chapter 10 radiation

Teletherapy

: In which a high-energy beam of radiation is aimed at the cancerous tissues.

Proton therapy

is a type teletherapy. In proton therapy a beam of protons is used to destroy cancer cells. Due to their relatively large mass, the proton beam does not broaden very much. It can be managed so that it stays focused on the tumor shape.

Brachytherapy

in which a radioactive isotope is placed into the area to be treated. This is usually done by means of a seed, which could be a glass bead containing the isotope. In this way the isotope delivers a constant beam of radiation to the affected area.

Radiopharmaceutical

This method involves oral or intra-venous administration of the isotope. The isotope then uses the normal body pathways to seek its target.