapy?
A
- External beam radiotherapy - radiation delivered by machines
- Brachytherapy - radioactive substances placed in vicinity of cancer - deliver radiation
10
Q
What is different about cancer cells that allows them to be affected by radiotheraoy?
A
- Don’t have the same repair mechanisms that normal cells have
11
Q
How is cancer treatment prepared?
A
- Locate tumour by imaging
- Identify position, shape andsize of tumour
- Apply beams of radiation to treat patient
12
Q
How are tumours localised?
A
- CT scanning
- Computer simulation to plan treatment - determine number of treatment beams, size, shape and direction
13
Q
What are the toxicities of radiotherapy?
A
- Varies based on organ treated and neabry structures
- Skin reactions - common
- May produce long term damage
14
Q
What does brachytherapy involve?
A
- Insertion of radioactive sources into tumour
- Left in permanently (as with prostate brachytherapy) or inserted for short period of time before removal
15
Q
Describe molecular radiotherapy.
A
- Radio-isotopes attahced to molecule that has ability to attach to target organ
- Targeted towards the cancer
