Kiiritusterapia
Kiiritusterapia, known in English as radiation therapy or radiotherapy, is a medical treatment that uses ionizing radiation to control or kill malignant cells and to relieve symptoms in certain benign conditions. It can be delivered externally (external beam radiotherapy, EBRT) with linear accelerators, or internally (brachytherapy) by placing radioactive sources near or inside the tumor.
More recently, advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery
Planning is based on imaging studies (CT, MRI, PET) to define the gross tumor volume and margins,
Common acute side effects include fatigue, skin changes, and localized irritation; late effects can involve tissue
The aim is to maximize tumor control while minimizing harm to normal tissue. Safety requires a multidisciplinary
Historical notes: radiotherapy emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries after the discovery of X-rays;