Säteilykäsittelyt

Säteilykäsittelyt, which literally means “radiation treatments” in Finnish, refer to the use of ionising radiation to treat diseases and sterilise materials. The most common medical application is radiation therapy for cancer, where beams of X‑rays, gamma rays, electrons or protons are aimed at tumours to destroy malignant cells while sparing healthy tissue as much as possible. In addition to external‑beam techniques such as conventional radiotherapy and intensity‑modulated radiotherapy, internal methods like brachytherapy are employed, placing radioactive sources close to or inside the tumour site.

The technology originated in the early 20th century, following the discovery of X‑rays by Wilhelm Röntgen and radioactivity by Henri Becquerel. Early treatments were rudimentary, but advances in computer‑aided planning and imaging have made contemporary radiotherapy highly precise. Techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy allow very high doses to be delivered in a single or few fractions, improving outcomes for certain cancers.

Beyond oncology, säteilykäsittelyt are used in sterilisation of medical equipment, food irradiation, and pest control in agriculture. Research continues into more selective radiosensitisation agents and the development of radioprotective agents to minimise normal‑tissue damage. Ethical and safety guidelines govern clinical use, ensuring that treatments are justified, planned, delivered, and documented in accordance with regulatory standards.