Radiation Therapy

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to radiation therapy, its types, applications, and underlying principles.

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that carries enough energy to liberate electrons from atoms or molecules, thereby ionizing them.

Neoplastic Growth

Abnormal proliferation of cells that can lead to the formation of tumors.

Radiotherapy Types according to Aim

Includes total body irradiation, prophylactic radiotherapy, palliative radiotherapy with curative doses, and curative radiotherapy.

Curative Radiotherapy

Application of radiotherapy aimed at eradicating cancer, typically used in early-stage cancers.

Palliative Radiotherapy

Administration of radiation to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life in cancer patients.

Prophylactic Radiotherapy

Preventive application of radiotherapy to prevent metastases or recurrences.

Total Body Irradiation

A technique that involves the use of radiation to ablate bone marrow to prepare for transplantation.

Adjuvant Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy given after other treatment modalities to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy administered before other treatment modalities to shrink tumors.

Chemoradiotherapy

The combined administration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Brachytherapy

Radiotherapy in which radioactive sources are placed inside or near the tumor.

Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)

Radiotherapy that delivers high doses of radiation precisely to target tumors using focused beams.

Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)

A technique that modulates the radiation dose to different parts of the treatment area to spare healthy tissue.

Photodynamic Therapy

A treatment that uses light-activated drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Hyperthermia in Oncology

A cancer treatment that raises the temperature of tumor tissues to enhance the effectiveness of radiation.

Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy

Procedures to ensure consistent and accurate delivery of the prescribed radiation dose.

Quality Control in Radiotherapy

Measures taken to ensure that radiation treatment equipment operates safely and effectively.