Before discussing radiotherapy technologies in deatail, it may be useful to understand what radiotherapy is.
Radiation, the source of radiotherapy, is a special form of energy. It can be carried by waves or particles. It can be produced by special devices or emitted by radioactive substances. In the medical field, it is used both in imaging and in the treatment of certain diseases such as cancer.
Special devices are needed to use radiation in this way. The process of using high levels of radiation to treat diseases is called radiotherapy. Another name is radiotherapy. Today, there are many different devices and methods under the title of radiotherapy technologies.
Radiotherapy is a treatment method frequently used in cancer treatment. It aims to kill cancer cells or control their growth by using radiation. It is also used in palliative care. In general, it can be used to treat or control the following diseases:
Radiotherapy is an effective treatment method used for various purposes. It is primarily used to control or destroy cancer cells. Cancer cells are cells that divide and multiply faster than normal cells. Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of these cells, thus preventing them from multiplying or causing cell death.
Radiotherapy can also be used to reduce the size of cancerous tumors. This can be done before or after surgery to control the size of the tumor and facilitate surgery. Although the treatment targets cancer cells, it can also affect surrounding normal tissues. Radiotherapy is therefore carefully planned to maximize the effect on the tumor site and minimize damage to surrounding tissues.
With the use of modern technologies, treatment plans can be made more precise. Radiotherapy can also be used to control the spread of cancer cells or to target cancer cells in lymph nodes. This can help reduce the risk of the cancer spreading to different parts of the body.
There are generally 2 main types of radiotherapy. One is known as external and the other as internal radiotherapy.
External radiotherapy is a method administered from outside the body. The patient lies or sits on a radiotherapy machine in a treatment room. This machine sends high-energy radiation beams at a specific angle and dose, focused on the cancer tumor. The treatment process takes place in sessions, usually several times a week and lasting several weeks. Each session includes a set dose of radiation depending on the treatment plan. External radiotherapy is carefully planned to target cancerous cells while causing as little damage to healthy tissue as possible.
Internal radiotherapy is a method of treatment using radioactive sources or substances placed inside the body. This method is mainly used to treat cancers localized in certain organs. There are two basic forms:
Brachytherapy: Brachytherapy involves placing a radiation source directly into the tumor inside the body. Radioactive material is placed in or near the tumor so that the radiation is focused directly on the target area. This method is particularly effective in treating localized tumors such as prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and breast cancer.
Systemic Radiotherapy: Systemic radiotherapy is performed using radioactive drugs or substances injected into the body. This method can be used to treat metastatic cancers and to target common cancer cells in the body.
CyberKnife is a stereotactic radiotherapy system that delivers high doses of radiation. This system aims to treat cancerous tumors by precisely targeting them. CyberKnife is especially used in the treatment of tumors that are not suitable for surgical intervention or carry surgical risk. The areas of use of this device are as follows:
Tumors of uncertain origin: CyberKnife can be used when the origin of the tumor is unclear or when surgery is challenging or dangerous.
Metastatic cancers: It can be an effective option for treating metastatic cancers that do not respond to systemic radiotherapy.
Inoperable tumors: They may be preferred for the treatment of tumors that are too difficult to be operated on surgically.
Single-session treatment: Unlike other radiotherapy methods, CyberKnife offers a short-term treatment protocol that can be completed in several sessions.
CyberKnife treatment involves a robotic arm and precision radiation delivery system. This system monitors the position of the tumor in real-time through a series of cameras and computers and directs radiation beams focused on the targeted area. In this way, it can take into account patient and tumor movements during treatment, thus enabling a more precise treatment.
The treatment process usually takes several sessions and during each session, high doses of radiation are delivered, focused on the defined contour of the tumor. Compared to conventional radiotherapy methods, CyberKnife can target the tumor more precisely and causes minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Therefore, CyberKnife treatment may be a better option in certain cases for suitable patients.
Gamma Knife Icon is a device used for stereotactic radiosurgery. This system offers a treatment method that does not require surgical intervention and targets tumors with high doses of radiation. It is especially used in the treatment of intracranial lesions such as brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations.
Brain Tumors GK Icon offers a particularly effective option for treating small and delicate brain tumors. These tumors may include conditions that are not amenable to traditional surgical intervention or carry surgical risk.
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): An AVM is a condition that has abnormal connections between arteries and veins. The Gamma Knife Icon can be used to treat AVMs with high doses of radiation.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: This device can offer an effective treatment against pain syndromes related to the trigeminal nerve in the face.
Gamma Knife Icon treatment is performed using a frame or mask fixed to the patient's head. This frame ensures that the head is held in a stable position and enables precise targeting during treatment. A series of specially calculated and determined radiation beams are then focused on the tumor site. These beams deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor cells while causing minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
The treatment can usually be completed within one session and the patient can return to normal daily activities the same day. Gamma Knife Icon is a modern radiosurgery method that aims to improve tumor control and minimize damage to surrounding tissues by providing precise radiation delivery.
Tomotherapy is a type of radiotherapy system that provides intensely modulated radiation therapy. Tomotherapy HDA (Helical Delivery Arch) is a development of this technology. This method aims to target cancerous cells and treat them with radiation. Tomotherapy HDA offers a treatment protocol specifically designed to target tumors and minimize damage to surrounding tissues.
Tomotherapy HDA directs radiation beams to the tumor site in a helical structure. This ensures a continuous beam delivery focused on the target within a ring that rotates 360 degrees around it. It is characterized by intensively modulated radiation therapy. This aims to concentrate the radiation dose to the tumor site and minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues. The system has real-time imaging capabilities during treatment. This allows for monitoring of patient position and tumor movement during treatment, which increases treatment precision.
Tomotherapy HDA can create customizable treatment plans based on the patient's individual condition and tumor characteristics. This aims to provide the most effective and safe treatment for each patient. The system also uses advanced computational and imaging techniques to precisely identify and position the tumor site. This ensures the right target focus during treatment.
Tomotherapy HDA is commonly used to treat different types of cancer, such as head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and kidney cancer. This method aims to offer a more precise treatment compared to conventional radiotherapy methods, which can improve tumor control and minimize side effects. However, treatment planning and delivery should be carefully managed by specialist radiation oncologists.
Trilogy is a radiotherapy system and is specifically used in cancer treatment. This system aims to target tumors by delivering high doses of radiation. Trilogy offers various advantages in radiotherapy applications by combining advanced technologies and treatment options.
Cancer treatment: Trilogy can be used to treat many different types of cancer. These include head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and brain tumors.
Metastatic diseases: It can also be an effective option for treating metastatic cancers. This can help control the spread of cancer to different areas within the body.
Regenerative radiotherapy: Trilogy can be used in regenerative radiotherapy applications. This is a treatment strategy designed to effectively control tumor cells and cause minimal damage to healthy tissues.
The treatment process is based on a specific treatment plan determined by radiation oncologists. This plan is based on factors such as the type, location, and size of the tumor and the patient's general health. Trilogy identifies the tumor site using advanced imaging techniques. This helps to target the treatment and increases the accuracy of the treatment.
The patient is fixed in the designated position during treatment and the radiotherapy machine precisely directs high doses of radiation beams to the tumor site. Trilogy uses techniques such as conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to ensure that radiation is confined to the tumor.
TrueBeam STx is a type of medical device used in radiotherapy technologies and is widely used in cancer treatment. This system aims to make treatment processes more precise and effective by combining advanced technologies. It is a linear accelerator.
Fast and precise: TrueBeam STx is characterized by its ability to deliver radiotherapy treatments quickly and precisely. This reduces treatment times, providing a more comfortable experience for patients.
Advanced imaging: Using advanced imaging technologies, the system provides a clearer view and identification of the tumor site. This makes treatment planning more precise.
Intense-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT): TrueBeam STx can deliver techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). This focuses the radiation dose to the tumor site, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
Tracking body movement: Even if the patient moves during treatment, the TrueBeam STx system can track it. This improves the accuracy of treatment and minimizes damage to healthy tissues.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT): TrueBeam STx can deliver high-dose radiation applications such as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). This is used to target specific tumors.
Treatment planning and personalized treatments: TrueBeam STx can create customized treatment plans for the patient. This is used to ensure the most effective and safe treatment for each patient.
