Treatment Options: Radiation Therapy Flashcards
for EBRT radiation is delivered from a ____inside/outside_____ source
outside
LINACs deliver ___ MV or higher
1 MV
cobalt-60, protons, orthovoltage are all types of ____ radiation
external
other types of EBRT –> photons/xrays, electrons, protons, gamma rays
overall radiation kills or damages _____ of cancer/tumor cells
DNA
overall radiation kills or damages DNA of cancer/tumor cells, which does what?
slows or stops their growth and ultimately stops the cell(s) from dividing
T/F: radiation therapy has BETTER cosmetic outcomes than other modalities, like surgery
TRUE
T/F: radiation therapy preserves the organ better than other modalities, like surgery
TRUE
define Therapeutic Ratio
it is the ratio between normal tissue tolerance over tumor lethal dose
Brachytherapy = ___short/long___ distance therapy
short
what is the modality called when the source is placed in or near tumor
brachytherapy
Brachytherapy can be in form of _____, _____, _____, or ____ to insert into patient
wires, seeds, molds, or rods
________ sustains surrounding normal healthy tissue because low energies are used w/ their rapid fall off
brachytherapy
T/F: Brachytherapy can be used with EBRT to provide better control
TRUE
if Brachytherapy is used with EBRT, what is considered the boost?
Brachytherapy
_____ = a way to deliver a higher dose of radiation to a more concentrated area
boost
the following are examples of _______:
– Cesium 137
– Iridium 192
– Palladium 103
– Iodine 125
brachytherapy
the following are methods of ______ application:
– external applicators
– intracavitary
– interstitial implants
brachytherapy
T/F: patients receiving brachy must be in a fully shielded room, w/ similar requirements as a trt room would have, including door interlocks, emergency buttons, and audio visual monitors
TRUE
for HDR or LDR, the patient is treated as an outpatient and can go home once the source is removed
HDR
for LDR or HDR, the source stays in the patient for longer periods
LDR
for LDR or HDR, the source stays in patient for shorter periods of time
HDR
for LDR or HDR, source stays in patient for 1-6 days (24-144 hrs)
LDR
for LDR or HDR, source stays in patient for 10-20 minutes TOTAL and removed immediately after
HDR
for __LDR/HDR__ the patient remains in hospital w/ proper shielding
LDR
for __LDR/HDR__ it is delivered in fractionated schedules and can vary from twice a day for several days, to, once a week for several weeks
HDR
with what implants do the sources remain in patient for life?
permanent implants
T/F: the strength of permanent implants lessens daily
TRUE
T/F: eventually it will be safe for permanent implant patients to be around people, however they should limit their time around kids and pregnant people
TRUE
what allows for remote handling of radioactive sources, reduces dose to personnel, used for LDR and HDR treatments
a Remote Afterloader
describe the sequence of events for using a Brachytherapy Afterloader -
- applicators w/o any radioactive sources are placed w/i patient
- position of applicators are tested w/ CT imaging everyday prior to treatment using dummy seeds or wires
- once position is confirmed, patient is then connected to the afterloader
- once safe, and all personnel has left the room the radioactive source will come out of the afterloader using a remote system and will enter into patient through seeds or wires
T/F: the afterloader itself is shielded
TRUE
the ___ is used in cases of HDR emergencies, if the source gets stuck in the patient
pig
most common source used with Afterloaders is what?
Ir-192 (Iridium-192)
helpful hint - you’ll know it’s a brachytherapy when the isodose lines are __around/far away___ from source
around
- close to source.. since brachytherapy is very short distance therapy
the following is describing Curative, Palliative, Prophylactic, or Emergency Radiation Therapy –
*controls symptoms associated with cancer; typically delivered at 300 cGy x 10 fx
palliative
the following is describing Curative, Palliative, Prophylactic, or Emergency Radiation Therapy –
*prevents spread of cancer for known patterns/high risk
prophylactic
the following is describing Curative, Palliative, Prophylactic, or Emergency Radiation Therapy –
*shrinks tumor to reduce pain, bleeding, obstruction, or compression
emergency
the following is describing Curative, Palliative, Prophylactic, or Emergency Radiation Therapy –
*tumor can be destroyed w/o harming healthy tissue
curative
what is our perfect scenario for radiation therapy?
“___radioresistant/radiosensitive___ tumor surrounded by ___radioresistant/radiosensitive___ tissue”
Radiosensitive tumor surrounded by Radioresistant tissues
what cancer typically spreads/metastasizes to the brain? And how do we treat it?
small cell lung cancer - PCI radiation to the brain to prevent or delay spread
what does PCI stand for?
Prophylactic Brain Irradiation
SVC stands for what?
Superior Vena Cava
the following are examples of Curative, Palliative, Prophylactic, or Emergency Radiation Therapy?
-SVC, emergent GYN, spinal cord compressions
emergency radiation therapy
the following describes what type of treatment - Definitive, Concurrent, Sequential, Neo-Adjuvant, Adjuvant, or Salvage
*2 trt modalities occur at SAME time; ex. chemo & RT
concurrent
the following describes what type of treatment - Definitive, Concurrent, Sequential, Neo-Adjuvant, Adjuvant, or Salvage
*1 trt modality follows another
sequential
the following describes what type of treatment - Definitive, Concurrent, Sequential, Neo-Adjuvant, Adjuvant, or Salvage
*radiation is primary trt modality
definitive
the following describes what type of treatment - Definitive, Concurrent, Sequential, Neo-Adjuvant, Adjuvant, or Salvage
*radiation is delivered BEFORE another modality like surgery, typically to shrink tumor
neo-adjuvant
(neo = 1st in matrix)
the following describes what type of treatment - Definitive, Concurrent, Sequential, Neo-Adjuvant, Adjuvant, or Salvage
*radiation delivered AFTER primary treatment modality; to treat microscopic diseases
adjuvant
(add in RT)
the following describes what type of treatment - Definitive, Concurrent, Sequential, Neo-Adjuvant, Adjuvant, or Salvage
*radiation is delivered after primary treatment techniques have failed
salvage
(salvage what you can)
