What is radiation?
It is one of the electromagnetic energy spectra. Such as light, radio waves, and X-rays.
X-rays are able to penetrate the body and interact with its atoms to varying degrees. The reaction depends on the density of the organ. It shows its shape in varying degrees to reflect the image of what is inside the body. This is what happens in a diagnostic CT scan. But if the density and energy of these rays increase, It becomes destructive to the cancer cell.
History of radiation therapy:
X-rays were discovered by the physicist (Roentgen) in 1895 AD. Where he discovered those hidden rays that penetrated his wife’s hand to reflect the details of her hand bones without any
pain, A year later, an enthusiastic medical student (Emil Groppi) came and thought of directing those rays at high intensity at the tumor of a breast cancer patient whose tumor had returned after the operation, and the tumor responded and receded after radiation therapy. After that, the door was opened wide for the third pillar of tumor treatment, in addition to traditional surgery and medications.
Types of radiation therapy:
The division depends on the method of delivering radiation therapy to the patient. This is done in two ways:
external beam radiation therapy
It is usually done using an electrical device called a linear accelerator, so that the rays are directed at the patient without direct contact between the radiation source and the patient. It is the most common.
Types of external radiation therapy: Photon and particle therapy
There are two types of external radiation therapy, the most popular and widely used of which is photon therapy. Due to its frequent use, it is highly reliable and has known results. It is expected, but its drawback is that medium and small doses around the tumor are higher than the particles, which may lead to more symptoms in some cases.
The other type is particle therapy, There are also two types: The first is the small electron, This cannot reach a deep target within the body, It is used, for example, in some cases of skin cancer or when the tumor is not deep.
Another type of particle therapy, Proton therapy has the ability to reach deep tumors and the particles are characterized by medium and small doses around the tumor less than photons.
