Medical Terms
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy (irradiation) – one of the basic methods of treating cancer patients. It uses ionizing radiation to damage the genetic material (DNA) of the cancer cell, which consequently leads to the reversal of the cancer disease. The essence of success in the use of radiotherapy is to irradiate the tumor in such a way as to destroy it, while maximally protecting the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.
Depending on the purpose, radiotherapy may be used with the intention of curing (radical radiotherapy) or slowing down the course of the disease or alleviating its symptoms (symptomatic radiotherapy, also called palliative). Depending on the treatment methods used, radiotherapy is divided into teleradiotherapy and brachytherapy.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy (BTH) – a radiotherapy method using radiation sources placed directly in the tumor or in its immediate vicinity. For this purpose, special applicators are used, placed in natural body cavities (vagina, bronchus, esophagus) or directly in the patient's tissues (breast, prostate). Some of these procedures require anesthesia.
Brachytherapy, as an independent method or combined with teleradiotherapy, is used in such cancers as: skin, prostate, breast, female reproductive organs, lung, esophagus, head and neck.
Teleradiotherapy
Teleradiotherapy (RTH) – treatment with radiation generated at a certain distance from the patient in a device called an accelerator (linear accelerator). During treatment, the camera rotates around the patient and sends radiation towards the cancerous tumor. Teleradiotherapy is commonly called simply radiotherapy.
Straight
Straight – in medical vocabulary, it is a malignant tumor of epithelial tissue. Epitheliums occur in every part of the body. They line, among others, the oral cavity, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems, which is why there is such a large variety of cancers of epithelial origin. Malignant tumor cancer) is often incorrectly identified with cancer, which is just one of its forms. All cancer is malignant, but not all malignant tumors are cancer. Other malignancies include sarcoma, melanoma, lymphoma or glioma.
VMAT
VMAT – multi-arc dynamic radiotherapy technique (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) performed by specific rotation of the accelerator head with simultaneous modulation of the beam intensity during rotation. It combines arc technique and IMRT. First of all, it allows for shortening the duration of irradiation compared to other available methods.
IMRT
IMRT – conformal radiotherapy with beam intensity modulation (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). Used especially in the treatment of cancer tumors that are located in close proximity to critical organs (with limited tolerance to radiation).
IGRT
IGRT – Image Guided Radiation Therapy technique. It allows you to control the patient's positioning before and during the therapeutic session, ensuring even greater precision of irradiation.
Conformal radiotherapy
Conformal radiotherapy – one of the methods of treating cancer, using high-energy radiation generated by a linear accelerator. In this method, numerous irradiation fields (and shields) are adjusted to the previously determined spatial form of the planned irradiation area - so as to protect healthy organs and tissues as effectively as possible.
Stereotactic radiotherapy
Stereotactic radiotherapy – it is a form of conformal radiotherapy used to treat small tumors that, due to their location, cannot be removed surgically. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to administer, with surgical precision and effectiveness, a high dose of radiation in one (radiosurgery) or several fractions while maximizing the protection of healthy tissues.
4D radiotherapy
4D radiotherapy – radiotherapy technique that takes into account the patient's respiratory mobility (fourth dimension - time). Attention is drawn to the synchronization of irradiation with chest movements during breathing and the associated change in the position of the tumor.
Radiation dose
Radiation dose – the total portion of radiation delivered to the patient's body. Most often, the dose is divided into smaller portions, called fractions. Different types of cancer and different stages of treatment use different doses. Therefore, the duration of radiotherapy depends on the dose and number of fractions. The patient is informed about the method of dose fractionation and the associated duration of the entire treatment before starting the therapy.
Fraction
Fraction – smaller portions of radiation delivered to the patient's body; make up the total radiation dose determined before the start of therapy. One faction lasts about 10 – 20 minutes. The dose fraction is most often administered once a day or every two days. In some cases, it is necessary to administer two fractions in one day.
Deep inhalation irradiation technique
DIBH (deep inspiration irradiation technique) – radiotherapy method for patients with breast cancer. The staff practices breath holding with patients - how long the patient can hold the air in the lungs after taking a breath. This time interval is carefully measured and then taken into account when planning the radiation dose. The accelerator's operation is synchronized with the established respiratory phases, and irradiation is carried out only when the tumor is in a precisely determined position. Thanks to this technique, the risk of cardiac complications is minimized.
Accelerator
Accelerator – also called a linear accelerator, is a device that generates radiation and sends it towards the cancer tumor.
Biopsy
Biopsy – a diagnostic procedure that involves taking a sample of affected skin or tissue for histopathological examination. Most often performed to confirm or exclude cancer, but also to identify the type of hepatitis or the causes of infertility.
Combination treatment
Combination treatment – joint use of various cancer treatment methods (e.g. surgery, radiotherapy, standard and molecularly targeted chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy) in order to obtain the best possible results. The choice of optimal treatment depends on the type of cancer, its advancement, and patient-related factors (general condition, comorbidities, patient preferences). Therefore, it is so important that doctors of various specialties (surgeon, clinical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist, radiologist) and other specialists (e.g. psychologist, rehabilitator, social worker) participate in decisions about treatment.
