väliskiiritusravi

Väliskiiritusravi, also known as external beam radiation therapy, is a common medical treatment used to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. It is a type of radiotherapy that uses a machine to deliver high-energy rays to a specific area of the body. The radiation damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. While it can damage healthy cells too, these cells usually have a better ability to repair themselves than cancer cells.

The treatment is delivered in fractions, meaning the total dose is divided into smaller daily doses over a period of weeks. This allows healthy tissues time to recover between treatments. Before starting, a precise treatment plan is created by a team of doctors, physicists, and radiation therapists. This involves imaging techniques like CT scans or MRIs to pinpoint the exact location and shape of the tumor.

During each session, the patient lies on a treatment table while a linear accelerator, a machine that generates the radiation beams, is positioned around them. The machine moves to deliver radiation from different angles, ensuring the tumor receives the maximum dose while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Väliskiiritusravi is a non-invasive procedure, and patients can typically return to their normal activities shortly after each session. Side effects can vary depending on the area being treated and the total dose, but often include skin irritation in the treated area and fatigue.