RADIOTHERAPY ONCOLOGY
Radiotherapy is a form of locoregional cancer treatment. It consists in using radiation to destroy cancer cells by blocking their capacity to multiply.
Irradiation is aimed at destroying cancer while preserving healthy tissues and neighboring organs to the greatest possible extent.
More than half of cancer patients receive radiotherapy at some point during their care pathway.
The Poitiers CHU is equipped with a high-activity, first-class technical platform for radiotherapy.
RADIOTHERAPY TREATMENTS
External radiotherapy, brachytherapy and metabolic radiotherapy are to be distinguished.
External radiotherapy
Locoregional cancer treatment of which the goal is to destroy cancer cells through penetration of the skin by rays produced in a radiotherapy apparatus (particle accelerator). The rays are beamed into the tumor, and at times on certain nodes neighboring the affected organ. There exist different types of rays, according to the regions to be treated.
It should be noted that over recent years, radiotherapy has made tremendous biological as well as medical strides, and is henceforth more targeted on zones to be treated, and better able to protect healthy tissues.
Brachytherapy
Local cancer treatment of which the goal is to destroy cancer cells by means of the rays produced by a radioactive substance placed within or close to an organ.
The implant (seeds, pellets…) can be temporary or permanent.
Only some organs can be treated by brachytherapy: uterus, prostate, breast, throat, mouth…
It is indeed a highly targeted treatment.
Metabolic radiotherapy
Treatment that consists in injecting by intravenous route or having a patient swallow radioactive substances in a liquid solution. Non-sealed radioactive sources are administered by nuclear medicine specialists.
This radioactive substance is preferentially directed toward cancer cells, so as to destroy them.
Metabolic radiotherapy is employed to treat certain thyroid cancers, Vaquez’ disease and certain bony metastases.
A GUIDE FOR THE PATIENT
Click here to consult the guide for the patient in radiotherapy oncology (in French).